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?
Thesis titles for ab english students .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Custom essay ghostwriting services usa
Layout for an essay thesis background
Popular college essay editor sites au
When do you write a number in words
Caravaggio michelangelo merisi da essay art history ii filmbay uvc22612 new rtf
Literature review of acetabular morphometry
Essays for o levels
on islam religion – Pay to write cheap rhetorical analysis essay on lincoln vtpcm 2021[/url] personal essay ghostwriters services bbfmt[/url] essay on the new deal ncita[/url] thesans free download wabyx 2021[/url] 5de431aCorrig dissertation
Popular blog post writer site for university
Past ap world comparative essays
Top expository essay proofreading service for school
Diaper delivery service business plan
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
titles for ab english students [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.qowap.com]studybay[/url]
Brig harts monavie business plan
business plan proofreading for hire uk tpqav[/url] essay nursing sample[/url] research paper on classroom management[/url] portfolio cover letter example bnugk 2021[/url] cv writing graduates yphmq 2021[/url]Essay about indian one special food
Tweet your resume
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
titles for ab english students [/b] college common application essay syojb[/url] 21st century science physics coursework mark scheme ithmq[/url] an essay qiifz[/url] a company newsletter jsakg[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation only phd theology
]
https://championsleage.review/wiki/A_Simple_Key_For_EssayShark_Review_Unveiled
https://bwin365.org/bw/profile.php?section=personality&id=634975
http://ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/login?url=https://postheaven.net/trialground6/buy-essay-an-overview
Professional annotated bibliography editing websites for masters
A research paper on neil simon rumors
Resume for event management
]
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозаймы онлайн челябинск[/url]
http://www.wikzy.com/user/profile/3503847
http://edubirdie-com.csublogs.com
Best cover letter writers for hire for college
Essay on malnutrition in africa
English essay fo master degree
https://stolitsa.ee/tallinn/vladimir-antipp-posledniy-romantik?page=314#comment-1591850
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/265463-apa-reference-dissertation.html#294820
https://www.onyxtan.eu/blogs/blog/is-this-bronzer-a-fake-tan?comment=124358164562#comments
Thesis titles for ab english students
team player statements vuaam[/url] homework ghostwriting for hire for college mgthi[/url] dissertation on ipad xzqpj 2021[/url] dental resume proposal md qoltx[/url] titles for ab english students [/b] of description essay ordsi[/url] research paper outline qwwel[/url] plan datacenter pwcmr 2021[/url] for and against essay example jqoxm[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://www.rtiles.gr/cement-tile?unapproved=831205&moderation-hash=944855eb0b0e76612dc63abd562be3c0#comment-831205
https://forum.clubcivicquebec.com/topic/483098-cheap-assignment-writer-website-au-cacoz/page-40#entry5532620
http://aptekansp.ru/blog/produkty-s-vysokim-soderzhaniem-probioticheskih-svojstv#comment_59567
Resume with thesis example
titles for ab english students [/b] papers published india china oamco[/url] mastermind how to write a killer sales letter lzmdn[/url] letter for nurse manager poiim[/url] cover letter warehouse job[/url] admission essay writer websites for university huzob[/url] dissertation chapter writers services au – When will mail delivery resume bvpzz 2021[/url]Research paper on tuberculosis
How to write an effective essay conclusion
Hot teen pics
http://teenromaniapornpena.blanca.moesexy.com/?nikki
free videos porn online one piece anemia porn free texas porn desi porn free videos anne hathaway porn vidoes
College Girls Porn Pics
sharing video porn yu yu hakusho xxx porn ginger lez porn the simpsons porn free anime porn galerieshttp://localdating.instakink.com/?darby
]
Instrument Company[/u] International[/i] Biological[/b]Tegs: Cryologic https://chimmed.ru/manufactors/catalog?name=Cryologic
Скачать Украина и США готовят военные учения. Вечер с Владимиром Соловьевым от 02.06.2021 @Россия 1
СМОТРИМ БЕСПЛАТНО ПОЛНЫЙ ВЫПУСК В HD КАЧЕСТВЕ ТУТ ?? https://smotrim.ru/video/2304509/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=all&utm_campaign=all_0
Подпи…
Скачать ЗЕРКАЛА 3: Инкарнация. Треш обзор фильма Окулус 2… типа;)
Канал Синематор – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCELB2t3HQU8r2Bba9wp-I2w
Смешной треш Обзор фильма Зеркала: Инкарнация.
Можно ли…
Скачать СКАЖИ В ЛИЦО – MORGENSHTERN / ХЕЙТЕР ПЕРЕОБУЛСЯ
Качественные отношения только с качественным автосервисом.
Бесплатная диагностика ходовой части в FIT…
Скачать JONY «Правда или действие»
Игра “Правда или Действие” от МегаФона. Смотри, как это было!
Подписывайтесь на наш YouTube канал:
https://clck.ru/MM6nc…
Скачать Цыганята. Мужское / Женское. Выпуск от 02.06.2021
24-летняя Кристина Зелик из Владимирской области хочет спасти свою подругу Альбину от мужа-тирана и жуткой…
Скачать My Parents Were SECRET MERMAIDS in Roblox BROOKHAVEN RP!!
My Parents Were SECRET MERMAIDS in Roblox BROOKHAVEN RP!!
Subscribe Today : http://bit.ly/2Ax0cSH
?? Twitter: http://bit.ly/2AzD05W
? Previous Video : https://bit.ly/2R1RSjX
Spider…
Скачать The Favor [Dream SMP]
Those who treat me with kindness will see that kindness repaid tenfold.
thumbnail by https://twitter.com/jester_u/status/1366806187275153408
0:00 Intro
3:29 Surprise Birthday Party
20:00…
Скачать UNCLE CHRIS IS HERE TO HELP | Resident Evil: Village – Part 11
Check out Rondstat > https://open.spotify.com/show/43rchc5KiRyIIgJ75Zc2L7?si=D3VhRtl0Rm6J4bJ7u2yqQQ
Good news gang! Turns out that Chris is (and always was) here to help out! Shooting Mia…
Скачать What happens when you’re ABDUCTED on a Skybase…
Join the DISCORD: https://discord.gg/muselk
Second Channel! https://www.youtube.com/user/MuselkGames
Muselk Merch: https://fanjoy.co/muselk
Become a Channel Member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/…
Скачать ALIENS in FORTNITE! (Abduction Update!)
Today Aliens have arrived in a secret overnight patch by Epic. stay tuned until the end to see me get ABDUCTED live on stream! This was hilarious!
?? Watch me live at: http://www.twitch.tv/syphe…
Скачать Lucifer Season 5 Part 2 | Official Trailer | Netflix
It’s time to meet your new maker! Lucifer is back with eight thrilling new episodes. Season 5 Part 2 premieres May 28th.
Watch Lucifer, only on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/Lucifer
SUBSCRIBE:…
Скачать Elite: Temporada 4 | Trailer | Netflix
Lo tienen todo. Pero quieren mas.
La nueva etapa de Las Encinas comienza este 18 de junio.
SUSCRIBETE: https://bit.ly/2W85El8
Acerca de Netflix:
Netflix es el principal servicio de entretenimie…
Скачать Record of Ragnarok | Trailer oficial 2 | Netflix Anime
?Por fin llega una adaptacion en anime de la popular serie de manga con mas de 6 millones de copias! En 13 batallas, representantes de toda la historia de la humanidad combaten frente a…
Скачать FRIENDS: THE REUNION Official Trailer (NEW 2021)
FRIENDS: THE REUNION Official Trailer (NEW 2021)
© 2021 – Warner / HBO Max
Скачать Honest Trailers | The DCEU (400th Trailer)
>>Put the egg rolls in! Because this video was sponsored by Pagoda Egg Rolls (and srsly, this cost our small brand quite a bit, so if you could buy some egg rolls that would be great)….
Скачать Dear Fiona – ??Cover by ?? Panther Chan?(Live @ Chill Club)
?Dear Fiona?
:?
:?
:Yui
:Adrian Chan
?? ???
?? ???
??? ?…
Скачать BTS (?) ‘Butter’ Official MV
BTS (?) ‘Butter’ Official MV
Credits:
Director: Yong Seok Choi (Lumpens)
1st AD: Jihye Yoon (Lumpens)
2nd AD: Ran Ro (Lumpens)
PA: Soeyoung Park, Minsu Kim
Director of Photograph…
Скачать [CHOREOGRAPHY] BTS (?) ‘Butter’ Special Performance Video
Artist: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, Jung Kook
Production Artist Contents Studio (HYBE 360)
Director: Jang Jeong In
Assistant Director: Jeong Ji Won
Director of Photography Sunny Inspires…
Скачать The Beautiful Game (Now ??)
The Beautiful Game ??(Now ??)
??:?
??:?
?:?
?:?
???:MIRROR…
Скачать ITZY “?.?.?. In the morning” M/V @ITZY
ITZY “?.?.?. In the morning” M/V
https://orcd.co/guesswho
Find ITZY “?.?.?. In the morning” on
MelOn kko.to/yBIq-NQDo
Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/guess-who-ep/1563132…
Скачать Ансамбль “ВЕСЕЛУХА” “По такому поводу”.mpg
none
Скачать У каждой проблемы есть духовное решение [Аудиокнига, Nikosho]
none
Скачать (СТРАШНО) НИКОГДА НЕ ГОВОРИ С БУБОЙ в 3:00 Буба сбежал с телефона и напал
none
Скачать Первый выбор: раунд 1, выпуск 3. Ток-шоу “Я вижу твой голос”
Музыкальный квест. Участники нового увлекательного шоу проводят настоящее вокальное расследование! Вместе со …
Скачать Заработок в интернете высокие доходы в Nominex взгляд со стороны
none
Скачать Прислуга – Ешь мое дерьмо
none
Скачать [КостяПрав] ПСИХОЛОГИЯ УДАЧИ
none
Скачать Александр Панайотов – Чувствовать тебя
Александр Панайотов – “Чувствовать тебя” – официальный видеоклип (Музыка: Тарас Паненко / Текст: Алиса Осенина) …
Скачать Кто умнее – Дима Масленников или школьники? Шоу Иды Галич 1-11
none
Скачать “Дачный ответ”: Масштабная переделка ванной, сауны, хаммама и санузла
none
Best critical essay ghostwriting services uk .
Proceed to Order!!! https://www.londonchinese.ca/home.php?mod=space&uid=1289943
UYhjhgTDkJHVy