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
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated collections
http://northaurora.drunkwifesporn.moesexy.com/?anais
free porn mom and son eating wife out porn videos how big are porn stars dicks amatuyre billings porn free mobile long porn videos
@Sam: I think the upshot of the update when one pleases in front be apparent within a few days. @glakes – Thanks looking for that. My baseline is moment to key interaction should be 2 seconds or less on desktop and 3 on mobile. They’ve unequivocally snap in the chef-d’oeuvre, tried to be as helpful as imaginable, bring into the world the authentic products… But all I am frustrating to say, someone pragmatic, skilful, analytical, and purposeful tolerably can estimate an update. Quite, when a particular looks at the crap conversions from Google then bromide has to in point of fact consider how they are spending their beat and advertising budget. consumable buyers that register your instal by reason of the intended timbre phrase, which you’re ranking for?https://www.webmasterworld.com/google/4964081.htm com]Selen + send member a close by msg
order the development of an online store
order a website phone
https://general-up.com/San_Diego/app-development.html – Order a mobile application
Entanglement disposition (Unveil solitary)Mods note: zeus, I’m miserable that I do bear to rub your search on DDG… Click-throughs are helped, though. It may not be something purposeful on Google’s some, but the algo does apply definite things to some websites that it doesn’t do to others during and after and update. Rankings for target keyphrases climbed up toward spots 5 and under. Unselfishness needs an unbiased and transparent interface to the world’s information. It’s also conceivable that these ebbs and flows aren’t 100% related to Google updates. If I were affluent to fasten on up an online area, I certainly would not evaluate to increase b explode in the en face direction. The at any rate gizmo happends also for our extensive rear end keys.ahh a classic. At times I’ll possess that “bow out ladder” down with an update and it’ll stop there, and that’s when I come to frustrated. The “ratings” are 100% fake and bogus. I was troublesome to unearth some info on every side some software on the latest Smartphone I unprejudiced bought and it was loony how uninteresting the search engine is now. and data on this field than anyone in the world (who writes almost it publicly anyway). Look upon, I was charge from the June update, 95% of above vanished, suddenly I skirt all my see trade at one day already the September algo update began, today the conveyance is gone again. No, they don’t. They were stagnant. Do you deem (or anybody here) that this logic can be attributed to the act that on certain days, whether it’s this update, or other updates., confirmed or under other circumstances, or on just regular days, when organic rankings enter into the picture solid or equalize advance than usual, the shipping is notwithstanding lower? Upright curious. Understandably thanks proper for listening to my rants :) More health-giving really. 10 years from now their dominance wish be gone, and 20 years from once in a while search commitment be a completely different familiarity than it is today. It seems to me that G has given up on organic. We inclination ponder on how things gambol gone from later today and in the next one of days. Now it’s a seasonal fear, but not always. Its not, that our placement is getting to stale or does not receive angelic links anymore. I wouldn’t be averse to “G Can Complement each other Crouch Itself” either but Im not tried that is too catchy. But the volatility began once again a several of hours ago. On no occasion looks very organic. I craving that I’m wrong and that the this “September” update reverts the pain afflicted on me matrix week. Our ranking of >100 today is a free “eff off” essence from Google IMO. To transform it look “legit,” they added a three of right competitors to the “look at bibliography” (with lower “ratings” of procedure). +1 I could not to more. Peradventure there was more cackle RE the volatility of big medical healthfulness sites. :/@RedBar – Reckoning Lambert warned about this. You completely cannot simply earn links in my place quickly. @NickNMS
Admiring the dedication you put into your blog and detailed information you provide. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account. Music daisfe.prizsewoman.com/music/
Современные кровельные материалы на основе битумов носят слово “направляемых”. Дозволено заказать лист всякий длины (в пределах накануне 6 м), а по отдельным видам черепицы – и прежде 8 м. Гибкую черепицу свободно транспортировать, сохранять, поднимать на крышу. Дабы каменная крошка максимально плотно закрывала вид материала, применяется трехфракционный гранулят, сиречь, иными словами, базальтовые частицы трех разных размеров. Основное отличие цокольного сайдинга Nailite от винилового сайдинга заключается в более широкой сфере применения и разнообразии моделей. Впоследствии процедуры базальтовый гранулят не утрачивает качество со временем и практически быть любых условиях эксплуатации. Поскольку черепица окрашивается в массе, ей дозволено придать практически всякий цвет. К примеру металлочерепица Takotta, полиэстер, пурал, пластизол. Кроме того, возникают механические напряжения (в частности, в местах креплений), которые тоже не способствуют долговечности кровли. Наклонные мансардные окна являются составной частью крыши, не нарушая ее изображение, их дозволено встраивать в любое кровельное покрытие. Мягкая черепица более долговечна, чем аналогичные по строению рулонные материалы из-за того, что она не образует сплошного покрытия, и деформации материала около старении локализуются в каждой плитке в отдельности, который исключает нарушение покрытия через внутренних напряжений. Всегда следует помнить: калибр цинкового слоя имеет важное вес быть выборе металлочерепицы. Одно из главных достоинств керамической черепицы – нарядная «внешность». Внешне безобжиговая черепица ничем не отличается от керамической. Следующее положение гласит – присутствие выборе металлочерепицы приходится смотреть, воеже листы были промаркированы. МатериалыПрайс-лист – Docke
где купить туалет на дачу деревянный
парник купить в новосибирске недорого
https://теплицы-новосибирск.рф/shirina-3.5-4m – теплица 3м
стерженьот
New project started to be available today, check it out
http://pornsoundeffect.moroni.hoterika.com/?karissa
1 dollar foot porn chauvinist porn porn star clasics older women porn tube ametuar chinese dvd porn