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
Hot sexy porn projects, daily updates
http://tontobasin.toypornpicsfree.adablog69.com/?alia
top ten gay porn stars porn branding anime black girl porn free porn serch engine best free hardcore dallery homemade porn
Hot new pictures each day
jenny riveria porn girls that like it dry porn free sexy hardcore porn clips unsubscribed free teen porn to young pussy porn pics freehttp://toiletporncomic.joepornstar.amandahot.com/?paige
Fun home a family tragicomic essay .
Order NOW!!! https://cults3d.com/fr/utilisateurs/essaypro-com2
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
My new hot project|enjoy new website
amateur wife strapon porn porn with no required email big ass black nurse porn friendfinder porn vintage japan pornhttp://porncrave.danexxx.com/?makayla
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
College level creative writing teaching jobs .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume services write
Custom college essay advice
Write my world affairs admission essay
Madame bovary essay titles
Net resume samples
English essays on terrorism in india
Army value duty essay
dsl plans business plan – Current interest rate business plan xrlgd 2021[/url] essay examples for high school xohih[/url] doctrine essay yqlqj[/url] thesis proposal writer sites ca wpcst[/url] 20f1636Jean chretien essay
Professional annotated bibliography writer site
Elkins intermoutain newspaper
Cheap school masters essay topic
I write a proposal on
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b][url=https://hub.docker.com/u/studybay]studybay[/url]
]
literature review ghostwriters service uk zmfqo 2021[/url] to write a speech body[/url] you letter for your resume[/url] resume objective examples[/url] of the people essay topics kifye 2021[/url]Business plan for home health care
Sample abstract for psychology paper
Data emc experience resume storage veritas
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] my apa reference page cxtkk[/url] marketing manager resume jqdwe 2021[/url] thesis topics library science mfqxr[/url] dissertation critique dialectique pydxg[/url] pro[/url]PaperHelp.org Review
https://ai-db.science/wiki/What_Does_EssayShark_Review_Mean
https://peatix.com/user/8048844
https://easybookmark.win/story.php?title=considerations-to-know-about-edubirdie-com#discuss
Sample mcse resume
Obama and homework
Shipping receiving manager resume
]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки кабинет[/url]
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s379/sh/9e88d352-e2ba-cd49-a9f5-7954cc38cc2f/39456b94f01b7976c6e3f0e330b203d7
https://paperhelp-org.blogcudinti.com/2053251/paperhelp-paperhelp-org
Industry experience resume
How to write a resume for a business
General cover letter inquiry
https://www.thekingwarehouse.com/blogs/quiz/solve-this-rubikcube-quiz?comment=124449161315#comments
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/500529-free-guide-resume-writing/
https://www.purevitality.co.nz/blogs/news/7-natural-remedies-back-aches-and-pain?comment=123858157637#comments
College level creative writing teaching jobs
educational research papers jqigj[/url] resume upload kcade[/url] papers on highstakes testing and administrators klbop[/url] for my top personal essay on presidential elections gxbvs[/url] level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] organizational skills in a cover letter[/url] setup resume – Top analysis essay editing service uk efqjh 2021[/url] resume font type jvxih[/url] my environmental studies business plan dgfmh 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.schoenhuber.com/home/%28now%29/1621046332/%28error%29/form_178#form-178
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/252915-best-article-review-ghostwriting-website-online.html#276521
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/251159-phd-thesis-in-e-government.html#274091
Basic job resume format
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] functional resume teacher qzfzx[/url] writing history article review ieuoi[/url] admission essay on presidential elections updep[/url] essays on metamorphosis jbhhn[/url] of resume for working students sgmbw[/url] under the influence essay xdfas 2021[/url]Music and english thesis example
Top critical essay editing website au