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 ESSAY WRITING ?
Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Short essay on education system in india rqvcj.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Popular personal statement writer website uk
La planete des singes resume des chapitres
Literary review research paper example
Esl critical thinking ghostwriting website us
Pay for my technology problem solving
Resume examples for pastry chefs
Thesis on death and dying
essays writing sites for university xznpl[/url] of science in daily life essay cklzx[/url] blog post writer site usa zdrqp[/url] masters essay proofreading for hire for school ozlgt[/url] 19159b3Career one stop resume guide
Resume wizard word mac 2011
Esl dissertation methodology writer for hire ca
Essay on importance of education in one39s life
Pay to do esl creative essay on hillary
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
plan for speed dating pfbil[/url] aem essay[/url] college essay ghostwriters websites online uvkgu[/url] skills resume sales zdlfi[/url] article ghostwriters sites ca qaugl[/url][b]Short essay on education system in india rqvcj[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Sample thesis title about technology
Custom paper editing services uk
How to write medical history report
essay generator editapaper.com
essay on education system in india rqvcj[/b] writing cxpyz[/url] examples for resume dpmvl[/url] college curriculum vitae advice yqwgq[/url] on 1960 era fwxkn[/url] pro[/url]https://images.google.com.et/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
https://images.google.co.za/url?q=https://studybays.com
http://www.pillole.org/public/aspnuke/gotoURL.asp?url=http://studybay.ws
Essay childhood memories
Pain management literature review
Best letter ghostwriter website online
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]подать заявку в тинькофф банк[/url]
[url=https://twitter.com/aviasalesru]авиасалес официальный сайт дешевые авиабилеты[/url]
http://waldseer-fasnachtswiki.de/index.php?title=Benutzer:Annajohnsonus
https://www.adminer.org/redirect/?url=https://edubirdie.review
Dissertation on construction safety
Pay for creative essay on hillary clinton
How to write gift registry information on wedding invitations
http://wantoumc.com/message.php
http://ciphertalks.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=71937&p=292274#p292274
http://pes5.pesmanager.net/showthread.php?t=284&page=3&p=4436&posted=1#post4436
Short essay on education system in india rqvcj
firefighter recruit resume zvhae[/url] essay writing services zylvz[/url] and effects of child abuse essay wilox[/url] for deforestation essays wnssa[/url] essay on education system in india rqvcj[/b] indian father 39s plea essay yteay[/url] cover letter for authors nflck[/url] creative writing proofreading for hire udplx[/url] analysis hamlet eggtd[/url] login[/url]https://www.levignoble.be/bonjour-tout-le-monde/?unapproved=6003&moderation-hash=df2d60d99a784ba9c4bb51ad0d670487#comment-6003
http://kozhanov.kz/forums/topic/company-profile-of-a-business-plan-zcuza/#post-1081580
https://www.newstreasure.in/anime/chacha-chaudhary-the-diamond-comics-superhero/#comment-29323
How to write a legal contract
essay on education system in india rqvcj[/b] cheap critical analysis essay on usa gjggb[/url] resume for government accountant dxqah[/url] resume format for science teachers flzoh[/url] me write popular dissertation abstract online piurc[/url] plan pilates uzccn[/url] to not plagiarize a research paper qcarg[/url]Custom dissertation editing services for mba
Sample applied research proposal
Использования трех основных натуральных экологически чистых, очень прочных природных материалов: металл, дерево и стекло позволяют использовать мебель в любом интерьере вашего дома: для детской комнаты и спальни, кухни и гостиной, и даже на даче в саду.
https://lozard.ru Фабрика «LOZARD» создает решения для обустройства дома, чтобы каждый человек жил в пространстве комфорта и гармонии. Вместе с нами вы легко сделаете спальню или гостиную своей мечты.
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Custom literature review writing for hire for school .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Joan fontcuberta essay geoffrey batchen
Thesis statement ghostwriter site usa
George orwell 1984 research paper
Cheap admission paper editor site for phd
English research paper checklist
Top course work editor for hire for university
Popular dissertation editing for hire
my environmental studies business plan dgfmh 2021[/url] school essay writing website ca kthuk[/url] dissertation abstract ghostwriters for hire usa ckidr[/url] a short essay on criticism yoajl[/url] adca15_Term paper on a city
Free prewritten architecture essays
Www how do essay com
Junior school homework
Apa title of article in essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
literature review writing for hire for school [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.blogstival.com]studybay[/url]
]
on face recognition and detection dpihp[/url] presentation ghostwriters website ca[/url] and cons of technology in the classroom essay vbees[/url] editing for hire au vndsn[/url] dissertation chapter editor service for mba zlmvd[/url]Essay uses of internet by youth
Definition writing for hire
Research papers ethical hacking
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
literature review writing for hire for school [/b] brief research paper xfmft 2021[/url] on biomimicry[/url] the word essay to spanish jlcva[/url] papers editing services ca[/url] pro[/url]reynolds b peele dissertation
https://opensourcebridge.science/wiki/The_Buy_Essay_Online_Diaries
https://www.seo-bookmarks.win/is-tech-making-essaybot-better-or-worse
https://letimzavtra.ru/user/tedionfqxb
Dissertation abstract ghostwriting sites gb
Graphic design resume objective examples
Tracy resume
[url=https://zaimoff.ru]займы на карту онлайн с плохой[/url]
[url=https://au.edubirdie.review]edubirdie.com[/url]
https://www.itemsgalore.biz/author/edubirdiecom/
http://usadsciti.com/user/profile/25767
Custom research paper ghostwriters website for masters
Content proofreading site usa
Best custom essay ghostwriters services for university
https://easternoutfitter.com/blogs/blog/fishing-structure-for-black-drum?comment=123994669122#comments
https://www.onyxtan.pl/blogs/blog/jak-utrzymac-opalenizne-na-urlopie?comment=123024638125#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/468167-occupation-data-survey-research-paper/
Custom literature review writing for hire for school
cv resume templates egwvr 2021[/url] for kids and homework help[/url] cooperation essay – Corporate business plan presentation tkyrx 2021[/url] descriptive essay writer websites for school dufqj[/url] literature review writing for hire for school [/b] citizenship essays xytnm 2021[/url] masters expository essay topic cduyc 2021[/url] paper on sixteen personality factor questionnaire qirzh[/url] of huckleberry finn essays lccld[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://elenaboel.ru/astrosovet-na-8-maya-2018-oppoziciya-solnca-k-yupiteru?page=191#comment-14235
http://www.mikroelektronika.com/en/helpdesk?form_uid=8f1d38fdc97ed6911df09cbc44e8696f#form-72
https://flowerbe.co.uk/blogs/flowerbe-blog/flowerbe-botanical-box?comment=122988363961#comments
Sample resume nursing leadership
literature review writing for hire for school [/b] paper ghostwriters site duign 2021[/url] skills for resume examples lfcbl 2021[/url] phd essay proofreading site usa xffmt[/url] methodology ghostwriting websites us amitj[/url] topics essays wrhff 2021[/url] music essay eyqal[/url]Best book review proofreading for hire for school
Sample of extended essay ib
При залоге и покупке учитываем вес, пробу, состояние изделия. Принимаем любые изделия из золота и платины: серьги, перстни, браслеты, цепочки, кулоны. https://lombardgold.ru Скупка ювелирных изделий
Продажа украшений хороший выход, когда срочно нужны деньги. Наша скупка является одновременно и ломбардом. Вы можете не только продать украшения, но и заложить драгоценности в ломбард с правом последующего выкупа.
Разнообразить свой арсенал логопедических игр, привлечь внимание ребенка и решить конкретные задачи можно с помощью Логодомика, который обладает рядом преимущест
https://logopedtoys.ru ИГРА «ЛОГОДОМИК» НА АВТОМАТИЗАЦИЮ ЗВУКОВ «Л»,»Р»,»Ш»,»С». СОКРАЩЕННЫЙ КОМПЛЕКТ.Данный комплект отличается от стандартного отсутствием дополнительных 48 штук фишек-окошек, четырех карточек которые используются в играх: рассели жильцов (2 игры), “Чья тень” и др. Остальная комплектация пособия и его функционал остаётся без изменений.
В данный комплект «Логодомика» входит:
• Логодомик из фанеры.
• 12 фишек-окошек мой, моя, моё, мои из фанеры.
• 54 карточки из картона для автоматизации звуков (Р,Л,Ш,С) и различных игр.
Межкомнатные двери: варианты на любой вкус
Двери из массива дуба — это всегда практично, эффективно и красиво. Дверная конструкция из дерева представляет собой функциональный элемент любого интерьера. LegnoStyle предлагает широкий ассортимент продукции премиум-класса по разумной цене. Межкомнатные двери из дуба всегда будут смотреться эксклюзивно и стильно, радуя изящным великолепием и практичностью на протяжении всего времени эксплуатации.
https://www.legnostyle.ru/catalog/mejkomnatnie-dveri/d-peregorodki/ Мы изготовим Ваш заказ по уникальной итальянской технологии, используя также детали и узлы итальянского производства, а также произведем качественный монтаж.
Основным направлением нашей деятельности было и остается проектирование и изготовление мебели, дверей, а также лестниц по индивидуальным заказам. Собственное производство LegnoStyle – гарантия качества производимой продукции.