How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


29094 comments

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.
    Phd editing website uk uuhii.

    Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Business development officer resume sample
    Free research paper writing service
    Top curriculum vitae writer site au

    Essay to kill a mockingbird boo radley
    How to add linkedin url to resume
    Cheap home work editor site gb

    Custom essay proofreading sites us
    Circus cruelty essays
    Sample student photo essays

    desert jmg clezio qbmjo[/url] original thesis papers kkpee[/url] application letter ghostwriting for hire for college woapt[/url] etiquette essays pbrua[/url] 4_848a8

    What questions need to be answered in a research paper
    Essay structure ncea level 1
    Custom creative writing proofreading websites

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [b]Phd editing website uk uuhii[/b]
    [url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro review[/url]
    Very short essay on my best friend
    Business plan templates for attourney
    Walt disney research paper thesis

    thesis sharepoint xrbym[/url] for older employees puimf[/url] thesis in germany kvoav[/url] printable homework packets cgitl[/url] on reading comprehension download awyhp[/url]

    a book report editapaper.com

    editing website uk uuhii[/b] to write a solicitation letter sdapu[/url] homework a blank usmap zmzxp[/url] action word list namat[/url] to do my homework for me gyjhz[/url]

    ]
    https://blip.fm/studybay3
    https://images.google.ge/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
    https://images.google.info/url?q=https://studybay.ws

    Sample cover letter for progress report
    Top cover letter proofreading services usa
    Language culture and identity essay

    media pros and cons essay[/url]

    ]

    http://freeurlredirect.com/essaytyper388238
    http://demosite.center/fluxbb/profile.php?id=80

    Free download resume samples for freshers
    Professional university essay editor site for university
    Scp large file resume

    https://fiscal360.mx/piden-regular-outsourcing-imss-no-le-da-batalla/?unapproved=743985&moderation-hash=7f439ea8ca1a68d1ed17e85f5eaa52a1#comment-743985
    http://www.mobrulesmedia.com/uncategorized/episode-140-hybrid-theory/?unapproved=5167&moderation-hash=02e73e7b9a619a912f959f86a3900a18#comment-5167
    https://top5.su/forum/messages/forum3/topic4839/message202034/?result=reply#message202034

    Phd editing website uk uuhii
    https://www.frubia.com/2017/05/04/vivemos-la-vida-organica/?unapproved=398525&moderation-hash=d64bbc044e32ab3c582c5a17818309cf#comment-398525
    https://chicletzipline.com/blogs/news/manuel-antonio-costa-rica?comment=80644964425#comments
    https://q8mazad.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2148677&posted=1#post2148677

    on work experience keprv[/url] my family and consumer science blog post llxxd[/url] book review writer service for university lmwwb[/url] you include high school information on a resume bgtpw[/url] editing website uk uuhii[/b] about values education wnyym[/url] supplement essays 2012 xacuu[/url] critical essay proofreading for hire au fqcjl[/url] a research paper chicago style[/url] login[/url]

    Elements of the jazz age essay
    Technical writing paper topics
    Saphir-whorf thesis objectification

    editing website uk uuhii[/b] for nurse supervisor position pybcy[/url] letter electrical technician qalpx[/url] valley west high school homework cztkh[/url] writer for hire uk qflte[/url] letter with enclosure klbpr[/url] friends classification essay vqzbr[/url]
    studybayws
  • https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/1075794/leo
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/753342/napoleon
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/299054/expend4bles
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/507089/five-nights-at-freddys
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/670292/the-creator
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/901362/trolls-band-together
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/1058694/radical
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/841742/megalomaniac
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/459003/mavka-lisova-pisnya
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/1008042/talk-to-me
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/807172/the-exorcist-believer
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/1022796/wish
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/678512/sound-of-freedom
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/762430/retribution
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/893723/paw-patrol-the-mighty-movie
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/1134754/172-days
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/609681/the-marvels
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/951491/saw-x
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/695721/the-hunger-games-the-ballad-of-songbirds-snakes
    https://fcajeep.com/-/en/movie/536437/hypnotic

    LiangTai
  • https://replit.com/devils-peak-tv https://replit.com/fear-walking-de
    https://replit.com/sound-offreedom https://replit.com/boudica-fullmov
    https://replit.com/Bottomsfullmovi https://replit.com/dumb-money-hd
    https://github.com/apps/dumb-money-on-123movies
    https://github.com/apps/lalajo-bottoms-2023-on-123movies
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/love-island-games-season-1-episode-18/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/devils-peak-season-1-episode-4/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/fear-the-walking-dead-season-8-episode-11-fighting-like-you/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/watch-sound-of-freedom-full-movies-online-free-hd-putlocker/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/watch-boudica-2023-online-fullmovie-streaming-free-on-123movies/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/watch-bottoms-2023-online-2023-full-movies-free-hd/
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/event/watch-dumb-money-2023-full-movie-online-free/
    https://controlc.com/bb9af79d

    LiangTai
  • https://gamma.app/public/Love-Island-Games-Season-1-episode-18-Full-ltl65z5rmosbweu
    https://gamma.app/public/Devils-Peak-Season-1-Episode-4-Full-or2napkt74di0j4
    https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Fear-the-Walking-Dead-Season-8-Episode-11-Online-ajp8xgj3txv9p2i
    https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Sound-of-Freedom-2023-Full-Movie-Online-q5zfxbbtl3vv61a
    https://gamma.app/public/VIDEO-Boudica-2023-FullMovie-ENG-SUB-Watch-Online-On-123movies-Sa-oea3h5zk7grj71q
    https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Bottoms-2023-Full-Movie-on-123Movies-s4nvjfmy886b7zp
    https://gamma.app/public/123MOVIES-Watch-Dumb-Money-Free-Online-Streaming-5fq825bltthhfq4
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60ebz107uzmzybitzp90zs
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60ijul02rhn5o0d4q4b1m3
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60n4gd02rnn5o0o489p2u7
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60r5dq0bzxopt8yisayow1
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60tgaa02p1n5nzcit3893w
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60vvs008c1mzy5odjty2ah
    https://hix.ai/d/clp60y30m02pbn5nzszhqjq9j
    https://replit.com/dumb-money-full https://replit.com/love-island-gam

    LiangTai
  • https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/792293/dumb-money
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1024773/it-lives-inside
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/814776/bottoms
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/666277/past-lives
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/753342/napoleon
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/466420/killers-of-the-flower-moon
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1071215/thanksgiving
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/937249/57-seconds
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/807172/the-exorcist-believer
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/762430/retribution
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/951491/saw-x
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/678512/sound-of-freedom
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/930564/saltburn
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/646389/plane
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/787699/wonka
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/792307/poor-things
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/897087/freelance
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/958182/heroic
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/940721/godzilla-minus-one
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/808396/god-is-a-bullet
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1002315/please-dont-destroy-the-treasure-of-foggy-mountain
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/839369/may-december
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/796185/the-three-musketeers-dartagnan
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1016084/blackberry
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/621587/next-goal-wins
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1134754/172-days
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/940241/97-minutes
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/520758/chicken-run-dawn-of-the-nugget
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/823482/dream-scenario
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1093485/the-white-storm-3-heaven-or-hell
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1145851/el-hombre-del-saco
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/667717/deep-sea
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/508/love-actually
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/2756/the-abyss
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/866346/the-retirement-plan
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/970348/the-old-oak
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/729854/concrete-utopia
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/913673/nefarious
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/840430/the-holdovers
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/9461/enter-the-dragon
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1109534/the-dive
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1108211/lost-in-the-stars
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/1008005/the-communion-girl
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/915935/anatomy-of-a-fall
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/783675/the-first-slam-dunk
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/977013/haunting-of-the-queen-mary
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/891699/silent-night
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/801112/kidnapped
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/897160/brave-citizen
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/192/the-name-of-the-rose
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/872976/digimon-adventure-02-the-beginning
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/503417/she-came-to-me
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/926599/all-fun-and-games
    https://nicosiaefe.gov.cy/video/movie/632856/spirited

    Toha
  • https://letterboxd.com/adbitisunda/list/sound-of-freedom-2023-full-movie-santa-fe/
    https://letterboxd.com/cocolsambels/film/boudica-2023/
    https://letterboxd.com/cocolsambels/list/godzilla-vs-kong-2021-full-movie/
    https://letterboxd.com/adbitisunda/film/scream-2022/
    https://cwr-crb.com/episodes/pernikahan-dini-episode-10-season-1/
    https://cwr-crb.com/episodes/pernikahan-dini-episode-11-season-1/
    https://gamma.app/public/Top-Model-Season-12-Episode-12-Full-7w7jftgq7hyyg2l
    https://gamma.app/public/The-Big-Bang-Season-1-Episode-8-Full-18-November-2023-hvnp0t31p5c29h4
    https://gamma.app/public/Legends-Of-Gaming-Nl-Season-8-Episode-6-Full-rvx9cn6ux3xopqs
    https://gamma.app/public/Zombie-House-Flipping-Season-6-Episode-4-Full-ibj57953ybycll9
    https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Sound-of-Freedom-2023-Full-Online-jjvfpqmdrg3z5lt
    https://gamma.app/public/Watch-Boudica-FullMovie-on-123Movies-2023-oiong4hmmtlh8xb
    https://gamma.app/public/WatchMovie-Bottoms-2023-08-25-Online-on-123Movies-Download-4nq8hcodtor5012
    https://gamma.app/public/123MOVIES-Watch-Dumb-Money-Free-Online-Streaming-at-Home-v47fhhj1ze6insg

    Toha
  • Previous
  • Page 1 of 5819
  • Next

Leave a comment