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.
How to write linux batch files xmjbt.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Core radius and single mode fiber and homework solutions
Example term paper on ethics
Summary of qualifications graphic designer resume
Resume template computer experience
Popular speech ghostwriters services for university
Best cv editing for hire ca
Good political persuasive essay topics
about3939my favourite game football3939 txlec[/url] resume writing for hire for school igwpr[/url] 10 page research paper esvfh[/url] dissertation results writer websites uk neqaz[/url] 3619159Help me write environmental studies personal statement
Creative title names for essay
Pay for professional cover letter online
How to write an affidavis
Research paper laws to abolish
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
research proposal ghostwriting service for masters wnhdb[/url] holiday homework fldtt[/url] kogan resume eewlk[/url] resume teacher job dtrge[/url] child left behind essays plncy[/url][b]How to write linux batch files xmjbt[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro login[/url]
Professional critical thinking writers websites for university
Cheap blog post writing website
Power plant model resume
EssayPro.com Review
to write linux batch files xmjbt[/b] analysis of wiesel vsivw[/url] eisenstein essays montage jniaa[/url] retardation research paper qavte[/url] comparison of thr[/url]]
https://maps.google.cn/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/bye?https://essaypro.co
https://maps.google.com.pe/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
Best term paper writing website
Natural foods store business plan
Le pere goriot resume par chapitres
]
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by]обследование зданий и сооружений[/url]
http://dryk.info/go?https://studybay.ws
http://andivista.com/toplist/index.php?a=stats&u=zarahoule51666
Fashion retail resume no experience
Science guide to authors cover letter
Custom dissertation introduction writing sites
http://euvapor.com/showthread.php?tid=46661&pid=169634#pid169634
http://resonantmind.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=10233&p=20129#p20129
http://protee.guru/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=72659&p=525634#p525634
How to write linux batch files xmjbt
practitioner career goals essay chsir[/url] business plan free download gemsj[/url] review ghostwriters service uk cgjqt[/url] to get drama blog uyzzu[/url] to write linux batch files xmjbt[/b] i am a goof essay kxzju[/url] wellness programs business plan ddwia[/url] to get esl persuasive essay on shakespeare isywb[/url] essays ghostwriter for hire us pdnoo[/url] bay[/url]http://littlebikers-nl.messageboard.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=143929&p=787999#p787999
https://www.pextools.com/blogs/forum/air-heating-vs-radiant-heating?comment=103956480183#comments
http://nvrenbanggo.com/about.html#comment-307
Top personal statement ghostwriter services au
to write linux batch files xmjbt[/b] research proposal outline klrbm[/url] legion auxiliary essay contest eopgy[/url] research and essays isi chguq[/url] essay on my motherland india oonem[/url] a resume for a new career[/url] modeling sample resume sbcsc[/url]Describe financial need essay
Resume for timeshare
https://nyobain2017.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://koms.rs/pps/review/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://tripily.co/startupnet/blog/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rickytanzaniaholidays.com/2023/11/02/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://azresilience.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://applicant5.crazydevexam.com/2023/11/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://familycareattampapalms.com/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://rostennis.ru/watch-the-animal-kingdom-2023-film-france-english-subtitles/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-where-to-watch-stream/
https://orion-eastafrica.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-fullmovie-raddit-videos/
https://techmonteconsulting.co.ke/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-video-reddit/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-rent-buy-this-movie-on-123movies-reddit-video/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/murdaugh-murders-a-southern-scandal-season-3-release-date-spoilers-cast-updates-full-stream-reddit-2023/
https://gamma.app/docs/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Mortal-Kombat-Legends-Cage-Match-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-1tmbf4uqlf302zx
https://gamma.app/public/Fitness-Exercise-Programs-Best-Exercise-Program-for-You-5×8ix14xtaqmuou
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Taylor-Swift-The-Eras-Tour-2023-FullMovie-Free-Online-on-12-kcidctaw47f6io8
https://gamma.app/public/Northern-Illinois-at-Central-Michigan-NCAA-Football-Week-10-Octob-bgik1l9vb1311rr
https://gamma.app/public/Buffalo-at-Toledo-NCAA-Football-Week-10-October-31-2023-Streaming-vbik3cjczpyo2cu
https://gamma.app/public/The-Boulet-Brothers-Dragula-Season-5-Episode-1-Premiere-5p5ct81n231vbec
https://gamma.app/public/Love-Hip-Hop-Miami-Season-5-Episode-12-Watch-Online-bge7jwfkztzn4va
https://gamma.app/public/Five-Nights-at-Freddys-Movie-Watch-Online-01xrkmpiz2gtfs2
https://gamma.app/public/The-Exorcist-Believer-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-s5lg47htd4dala7
https://gamma.app/public/The-Marvels-2023-Watch-FullMovie-Online-on-123Movies-yup9p5eymwxm2se
https://gamma.app/public/Napoleon-2023-Watch-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-q414mecjiklc23p
https://gamma.app/public/The-Hunger-Games-The-Ballad-of-Songbirds-Snakes-2023-Watch-Full-O-9us56kdof99gnpx
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Once-Upon-a-Studio-2023-Full-Movie-Online-on-123Movies-2kek28jpvn7cr6z
https://koms.rs/i-am-rage-streaming-online/
https://366power.com/-/en/movie/507089/five-nights-at-freddys
https://366power.com/-/en/tv/209265-1-152/terra-e-paixao-episode-152
https://curzenn.fr/love-hip-hop-miami-season-5-episode-12-123movies/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/the-boulet-brothers-dragula-season-5-episode-1-premiere/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/ncaa-football-week-10-northern-illinois-at-central-michigan-espnu-livestream/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/ncaa-football-week-10-buffalo-at-toledo-espn2-livestreaming/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/fitness-exercise-programs-proven-and-most-popular-in-2023/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/live-stream-hanshin-tigers-vs-orix-buffaloes-nippon-baseball-japan-series-2023/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSEeopf2ZAadM2DPSZby6m9i
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSFYhKpSA8d3MsbvqvLu3qpe
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/shakhtar-donetsk-vs-barcelona-group-h-wed-nov-8-0045-live-streaming/
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/mortal-kombat-legends-cage-match-2023-watch-fullmovie-123movies-reddit-videos/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSFC2ebm8ubH9LvPR3pFriAF
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSGFhbdOSfgezixsitSrqTu5
https://curzenn.fr/nos-realisations/taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-2023-fullmovies-watch-online/
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSGFyjdyfsO1NCgViWJU8qSx
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSGMXsyguQG5mcxad0Pm8Eoo
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSEq2U_220DFMRhq2jzWTC0o
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJoS8kxUZFSE94_nYsb9MesIgYVhYdC5n
https://zamlade.rs
https://media.dijalog.rs
https://dijalog.rs/-/uk
https://clanovi.koms.rs/-/de
http://www.cabes.de/video/
https://fans.jekyllwood.com/
https://pro.jekyllwood.com/
https://ulule.jekyllwood.com/-/ko
http://dev2.jekyllwood.com/-/it
http://dev.jekyllwood.com/-/vi
https://marcusnovaes.com.br/-/pt
https://www.madinovaesadv.com.br/-/uz
http://www.filippomoroni.com/-/en
https://crazydevexam.com/
https://applicant1.crazydevexam.com/-/es
https://applicant2.crazydevexam.com/-/sk
https://www.applicant3.crazydevexam.com/-/sr
https://applicant4.crazydevexam.com/-/sv
https://applicant5.crazydevexam.com/-/th
https://hamagotchi.es/-/en
https://tubbyapp.com/video/
https://theplaceny.com/-/en
https://fiftyonefiftyone.com/-/ka
https://www.francathemovie.com/-/en
https://www.gimmeshoes.com/-/en
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/-/en
https://www.myabckit.com/-/en
https://spacexstats.com/-/en
https://falainyc.com/-/en
https://bridginghomes.net/-/en
http://thetigerassets.com/-/en
https://alanmason.com/-/en
https://boloseprodutos.divertarte.com/-/en
https://easydyd.es/video/
https://www.nutri.easydyd.es/video/
https://catenania.easydyd.es/video/
https://easycomputer.easydyd.es
https://easymatic.easydyd.es/video/
https://elrancho.easydyd.es/video/
https://easydyd.es/inespacio/video/
https://infoalimenta.easydyd.es/video/
https://lcs.easydyd.es/video/
https://paloma.easydyd.es/video/
https://pintxoterapia.easydyd.es/video/
https://legarderobe.fr/-/fr
https://casaalegria.fr/-/en
https://abh-asso.net/-/en
https://www.cbd-fleurs-du-mal.fr/-/en
https://combinaison-femme.fr/-/en
https://elodiechrisment.com/-/en
https://fleuristesaintes.fr/-/en
https://gallia-assurances.com/-/en
https://www.insidewomen.fr/en
https://le-temple-zen.fr/-/en
https://les-meilleurs-voyants.fr/en
https://lit-princesse.fr/-/en
https://locationsaint-malo.com/wp-content/-/en
https://d972-189a0d2f1e11.wptiger.fr/-/en
https://panier-en-osier.fr/-/en
https://passeveriteliberte.fr/-/en
https://robe-africa.fr/wp-content/-/en
https://stop-blues.fr/-/en
https://techwear.be/-/en
https://techwear.es/-/en
https://tokyotechwear.fr/-/en
https://tokyotechwear.it/-/en
https://web3-0.fr/-/en
https://umeleoplodnenie.com/wp-content/-/en
https://potratari.com/-/en
https://dealsoftoday.live/-/en
https://marketentrystrategies.com/-/en
https://vipbonuses.getfacedrip.com/-/en
https://vipbonuses.marketentrystrategies.com/en
http://videoreel.getfacedrip.com/-/en
http://agencies.iceleraite.io/-/en
https://agencyiceleraite.io/-/en
https://cloud.bizbudd.ai/-/en
https://bizbudd.ai/-/en
https://cloud.bizbudd.ai/-/en
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/-/en
https://facedrip.io/-/en
https://getfacedrip.com/-/en
https://iceleraite.io/-/en
https://stevetari.com/-/en
https://support.iceleraite.io/-/en
https://www.vidilicious.marketentrystrategies.com/
https://www.dogezilla.io/-/en
https://rickytanzaniaholidays.com/-/en
https://thatsfishy.co.za/-/en
Buy Best Herbal Supplements Products and Natural Remedies are a great way to help your body heal itself. Our products are made from plants, herbs, fruits and other natural ingredients. With our supplements and natural remedies you will feel better than ever before.
https://www.herbal-care-products.com/
https://www.herbal-care-products.com/product-category/herbal-supplements-products/
https://www.herbal-care-products.com/product-category/health-care-products/
https://www.herbal-care-products.com/product-category/vitamins-supplements/
https://www.herbal-care-products.com/product-category/health-household/