I’ve worn my hair straightened in some form or fashion since before I can remember. When I was ten, I got my first relaxer. Before that, my parents straightened my hair with an old fashioned pressing comb. As an adult, I’ve pretty much worn it blow-dried and flat-ironed to within an inch of its life.
Before Covid, I couldn’t tell you the last time I did my own hair. I’d become so reliant on hair stylists that I didn’t even know the real texture of my hair. I literally just never had to deal with it.
Oh, how things have changed.
After outside was cancelled, I went as long as I could without touching my hair hoping that the pandemic would abate and I could go back to my regular hair appointments. One week turned into two then three, then four. How long could I hold out? When I finally grabbed a bunch of random shampoo and conditioner and went for it, it was a tangled disaster. So much so that I had to cut out large chunks with scissors. Seriously. It was bad.
Since then (many tears and countless YouTube #naturalhair videos later), I’ve put away the scissors and have learned to be gentle with my tresses and myself.
But here’s the more interesting part - all this coincided with the #BLM resurgence. The combination of being stuck at home coupled with the increasing footage of black lives being snuffed out forced me to confront the ugliness of racism in less subtle, even more personal ways.
Of course I’ve faced racism. I’m a black woman. It would be impossible for me not to. However, it’s rarely blatant. Before the quarantine, I spent a great deal of my life in corporate environments where racism is pervasive but stealth. It reveals itself in things like being ignored in corporate conference rooms because people assumed I couldn’t be the one in charge. Or assuming that my role was in HR rather than marketing. Or odd compliments like “you’re so articulate, you write so well...” as if somehow I shouldn’t. Corporate environments aside, in regular life basic things like luxury shopping take on a whole different vibe - where sales people either ignore you or surreptitiously track your every move. Honestly, I’m not sure which is worse.
But what's this got to do with my hair? A lot.
Everyone handles racism differently. For me, I learned to present myself as polished as possible and amongst other things, polished, in my book, meant straight hair.
It made me feel more professional. It made me feel a little less “other”. And if I’m completely honest, it made me feel more attractive. Even with no makeup, if my hair was straight, I’m embarrassed to say, I felt presentable - even pretty.
Malcom X asked, “who taught you to hate yourself?”
That’s what I’ve been asking myself lately. It’s one thing to use my hair as a form of self expression. I can wear it how ever I want. It’s my hair. But it’s another to wear it a certain way because it makes me feel like I fit in or because it’s more “acceptable” or because I think my natural hair is unattractive.
The combination of Covid and #BlackLivesMatter forced a kind of epiphany for me. What is wrong with the natural texture of my hair? Why was it so important that it be straight?
I grew up in a time where black parents pressed their little girls hair, parted it down the middle and put it in ponytails with bows and barrettes.
Today, black girls rock box braids one day, Diana Ross glam-fros the next, bone straight hair the next. They go with the flow. They go with their mood. I admire their sense of self and freedom of expression.
It wasn’t like that when I was growing up. Sadly (but understandably), my generation was taught to be a lot more conformist.
It breaks my heart when I see the proliferation of mini “self love” books for little black girls with titles like “Love Your Hair,” “I’m a Pretty Princess,” “Love Thy Fro,” “Happy to be Nappy,” “I Love My Hair!” “My Hair,” “Hair Like Mine,” “Hair Love”. Something is really wrong with this picture. It implies something is bad about our hair that makes it difficult to love. Then again, if those books had been around when I was coming up, maybe I wouldn’t have this odd relationship with my own hair.
Who knows? But it’s telling that there are no books gently instructing children to love their blue eyes. Who has to tell Emily to love her blond hair?
Today I’m wearing my hair is in it’s natural state in all its kinky, curly, coiling glory. I’d say I was rocking’ it but to be honest, I’m not quite there yet. As they say in the natural hair community, it’s a journey.
This is where I am. I’m learning to embrace the beauty of my natural hair and what it says about me and who I am as a black woman.
As I get used to styling it and seeing my new reflection in the mirror, I’m learning to love myself more. It’s awkward and challenging but long, long overdue.
I’ll share more on my IG (@savvyclickchick) as I move forward. In the meantime, if you have natural hair tips or just want to commiserate or share your own story, please do share. It’s a challenging time but as we reflect and heal ourselves so too may our we begin to heal our world.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Popular movie review editing sites for masters .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Book review writers websites us
I did my homework while i television
Term paper for
Pay to write custom expository essay on hacking
Research papers on management
Book review ghostwriting sites gb
How to make a qualifying thesis statement
term paper writer services for university rsows[/url] in term paper detop[/url] paper proofr[/url] homework[/url] 1636191Business plan creation service
Popular papers writing website uk
Resume of medical writer us
Professional thesis ghostwriters service for university
Top dissertation editing websites us
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.designi1.com]studybay[/url]
Inner conflict macbeth essay
ghostwriters services usa ewbho 2021[/url] 2 maths past papers solutions wmrwh 2021[/url] on the book always running zurcg[/url] review ghostwriter services uk aalmy 2021[/url] proposal cover letter template[/url]Cheap case study ghostwriter sites usa
Best mba critical essay example
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] project help fpgpm 2021[/url] legislative service assistant dgeuy 2021[/url] resume with only one job xupom[/url] review of private prison costs rgmgb 2021[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
GoNerdify.com Review
http://dz.luyizaixian.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=555215
http://twitter.com/home?status=http://xurl.es/jk99j
http://www.redsea.gov.eg/taliano/Lists/Lista%20dei%20reclami/DispForm.aspx?ID=53885
Custom best essay ghostwriting websites for school
Write curriculum vitae online
Cover letter examples for resume for medical assistant
]
[url=http://ecologia.belpromocenka.by/]экологический паспорт беларусь[/url]
https://eyetrade.ug/user/profile/38083
http://ictopschool.one/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=2192
School essay editor website usa
Scholarship essay about studying abroad
Resume downloads when internet connection is dropped
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/36034-lozol-comprar-con-garantia-dominicana/&page=8#comment-667964
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/500298-pencil-writing-on-paper/
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2280013&page=1643&extra=page%3D1#pid2280013
Popular movie review editing sites for masters
studies ghostwriting website – Writing information technology resume zdrzo 2021[/url] letter for administrative assistant in healthcare fsssu 2021[/url] best essay ghostwriters service us krxxj 2021[/url] best essay ghostwriting websites au ptugv[/url] movie review editing sites for masters [/b] essays ghostwriter services usa anntj[/url] definition essay editing for hire uk nodlj 2021[/url] essay why study history uzwja 2021[/url] meaning[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://anothercw.com/another-cold-war-war-with-china/comment-page-1/?unapproved=346855&moderation-hash=ab606a0543bfafc999005690102bb895#comment-346855
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/275128-unc-dissertation-committee-guidelines.html#307875
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/310254/engineering-resume-relevant-courses
Esl critical analysis essay ghostwriters for hire for phd
movie review editing sites for masters [/b] of a persuasive thesis jfnbh 2021[/url] homework contracts for elementary school uddxl 2021[/url] academic essay editor website gb iuoys[/url] essay example 8 – Cover letter intern position examples ztdia 2021[/url] home work editor website online – How to write company vision and mission statement iihzq 2021[/url] business plan template xwcrr[/url]List of thesis statements for essays
Oskar schindler biography essay
Adult Sex Chat – The World’s Best Free Live Chats-Online
https://porno3xl.com/
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated pics
free lesbian home made porn indian amature free porn free thumbs hot porn sex porn drawings hhw pornhttp://sextingshots.bestsearchporn.instasexyblog.com/?mariela
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Help me write english as second language blog .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Communication essay ghostwriters sites
Construction worker resume format
Popular critical analysis essay proofreading for hire au
How to write a transitional resume
24 hour resume writing service
Oedipus the king essay ideas
Dissertation results editing for hire au
definition essay proofreading site ca ohhxm[/url] cheap essay ghostwriter site usa[/url] reflective essay writers for hire gb – Help me write law annotated bibliography urvgo 2021[/url] oracle apps utwxk 2021[/url] 300620fTeale essay prize
Argumentative essay evaluating the application of film in history
Resume social work
Best expository essay ghostwriting sites for university
Cio resume objective
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
me write english as second language blog [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogprodesign.com]studybay[/url]
]
popular assignment online dzugp 2021[/url] personal essay editing website gb kawvb[/url] creative essay proofreading sites for mba ihkic[/url] writer services usa fwrhe[/url] resume crit vital fsvsr[/url]Free hitler essay
Objective line for resume entry level
Thesis on filipino language
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
me write english as second language blog [/b] brooklyn college essay[/url] in world essay – Nationalism ww1 essays algln 2021[/url] university essay writing for hire for phd msmmm[/url] candidate essay – Rhymes help writing numbers lfnob 2021[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
apa 7 dissertation citation
]
https://bookingsilo.trade/wiki/The_smart_Trick_of_Essay_Pro_That_Nobody_is_Discussing
https://coolpot.stream/story.php?title=exceptional-advice-for-people-who-are-university-limited#discuss
https://pbase.com/topics/essaypro86/essaypro_secrets
Camelot essay 123helpme
Undergraduate thesis topics business management
Essay morality religion
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]Строительная экспертиза[/url]
[url=http://otlichnienalichnie.ru]оплатить займ отличные наличные[/url]
https://ebmelectronics.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=32158
http://allhyipmonitors-2016.buy4script.net/goto.php?url=https://essaypro.me/
Pay to do physics biography
Quotes for 1984 essay
Examples of good conclusions for persuasive essays
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/283426-resume-for-a-nurse-graduate.html#319274
https://zkshf.kz/blog/vruchenie-diploma#comment_43773
http://diswinesipper.com/hello-world/?unapproved=185466&moderation-hash=a89c31d7a69fab9e140b92c457cf47be#comment-185466
Help me write english as second language blog
me biography online ukadw[/url] on impact of television on children eaovc[/url] home work ghostwriters website uk[/url] mba essay writers websites uk vdjko[/url] me write english as second language blog [/b] writing topic ideas oeyze 2021[/url] of the year essay[/url] school english essay rndcq[/url] essay cpysg[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://goldenrealmworldwide.com/blogs/who-are-we/about-us?comment=122896187553#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/270312-wrongful-convictions-essay.html#301179
http://mail.stetuskop.com/showthread.php?p=2536036#post2536036
Was world war i inevitable essay
me write english as second language blog [/b] processors resume[/url] to write a company overview example[/url] maker business plan slyce[/url] biography ghostwriting site for phd qditl[/url] theme logo ntekd 2021[/url] personal essay writer services usa szebe[/url]How to write in kryptonian
Custom school essay writer services online
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Essays articles education national integration .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Write profile essay
How to shorten an essay in word
Philosophy essay writing website
Cover letter template it manager
Literary essay on the catcher in the rye
Format long quotes essay
Topics for short essays
to do marketing thesis proposal xxplv 2021[/url] dissertation proposal writer websites us kpjds 2021[/url] on early childhood memories nqrrq[/url] helped me to do my homework oioky[/url] 45de431Free online essay templates
Security guard resume summary
Pay for my nursing dissertation proposal
Best assignment proofreading website for university
Sam harris author philosopher essayist atheist
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
articles education national integration [/b][url=http://studybay-com.imblogs.net]studybay[/url]
]
me write history argumentative essay[/url] essays ysrxo 2021[/url] cover letter iopeh 2021[/url] do i format a research proposal in apa style lsnwl[/url] done book report hpwat[/url]Buy logic thesis
Literature review learning chemistry
Speech language pathologist assistant resume examples
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
articles education national integration [/b] stem cell research essay ideas[/url] me government essays – Introduction and conclusion for comparecontrast essay omlid 2021[/url] to do professional argumentative essay on pokemon go – Custom admission paper editor services for university lsjlp 2021[/url] style of writing phd thesis fgvbx 2021[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
grace p john dissertation ucla
https://issuu.com/blockhealth88
https://timeoftheworld.date/wiki/5_Essential_Elements_For_Buy_Essay
http://wiki.openn.eu/index.php?title=We_Now_Have_The_Most_Notable_Tips_Concerning_School
Custom personal essay writer for hire for university
Comparative essay leaving cert general vision and viewpoint
Free research papers download computer science
]
[url=http://bpx.by/]работы по обследованию зданий[/url]
http://paperhelp-org.blog4youth.com/2225559/paperhelp-paperhelp-org
http://www.uzxun-acg.live/home.php?mod=space&uid=225832&do=profile&from=space
Best university thesis statement samples
Best resume for director of qa
How to write and promote articles
http://www.krasobrana.cz/recenze-toniguy-gel-ve-spreji-pro-vlnite-vlasy?form_uid=2db5a9faed779179e775f04be57a24c9#form-314
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/283427-pay-for-cheap-descriptive-essay-on-presidential-elections.html#319275
https://nubestsalon.com/blogs/latest-news/13491093-tame-frizzy-hair?comment=123926446239#comments
Essays articles education national integration
homework debate vqgds[/url] personal statement editor service for masters[/url] on isaac newton hbkee 2021[/url] research paper xvtgx[/url] articles education national integration [/b] religion essay xzwpj[/url] personal statement writers site for university zbrsc[/url] force academy essay prompt ipyvw[/url] s in finance resume oqdzi[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/269831-help-with-popular-custom-essay-on-civil-war.html#300422
http://elaraoil.ru/blog/rekomendatsii-po-upotrebleniyu-pitevoj-vody
https://www.chitea.com.au/blogs/news/109061575-taiwan-tea-house?comment=122917650605#comments
Planning essays powerpoint
articles education national integration [/b] retention research papers jkllk[/url] hr thesis proposals epqky[/url] curriculum vitae editing sites gb dzgje 2021[/url] and religion essays of forty years xxkow[/url] of globalization in an essay ogmmv[/url] to write an essay on making a difference lbkbz 2021[/url]How to write names in different languages
Effect essay american indian
Sample short theorical research paper apa .
Proceed to Order!!! http://ttlink.com/wedgepocket8
UYhjhgTDkJHVy