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 HELP?
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.
Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Controversial research papers
Essay on industrialization and environment
Conclusion for an essay against abortion
College homework help
Pay to do history course work
Free original essays
Most powerful resume format
english essay quotes womfx[/url] school essay editing site gb hlpky[/url] appraisal sxbqb[/url] sample service social bbosu[/url] 6361915Easy steps book report
Resume bloopers 2008
Mla research paper long quotes
What makes a good dissertation topic
Essay gift giving
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
creative essay editor site au lipzh[/url] methodology ghostwriting websites us amitj[/url] essay teen kgygb[/url] mba admission paper topic uhwfj[/url] movie review proofreading site gb osuci[/url][b]Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Ground rules for effective resume
Internet technology resume
Creative essay topics for year 7
medical ghostwriting editapaper.com
biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] up letter after cover letter wtszy[/url] book report xjvvt[/url] cv format isawf[/url] it programmer resume texom[/url]]
https://google.im/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://register.scotland.gov.uk/Subscribe/WidgetSignup?url=http://essaypro.me
https://www.google.com.do/url?q=https://essaypro.me
Popular thesis proposal ghostwriting for hire for school
Cheap book review writer website ca
Dan snaith thesis
[url=http://ocenka.bpx.by]Оценка недвижимости[/url]
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити кредит[/url]
http://biddinglaw.com/comment/html/?151866.html
http://www.miyou.hk/home.php?mod=space&uid=1466711&do=profile&from=space
Research paper revision workshop
Free essays on world war 2
Help with my literature blog
http://www.kf5u.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=143&pid=348496&page=6156&extra=page%3D1#pid348496
https://q8mazad.com/vb/showthread.php?p=2148691&posted=1#post2148691
http://sovetyem.ru/forum/showthread.php?p=648519&posted=1#post648519
Best biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe
critical essay on trump jyfyy[/url] to do environmental studies thesis npxuz[/url] of how to write a feature article hqsje[/url] dissertation chapter writing services for school lzshz[/url] biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] essays about eating disorders vjjec[/url] rindfleisch memorial fund 500 word essay required haxbu[/url] 1 maths past papers answers avvxq[/url] template law school ifahm[/url] login[/url]https://brooklyntweed.com/blogs/blog/allisons-weekender-light?comment=77790314551#comments
https://board.bmwcarmag.com/index.php?topic=841114.new#new
http://sadikov.uz/ru/content/sadikovuz-da-sizni-aynan-nima-qiziqtiradi-0?page=196#comment-51153
College essay header footer
biography ghostwriters for hire uk idzfe[/b] to write ecology thesis proposal bwecg[/url] case study ghostwriting websites for college weuvf[/url] essays bread muquq[/url] you list high school in resume wngmy[/url] conscious cover letter[/url] for getting fired on resume tchvm[/url]How to write business invitation letter
Marketing research essay papers
Hot teen pics
http://manassaannemor.porn.amandahot.com/?kelsi
free high deff porn sites amature porn guy in socks pam aderson porn list of black porn stars jans galleries porn
How to write a reading extended response .
Order NOW!!! http://quailfemale41.jigsy.com/entries/general/Fascination-About-Essay-Bot
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Cover letter for teaching job ireland .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cheap dissertation introduction editor for hire online
Event management objective of a resume
Cover letter for research and development job
Equestrian instructor resume
Popular movie review writer for hire
How to write a 5 paragraph essay format
Book report display board
cover letter writing service for college tiqib[/url] frost book report msqzh[/url] of bacon essay of truth vpvdk 2021[/url] icons psd kzoal[/url] dca17_aObjective for resume examples for software engineers
Esl creative writing ghostwriting sites us
Best creative writing writers websites us
Popular research proposal editor for hire usa
How to write email marketing copy
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
letter for teaching job ireland [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.bloginwi.com]studybay[/url]
]
to write japan in japanese writing sblpx[/url] essay example[/url] me write nursing business plan – Help writing ancient civilizations dissertation proposal cfkhk 2021[/url] admission paper writers services for university bxjxn[/url] on academic achievement in mathematics qgbgc 2021[/url]Persuasive essay internet piracy
Manhattan project essay
Masters thesis on open source software
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
letter for teaching job ireland [/b] between two cultures essay[/url] curriculum vitae writing service for college[/url] proficiency on resume iigvb[/url] essays jqury 2021[/url] pro[/url]WriteMyEssayOnline.com Review
https://sciencewiki.science/wiki/Indicators_on_Payday_Loans_Online_USA_You_Should_Know
http://www.yyd157.cn/upload3/home.php?mod=space&uid=1392220
https://blogfreely.net/essaytyper/essaytyper-essaytyper
Ielts general writing test papers
No homework valentine coupon
How to write a book recommendation yahoo
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]авиасейлс авиабилеты дешевые билеты[/url]
[url=https://vk.com/avtor24_ru]Аuthor24.ru[/url]
https://bitcoin-value.biz/forum/profile.php?id=51092
https://dabble.cafe/index.php?mid=board_LftI09&document_srl=944669
Top personal essay writers website au
How to write sub queries
Dissertation conclusion proofreading website ca
https://ss-maxshop.myshopify.com/blogs/news/finibus-bonorum-malorum?comment=121115934756#comments
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/265332-resume-3d-graphic-opengl-directx-assembly.html#294675
http://sarebansafa.com/form/232837
Cover letter for teaching job ireland
definition essay ghostwriter service uk yghyu[/url] descriptive essay writers service for university ejvxx 2021[/url] cover letter[/url] to do literature article review shdqk[/url] letter for teaching job ireland [/b] definition essay editor sites online nvgdo 2021[/url] inbound sales manager jzdkl[/url] dissertation topics in india – Spanish useful essay phrases upqxd 2021[/url] of lady macbeth essay shgow[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://pusherbmx.com/blogs/news/45524929-pusher-2015-mountain-trip?comment=124104245440#comments
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/453161-lcsw-pre-license-required-coursework/
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-39#entry2593353
Write my own newspaper
letter for teaching job ireland [/b] of an ex colored man essay topics wedty[/url] for my religious studies research proposal oaaje[/url] video game store business plan kuxka[/url] middle school homework – How to write an editorial examples sxogi 2021[/url] style research paper template 6th edition mgbmg[/url] to a prophet essay egfnh[/url]Cheap cv editor service ca
Popular business plan writing service online
check out the post right here card chip reader writer
Hot new pictures each day
http://cuckold.porn.moesexy.com/?raquel
porn dirty talk sex porn movies on dvd dd cup porn hub free nobile porn videos duckys porn