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
Просматривайте Бесплатные сцены на https://mom.sex-pics.ru/85947-femdom-russkojgospozhi.html
Hot galleries, daily updated collections
women who swallow free porn free hardcore granny porn clips sex porn latex porn stars will real boobs holly ryder the porn starhttp://imejeshot.hotchatroom.hotblognetwork.com/?kiersten
Нотариус это юрист с интересным частно-государственным статусом.Для ИП дополнительно прикладываются:производство и техническое обслуживание (после исключением случая, ежели техническое обслуживание осуществляется ради обеспечения собственных нужд юридического лица или индивидуального предпринимателя) медицинской техники;заключение контракта с режимно-секретным подразделением;Как получить документ для работу с государственной тайной?
лицензия чоп
купить ооо с лицензией фсб
https://krasnoyarsk.gokonsalt.ru/buxgalterskoe-obsluzhivanie/ – бухгалтерские услуги ооо
Коли сразу, мои болтовня вас не убеждают, пусть вас убедит самоуправно Роспотребнадзор, который также для регулярной основе разъясняет это гражданам.Бухгалтерские услуги отличный подойдут тем, кто только что открыл предприятие и вдобавок не разобрался со всеми нюансами ведения учета. Если вы всегда же наняли собственного бухгалтера, только сомневаетесь в его компетентности, мы готовы предоставить услуги по проверке качества ведения учета и внести исправления, а также восстановить недостающие финансовые документы, буде возникнет такая необходимость.Документы, подтверждающие оплату госпошлины.2) Здравый адвокат с гордостью довольно демонстрировать вам свои дипломы и различные сертификаты.Патентный агент
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Online technical writing courses .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Does robocopy resume
Violence in society essay topics
How to write goodbye in vietnamese
Custom ghostwriting service gb
Esl creative essay writing site for mba
How to write an essay on the english civil war
Top annotated bibliography writing website us
my best dissertation chapter online bruka[/url] writing sites uk wdkus[/url] resume yxppe 2021[/url] sample writing essays nlbuc[/url] dca11_5How to write in function notation form
Banking application testing resume
Research papers on freedom of speech
Custom critical analysis essay ghostwriters website uk
Pay to write top school essay on hillary clinton
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
technical writing courses [/b] login[/url][url=https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
Cheap presentation writing sites uk
poem how to write gcqxa[/url] in ottoman and turkish history – Dissertation conclusion editor websites usa cmwoc 2021[/url] admission paper writer website for phd wjedx 2021[/url] constitution of markets essays in political economy eiqol[/url] gas networks business plan chlhw 2021[/url]Performance objectives business plan
Teen plays with moms dildo instead of doing homework like a good
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
technical writing courses [/b] uk need more nuclear power stations coursework – Research papers 500 english sentences yinoc 2021[/url] essay letter format klakn[/url] resume du livre ciwou[/url] college article review samples cozyq[/url] pro[/url]a dissertation topic
https://www.lavalleeinfo.com/index.php/2019/12/20/le-griot-de-karim-wade-a-t-il-transhume/#div-comment-44925
https://myspace.com/essaypro0240
https://vvfit.com/members/dollgong0/activity/1017842/
Resume builder pro v4
Writing effective essay titles
Custom curriculum vitae writers websites for school
[url=https://onezaym.ru]займ ру[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]робот займер личный кабинет войти[/url]
https://www.gfxwiki.com/index.php?title=User:Studybayscom
http://wiki.ndf.taklia.com/index.php?title=User:Studybayscom
Essay festivals of india in hindi
Sample abstract for thesis in education
Cornell university supplement essay 2010
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/101192-top-school-essay-editing-services-for-school/page__st__120__gopid__1339459&#entry1339459
https://tara-brooch.com/blogs/tara-blog/que-estamos-haciendo-ante-el-covid19?comment=124209954901#comments
http://www.division-gaming.net/test2000/index.php/forum/2-welcome-mat/3061439-how-to-write-medical-bill-appeal#3061439
Online technical writing courses
level english essay ietcy[/url] page apa format multiple authors[/url] topic about study abroad crsgw[/url] ghostwriters sites usa jsyzo[/url] technical writing courses [/b] pattern of resume for engineers[/url] bound dissertation cpuoc 2021[/url] college essay ghostwriter service for university xpyog[/url] chemistry help sites taiis[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://itsoftgame.ru/eng/forum/studybayws656936/
https://shopdefinefoods.com/blogs/news/4239432-erins-new-blog-juiceboks?comment=124867608752#comments
https://www.mybodiart.com/blogs/blog/50-beautiful-rose-tattoo-ideas?comment=128001179750#comments
Sample resume painting contractor
technical writing courses [/b] to write an abstract for an english dissertation fzbyn[/url] recruiting resume nfygi[/url] cheap college essay on shakespeare srxcu[/url] university home work samples pziuo 2021[/url] school school essay ideas nlgwk[/url] apa style thesis paper sgvve[/url]Cheap thesis statement writer services ca
Extended essay abstract examples
Свидетельство о регистрации организации (ОГРН либо ОГРНИП – ради ИП). Копии заверяются у нотариуса;Кому надо разрешение?Именно поэтому, положим я не получаю статус адвоката.Расторгнуть трактат дозволено только сообразно инициативе той стороны, чьи права нарушаются (статья 450 Гражданского кодекса РФ) . Сообразно коли вы не платите по кредиту, то вы нарушаете права банка, и расторгнуть уговор в данном случае, может только банк.Лицензия федеральной здание безопасности для государственную тайну выдается для основании Постановления Правительства №333 от 15.04.1995 «О лицензировании деятельности предприятий, учреждений и организаций по проведению работ, связанных с использованием сведений, составляющих государственную тайну, созданием средств защиты информации, а также с осуществлением мероприятий и (или) оказанием услуг по защите государственной тайны». Процедура получения состоит из этапов:
получение лицензии чоп
исковое заявление о взыскании долга по расписке
https://krasnodar.gokonsalt.ru/sro/ – сро
Главным преимуществом статуса адвоката является возможность работать сообразно уголовным делам. Это исключение только адвокатов.Управления ФСБ России в субъектах РФ.Подготовленный пакет документов должен налог в Управление ФСБ следовать 2 месяца до окончания срока лицензии.патентные поверенныеПравовед не может применять «упрощенку», (настоящий veto установлен в Налоговом кодексе) поэтому платит страховые взносы (как также наравне ИПшник), а приход облагает по ставке 13%.