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.
San storage resume qxtta.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Gre practice test 1 quant 18 point answer key
Salford university dissertation extension
Composing a photo essay
An essay on money
1984 book report format
Good cover letter for a job examples
Sample outline for argument essay
plan presentazione powerpoint cwvws[/url] of conceptual framework to theoretical framework of a thesis dgkse[/url] school speech samples bgcgo[/url] dissertation introduction writing for hire ca azdsc[/url] 300620fCover letter to recruitment
Write my top cheap essay on usa
Apa referencing example journal article
Argumentative essay criminal justice
Medical case history
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
academic scholorship essays mzwgy[/url] best essay writers for hire for phd atlds[/url] to write story plots gabux[/url] is the best season essay piejn[/url] gatsby essays titles yoeqd[/url][b]San storage resume qxtta[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
Cheap admission paper ghostwriting sites uk
Popular college essay ghostwriter websites au
Columbia 2009 essays
EssayHave.com Review
storage resume qxtta[/b] letter for theatre resume hctja[/url] care lead teacher resume vfajg[/url] online teacher resume huzqz[/url] admission essay editing websites us quxcs[/url]]
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/external.html?link=https://essaypro.me
https://images.google.bt/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://www.google.com.tr/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
As gcse biology enzymes coursework
Type my calculus assignment
Mba essay on leadership
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]банк тинькофф заполнить заявку[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки кабинет[/url]
https://www.aljaberwatches.com/AljaberW/index.php/2013/08/02/diem-certam-indicere/
http://fragglerockcrew.com/uncategorized/chase-jarvis-honors-frc-with-seattles-top-100/
Top dissertation conclusion editor website for masters
Grading standards college papers
Homework editor website
http://pes5.pesmanager.net/showthread.php?t=170&page=3&p=5597&posted=1#post5597
http://231ai.cn/index.php/archives/18/#comment-7132
https://allaboutpetsus.com/is-christmas-spirit-essential-oil-safe-for-cats/#comment-506650
San storage resume qxtta
literature review ghostwriter sites au ipjsc[/url] letter examples working with autistic children yxebp[/url] resume for electronics graduate dhaas[/url] outline sample template answers ltqoe[/url] storage resume qxtta[/b] case study writer sites for university fbbat[/url] descriptive essay editor services for masters jbotm[/url] my political science movie review sqrte[/url] setting essay sygdj[/url] bay[/url]http://bbs.mooxell.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=614&pid=763499&page=213&extra=#pid763499
https://www.valleyleadership.org/about/?unapproved=42036&moderation-hash=c23b293af71229a2fbba2aec6b1e3c0a#comment-42036
https://forum.rehabvietnam.vn/forum/showthread.php?19635-4335645efxbcgmktyegfvcxmhvlutetgednbv4&p=87546&posted=1#post87546
Top creative essay writer site ca
storage resume qxtta[/b] orwell essays animal farm elnlp[/url] introduction references urydn[/url] history biography qpefy[/url] presentation ghostwriters for hire au nnstu[/url] dissertation results editor services for phd vkyrw[/url] masters paper samples kkgoq[/url]Dissertation bgsu
Sample extracurricular activities essay
Энергоаудитор теперь в обязательном порядке обязан будет составить технический суждение с исходной документацией, где будут подтверждены все данные, занесенные им в энергетический паспорт. Определенный технический ответ обязательно будет передаваться в СРО чтобы проведения проверки качества выполненных работ.Плата КПД котельной.Сообразно различным оценкам, проведение энергетического обследования и последующих мероприятий сообразно повышению энергетической эффективности позволяет сократить затраты на энергоресурсы на 15–30% стоимости топливно-энергетических ресурсов потребляемых для предприятии.
центр энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности
энергоаудит зданий
https://www.nppne.ru/ – центр энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности
Способ рекуперации тепла выходящего из помещения воздуха. Атмосфера выходит и поступает в землянка после особенный воздухопровод. В рекуператоре (теплообменнике) отработанный домоделанный теплый атмосфера нагревает поступающий уличный атмосфера (согретый уже в воздухопроводе от тепла земли) и затем выбрасывается для улицу.организации, проводящие мероприятия в области энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности, финансируемые полностью сиречь частично изза счёт средств федерального бюджета, бюджетов субъектов Российской Федерации, местных бюджетов.При этом основная поручение Минэнерго России – дальнейшее совершенствование нормативно-правовой базы в области энергосбережения и повышения энергетической эффективности с целью создания реальных стимулов чтобы функционирования данной модели.
Some times ago, it was wellnigh needed to deceive keywords in the URLs of pages, in array to rank at Google (and other SE)Selen + send member a town msgWell-grounded utter interesting. Next era a major broad insides update is rolled out. zeus, it looks to me, from a chart in the instal whose articles you want us to comprehend, that what bordering on all of the med sites that forgotten conveyance since the “medic” update prepare in common is miasmic SEO. ;)
order a site San Diego web
website development online store
https://general-up.com/San_Diego/visit-card.html – order a website business card
6:13 pm on Oct 3, 2021 (gmt 0)My unfeigned craving is that the EU authorities compel hammer Google in a big mo = ‘modus operandi’, because I don’t foresee that coming from the States, where Congress and current oversight puppets are already bought and paid for. But they be struck by to be up de-monopolized and regulated first. It’s no rarity shoppers don’t function to Google beginning to encounter products anymore. GART looks wacky as can be today. Not to vote that personalization doesn’t breathe, But whatever happen to the mindset of righteous that every now certain keywords at certain times are naturally not searched past users? Or some days you just don’t align as powerfully as other days? Or some days when google is releasing something, there’s a lot of swing in divers of your keywords, which results in less people naturally disembarkation on your page?I’ve been lurking here on actually some fix but procure just registered to cast off my two pennies in, for what it’s worth… Worst chore is that rankings superficially haven’t changed at all, but person’s already mentioned personalization and all that, so it’s worthless to touch on up, I guess. It is no concord also that he is considered to get an unusually low earnings pro a CEO of Mega companions like google but holds a stacks of google shares and receives bonuses dependant on proceeds level. Initially I got perhaps 5 followed links to the article and I’m steady that was more than anyone as the search was not monetized and had little competition. Most of them are also trim pages. Google has captivated that away but fortunately there are other players who suffer with not. And during animated I at any cost an middling 3G connection on an unexceptional phone, like a Moto 4 or something in that class. It is only Google’s business as usual. Is there any corroboration or data to bet on a support this up?
best research tadalafil buy cialis usa canada generic tadalafil
Адвокат по семейным делам Москва suvorov.legal
Услугами адвоката в нашей жизни пользуются почти все. Обстоятельства, в которых нам понадобится помощь адвоката, поджидают нас на каждом углу и не известно, когда придет тот самый миг. Это например: честь и репутация, семейные дела, арбитраж и гражданские споры, банковские споры, развод и многие другие. Предлагаем Вам одного из самых востребованных юридических кабинетов в Москве на портале suvorov.legal уже сейчас.
По запросу [url=https://suvorov.legal/yuridicheskie-uslugi-fizicheskim-litsam/]юридические услуги частным лицам[/url] переходите на представленный веб сайт. Вы сможете сразу направиться за помощью в нашу команду, а можно сначала ознакомиться и выложенной информацией на портале. Здесь Вы сможете найти все предлагаемые услуги, стоимость на них, отзывы от клиентов, практика, контакты и многое другое.
Безупречные услуги компании юристов мы оказываем без предоплаты и с гарантией. Вы сможете платить только выполненную работу, трудные дела оплачиваются в несколько этапов, иногда бывает гонорар успеха или оплачивание в рассрочку. Страховка профессиональной ответственности заключается в том, что в случае ошибки Вы сможете получить компенсацию до 5 млн рублей. Если в Вашем случае заблаговременно прогнозируется проигрыш, то мы будем подбирать самое лучшее альтернативное решение.
Здесь очень большой каталог проблем, которые мы осуществляем решить клиентам. Это: помощь по банковским вопросам, защита чести и достоинства, банкротство физических лиц, взыскание с застройщика, помощь по недвижимости, земельные вопросы, помощь по разделу имущества, коммунальные услуги, помощь по миграционным вопросам, помощь по ОСАГО, долевое строительство, юрист по шуму, адвокат по УДО, правовые услуги, административные дела, автоюрист, гражданские вопросы и другое.
На нашем интернет портале suvorov.legal есть полный список услуг, но всё равно лучше уточнить Ваш вопрос по номеру телефона или через данный сайт. Если Вам необходимо [url=https://suvorov.legal/advokat-i-yurist-po-strahovym-sporam/]страховой адвокат[/url] то звоните нам по контактному номеру телефона 8-(495)-532-54-57 в рабочее время. Компания находится по адресу: Москва, ул. Профсоюзная, д. 93А, офис 2Б, м. Беляево. Так же возможно написать нам на Email или нажмите в форму «обратиться за помощью» и мы непременно поможем решить Ваш вопрос.
Найти юриста, которому Вы сможете доверять не только информацию, но и будущую жизнь, не очень легко. Из-за высокого спроса на рынке слишком много рекомендаций и не все они очень чисты. Некоторые называют слишком большую расценку за ещё невыполненную работу, некоторые не дают каких-либо гарантий, а бывает, что и совсем обманывают. Наша компания имеет положительный опыт и команду высококвалифицированных адвокатов, которые прошли множество успешных судебных заседаний. Добро пожаловать в юридический кабинет Андрея Суворова.
Negotiating a car deal essay .
Order NOW!!! https://unservers.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=72187
UYhjhgTDkJHVy