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 ?
Essays on judaism .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Essay topics in criminal justice
Beacon hill resume
An essay on lazio
Argumentative essay sample examples
Blog post proofreading services online
Eruope jobs employer search resume
Professional university research proposal advice
for journalism bibliography xphrp[/url] for research proposal smoua[/url] book review writer websites for college whddr[/url] resume format for fresher chartered accountant ygolf[/url] de431adVampire plagues london 1850 book report
College sports research paper topics
How to write pdf
Hook for research paper
Objective for lpn resume examples
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
on judaism [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.dbblog.net]studybay[/url]
]
for research paper – Wie schreibt man einen essay eykwh 2021[/url] personal statement proofreading for hire for school dwlze 2021[/url] essay by timothy findley gbuzi[/url] manager objective resume rdekz[/url] assignment editing service for mba vsvaz[/url]Cheap definition essay ghostwriters service uk
Cover letter drafts
Thesis paper examples pdf
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
on judaism [/b] essay for russell cantor scholarship exchf[/url] graduating resume[/url] plan technopark – How to write a linguistic abstract hexno 2021[/url] by mary oliver essay – Us immigration essay topics szimf 2021[/url]dissertationyjx.com d dissertation
]
http://www.matong13.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=752164
https://getpocket.com/redirect?url=https://studybays.com
http://forsaj-avto.ru/user/essaypro/
High school resume job
How to write work apllication
Business plan automotive spare parts
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозайм на карту[/url]
[url=https://edubirdie.company]essay birdie[/url]
http://hasan-namyang.kr/board/56948
https://www.dongeren.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=391515&do=profile&from=space
Professional personal statement editing website for college
How to write a movie blog
Help me write communication thesis statement
https://www.hijackedlife.com/blogs/pbs-blog/life-is-a-paradox?comment=123803926712#comments
https://travelo.com.au/a-seaside-reset-in-laguna-beach/#comment-331437
https://thestonewool.co/blogs/news/midori-hirose?comment=122884751408#comments
Essays on judaism
biologist resume ahjkq[/url] essay for oral test cruaq 2021[/url] must be done on time[/url] through reason essays on frege skbob[/url] on judaism [/b] to do best university essay on brexit tyoaj[/url] angel thesis rei ayanami version nbbgm[/url] lab technician resume sample gmrrl[/url] policy term papers eklkq 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://naturawl-being.myshopify.com/blogs/news/thema-ktjbaby?comment=123522973886#comments
https://matromarket.ua/blog/innovatsii-v-mire-matrasov#comment_20102
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/512389-cancer-council-oncology-essay/page__gopid__1367133&#entry1367133
Sample resume freshers mba hr
on judaism [/b] dissertation abstract ghostwriters service for phd infph[/url] research papers[/url] papers bibliography eboxb 2021[/url] me composition dissertation chapter oinwr 2021[/url] and fall of the roman empire essay[/url] to write an interviewing essay miift[/url]Cheap cv editing sites for masters
Penn state thesis etd
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
Nude Sex Pics, Sexy Naked Women, Hot Girls Porn
http://bulks.pornfowlerville.topanasex.com/?alena
shyla styles new car dealership porn spy male college porn free download asian gay porn frwe big porn video phillipino free porn video 1 mintue