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?
Cover letter to recruitment .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cheap reflective essay writer service for mba
Pay to do custom phd essay online
Order professional custom essay on brexit
Gary soto 1996 ap essay
Construire un feu resume
Esl book review ghostwriters websites for university
Resume pronunciation in british english
on resume[/url] veterinary technician sample mbzfr 2021[/url] college essay proofreading site for school xvxrp 2021[/url] me trigonometry critical thinking twfcm[/url] dca17_fO levels english essays
Help me write history dissertation abstract
How to artist resume
Professional phd essay writers website online
Causal argument essay ideas
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
letter to recruitment [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.ampedpages.com]studybay[/url]
]
homework physics vajdb[/url] experience on resume ulbdb 2021[/url] frost thesis statement yxcnr[/url] a program that prints the calendar for one month nwazx[/url] report for harry potter and the the deathly hallows tdlup[/url]Shooting an elephant essay imperialism
Buy esl personal essay on pokemon go
Top paper ghostwriter service
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
letter to recruitment [/b] about kazi nazrul islam axcqh 2021[/url] a sonnet lesson plan hemad[/url] proofreading sites osisb[/url] scholarships for high school seniors in texas – Free templates program manager resume sjvhi 2021[/url] pro[/url]SmartWritingService.com Review
https://bookmarking.stream/story.php?title=not-known-details-about-research-paper#discuss
https://v.gd/GJ4mVc
http://kriminal-ohlyad.com.ua/user/baniuszigz
How to write an analysis of a play
A collection of essays by george orwell summary
Arvida homework
]
[url=https://twitter.com/aviasalesru]авиасэйлес поиск дешёвых авиабилетов[/url]
https://hytaleturk.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3273
https://projectv.io/forums/users/studybayscom/
General statement definition essay
Dissertation proposa
Good journalism dissertation topics
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/559197-beauty-salon-business-plan-sample/
http://www.keytomusic.co.uk/forums/topic/essay-writing-service-online/page/2/#post-3564092
https://nutcasehelmets.com/blogs/news/partnering-for-a-big-brain-month?comment=123247394870#comments
Cover letter to recruitment
reflective essay writers for hire gb – Help me write law annotated bibliography urvgo 2021[/url] paper writer service for college[/url] to quote a personal interview in apa format vwfrl 2021[/url] thesis proposal ghostwriter service for phd gfecf 2021[/url] letter to recruitment [/b] harris author philosopher essayist atheist abwvp[/url] africa essay topics qjayr[/url] haley resume domdu[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriter for hire for phd tkteu[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.level-up.one/big-companies-using-apache-spark/?unapproved=132735&moderation-hash=367dbdfa72ca2a99c635abc2e830afbb#comment-132735
https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/esl-presentation-ghostwriting-sites-gb/
https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/top-home-work-writing-service-for-masters/
Hvac technician resume monster
letter to recruitment [/b] to write a expository essay uvtyr 2021[/url] traditional resume templates kwuts[/url] plan software business cmzvf 2021[/url] questions for zeno’s paradoxes sjogf[/url] critical essay writing site ca tpjgc[/url] plan and description lhzdr 2021[/url]English coursework story writing
Free sample cover letter applying for a job
https://latino-forex.com/member.php?55163-CarrollPoogs
https://xtreme-ro.ru/forum/profile.php?id=157435
https://5kym.cn/space-uid-21889.html
https://dizin.servisw.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=338
https://www.kingone55.com/space-uid-691500.html
http://yadakar.com/forum/member.php?84383-Trafftrew
http://pokerdores.ru/user/MMOpema/
http://www.bbs-bbin.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1018252
http://forum.bunbun000.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=811342
http://inqhaddan.com/forumguard/member.php?u=7098
http://b96588q0.beget.tech/member.php?action=profile&uid=16490
http://girls-w.net/vb/member.php?u=892
http://hdkaraokesong.com/space-uid-137496.html
http://www.it776.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1244727
http://c-dy.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=42015
http://chanjingzx.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=34132
https://czytamyebooki.com.pl/user-4021.html
http://aria-gsm.com/member.php?5104-MMingelty&tab=visitor_messaging
https://rifoms.ru/users/MMhaigue
http://www.6986986.com/space-uid-34366.html
http://ucflower.tw/home.php?mod=space&uid=95267
http://wxy99.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=541119
http://www.bot999.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=46547
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/member.php?714313-Bathroomsfef
http://lkh1.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=369795
http://david1973.m5yun.mydnns.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=114478
http://bio.mdu.edu.ua/index.php?subaction=userinfo&user=taxiSpump
http://cannabis-med.org/french/forum/member.php?u=221884
http://gdchushi.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=82854
https://www.sdsdsoft.com/upload/home.php?mod=space&uid=289727
https://awabest.com/space-uid-75300.html
http://archeslocal.org.uk/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=227488
http://zik.yfia.free.fr/vb/member.php?u=5515
http://cannabis-med.org/french/forum/member.php?u=236063
https://www.assayyarat.com/forums/member330969.html
https://tinbongda.co/thethao/profile.php?id=158339
https://invasion.tap4fun.com/forum/member.php?903201-bbzedilund
http://forum.bestgamer.ru/member.php?u=96455
http://www.mmhgty.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=22041
https://forex-arabic.com/member.php?77317-Cleanentinc
http://stock98.com.tw/discuz/home.php?mod=space&uid=128172
http://toa2011.tw/home.php?mod=space&uid=58702
http://forum.ll2.ru/member.php?2502-MMimpum
http://www.montada.com/member.php?u=905455
http://forum.fega.com/forums/member.php?8932-KemppiEa
http://forums.arlongpark.net/member.php?u=124070
http://ahsyw.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=30521
http://www.thaisylphyclub.com/index.php?action=profile;u=13003
http://www.degreedu.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=175950
http://madresehooshmand.com/web1/user/ignoge/
https://indo.mt5.com/member.php?10053237-bbzDooppy
https://www.sdsdsoft.com/upload/home.php?mod=space&uid=101678
http://overcoders.com/forum/member.php?action=profile&uid=422841
http://csxfc.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=59914
https://www.nopistons.com/members/immormdrole-44653/
https://www.heroscapers.com/community/member.php?u=51331
https://go.aupeopleweb.com.au/home.php?mod=space&uid=82029
https://forum.ventrilo.com/member.php?u=493385
http://www.forumpembangunan.com/member.php?u=37267
https://xn—l1adgmc.xn—80aaj9acefbw3e.xn—p1ai/members/19068-BathroomsCem
http://www.0jzz.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=10368
http://bizplan-uz.ru/forum/user/6988/
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/member.php?714313-Bathroomsfef
http://ai-ap.com/publications/article/22158/the-dart-board-09192017.html
http://bizplan-uz.com/forum/user/6988/
[url=/https://astra-electric.ru/product/polka-kabelnaya/]кабельная полка[/url]
[url=/https://astra-electric.ru/product/kh-otvod-dlya-lotka/]отвод для лотка[/url]
[url=/https://astra-electric.ru/product/perfoshveller-2/]перфошвеллер 32х20х2000[/url]
[url=/https://astra-electric.ru/product/plm-20060-ostec-provolochnyj-lotok-200kh60kh3000/]проволочный лоток 200х60х3000 ostec[/url]
[url=/https://astra-electric.ru/product/shveller-perforirovannyj-shp-60kh35-k235/]швеллер шп 60х35[/url]
[url=https://astra-electric.ru/product/shveller-perforirovannyj-shp-60kh35-k235/]перфошвеллер оцинкованный к235[/url]
[url=https://astra-electric.ru/product/perfoshveller-2/]перфошвеллер 40х40[/url]
[url=https://astra-electric.ru/product/perfoshveller-2/]перфошвеллер дкс[/url]
[url=https://astra-electric.ru/product/perfoshveller-45kh30/]перфошвеллер 45х30х1 5 вес[/url]
[url=https://astra-electric.ru/product/perfoshveller-60kh32-k235-k240/]перфошвеллер оцинкованный 60х32х2000мм[/url]
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Pay for my nursing curriculum vitae .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Transcendentalism essay topics
Cover letter help desk examples
Professional design resume
Maniac magee essay ideas
Carly fiorina resume
Apoptosis research paper
How to create a resume for an internship
american essay topics – Constructing an essay title rjqxc 2021[/url] of resume vlcyc 2021[/url] neumann essay contest – Essay plans for philosophy kcsfq 2021[/url] my psychology dissertation chapter yfxss[/url] a445de4College student resume examples engineering
Help me write cheap reflective essay on usa
Pay to get essay online
Resume example company acquired
Esl rhetorical analysis essay editor service for phd
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.csublogs.com]studybay[/url]
]
problem solving editing services for university nbanc[/url] of skill set resume zukde 2021[/url] literature review ghostwriting websites online – Cheap essays writers site gb uhwug 2021[/url] paper editing sites ca ovhzh[/url] example paper ubrrh[/url]Cheap dissertation hypothesis ghostwriting site au
How to write testimonals
Admission essay fashion institute technology
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] school descriptive essay samples hktvq[/url] speech writers service ca tbwtk[/url] thesis document fktkz[/url] best essay writers site for mba – Custom university dissertation methodology topics smiqn 2021[/url] pro[/url]grace p john dissertation ucla
https://bookingsilo.trade/wiki/Buy_Essay_Online_An_Overview
https://livebookmark.stream/story.php?title=new-step-by-step-map-for-studybays-com#discuss
https://kikipedia.win/wiki/Facts_About_Buy_Dissertation_Online_Revealed
Brian munger resume writer
ru[/url] birdie[/url]Cover dubai free letter resume sample
Types of ielts academic essays
http://www.consulenzaleonardo.com/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=EduBirdiecom
http://zrt.ru/auto/user/pastafog8/
Human resource management essay writing site
How to write a cover sheet in mla format
Literary essays books
http://herpessupportgroup.org/forums/topic/best-application-letter-ghostwriting-for-hire-for-mba/
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/309313-synonym-essay-checker.html#361512
https://www.loralora.com/blogs/blog/cumpleanos-feliz?comment=128043090007#comments
Pay for my nursing curriculum vitae
economy dissertation topics czrmf 2021[/url] clan of one breasted women thesis pjqbg[/url] do you write a letter to the queen aooiv[/url] essay cazte[/url] for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] to write a paragraph in french about family objpy 2021[/url] of dissertations[/url] decription resume[/url] favourite scientist thomas alva edison essay fbjpx[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://hobbyist.pixart.com.sg/boards/topic/351728/cover-letter-multiple-positions-examples
http://geizer.donetsk.ua/blog/umyagchenie-kartridzhami-aragon#comment_75731
http://bestaqua.com.ua/blog/stoit-li-kupit-solevuyu-lampu-domoj#comment_1051583
Quote thesis statement
for my nursing curriculum vitae [/b] business plan zinom[/url] writing ghostwriter sites ca[/url] reflection sa[/url] quality article writing service fhldx[/url] help qdnng[/url] thesis shnwa 2021[/url]Cover letter stategies
Post homework questions
Daily updated super sexy photo galleries
tube porn videos tranny oops porn rare porn videos girl on girl watch porn hosewife pornhttp://pappusax.instasexyblog.com/?priscilla
Comparison/contrast writing essay .
Proceed to Order!!! http://vkfan.com/user/oraniezvno
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
RUS
Представьте: Вы сидите дома, занимаетесь любимым делом, а пару часов в день посвящаете дополнительным интересным занятиям. И в какой-то момент Вам приходит и основная зарплата и + 50-100.000 руб сверху. Приятное дополнение к бюджету, не так ли? Особенно приятно получать новый доход, когда от старта обучения прошло всего 3 недели, а на дворе пока что кризис и все вокруг говорят “сейчас заработать нереально”.Хотели бы так же? Сидя дома дополнительно получать внушительный доход? Стабильно и безопасно. Если да, то Вам сегодня повезло! Как раз у [url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b]betsstore[/url] есть много приличных бонусов и акций! [url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b][b]Регистрация>>>[/b][/url]
ENG
Imagine that: You sit at home, do what you love, and devote a couple of hours a day to additional interesting activities. And at some point, you get the main salary and + 50-100. 000 rubles on top. A nice addition to the budget, isn’t it especially nice to get a new income when only 3 weeks have passed from the start of training, and there is still a crisis in the yard and everyone around says “it is impossible to earn money now”.Would you like to do the same? Sitting at home in addition to receive an impressive income? Stable and safe. If so, then you are really lucky! Just [url=https://betsstore6.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=f253f40d2a]betsstore[/url] has a lot of decent bonuses and promotions! [url=https://betsstore6.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=cc7e103ee4][b]Registration>>>[/b][/url]
[url=https://betsstore3.com?betting=GOBVK&ref_id=6f48a9334b]букмекерская контора ставки +на спорт[/url]