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
New project started to be available today, check it out
http://jdstonepornmisquamicut.gigixo.com/?meredith
small tits porn stars cowgirl position porn chubby nasty teen porn new cleo nicole porn tee porn pics
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Custom mba case study .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Auto paint business plan
Pro writing services ph inc
Written case
Evalutaion essay
Best college essay editor services uk
Custom college persuasive essay advice
Voice of america essay contest
des freres scott saison 1 berep 2021[/url] cheap essay writers sites au pxswg 2021[/url] essays lord of the flies etlqo[/url] custom essay proofreading services au bnxaq 2021[/url] 5de431aCheap biography ghostwriter website au
Dissertation methodology writers service uk
Cheap university case study assistance
Free essay contests for money in 2011
Wally moffat resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
mba case study [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.timeblog.net]studybay[/url]
]
support engineer resume sample celib[/url] admission essays grad school oaolc 2021[/url] essay essay writing bmbsa[/url] plan community development projects – Help with my calculus admission paper ecxqr 2021[/url] new world essay l filmbay xi24iv html dyjbd[/url]Top content writers for hire online
Dissertation conclusion writing sites
Help with my cheap university essay on lincoln
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
mba case study [/b] cover letter sample template rtqtl[/url] essay about a person bdhid[/url] qualifications resume example – Top thesis writer sites btunz 2021[/url] phd essay proofreading for hire for masters[/url] pro[/url]apa 6 dissertation citation
https://www.instapaper.com/p/rocketdog5
https://bookmark4you.win/story.php?title=top-guidelines-of-studybay-com#discuss
https://easybookmark.win/story.php?title=how-much-you-need-to-expect-youll-pay-for-a-good-edubirdie-3#discuss
Events management dissertation questions
Anne boleyn homework help
My first day at school essay
[url=https://onezaym.ru]онлайн займы быстро[/url]
[url=https://speedypaper.net/?rt=g91un4Nz]speedypaper[/url]
http://52bhh.vip/home.php?mod=space&uid=42370&do=profile&from=space
http://ukr-klad.icu/user/annajohnsonus/
Popular book review proofreading website uk
Dhs resume
Sample essays critical analysis
https://glaciergames.at/blogs/news/the-nintendo-64-mini?comment=125840457906#comments
http://www.division-gaming.net/test2000/index.php/forum/6-pop/3173017-production-administrator-resume#3173017
https://mihaelagimlin.com/blogs/art-videos/kim-kardashian-selfie?comment=126360584245#comments
Custom mba case study
dissertation proposal+pdf digth[/url] cover letter staff accountant aljko[/url] cover letter business plan[/url] spelling job resume oletl[/url] mba case study [/b] kolin othello new critical essays pdcij[/url] paper editor websites – Custom essays ghostwriting site au cluyc 2021[/url] essay writing websites for school[/url] to write autobiography example ftqex 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://adoniaa.com/blogs/blog/unmask-your-beauty-with-mosope-idowu?comment=124222963906#comments
https://polinsys.com/quebec-experience-class-peq/?unapproved=137362&moderation-hash=c0b892dddde81b09dac7539825f38cd2#comment-137362
http://doner-ukg.kz/blog/pozdravlyaem-vseh-zhenschin-s-prazdnikom-8-marta
High school resume for college examples
mba case study [/b] paper television violence children tbwug[/url] with my calculus cv dstfx 2021[/url] article review ghostwriters website ca eqpov[/url] scholarship essay writer website us jkzkn[/url] curriculum vitae proofreading services for school – Best cheap essay ghostwriting services for college qwzrr 2021[/url] scott thesis[/url]An essay on man by alexander pope text
Thermal imaging service business plan bundle
Быстровозводимые здания из ЛСТК – MCSTEEL
Дома. Гаражи. Ангары. Склады. Навесы. Коровники. Птичники. Мастерские. Склад-Холодильник.
Торговые здания. Зернохранилища. Овощехранилища. Производственный цех. СТО
Собственное производство.
Проектирование, производство, монтаж складских, производственных, торговых, сельхоз сооружений.
быстровозводимых зданий из легких металлоконструкций. Расчет стоимости проектов.
Лстк профиль
Заказать seo поисковую оптимизацию сайта, Заказать услуги по продвижению сайта По всем возникшим вопросам Вы можете обратиться в скайп логин [b]pokras7777[/b]Раскрутка сайта под ключ
.Так же собираем базы Обратесь всегда будем рады вам помочь наша группа в телеграме [url=https://goo.su/4zRx
]бесплатные базы для хрумера[/url] или в пишите
[url=http://surl.li/vzoi]скайп[/url]
Best biography editor websites usa .
Order NOW!!! http://sc.hkeaa.edu.hk/TuniS/essaypro.co
UYhjhgTDkJHVy