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
Dr.Doping – it is very significant for clients service, which provides drugs. This company is dynamically developed all over the cities. It was justified a few years ago and at the moment it is a very main shop center, where diverse medicine drugs and vitamins possible search very fast. Even if you don’t know where in your place to search and buy drugs, or you haven’t the possibility to go to the pharmacy, you must use web services.
On drdoping.com probable to make an order and to search different pills. In spite of you are men or a woman, some vitamins and pills for your feeling are possible to find. You could make an order and pay by Visa or MasterCard card or using an alternative option. Today a lot of men after Coronavirus need to utilize with eat some drugs. It could be nutritional supplements which are very necessary for people. You can buy Mircera at online shop or buy Pantocrine Panthea. For a long-term period of working this organization has recommended by itself like as a very trustworthy firm.
Digital services are already very remarkable for people, by this reason guys like to buy something buy Riboxin injection on the web. Even if you wish to search something for your head in the range, it is possible doing. As well, men buy Polyoxidonium pills if they have any issues with their health. Some young women have unbelievable situations with their arms. Clients can buy Growth Hormone Somatropin Gentech HGH and improve their health.
Any old men don’t know where in pharmacies to purchase Umifenovir 100mg, while it is very often used by guys after 56 years old. Members also don’t know how to be, even they have a migraine and don’t have option to go to a pharmacy. Even man wishes to find and buy Neiromidin online, it is also possible to do.
Actually, you like as a guy can find best prices and actions with a rebate for different pills. 24hours format of working provides an option to find members different drugs and make an order for them. You could buy Pentoxifylline injection and get advice from a specialist if you need it. New shop center buy Bronhalamin allow a chance to members to buy Solcoseryl gel or to buy Cytoflavin, cause it is very comfortable.
Also in a catalog of medical drugs, clients have option to buy Amixin 60mg. Some users like pills, others like to use injections. However, you may use all that you need. More and more people couldn’t buy Alflutop online, because web pharmacies don’t have it. On website online it is possible to find. Young and old people could search uy Vid-Komod eye drops and buy them in time when they could be on sale.
Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
porn avi downloads 5 inch dick porn torcherd pussy porn missionery sex videos porn top dvd porn siteshttp://hurtsshirt.xblognetwork.com/?jaelyn
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists. Travels markla.teswomango.com/travels/
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Concept of homeostasis essay .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Tips on making a good resume
Business plan of an airport
Professional dissertation conclusion editor website online
Essay writting help
Inductive teaching methods literature review
Resume for a driver example
Medical office assistant cover letter examples
paper commentary example dslnl 2021[/url] resume turbine ntucg[/url] team leader resume djswj[/url] writing how many pages gzyjc 2021[/url] ca10_d6Ipod touch wont resume pause
California bar exam essay grading scale
Essay pictures hollis woods
Buy astronomy assignment
Essay of cloning
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
of homeostasis essay [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.targetblogs.com]studybay[/url]
Professional bibliography writing websites online
professional article agipz 2021[/url] carol essay help atwmp[/url] officer cover letter template – Essay on challenges of life bosdf 2021[/url] masters blog examples fczxl[/url] dissertation proposal ghostwriters websites online arydl 2021[/url]Write personal statement cv
Oxford university library thesis
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
of homeostasis essay [/b] letter for sending resume via email[/url] research paper prpjk[/url] to write a testimonial for a business saupj 2021[/url] tester resume cwjnd[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation questionnaire
https://www.auto-ecole-adp.fr/avant-de-demarrer-je/#comment-11496
http://forum.eduglobe.net/member.php?action=profile&uid=103890
https://instapages.stream/story.php?title=how-much-you-need-to-expect-youll-pay-for-a-good-edubirdie#discuss
Reflective ghostwriter site au
bay[/url] writing service usa[/url]Popular reflective essay writers services au
Fresher resume database hyderabad
https://images.google.lt/url?q=https://loansolo.co
http://www.creditcardwatcher.com/go.php?url=https://essaypro.me
Dissertation introduction editing website usa
Development manager resume sample
Professional rhetorical analysis essay proofreading services uk
https://cuckoldz.com/who-do-you-want-your-wife-to-cuckold-you-with-poll/?unapproved=76506&moderation-hash=3f6b7bf0123587a64616ccc8a44eda5a#comment-76506
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-16#entry2513341
https://www.sundancespascommunity.co.uk/forums/topic/fiction-book-report-form/
Concept of homeostasis essay
theme free wordpress[/url] literature review editing websites for phd ypetr 2021[/url] book report worksheets[/url] tense for resume wwmwr[/url] of homeostasis essay [/b] dissertation abstract writing site for college bwxqn 2021[/url] source cards for research papers tazcn[/url] to write css in dreamweaver qzbbo[/url] literature review editor websites usa ldyji 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/271037-an-example-of-a-narrative-essay-high-school.html#302181
https://www.sundancespascommunity.co.uk/forums/topic/essay-my-pet-bird-nbeyc/#post-379064
https://1403pom.com/blogs/blog/how-to-style-family-photos?comment=122804994166#comments
Top college essay ghostwriter for hire us
of homeostasis essay [/b] thesis proposal architecture – Ophthalmic technician resume czbli 2021[/url] verbiage list – African american equality essay nfdtm 2021[/url] contest for black history month violence nyc aynpl[/url] in history essays in historical demography[/url] argumentative essays uebio[/url] cv writers website uk klact[/url]Director of fundraising cover letter
How to write a custom swing component
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated pics
soft core bondage porn porn movies freee extreme young teenage porn family group porn clips free black safe pornhttp://oldgannyporn.fetlifeblog.com/?angelica