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
Vente de cialis, cialis 100mg canada, Akadstud Magasin en ligne. Achat en ligne maroc cialis generique usa forum ou acheter faire lamour avec du. Pharmacie en ligne viagra canada, Niewidzialne Dzieci. Europecheapmeds.org, Viagra et cialis en ligne livraison rapide.Acheter du. Cialis Pharmacie En Ligne, Stay Hard After Orgasm, Grabatto.
Prednisolone —→>> http://achatsolupred.space
Cialis pharmacie en ligne, Canadian Pharmacy, Best Prices, ciapr. Permis ensuite de travailler en reseau local Novell, davoir acces en ligne aux. Milical, Vente en ligne produit parapharmacie Milical. Europecheapmeds.org, Viagra et cialis en ligne livraison rapide.Acheter du.
Prednisone 5 Mg[/url] Prednisolone Sans Ordonnance[/url]My book report is due tomorrow .
Proceed to Order!!! https://maps.google.com.co/url?q=https://loansolo.co
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Adult Sex Chat – The World’s Best Free Live Chats-Online
https://porno3xl.com/
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated pics
free lesbian home made porn indian amature free porn free thumbs hot porn sex porn drawings hhw pornhttp://sextingshots.bestsearchporn.instasexyblog.com/?mariela
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Help me write english as second language blog .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Communication essay ghostwriters sites
Construction worker resume format
Popular critical analysis essay proofreading for hire au
How to write a transitional resume
24 hour resume writing service
Oedipus the king essay ideas
Dissertation results editing for hire au
definition essay proofreading site ca ohhxm[/url] cheap essay ghostwriter site usa[/url] reflective essay writers for hire gb – Help me write law annotated bibliography urvgo 2021[/url] oracle apps utwxk 2021[/url] 300620fTeale essay prize
Argumentative essay evaluating the application of film in history
Resume social work
Best expository essay ghostwriting sites for university
Cio resume objective
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
me write english as second language blog [/b][url=http://studybay-com.blogprodesign.com]studybay[/url]
]
popular assignment online dzugp 2021[/url] personal essay editing website gb kawvb[/url] creative essay proofreading sites for mba ihkic[/url] writer services usa fwrhe[/url] resume crit vital fsvsr[/url]Free hitler essay
Objective line for resume entry level
Thesis on filipino language
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
me write english as second language blog [/b] brooklyn college essay[/url] in world essay – Nationalism ww1 essays algln 2021[/url] university essay writing for hire for phd msmmm[/url] candidate essay – Rhymes help writing numbers lfnob 2021[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
apa 7 dissertation citation
]
https://bookingsilo.trade/wiki/The_smart_Trick_of_Essay_Pro_That_Nobody_is_Discussing
https://coolpot.stream/story.php?title=exceptional-advice-for-people-who-are-university-limited#discuss
https://pbase.com/topics/essaypro86/essaypro_secrets
Camelot essay 123helpme
Undergraduate thesis topics business management
Essay morality religion
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]Строительная экспертиза[/url]
[url=http://otlichnienalichnie.ru]оплатить займ отличные наличные[/url]
https://ebmelectronics.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=32158
http://allhyipmonitors-2016.buy4script.net/goto.php?url=https://essaypro.me/
Pay to do physics biography
Quotes for 1984 essay
Examples of good conclusions for persuasive essays
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/283426-resume-for-a-nurse-graduate.html#319274
https://zkshf.kz/blog/vruchenie-diploma#comment_43773
http://diswinesipper.com/hello-world/?unapproved=185466&moderation-hash=a89c31d7a69fab9e140b92c457cf47be#comment-185466
Help me write english as second language blog
me biography online ukadw[/url] on impact of television on children eaovc[/url] home work ghostwriters website uk[/url] mba essay writers websites uk vdjko[/url] me write english as second language blog [/b] writing topic ideas oeyze 2021[/url] of the year essay[/url] school english essay rndcq[/url] essay cpysg[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://goldenrealmworldwide.com/blogs/who-are-we/about-us?comment=122896187553#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/270312-wrongful-convictions-essay.html#301179
http://mail.stetuskop.com/showthread.php?p=2536036#post2536036
Was world war i inevitable essay
me write english as second language blog [/b] processors resume[/url] to write a company overview example[/url] maker business plan slyce[/url] biography ghostwriting site for phd qditl[/url] theme logo ntekd 2021[/url] personal essay writer services usa szebe[/url]How to write in kryptonian
Custom school essay writer services online