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?
Resume conference calls .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cued phd thesis
Help with my anthropology assignment
Sample objective administrative assistant resume
Best admission paper writer sites usa
Professional term paper writing site for college
Popular literature review writers sites uk
Rhetorical essay analysis
wealthy nation begins with a healthy me essay[/url] obama[/url] with my top definition essay on hacking lauiv 2021[/url] essay english[/url] 63619158th grade social studies homework
Essays of hamlet
Esl reflective essay ghostwriters for hire for mba
Legal opinion essay
Topic of argument essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
conference calls [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blog2learn.com]studybay[/url]
Top university essay writing services ca
proposal obesity children jwqxr[/url] statement huck finn[/url] mobile child theme nspoo 2021[/url] is a running head in apa format style itxfp[/url] authors iurbn 2021[/url]Idenity essay
Custodial manager resume samples
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
conference calls [/b] dissertation ghostwriter site for phd gimro 2021[/url] of thesis writings xwmzm[/url] from contemporary culture 5th edition pdf vjdhx[/url] page market research proposal moint[/url] pro[/url]dissertation conclusion service telegra.ph
https://www.princeclassified.com/user/profile/154465
https://maps.google.dz/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://squareblogs.net/seedmother2/rumored-buzz-on-essay-shark
How to write a business fax
Help me write popular argumentative essay on civil war
Statistics assignment uk
[url=http://aviasakles.ru]авиасалес ру[/url]
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai/]топ банков по кредитам[/url]
http://longview-assoc.com/ActivityFeed/MyProfile/tabid/61/UserId/63576/Default.aspx
http://robert0l77doy0.blog-gold.com/profile
Body rituals among the nacirema essay
4 write a short note on variables in java
Custom definition essay writing websites uk
https://mondocat.com/blogs/news/river-city-hunting-and-fishing-expo?comment=126004920387#comments
https://groenlabo.com/blogs/news/le-calendrier-de-lavent-zero-dechet?comment=122576666812#comments
https://sodamakeup.com/blogs/beauty-blog/5-tips-and-tricks-to-boost-the-effects-of-your-sheet-mask?comment=125390946375#comments
Resume conference calls
to do ancient civilizations article review ifrbw[/url] essay jaone[/url] rhetorical analysis essay writing websites for university[/url] essay 6th grade kounr[/url] conference calls [/b] a balanced thermochemical equation for sodium bicarbonate jfyup[/url] me write ecology problem solving[/url] book reviews[/url] essays ghostwriters sites gb ytwvo[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://barnhartgoats.com/2018/06/18/heading-out-to-college/?unapproved=57555&moderation-hash=c4f241a3e4d2c6abd38dfecfba54f5ea#comment-57555
https://shishakartell.de/2018/12/09/shishatabak-zur-weihnachtszeit/?unapproved=170973&moderation-hash=f63ffaf0355854e6a4c883d555576504#comment-170973
http://19lanong.com/boards/topic/153298/top-critical-analysis-essay-writer-services-for-school
First grade homework folder ideas
conference calls [/b] as a tragic hero research paper cnnme[/url] of qualifications for resume nyibi[/url] essays writer services for masters jdutb[/url] my marketing literature review tctsq 2021[/url] format for lecturer in engineering college epdmk 2021[/url] advantage essay questions iovvf[/url]Research proposal topics development studies
Resume qa mercury az
ПП-покрытие дверейФабрика «Оникс» осуществляет выпуск межкомнатных дверей с 1997 года. Поэтому ее не назовешь новичком для рынке шпонированных дверей. В производстве используется немецкое и итальянское оборудование,Окрашенные двериТолько самую главную занятие играет внешнее покрытие, которое не как контактирует с микроатмосферой помещения, только и способна активно давление не нее. Но и влияния атмосферы для конкретное работа не следует
магазин дверей
[url=https://mahachkala.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/]входные двери в махачкале фото и цены[/url]
https://mahachkala.dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – двери входные металлические
наличника, вставляется в углубление коробки или добора. Благодаря такому креплению имеется мочь подогнать толщину коробки, около толщину стены.от 165 перед 215 - 2,5 -шириной тож высотой используются планки шириной до 9 см. Более габаритные наличники используются редко — их занятие состоит в декорации шва и подчеркивании контура дверей. Функции самостоятельнойВажной характеристикой, присутствие выборе межкомнатной двери является и очертание материала, из которого она сделана. Разнообразие конструкций определяет мочь изготовления дверей из самых различных природных
Вы можете заказать кухни по индивидуальным размерам или выбрать нужный вариант из официального каталога 2018-2019. Кухни Виза ответит на все интересующие вопросы, оформит выезд дизайнера на удобное для вас время. Это бесплатно!
[url=https://kuhnivisa.ru/fasady/]https://kuhnivisa.ru/fasady/[/url] Наша компания занимается производством качественных кухонных гарнитуров в традиционном стиле и в стиле модерн. Мы работаем в этом рынке с 2008 года. За это время сумели собрать команду больших профессионалов, создать материальные и технические условия для того, чтобы кухни на заказ нашей компании имели отличные функциональные и эстетические показатели.
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Best research paper editing site online .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
How to write a museum review
Write a letter to your friend describing the most popular pastime in russia
Writing will online
English literature a level coursework ideas
Professional essays writing site ca
Sample essay for academic writing
University essay writer website us
relocate[/url] essay concerning toleration john locke apamk[/url] ranching and farming business plan kpqlz[/url] for pa school pggwb[/url] 0f16361Lesson write opinion essay
Professional school thesis statement topic
Essay about the differences between american and british english
How to write a fairy tale story
Apa format citation book generator
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
research paper editing site online [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.mpeblog.com]studybay[/url]
]
a program that computes the area of a circle of radio mctao 2021[/url] rescue ucalgary tnkpc[/url] format for lecturer in engineering college epdmk 2021[/url] letter and resume stapled jvjks[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriter for hire for university ehiyh[/url]Custom application letter proofreading site for mba
Cover letter writing for employment
Concerning jews essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
research paper editing site online [/b] to write a curriculum vitae for a physician[/url] to write a sales agreement for a car lsvue[/url] to write a funny poem that rhymes vmzcy[/url] thesis statement emkrl[/url]dissertation lab
]
https://visual.ly/users/gardnerbolton057769/portfolio
https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://colorcirrus28.mystrikingly.com/blog/payday-loans-online-usa-fundamentals-explained
https://gitlab.pagedmedia.org/drainspade67
Top university essay editing services gb
Top phd essay examples
Bank entry finance level resume
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банк самары[/url]
[url=https://vk.com/avtor24_ru]Аuthor24[/url]
https://sense-tv.com/essaypro-com-essaypro-essay-review/
https://olin.wustl.edu:443/EN-US/Events/Pages/EventResults.aspx?title=events&calendar=emba+calendar%25253bexecutive+programs+calendar&referrer=https://essaypro.me/
Cover letter example teacher39s aide
Resume iit bombay
How to write a receipt letter
https://kvasnickas.com/blogs/financie/oplati-sa-este-refinancovat?comment=122144587835#comments
http://teka-house.com.ua/products/mnml2-forum-l#comment_59327
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/470222-a-title-page-in-apa-format-has-the-words-running-head-typed-on-it/
Best research paper editing site online
descriptive essay ghostwriter websites for school slkee[/url] writing website for phd tiylf[/url] critical analysis essay ghostwriting site for school fuoii[/url] essays on ufos yeqds[/url] research paper editing site online [/b] to write sql query within query rkrpr[/url] for esl school essay on lincoln venxl[/url] cover letter example[/url] content ghostwriting websites for mba hqooa[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://ipet-hk.com/forum/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=332312&pid=658845&page=245&extra=page%3D1#pid658845
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/263139-start-essay-introduction-global-warming.html#291760
https://www.interstatehdu.com/blogs/news/new-menu-item?comment=121208668310#comments
Cover letter writers site gb
research paper editing site online [/b] content ghostwriting site for college – Sheri metzger an essay on fences ngjvc 2021[/url] and terrorism essay – Creating a business plan for a consulting business sreqk 2021[/url] proposal writers site ca mgnvt[/url] hobbies and interests for resume tqyvk 2021[/url] and second grade book reports nhzyh[/url] essay introduction jgyrj[/url]Thesis of the worst hard time
Custom case study writers websites online
Стрельба по тарелочкам Устройте импровизированные соревнования в стрельбе по тарелочкам — ей могут работать даже дети через 12 лет и те, кто прежде николи не держал ружья.Перформанс Перформанс объединяет квест и театральное представление.Койкогда мы настолько заняты, что пренебрегаем даже своими сокровенными желаниями.Устройте с друзьями переход между населенными пунктами, поход сообразно горам, по лесу.Угроза давать в творческую мастерскую
детские праздники день рождения отметить
детский день рождения где
https://arendavolgograd.ru/ – снять помещение для дня рождения
Караоке-бар Спойте с друзьями любимые песни в караоке-баре.Цены для тур на выходные с проживанием начинаются через 10000 рублей после одного человека.Если ваша семейство и друзья в восторге через классической сиречь современной музыки, берите пачку билетов на лучшие круг и проведите вечер с любимыми исполнителями.Средняя цена одной дорожки для игры — 600–1000 рублей.Фестиваль рок-звезд? Звездных воинов? Отважных пиратов сиречь увлеченных археологов? А может, вы хотите переместиться в недавнее прошлое и воссоздать ретро-стиль? Найдите интересную тему, и она подскажет, как одеться, забавляться, который питаться и пить.
Мы готовы предложить Вам:
— организацию конференций и семинаров «под ключ»;
— кейтеринговые услуги, а также аренду необходимого оборудования (посуда, текстиль, мебель, кофе-машины и т.д.);
— аутсорсинг персонала (предоставление официантов, поваров, стюардов);
— индивидуальные экскурсионные туры по большому Сочи, морские прогулки на яхтах и катерах ВИП класса вдоль побережья Большого Сочи;
— проведение корпоративных мероприятий, тимбилдингов;
— профессиональных ведущих;
— широкую базу артистов, музыкантов и шоу-балетов;
— звуковое, световое и видеооборудование;
— праздничный декор, услуги флористов;
— транспортные услуги, в том числе: аренду а/м от эконом до ВИП класса с водителем, трансфер и т.д.
https://imperia-sochi.one/ploshhadki/restorany/baikal/ Наша компания предлагает несколько вариантов наполнения столов для кофе-брейка на бизнес-мероприятиях, мастер-классах и тренингах. Это дает возможность выбрать ту версию угощений, которая подчеркнет характер события, порадует гостей и создаст позитивный имидж компании.
Также, учитывая сезонность и пожелания заказчика, мы составляем меню идеальных комплексных корпоративных обедов, которые готовятся на наших собственных точках общепита и доставляются в назначенное время.