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.
Essay on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo.
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Write a story with the help of pictures
How to write a survival manual
Sample essay crime and punishment
Placement officer resume
Cheap rhetorical analysis essay writing services
Destabilising the environment conflict thesis
Resume model msword download
personal statement ghostwriting website for university terpz[/url] toefl ibt essay topics nqcvq[/url] university essay writers services gb czjdf[/url] dissertation writer services oclrd[/url] 431adcaArgument essay idea
Ruby tuesday bartender resume
Professional dissertation methodology editing site au
Boul de suif maupassant resume
Custom college university essay assistance
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
cover letter nurse sample gfnpy[/url] poems for literary analysis yzvlp[/url] shop business plan fichb[/url] dissertation vrdnt[/url] goes in the introduction paragraph of an essay aewub[/url][b]Essay on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Best dissertation conclusion editor websites
Popular dissertation hypothesis ghostwriter services online
Purdue owl essay outline format
academic online editapaper.com
on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo[/b] memory homework ideas zsgrl[/url] dissertation editor sites for university cagva[/url] my remedial math movie review kvoji[/url] show not tell krjlc[/url] pro[/url]https://maps.google.com.na/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://old.reddit.com/r/CollegeEssayReview/comments/fpa36l/custom_essay_writing/
https://weblib.lib.umt.edu/redirect/proxyselect.php?url=https://studybays.com
How to write an effective introduction in an essay
Teacher aide job description for resume
Attributes resume
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai/]топ банков по кредитам[/url]
[url=https://loansolo.co]loansolo login[/url]
http://giftening.jetwolf.com/profile/annajohnsonus
https://roloeganga.net/user/profile/34894
Business plan for a barber shop
How to write regret letter
Cheap literature review editor websites gb
https://www.galassiastudios.ca/migs2018/?unapproved=80616&moderation-hash=56f73526141af2eca803105e5a1eb541#comment-80616
http://www.releasetheanxiety.jason-palmer.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19029&p=186404#p186404
https://sky-bet.football/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=15813#p15813
Essay on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo
living facility business plan bundle udlei[/url] cdl resume ayvqb[/url] essays 2012[/url] college dissertation hypothesis topic vpugh[/url] on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo[/b] co education system yoppw[/url] creative essay ghostwriter services us kryms[/url] informative essay topics college krfgb[/url] fico sample resume pdf izmar[/url]http://historia.iiv.edu.mx/forum/showthread.php?tid=114246&pid=131874#pid131874
http://mosory.six168.com/viewthread.php?tid=458&pid=2241&page=13&extra=#pid2241
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=4579&pid=15274#pid15274
]
on curley39s wife in of mice and men iqteo[/b] article proofreading website gb pumut[/url] paper ghostwriter site for university sutwh[/url] university phd thesis submission hbviv[/url] in the bible essay vnhbf[/url] to do political science movie review mhxcf[/url] football resume whcnm[/url]Introduction to down syndrome essay
Esl masters dissertation introduction help
Reliability of eyewitness testimony essay
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-poor-things-2023-fullmovie.html
https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Poor-Things-2023-Online-full-movie-eho837niyupufwp
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Holdovers-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123mov-qnvu7gjwo78xg95
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/video-holdovers-2023-fullmovie-watch.html
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/radical-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/ENG-SUB-Radical-2023-FullMovie-Watch-Online-On-123movies-3Pas-Stu-cr1mh6djgdlqjol
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Deep-Fear-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies—ex1g4nvhesy1tf4
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/deep-fear-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub-watch.html
https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-The-Creator-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movie-xsqa5i6qtt6zvds
https://www.cundelatoteh.com/2023/11/the-creator-2023-fullmovie-eng-sub.html
https://www.lambeteja.com/2023/11/expedition-unknown-season-13-episode-1.html
https://gamma.app/public/Where-To-Watch-Expedition-Unknown-Season-13-Episode-1-Full-Online-14rpmyrw66cv63c
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/wp-content/-/en
https://telecomtv.ro/euro/
https://francathemovie.com/backup/
https://sevengardens.com.sa/site/
https://demnetafrica.org/sample-page/
https://credoadvisory.com/home-2/
https://366power.com/sample-page/
https://n-wec.org/redditvideos/
https://nextieradvisory.com/home-copy/
https://www.linkodkabitenyo.cavite.gov.ph/linkod-kabitenyo-cavite/
https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/covid/
https://nextierpower.com/
https://nextierspd.com/
https://thenextier.com/privacy-policy/
https://ebsites.com.br/teste/
https://bighousetotiny.ndlservices.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://marcusnovaes.com.br/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://thatsfishy.co.za/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://jekyllwood.com/2023/11/02/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://dijalog.rs/2023/11/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://lolwi.org/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.dogezilla.io/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://www.francathemovie.com/english-subtitles-the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-film-france/
https://hamagotchi.es/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://novi.koms.rs/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://spacexstats.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://howtochangetheworldmovie.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.gimmeshoes.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://fiftyonefiftyone.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://falainyc.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://dfy.iceleraite.io/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://tubbyapp.com/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
https://www.madinovaesadv.com.br/the-animal-kingdom-2023-watch-online-eng-sub/
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