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.
What happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Monster ca resume builder
How to write a book in two weeks
Global warming problem solution essay
Cover letter for college teaching position sample
Essays on geography and gis volume 3
Popular literature review editing services ca
Example of literature review chapter
ucsd cover letter fpwyw[/url] therapy monthly homework calendar gdamd[/url] presentation writing services for masters lriuh[/url] masters degree samples aiqyk[/url] 1adca14Professional assignment editing sites usa
Custom rhetorical analysis essay editing sites for university
Best thesis statement ghostwriters for hire for school
Term papers on child labor
Send resume attachment body email
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
resume format vodph[/url] research paper writing sites us bwpgj[/url] business plan writing websites for college ruwha[/url] written by mark twain tpwsp[/url] masters letter topic srweu[/url][b]What happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro review[/url]
Follow up after resume example
Common app essay prompts 2018 examples
Using interview in research paper
AffordablePapers.com Review
happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty[/b] theme fully responsive xbpzf[/url] me write custom phd essay on hillary ddblg[/url] plan women shoe store jzgdo[/url] proposal on violent video games myipn[/url]]
https://writeablog.net/essaypro51/essaypro-an-overview
https://blip.fm/essaypro5327
http://web1.nbed.nb.ca/sites/ASD-E/Lists/BYOD%20Survey%20%20Parents/DispForm.aspx?ID=396
Best descriptive essays
tinkoff ru[/url]Professional bibliography ghostwriters website uk
Sample resume for a bartender
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
http://ispoint.kz/redirect?url=https://studybay.ws
https://royaltooba.com/what-does-studybay-essay-writing-service-mean/
Free essays on colonialism
Business plan for a garden center
Examples of topic a college essay
https://westernpafootball.net/news/zach-mccarty-claysburg-kimmel/?unapproved=641910&moderation-hash=4631c16eb9f0acfdd738bb62fb2034c0#comment-641910
https://pushtip.com/hello-all/comment-page-487/#comment-24533
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=82408996942#comments
What happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty
study writers website ca uqrts[/url] research paper ghostwriters services for mba ddaso[/url] brockovich the movie essay full auth4 filmbay yn1ii qj html upoka[/url] my popular paper online oujog[/url] happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty[/b] to write daily work reports ylgaf[/url] presentation editor service gb mieee[/url] gatsby critical essay gosbk[/url] analysis essay editor sites for masters gwimb[/url]https://kvasnickas.com/blogs/financie/oplati-sa-este-refinancovat?comment=94426726459#comments
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/457870-homework-in-education-jsjlo/page__st__40__gopid__1070904&#entry1070904
http://victoriafloristeria.com/component/k2/item/15-content-demo-221/
]
happens if my dissertation is failed oxaty[/b] customer service cover letter templates pulhl[/url] critical essay proofreading websites for university wxizb[/url] letter writing guide general uuwzq[/url] meaning in tamil gntge[/url] argumentative essay proofreading services ca tozov[/url] critical essay ghostwriting website us korbd[/url]Corporate characteristics proposal essay
Homeless essay topics
3 examples of formal essay
Доход по банковскому депозиту слишком мелкий? Инвестируйте в коммерческую недвижимость и зарабатывайте, как рантье! Проходите https://grid-x.com/?rf=WbvkvAIa – по ссылке и зарегистрируйтесь, чтобы узнать об этом всё! https://grid-x.com/?rf=WbvkvAIa – Более детально>>>
https://sun9-61.userapi.com/2FsluSisF3KNkAvD4fR4XozZCI-ifardESxUsQ/YbJXFTnImYA.jpg
https://grid-x.com/?rf=WbvkvAIa – рынок коммерческой недвижимости
Неплохим решением в плане звукоизоляции, выступают недорогие двери щитовой конструкции. Благодаря внутреннему сотовому наполнителю из картона alias МДФ звуковые колебания гасятся во всем диапазоне иДвери из ДСП и МДФ покрытые натуральным шпоном.ПЛОСКИЕ.склонные к рассыханию.
фурнитура для дверей
двери межкомнатные пятигорск каталог цены
https://pyatigorsk.dveri-ideal.ru/mezhkomnatnyie-dveri/ – межкомнатные двери на заказ
Фрезерование двери потребовало установки наружных листов МДФ большей толщины тож применения дополнительных брусков, укрепляющих конструкцию. Это повлекло, действительно, некоторое удорожание такого типаМонтаж декоративных планок для межкомнатные двери представляет собой довольно сложную операцию, лишь для инициатор зрение кажущуюся элементарной. При монтаже надо придерживаться определенных правил,Установка петель и замков не представляет сложности на щитовых, ни для филенчатых alias царговых дверях. Простота конструкции не уменьшает ее функциональных свойств — на дверях дозволительно установить будтоКоробка без порога
Thanks, I like it.
https://topessayssites.com/
creative college essay prompts
custom papers
help writing assignments
do my homework
Hot new pictures each day
secrst family porn movies porn cumpie amazing teen porn solo movies xhamsters freee porn videos gay adult porn amateur webcam videoshttp://freegayjizzporn.jsutandy.com/?amya
It is very hard nowadays to find important videochat online. The occasion is – different video chat online have any bugs and users haven’t the opportunity to utilize them. If you wish to use online video chat sex and desire to relax, you can visit link videochat dating video here.
At videochat.ph there are some of users which usually use it. The link provides men a lot of options: rooms; dating services, etc. You can use a video chat webcam digital and be happy to socialize with girls. Young interesting women prefer to send messages to other guys here. If you don’t know how to pick up a beautiful guy, you could use it.
On the webpage, there were a lot of members, which found a partner. You can use it by Android or iOs and connect with people from Israel, Moldova, Germany, and Australia. If you don’t use it earlier, you should start doing now. Always people are thinking that they will be 35 or 40 years old and search a partner. But if you are 25 and haven’t a partner, you should think about it.
More and more members prefer to use video chat, while it is very comfortable and users can communicate with each other. Also, video chat online free approachable for people in different countries. You can use it in Moscow, Ukraine, or Poland for free.
Some guys from the USA choose video chat with ladies, while girls are pretty and members at videochat have chance to speak with them. In the videochat some of adults could communicate with each other on different topics. If you want to find a guy with interests like you, you must to add information in free sex rooms about you. One of the important is video chat ruletka online. Nowadays seks video chat digital is often using by users after 50 years. If you are alone and wish to communicate with pretty woman with a web-camera, here my videochat rus 1 it is possible.
In 2021 chat and video online provide for men option to travel in the world of sex. Currently, it is very interesting, because live sex groups on the web are paid. On the web-page, users have a chance to search a Japanese video chat web and communicate with girls from Andorra or Italy.
Also, asian online video chat is very famous for citizenship in Bulgaria and Albania. If you desire to find individual girls or 20 age sexy girls, you can observe communication and friendship. Nowadays video chat webcam digital is already popular among youth. If you don’t know where to search digital sex videochat, you may activate your camera and start searching best girl. However, you should know, if you have unusual problems with web chat, it is possible to combined with support.