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.
Resume writing downloads yzrxm.
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Custom cover letter writing website for mba
The books i m fond of essay
How to write in binary
Esl critical thinking writing site online
Top essays writer service for school
Custom cheap essay ghostwriters site for phd
Begin an essay with a question
at home cover letter rujan[/url] letter writers site uk yrocs[/url] to write a formal leave letters thguk[/url] on integrity and honesty pdrvi[/url] 431adcaLack of education and poverty essay
Write essay describing career goals
Custom thesis statement ghostwriting websites
Everyman thesis statment examples
Production assistant resume format
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
personal essay writers site for school tbmov[/url] research paper editing service ca rdbhd[/url] paragraph to compare and contrast essay wfgeb[/url] printable measurement math homework ywyuk[/url] home work writers services usa vtryh[/url][b]Resume writing downloads yzrxm[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
Good topics for observation essays
Popular biography ghostwriters sites for phd
Pay for government content
academic ghostwriter editapaper.com
writing downloads yzrxm[/b] bibliography on zdhxf[/url] on hazards of smoking cprji[/url] easyjob resume[/url] thesis proposal writing websites online mtlzq[/url] pro[/url]https://google.co.jp/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://ipv4.google.com/url?q=https://essaypro.me
http://wiki.soippo.edu.ua/index.php?title=EssayProcom—EssayPro-Is-It-Legit-n
Interview book report
loans online[/url]1000 word essay death penalty
Apple computer history essay
[url=http://ruszaym.ru]мфо кредитах рус[/url]
http://www.basmal.com/UserProfile/tabid/43/UserID/270094/Default.aspx
http://m.ok.ru/dk?st.cmd=outLinkWarning&st.rfn=https://essaypro.me
Jarhead thesis
Popular bibliography ghostwriters site
Disipline essay
http://rentalhostel.ru/2018/11/30/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-18556
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/457790-best-cheap-essay-writing-website-ca-tnmdt/page__gopid__1069779&#entry1069779
https://www.hoteltranquil.com/fr/blog/present-future?page=20532#comment-1381871
Resume writing downloads yzrxm
with popular critical analysis essay online fmhtd[/url] resume[/url] presentation editor service uk cmrfs[/url] global catalogue manager resume mrebx[/url] writing downloads yzrxm[/b] ill in prison essay oaozq[/url] my custom definition essay on hacking gzfox[/url] best essay ghostwriter websites online ctxmz[/url] problem solving ghostwriter for hire gb[/url] bay[/url]https://www.aussiewritingreviews.com/ozessay-com-au-review/?unapproved=174621&moderation-hash=30aa875e7edd1259b549e4d64f6fde76#comment-174621
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/64441-how-to-write-hypothesis-for-dissertation-example-luwaq.html#64442
https://wowbox.me/blogs/blog/%E8%81%96%E8%AA%95%E7%AF%80%E9%80%81%E7%A6%AE%E6%88%96%E4%BA%A4%E6%8F%9B%E7%A6%AE%E7%89%A9%E6%96%B0%E9%81%B8%E6%93%87-%E5%8F%B0%E7%81%A3%E8%B2%B7%E4%B8%8D%E5%88%B0%E7%9A%84%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E4%BA%BA%E5%8F%A3%E8%A2%8B%E5%90%8D%E5%BA%97%E9%BB%9E%E5%BF%83-%E7%B2%BE%E7%B7%BB%E7%BE%8E%E5%91%B3%E6%98%AF%E9%80%81%E7%A6%AE%E6%88%96%E6%B4%BE%E5%B0%8D%E7%9A%84%E7%B5%95%E4%BD%B3%E9%81%B8%E6%93%87?comment=76525469750#comments
Automotive finance insurance resume
writing downloads yzrxm[/b] for resume for it professionals pbufi[/url] to write a descriptive essay of a place kaufp[/url] annotated bibliography writers for hire uk ltxij[/url] a thesis statement middle school dktbe[/url] for music teacher sample ywzix[/url] skills resume vpxqp[/url]Best literature review ghostwriting for hire ca
Sample of senior center administrator resume
So lot to occur over your amazing blog. Excellent post. I was always checking this blog, and I’m impressed! Im grateful for the article post.Really thank you! Will read on
Your article is very informative and helpful to me. Thank you for the post it’s really nice.this is more good! do visit my site here.
I must say you have written a great article. The way you have described everything is phenomenal. If you have time, please visit my site
Hardcore Galoeries with hot Hardcore photos
http://threesome.porn.fort.bragg.hotnatalia.com/?iyanna
gay sex cam chat porn you jizz porn tube torrent search porn palin porn young gay boy porn online
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Top dissertation conclusion editor services uk .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Best dissertation introduction editor service uk
Pay to write best article review
Best cover letter editor service for masters
Speech essay editing site
How to write a political autobiography
Abstract for technical paper
Ask a ninja terminal paper
essay obesity[/url] resume ohdho[/url] thesis proposal writing for hire online[/url] on a deserted island essay[/url] 431adcaSample receptionist resume examples
Resume for high school math teacher
Construction renovation resume
Top creative essay ghostwriting sites ca
How to type a high school resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
dissertation conclusion editor services uk [/b] pro[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://www.quora.com/profile/Essaypro-Co-1]essaypro[/url]
Professional curriculum vitae ghostwriting for hire for university
paper notecard mls format vjcgr[/url] objective medical assistant[/url] to write a check in care of cqwio[/url] writing thesis statement wlyxw[/url] work live xvqpy[/url]Classification analysis essay topics
Introduction paragraph essay example
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
dissertation conclusion editor services uk [/b] cover letter for nursing school application hfgud[/url] coordinator resume sungm[/url] thesis ideas qobmr 2021[/url] to write a holiday thank you note – Sample thank you letter resume tvejp 2021[/url] pro[/url]ba dissertation sample
http://www.dicodunet.com/out.php?url=https://studybays.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/132705321-espinoza
https://fabnews.faith/wiki/The_2Minute_Rule_for_Essay_Pro
Pay for my academic essay on pokemon go
официальный сайт[/url] essay usa[/url]Number grids coursework
Family reunion essay example
https://vw88love.com/forum/profile.php?id=12330
http://incartusinvestmentspensions.com/magna-pars-studiorum/
Paul robeson essay
Geometry essay editing for hire
Master data management consultant resume
https://jennifermaingallery.com/blogs/news/its-good-to-be-back?comment=122369998934#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/468953-how-to-write-and-make-money/#comment-2589397
https://markdoesstuff.com/blogs/news/8162889-hello-some-updates-to-the-store?comment=127698894950#comments
Top dissertation conclusion editor services uk
analysis ghostwriting websites ca uewby 2021[/url] customer service research paper rgyvw[/url] to write a profile article[/url] style citing book[/url] dissertation conclusion editor services uk [/b] to write italian in chinese[/url] letter inquiring job opportunities – The good life essay thesis ynlzq 2021[/url] chef resume examples – Custom phd essay editor websites gb tdtdt 2021[/url] blog ghostwriter website bwwby 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://adoniaa.com/blogs/blog/unmask-your-beauty-with-mosope-idowu?comment=122822099138#comments
http://stroyvibor.ru/blog/aktsiya-dezoksil-3-sredstvo-dlya-promyvki-sistemy-otopleniya-i-teploobmennikov-20-kg—-vsego-1800-rub#comment_845248
https://pranaon.com/blogs/blog/honeycomb-protein-crepes?comment=126104895541#comments
I wrote my thesis
dissertation conclusion editor services uk [/b] the research paper powerpoint[/url] writer website afxmh 2021[/url] resume in ohio free skcpp[/url] resume template – Resume help substitute teacher yvxsu 2021[/url] college personal statement ideas[/url] to do resume cover letter pckes[/url]Marketing essay advice
My best friend essays for kids