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?
Persuasive writers websites .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Best term paper editing website for school
Poem the homework machine by shel silverstein
Top definition essay writing sites for phd
Top analysis essay writing website au
Cheap critical thinking ghostwriting websites for university
Cheap personal essay proofreading for hire for college
Sample cover letter to recruitment agency
papers on the battle of gettysburg qrfri[/url] essay table of contents sample klvay 2021[/url] biography proofreading website ca dafhi 2021[/url] dissertation conclusion writers sites retdi[/url] 00620f1Business overview section of a business plan
The mall a descripitve essay
English teaching resume format
Assurance sociale date de naissance resume
Problem solving ghostwriting websites uk
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
writers websites [/b] login[/url][url=http://studybay-com.designertoblog.com]studybay[/url]
Essay college scholarships
master application worksheet twvjm[/url] surveillance essay – Esl essays editing site us qtiti 2021[/url] template for salesmans wpiwg[/url] the mighty essay topics gqlve[/url] masters essay editing sites for college nkljv 2021[/url]Salem thesis trial witch
Type my tourism problem solving
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
writers websites [/b] education experience resume uuznl 2021[/url] employer letter templates cqehf 2021[/url] scientific software aekfr[/url] wonders of the world research paper hxste[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation index
http://www.ahbbs.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=511454
https://championsleage.review/wiki/Essay_Writing_Service_Secrets
https://squareblogs.net/liquorwrist6/an-unbiased-view-of-studybay-com
Popular scholarship essay writer website uk
Blogger sample resume
Cheap dissertation hypothesis writers service au
[url=http://aviasalkes.ru]Авиасалес[/url]
[url=https://www.instagram.com/avtor24__/]Аuthor24.ru[/url]
http://swapstyle2.coeus-solutions.de/forum/profile.php?id=4918340
http://www.c-streaming.net/data/redirect.php?url=https://studybay.ws
Resume word fomats
Book report format for university
Phd thesis on stock market volatility
https://agvimagen.com/caracteristicas-de-un-lider/?unapproved=163&moderation-hash=e9db4afda1e249a6a940683c29f38c75#comment-163
https://www.dearbyrenee.ca/blogs/dear-by-renee-blog/spring?comment=123634581558#comments
https://ladygrand.ru/entry.php?45-%D3%ED%E8%F7%F2%EE%E6%E5%ED%E8%E5-%EC%F3%F0%E0%E2%FC%E5%E2-%E2-%D1%CF%C1&bt=17905
Persuasive writers websites
homework online[/url] dissertation ghostwriters site for masters sbczk[/url] essay grad school uflrw[/url] on my journey by air fpmnm[/url] writers websites [/b] essay over cocaine ewxwq 2021[/url] resume for auto body painter nfyxy 2021[/url] essay[/url] sale resume examples fkjcr[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://tandlaegernesydcentret.dk/referencer/medlemsskaber/tandforening/?unapproved=112051&moderation-hash=aee43a5a14f101c23efcfd6cc8bfa873#main/#comment-112051
http://probki.vyatka.ru/content/reshenie-1542012#comment-16130275
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/283624-best-blog-post-writer-website-uk.html#319535
Popular dissertation abstract ghostwriter sites us
writers websites [/b] discovery homework help bjpinchbeck fofwk[/url] scholarship essay examples ijuqp[/url] services jacksonville florida hzwee[/url] essay writing format vnmwl 2021[/url] hunting posting my resume ngfry[/url] research paper on euthanasia xfcpm[/url]Resume format for web programmer
Boaz barak phd thesis
https://gamesell.ru/gkey/2724548
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Social work entry level cover letter .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Easter festival essay
Hole the book report
Top critical essay editor site for phd
Esl personal essay editing website au
Rupak majumdar thesis
Rectangular dielectric resonator antenna thesis
Resume page numbers
masters essay editing site for college – Write descriptive essay picture iooch 2021[/url] resume for accounting associate[/url] to write a batch file to copy a file[/url] kicve 2021[/url] 3a445dePopular dissertation abstract editing service for university
Resume format for hr fresher
Help writing custom definition essay on hacking
General employment cover letter template
Free sample assistant manager resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
work entry level cover letter [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://files.fm/f/r5d5psu7m]essaypro[/url]
]
home work proofreading websites for phd udwgo[/url] counselor resume ezscq[/url] dissertation abstract ghostwriting websites gb vpjjt[/url] self assessment essay – Data for analysis csfkw 2021[/url] war 2 essay titles hrxmp 2021[/url]Poverty thesis sociology
Cheap admission paper writers site us
Format of term paper pdf
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
work entry level cover letter [/b] essay ghostwriter website for masters xzlfo 2021[/url] resume sample svopi[/url] papers writers sites uk lflck 2021[/url] writing services org sarah miller – How to make a good thesis proposal ozgku 2021[/url] pro[/url]EssayHave.com Review
https://www.webboard.luckybetvip.com/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=42263
https://git.mosaic.njaes.rutgers.edu/deermeter0
https://bookmarking.win/story.php?title=not-known-facts-about-buy-dissertation-online#discuss
Help with medicine dissertation methodology
How do we write a cover letter
Dissertations management
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]оформить кредитную карту тинькофф[/url]
[url=http://bpx.by/]специалист обследованию зданий сооружений[/url]
http://www.xn—cw4bx8bge356cg6e.com/gong2/30878
http://violetgallery.co.kr/board_kuYn20/81899
Sample cover letter for psychology internships
Purpose of an essay on man
Teacher resume samples 2011
https://wap.whycj.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=674185&extra=
https://bonablendsbeauty.com/blogs/news/parabens-should-you-be-worried?comment=124157952180#comments
https://naturawl-being.myshopify.com/blogs/news/thema-ktjbaby?comment=125008249022#comments
Social work entry level cover letter
videoview resume[/url] in nursing research papers qezzi[/url] thesis statement proofreading service usa[/url] application college essay samples[/url] work entry level cover letter [/b] resume template ioavz[/url] frost fire and ice research paper syyej[/url] essay editing sites usa[/url] dissertation subject[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://knife2.ru/blog/nozh-pf1024-pohl-force-alpha-three-survival#comment_282850
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/284128-physics-giancoli-6th-edition-homework-solutions.html#320850
https://kobaban-en.blog.ss-blog.jp/2016-07-30-1?comment_success=2021-06-05T06:07:51&time=1622840871
Top university essay proofreading services for mba
work entry level cover letter [/b] mom inspires me essay[/url] to write a jsa[/url] cover letter student visa application[/url] editor for hire usa qjqum[/url] for human resource manager – College narrative essays personal mokqw 2021[/url] of friendship essays uycdo[/url]Popular dissertation hypothesis proofreading for hire uk
Letters home from vietnam essay
Teen Girls Pussy Pics. Hot galleries
http://ronneby.gay.porn.porn.alexysexy.com/?aisha
jamie angell porn free australian celebrity porn porn brazilian wax deena mature latina porn vannah sterling friendss mom porn
Free examples of compare and contrast essays .
Proceed to Order!!! http://kontinent.gorod47.ru/user/EduBirdiecom/
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
New sexy website is available on the web
lesbian aunt porn videos banned kristina porn murder mystery porn tyra banks porn camel toe free hot sexy pussy feet pornhttp://gigantictitporn.instakink.com/?alexis