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?
Custom best essay ghostwriter website gb .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Esl dissertation chapter writers websites for university
American optimism essay
Questions to ask when writing a compare and contrast essay
Custom resume editor sites for school
How to write an introduction of a project
Research paper regarding sex education
Write a program to automatically shuffle a deck of cards
annotated bibliography ghostwriting service usa recla[/url] of an umbrella essay iwvup[/url] i write a cheque in us dollars celbi[/url] to write like james patterson qckey[/url] f163619Barack obama essay
The tenth circle book report
Help with professional creative essay on pokemon go
Online ap physics coursework
Probability in statistics
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
best essay ghostwriter website gb [/b][url=http://studybay-com.getblogs.net]studybay[/url]
]
with engineering personal statement cykpq[/url] college application essay xjbal[/url] on xanthomonas gvjvj[/url] papers writing websites online iorwb[/url] to cite a journal article apa in text example[/url]The boy in the striped pyjamas resume
Example of dental manager resume
Common vocabulary used in essays
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
best essay ghostwriter website gb [/b] do you cite a journal in apa format jmpih[/url] as a web ditfc 2021[/url] with popular personal essay on pokemon go dhvpg 2021[/url] dealer business plan lcktn[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation journey
]
https://pbase.com/topics/drivebowl6/excellent_suggestions_for_th
https://voticle.com/a/articles/110847/essayshark-review-things-to-know-before-you-buy
https://pediascape.science/wiki/Rumored_Buzz_on_EssayBotcom
Commercial loan application cover letter
account creation[/url] research paper[/url]Matlab assignment operator
Cover letter for hardware design engineer
http://xn—zb0bk9su4mphn.xn—mk1bu44c/index.php?mid=notice&document_srl=48850
http://whatthehellamiagreeingto.com/index.php/User:Annajohnsonus
Free graph paper for math homework
How to edit research paper
Main components of a business plan
https://swingdish.com/blogs/blog/beginners-guide-to-golf-rules-of-golf?comment=123472052298#comments
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/252386/how-to-write-vietnamese-name-in-english
https://sincerelyalc.com/blogs/blog/7995831-red-lips-forever?comment=124523380900#comments
Custom best essay ghostwriter website gb
llc thesis nozqg[/url] content editing services for university clyld[/url] on fake resume pjrvf 2021[/url] to get english curriculum vitae – Essay my college kmxpn 2021[/url] best essay ghostwriter website gb [/b] persuasive essay ghostwriters website for university urisw[/url] on ninja hattori dcaid[/url] to write a introdution – Hall event business plan bundle dfxle 2021[/url] a cancellation letter membership nehfc[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/500466-oxford-mba-essays-tips/page__gopid__1331282&#entry1331282
https://easternoutfitter.com/blogs/blog/fishing-structure-for-black-drum?comment=124216311874#comments
https://stormtec.net/blogs/videos/damming-a-river-in-ten-minutes-with-stormbags?comment=118616096900#comments
Cheap dissertation proposal ghostwriter site for school
best essay ghostwriter website gb [/b] resume editing sites uk fpfcu[/url] problem solving writers service uk rrgqk[/url] to write a rejection letter for a job[/url] academic essay writer services for phd euvup 2021[/url] on how to write a business report slzlr 2021[/url] interview cover letter sample lafgf[/url]Best dissertation proposal ghostwriters site ca
Cv cover letter examples ireland
https://www.scoop.it/topic/sdnf-owej-iwe-wjtqeiorqiorrjqwiorqwiorqiowrqiwo
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5699861
https://challonge.com/9cqi4gae
https://www.justgiving.com/page/varonica-bondy-1681750877475
https://telegra.ph/ksdjo-weioiqewio-qi-qiqrjioqrioqr-04-17
https://rextester.com/SPBTRI73589
https://bitbin.it/Mk5awmZy/
https://tech.io/snippet/IavKqgZ
https://graph.org/ksdj-owetjiweit-wei-wiejiqweporqj-04-17
https://pastehere.xyz/aamFZbnkw/
https://www.mixily.com/event/2175704753186767207
https://rentry.co/6kecf
https://controlc.com/10f1d469
https://backlinktool.io/p/PIzOKrG4k1j5lBAvtndY.html
https://pastebin.com/TdYYL6HL
https://paiza.io/projects/fjR_534Du5rPfFbnLj4SBg?language=php
https://pastelink.net/xy22rdlx
https://notes.io/qMvuU
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/6O6J52-a/
https://paste.ee/p/q63SP
https://glot.io/snippets/gk4q70ivv1
https://pastebin.com/TdYYL6HL
https://pasteio.com/xJBuhE2CHfsy
https://ivpaste.com/v/VcUMULWEP5
https://www.pexels.com/super-mario-bros-fullmovie-download-free-526339694/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-super-mario-bros-fullmovie-free-526340216/
https://www.pexels.com/watch-the-super-mario-bros-free-fullmovie-hd-526340665/ https://www.pexels.com/free-download-super-mario-bros-free-fullmovie-onl-526341396/
https://www.pexels.com/the-super-mario-bros-fullmovie-online-freee-526341622/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-the-super-mario-bros-fullmovie-online-526341901/
https://www.pexels.com/@watch-the-super-mario-bros-fullmovie-free-526342332/
https://infogram.com/where-to-watch-super-mario-bros-2023-fullmovie-online-at-home-1h8n6m3yvv98z4x
https://infogram.com/moviesgreater-super-mario-bros2023-fullmovie-online-at-homestream-1hd12yxz99zmx6k
https://infogram.com/how-to-to-watch-super-mario-bros-fullmovie-free-online-at-home-1hzj4o3mkkn534p
https://infogram.com/-watch-super-mario-bros-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-1h7g6k0vyywd02o
https://infogram.com/watch-super-mario-bros-2023-fullmovie-online-free-1hzj4o3mkkgk34p
https://infogram.com/watchsuper-mario-bros-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-hd-1h7j4dvrg3zp94n
https://infogram.com/putlocker-watch-super-mario-bros-free-fullmovie-online-streaming-english-1ho16vorn05x84n
https://infogram.com/super-mario-bros-2022-fullmovie-download-free-1080p-720p-and-480p-on-eng-sub-1h7k230nk83lv2x
https://infogram.com/download-super-mario-bros-2022-mp4720p-1080p-hd-4kn-1hxr4zx1yzmmq6y
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181890
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181892
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181899
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181902
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181904
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181907
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181909
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181913
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/181920
https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Watch!!+The+Super+Mario+Bros.+Movie+Online+for+Free/298140952
https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Watch+Super+Mario+Bros.+Movie+Movie+Full+Free+Online/298143112
https://rextester.com/HXGX49068
https://bitbin.it/mJpkUpIr/
https://graph.org/sdkjf-wejejpqjrpqr-qoprjoqpw-04-13
https://pastehere.xyz/a5GwObnf2/
https://notes.io/q9WHf
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/S6WXov_w/
https://paste.ee/p/KflWF
http://pastebin.falz.net/2500754
https://rentry.co/ko4nk
https://controlc.com/142b9bfd
https://backlinktool.io/p/XUwX97uOHvfLY57dg572.html
https://pastebin.com/8BuJp0tj
https://pasteio.com/xR4idZpaPyye
https://ideone.com/niUq6n
https://ivpaste.com/v/VwdJtEQySQ
https://paiza.io/projects/LBbLfa0p2N0KnRYqf7bIQw?language=php
https://pastelink.net/drgvalqk
https://www.mixily.com/event/775623130435998301
https://www.deviantart.com/gowentgones/journal/lksdjf-ekq-qrjqwjr-pqwrjqpiow-957925648
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5676494
https://challonge.com/40bdggy7
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151644
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151670
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151700
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151716
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151718
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151721
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151759
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151781
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151788
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151795
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151808
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151819
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151878
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151896
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151908
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151914
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151918
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151927
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151964
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151974
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151980
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/151988
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152018
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152033
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152038
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152047
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152051
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152064
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152067
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152074
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152077
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152083
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152092
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152100
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152107
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152124
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152127
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152129
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152133
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152139
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/152165
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/6fb98022-21cc-4b0f-bbb2-086c68ff28c0
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/c576e7ff-5047-471a-94e7-b288213cb2e0
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/0a87905b-29a3-48f8-9a3a-495e175537c4
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/a86b16fe-9ee3-4de8-a8f0-d562aab41edc
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/378e2f20-1ec7-444f-9b3c-6e7a22878eb6
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/5a786bc5-7573-4911-a326-05bf9f8ba489
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/58e30d27-5db9-4a0e-93b1-16ac9b414c8a
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/dcca9e7a-6b1b-4134-8725-39a9218ea437
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/94ab7711-333b-4d57-b094-bbf654473db4
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/4be7232e-fbbb-43a6-a067-728ffa7e4207
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/57518473-2aab-49d7-9757-b19d233adf15
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/a453b4e8-6e9c-4b6d-8eaf-a32f50032676
https://www.asahihibachi.com/group/arunabadi-inc-group/discussion/6f5fcafd-127d-4e71-95fd-bdb3dc22a8bf