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
Affordable thesis writing:
Strong Cv How Do You Write Reflection 1000 Word Narrative Essay – Writing an academic essay means fashioning a coherent set of ideas into an argument. Because essays are essentially linear—they offer one idea at a time—they must present their ideas in the order that makes most sense to a reader. Successfully structuring an essay means attending to a reader’s logic.Only then, with the reader’s attention “hooked,” should you move on to the thesis. The thesis should be a clear, one-sentence explanation of your position that leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind about which side you are on from the beginning of your essay.
https://asheruit.blogspot.com/2021/04/example-of-title-of-research-study.html
Argumentative Text Type Example
Cv Making Near Me
How To End Term Paper
https://adsuckerih.blogspot.com/2021/04/cultural-safety-in-nursing-essay.html
]
https://molotorvac.blogspot.com/2021/04/how-to-write-research-review-paper.html
Flood essay\Satirical essays on obesity:
https://dotegiof.blogspot.com/2021/04/how-write-narrative-essay.html
Resume Builder Service
Example Of Critique Paper In Movie
Deforestation Research Paper
Counter Argument Paragraph Template
Narrative Writing Examples College Level
Critical Paper Example
Evidence Based Practice Paper Example
Scholarship Statements
Counter Argument Sample
.
.
Sexy teen photo galleries
free fullenth porn yubes watch pirates 1995 porn redstripe porn free iphone porn vids asian porn small titshttp://fattestpornstar.sickestfreeporn.amandahot.com/?mattie
NEED ESSAY WRITING HELP?
Professional argumentative essay on hacking .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Good book review thesis
Custom dissertation ghostwriting sites ca
Telemarketing business plan free download
Cheap letter ghostwriter for hire us
Conclusion of racism essay
Resume harvard mba
4rth grade book reports
with my chemistry dissertation results – Pay to write essays uk nxoak 2021[/url] skills teaching resume mucsf 2021[/url] essay to my favourite sports person explaining what olympic games mean to me djgnu[/url] writing accounting dissertation introduction dldiw[/url] 20f1636Computer network resume template
Email cover letter tips
Esl academic essay ghostwriter services uk
Bread delivery driver resume
Essay models tell us about yourself
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
argumentative essay on hacking [/b][url=http://studybay-com.tribunablog.com]studybay[/url]
]
assignment writing sites for university pfzrz[/url] college essay[/url] thesis application kosnh[/url] to write use case scenario – Resume employment history how far back giszj 2021[/url] cover letter for senior operations manager xyocq[/url]Write a java program for point class for images
Example of resume filipino
Research paper on financial impact of hr
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
argumentative essay on hacking [/b] by ring bios mmmae 2021[/url] of resume for abroad ygxbg[/url] building lesson plans high school nyire[/url] sector resume objective ssbde[/url] pro[/url]chapter 5 qualitative dissertation example
http://www.google.com.ly/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://google.com.pa/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
http://support.sharepoint.apptix.net/Lists/Advanced%20Technical%20Help/DispForm.aspx?ID=3408
Academic writing social sciences
Homework products for adhd children
Do my custom academic essay on civil war
[url=http://mykrozaimy.ru/]самый надежный микрозайм онлайн[/url]
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]взять микрозайм онлайн на банковскую[/url]
https://www.lookhot.com.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=42809&do=profile&from=space
https://betfair88.info/bf/profile.php?id=763
Black leather resume folder
Esl argumentative essay outline
Write me top university essay on founding fathers
https://www.lolaramona.com/blogs/news/have-you-ever-hacked-anything?comment=89990135897#comments
https://mysourcetelevision.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=347455&pid=726245#pid726245
https://www.handbagtailor.com/blogs/product-blog/met-gala-veils?comment=102006292523#comments
Professional argumentative essay on hacking
school bibliography help ovusg[/url] keeper job resume sample xmxdx[/url] resume for loan officer dceej[/url] cheap essay on donald trump ptjlg[/url] argumentative essay on hacking [/b] university persuasive essay topic qaqtd 2021[/url] phd thesis apa kbeig[/url] company business plan sample dkgpt[/url] essay ghostwriters websites gb ljyfd 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://forum.clubcivicquebec.com/topic/483098-cheap-assignment-writer-website-au-cacoz/page-9#entry5243048
http://ciphertalks.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=200761&p=344070#p344070
https://www.foxyfix.com/blogs/foxy-blog/spice-rings?comment=107293900973#comments
Help writing popular rhetorical analysis essay
argumentative essay on hacking [/b] company business plan sample pwhim[/url] dissertation results writer service au rlhgd 2021[/url] school personal statement examples innyi 2021[/url] ghostwriting service us wxgyk[/url] therapy homework r sound – Positive influence essay topics lozmu 2021[/url] cover letter media position jiiib 2021[/url]Top school dissertation conclusion ideas
Free sample business plan clothing store
Рынок криптовалют очень валотилен, и именно благодаря этому есть возможность на этом хорошо заработать. Я посторался описать как можно не вкладывая своих денег работая на проверенных временем сайтах заработать деньги.На странице сайта http://23kfki.ru/p0002.htm Вы узнаете как можно заработать на криптовалюте.
Enjoy daily galleries
family guy streaming porn videos online watch porn at work free fucking porn with no registration mom lesbain porn videos free lesbian gang bang pornhttp://cloudsearchporn.alexysexy.com/?janae