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 ?
Resume graphics manager .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
English essay spm 350 words
Guidelines for writing a dissertation/ thesis
Pre primary teacher resume
Write literature review online
How to write to stdin of another process
Good sat topics essay
Best dissertation methodology ghostwriters websites for mba
decade thesis snbwq[/url] history thesis topics btmsu 2021[/url] to write test procedures thxno 2021[/url] content ghostwriter service us etkfx[/url] adca11_Northwood university application essay
Esl masters college essay samples
Child care provider resume job description
Cheat on your math homework
Entry level process engineer resume sample
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
graphics manager [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogoscience.com]studybay[/url]
Causal argument topics for college students
assistant resume azttr[/url] to write a report on earthquakes[/url] labor construction resume samples bkuaj[/url] biography editing services ddhei[/url] annotated bibliography ghostwriter website ca svhty[/url]Literary analysis of this is just to say
Help with popular problem solving online
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
graphics manager [/b] research proposal ghostwriters site online tlelp 2021[/url] people skills resume[/url] dissertation proposal ghostwriters site au ssicc 2021[/url] weitzman resume ddcjr 2021[/url]Edusson.com Review
]
http://www.0510365.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=4564467
https://users.zone/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile;u=91478
http://bbs.51pinzhi.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=2146422
How to write your name in cyrillic on facebook
Doctoral dissertation special education
Polynesian women ideal image essay
[url=http://ru-zaem.ru/]заем онлайн[/url]
[url=http://aythor24.ru]автор24 ру[/url]
http://sepira.dyndns.org/sepi_bd/index.php?mid=ski_freeboard&document_srl=2760545
http://13.229.78.201:5000/index.php/User:Studybayscom
Tkf homework helper
Cheap expository essay ghostwriters site for mba
Sample cover letter for college
https://luzhandwoven.com/blogs/news/luz-x-sezzle?comment=123194998967#comments
https://angelcompetitionbikinis.com/blogs/news/brittanyboobjob?comment=123525562517#comments
http://uitinzuidwest.drk.be/nieuws/festival-van-vlaanderen-kortrijk-0?page=1301#comment-254962
Resume graphics manager
essays sfeon[/url] essay on spending money urvdb[/url] papers ghostwriters services ptcnp[/url] literature review writing websites gb otzzh[/url] graphics manager [/b] resume film director bpcmv[/url] on sense and sensibility zmatc 2021[/url] sample and 6th hinvt 2021[/url] descriptive essay writer websites ca ndrwt[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://rikki-tikki-kazan.ru/blog/otkrytie-internet-magazina#comment_42472
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=124382150734#comments
http://laufhundesport.at/absage-oem-2016/?unapproved=325933&moderation-hash=29d43c60d268395ff695690aabb257b7#comment-325933
Custom papers writer website us
graphics manager [/b] to structure a term paper – Sample resume for senior administrative position zyvyk 2021[/url] sample it business plan ehhwq[/url] resume layouts – Order esl scholarship essay on trump dowbs 2021[/url] and essays 411 ssruf[/url] on gender socialization sehbn[/url] connects homework and problem solving practice workbook iihop[/url]University of waterloo thesis format
Physics coursework gcse 2012
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
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