How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


29096 comments

Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!

  • NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?

    Best annotated bibliography proofreading sites au .

    Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Free gp model essays
    Research paper example with annotations
    Homework help accounting

    Future plans and goals essay
    Buy critical thinking essays
    Dissertation proposal form uwe

    Best persuasive essay ghostwriters service usa
    Naoum dissertation research writing for construction students 2007
    Concluding sentence on compare-contrast essay

    to write apa format references for books – Book report template autobiography jnewq 2021[/url] bibliography writing services uk mjjaj 2021[/url] resume for school teacher post moybd 2021[/url] resume search database tqrfr[/url] 9b3a445

    California apostille cover letter example
    Apa papers term
    Contents resume fresher

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    https://bestqualitypapers.com
    [url=http://studybay-com.blogofoto.com]studybay[/url]

    annotated bibliography proofreading sites au [/b]

    ]
    Professional report editor services au
    Popular expository essay editing site gb
    Help with my communication research paper

    review essay thesis xufql[/url] students resume no experience ltpob[/url] on the human body[/url] university thesis search[/url] dissertation ghostwriting for hire for college togus 2021[/url]

    tghuTRTjigFIr6F
    EssayChampions.com Review

    annotated bibliography proofreading sites au [/b] a cookie ptnmn[/url] resume for instrumentation engineer fresher wyvrj[/url] research proposal abstract[/url] about violence hcgvr 2021[/url]

    ]
    https://www.webboard.luckybetvip.com/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=42245
    https://raovatnailsalon.com/author/studybay/
    http://nqbtv.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=3134454

    Pay for my custom descriptive essay on lincoln
    Writing personal reflection essay
    College questions for essays

    обзор[/url] essays[/url]

    https://russebiler.no/author/faithisaach/
    http://vincent4z21ulq2.theideasblog.com/profile

    Pwc cover letter internship
    Esl dissertation proposal writing sites for college
    Mla paper research writing

    https://www.laitconsultants.com/2-step-authentication/?unapproved=9696&moderation-hash=5a004b576b89e8a937238bdec9250305#comment-9696
    http://teomanpano.org/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10617
    http://intersavegame.co.uk/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1904764

    Best annotated bibliography proofreading sites au
    [url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
    http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/489711-professional-dissertation-results-editing-services-for-phd/
    http://forum.enemy.su/topic/482926-essay-on-pleasure-of-writing/#comment-2611471
    http://appreciative-community.com/appreciative-community/bbs/viewthread.php?tid=1972214&extra=

    on how to write an mla style research paper – Essay about social issue iojtf 2021[/url] songs essays tmbtu 2021[/url] geology research paper lvrdx[/url] letter examples for resume in customer service yaihj[/url] annotated bibliography proofreading sites au [/b] analysis of story of an hour by kate chopin[/url] estate agent job resume[/url] letter referral from a friend samples atjce 2021[/url] essays bqeng[/url]

    Business coursework gcse example
    Commentary in essay example
    Essay on the everyman play

    annotated bibliography proofreading sites au [/b] home work editing sites for school sgfpr[/url] my best resume online tdxia[/url] bucks lkcen 2021[/url] essay ghostwriter website uk sdvzp[/url] assignment ghostwriter website for school tczvu[/url] words and phrases action nuivp[/url]
    studybayws
  • https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/air-4k-stream-6voxy.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/air-4k-stream-9maxtv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-4k-stream-4foxtv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/dungeons-and-dragons-honour-among-thieves-4k-stream-6voxy.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/dungeons-and-dragons-honour-among-thieves-4k-stream-7ucv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/evil-dead-rise-4k-stream-8bmw.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/evil-dead-rise-4k-stream-xv5tm.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/john-wick-chapter-4-4k-stream-6lamb.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/john-wick-chapter-4-4k-stream-9hang.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/super-mario-bros-4k-stream-5max.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/super-mario-bros-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/the-black-demon-4k-stream-8langen.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/the-black-demon-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/the-covenant-4k-stream-4suv.pdf
    https://usaidlearninglab.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/the-covenant-4k-stream-13maxpro.pdf

    sd wet wet we twet wtw
  • https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/air-4k-stream-9maxtv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/air-4k-stream-6voxy.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-4k-stream-4foxtv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/are-you-there-god-its-me-margaret-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/dungeons-and-dragons-honour-among-thieves-4k-stream-6voxy.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/dungeons-and-dragons-honour-among-thieves-4k-stream-7ucv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/evil-dead-rise-4k-stream-8bmw.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/evil-dead-rise-4k-stream-xv5tm.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/john-wick-chapter-4-4k-stream-6lamb.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/john-wick-chapter-4-4k-stream-9hang.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/super-mario-bros-4k-stream-5max.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/super-mario-bros-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-black-demon-4k-stream-8langen.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-black-demon-4k-stream-9ucv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-covenant-4k-stream-4suv.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-covenant-4k-stream-13maxpro.pdf
    https://www.challengermode.com/s/maximumhits/tournaments/96a21a0c-73bd-47b0-8e96-08db4721ceb9
    https://www.vingle.net/posts/5761475
    https://www.justgiving.com/team/justbacktothestage
    https://argueanything.com/thread/sdp-wep-wptjwepot-eop-we-tjepotjqpo-qopr-q-potqepo-qpoqopr/
    https://hackmd.io/knockatthecabin/supermariobros https://hackmd.io/guardiansofthegalaxy

    df gery er yer
  • https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-56654sdfwe.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-ekr51789d.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-kjsf5207ed.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-kjsiow54.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-sdkf57.pdf
    https://pressbooks.pub/app/uploads/sites/8160/2023/04/the-super-mario-bros-siow565.pdf

    dsg wetwe tq qrqw
  • https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Evil+Dead+Rise+(2023)+Full+Movie+Download/298827732
    https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Watch+Evil+Dead+Rise+Full+Movie+Online+Free+On+123+movies/298828192
    https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Watch+Evil+Dead+Rise+Full+Movie+Online+Free+On+Google.Drive/298828812
    https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Evil+Dead+Rise+FuLLMovie+Download+Free/298828972
    https://www.schooltube.com/channel/Download+Evil+Dead+Rise+2023+Full+Movie+Free/298829322
    https://infogram.com/download-evil-dead-rise-2023-full-movie-free-1h7k230n1py7v2x

    ds wstwetwe
  • https://challonge.com/kfwgf13i
    https://www.vingle.net/posts/5700258
    https://www.justgiving.com/page/varonica-bondy-1681758148844
    https://telegra.ph/sdj-woiw-iqiwrqwi-rqwirwqirqwiorq-04-17
    https://www.scoop.it/topic/dos-i-weioeq-qoir-qiow-qoijoqi-rqoirqwiorqi
    https://rextester.com/SGVQ66428
    https://bitbin.it/7wxxCsWN/
    https://graph.org/sd-we-twet-wew-twet-etwet-qtq-04-17
    https://rentry.co/9qoiv
    https://controlc.com/4384e4e2
    https://backlinktool.io/p/x7t3bFGHrrZxfhlMhOmB.html
    https://pastebin.com/TVaQupCv
    https://paiza.io/projects/rARnpfJMXfuBb8KTCFVFWQ?language=php
    https://pastelink.net/jqmtwvwu
    https://notes.io/qMvCi
    https://paste.vpsfree.cz/tqX6lOfj/
    https://paste.ee/p/f0Ohp
    https://pasteio.com/xJQ8o2SIpywR
    https://ideone.com/TwPdeA
    https://ivpaste.com/v/IiUpNgQ2He
    https://www.mixily.com/event/8645819485699324648
    https://www.deviantart.com/gowentgones/journal/dsfjoi-wejioqpew-qpwrqipowr-958547806

    ds e tq tqwqw qrq

Leave a comment