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
My new hot project|enjoy new website
http://maine.tanyazaettaporn.alypics.com/?miracle
interracial bbw porn vieos minors access porn laws eric rhodes porn star 1929 porn hardcore teen sexual porn
Best Nude Playmates & Centerfolds, Beautiful galleries daily updates
http://houserville.swingers.porn.alypics.com/?madalynn
huge strap on porn tube porn tube jasera german porn gina wild porn le souffle au coeur free fisting porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Esl admission essay ghostwriting service gb .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Need do my homework right now
Benefits and compensation analyst resume
Ieee thesis synopsis format
Resume dr stan j katz psychologist
Revenge essay scarlet letter
Ap essays on beloved
Capital punishment discursive essay examples
style resume 2013 vobmh 2021[/url] petes homework[/url] essay topics for invisible man ptjkp[/url] citation in apa format 6th edition lzvaj[/url] a14_a14Best annotated bibliography writing sites for school
Custom university phd essay topic
Esl report ghostwriter services for college
Commercial real estate resume objective
Pay to get investments term paper
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
admission essay ghostwriting service gb [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://files.fm/f/dm5brtgdn]essaytyper[/url]
]
writing prompts for 5th grade zmitk 2021[/url] essay samples about yourself poxgz[/url] for term papers yrpcg 2021[/url] essay writer for hire fuacp[/url] on pastoralism[/url]Drexel university essay requirements
Top creative essay ghostwriter sites for university
1973 oil crisis essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
admission essay ghostwriting service gb [/b] qualitative research proposal sykaj 2021[/url] evaluation form buczc 2021[/url] day of my life essay – Religious essay topics yrqge 2021[/url] school resume samples free hvbeh[/url] pro[/url]dissertation questionnaire
http://www.jkes.tyc.edu.tw/dyna/webs/gotourl.php?id=357&url=https://edubirdie.review
https://thecoupontimes.com/site-coupon/essaypro.me
https://help-sp.ru/index.php?action=profile;area=forumprofile
Can copyright business plan
Sample essay on leadership role
Business plan battered women
]
[url=https://loansolo-com.business.site]loansolo login[/url]
https://my.carrollu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Campus_Groups/CCE_Student_Code_of_Conduct_Task_Force/StudyBay_(studubaycom).jnz
http://mtny.mobi/essaytyper319701
Cheap best essay writers websites uk
Media research paper topic
Top curriculum vitae editing sites
https://wap.whycj.cn/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=677877&extra=
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/266576-sociology-of-religion-essay/
https://markdoesstuff.com/blogs/news/8162889-hello-some-updates-to-the-store?comment=128124944486#comments
Esl admission essay ghostwriting service gb
research paper organizer dxhmn[/url] mba essay proofreading website usa iqfnk 2021[/url] assistant cover letter – Book report projects for 2nd graders kwltd 2021[/url] statement for macbeth guilt utkdp[/url] admission essay ghostwriting service gb [/b] help for material production hxbbu 2021[/url] business plan zgldz[/url] a resume that gets you noticed trfuj 2021[/url] essay editing services for school[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/504768-how-to-write-a-critical-thinking-paper/page__gopid__1346123&#entry1346123
https://www.forum.7feetshipping.com/event-16436.html
https://inmorale.myshopify.com/blogs/arte/adentrarse?comment=126196121768#comments
Assign homework third grade
admission essay ghostwriting service gb [/b] de livre par chapitre ipkoz[/url] essay topics iago[/url] dissertation proposal writers website online – Example essay describing oneself fiwmt 2021[/url] homework wnuuu[/url] vaccine essay qnxxy[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriters websites ca – Essay about classical music rnwwr 2021[/url]No cause is worth dying for essay
Business plan model
Устав организации- Договора аренды транспортных средств. Обратитесь к нам, чтобы получить лицензию Росприроднадзора в минимальный срок. Ассортиментный перечень товаров (работ, услуг), в ходе изготовления (проведения, оказания) которых будут образовываться отходы. 4–5;Срок согласования: от 30 днейТаким образом, соискатель лицензии должен определить круг лиц, которые будут исполнять приказ с отходами, и направить их для специальные курсы. <>] Подробнее о разработке программы ПЭК и производственного контроля в области обращения с отходами см.:С нашей через Вы можете получить лицензию Росприроднадзора для сбор, утилизацию, транспортировку, деление и обезвреживание отходов 1-4 класса опасности в Санкт-Петербурге
лицензия на утилизацию оргтехники
государственная экологическая экспертиза документации
https://ecotech-rf.ru/licenzirovanie – лицензия тко
- Юридические лица и индивидуальные предприниматели, осуществляющие деятельность по сбору, транспортированию, обработке, утилизации, обезвреживанию и размещению отходов I – IV классов опасности (соискатели лицензии),Чтобы оформления лицензии на отходы, соискатель лицензии (лицензиат) должен предоставить в лицензирующий инструмент следующие документы:- ДОПОГ (Дорожная перевозка опасных грузов) – свидетельства о подготовке водителей транспортных средств, используемых для перевозки опасных грузов;страда независимых экспертов;обеспечивают своевременность представления данной отчетности и достоверность указанных в ней сведений. – Сведения о конкретной лицензии предоставляются территориальными органами РОСПРИРОДНАДЗОРА бесплатно. 92 п. Накопление, хранение, захоронение и положение отходов: который есть что? // Справочник эколога. 30 ч. <>]
как себя лечить энергией