How Covid and #BlackLivesMatter Taught Me to Love My Natural Hair

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.

Blue Suit SavvyClickChick Elevator SavvyClickChick

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.

Lil' SavvyClickChick Lillybean SavvyClickChick 

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.

SavvyClickChick Natural Hair SavvyClickChick Natural Hair 2

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.


29096 comments

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.
    Black hawk down essay questions xxvdp.

    Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

    ]

    Popular rhetorical analysis essay writers sites for school
    Essay topics on the cultural revolution
    Air pollution essay in english for kids

    Pay for personal essay on hacking
    Ryan international school ludhiana holiday homework
    Sample resume ccna professional

    Esl speech editor for hire usa
    Top content ghostwriting site
    How to write nonsensical lyrics

    editor website krogf[/url] to write my 9th grade autobiography avgrd[/url] promotion essay bhqfu[/url] economics application letter mljrx[/url] 31adca1

    Quantitative masters thesis
    How to write a two tone poem
    Essay speaking truth

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [b]Black hawk down essay questions xxvdp[/b]
    [url=https://essaypro.me]proessay[/url]
    Cheap research paper ghostwriting websites us
    Cover letter student internship example
    Pc vs mainframe essays

    form essay hryoz[/url] x essay sagan fopss[/url] letter proofreading site uk ybkzk[/url] dissertation proposal writer for hire uk osvrf[/url] for others in college kszgi[/url]

    Grademiners.com Review

    hawk down essay questions xxvdp[/b] letter for current employer[/url] performance resume aabzz[/url] business plan proofreading site ca wphow[/url] essay requirements texas ffndl[/url] pro[/url]

    https://google.com.cu/url?q=https://studybay.ws
    https://cse.google.tm/url?q=https://essaypro.me
    http://pandora.nla.gov.au/external.html?link=https://essaypro.co

    Entry level human services resume
    Top scholarship essay ghostwriting for hire au
    Write a vision statement that works

    sign up[/url]

    [url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]подать заявку в тинькофф банк[/url]

    http://edubirdie-com.widblog.com/24087843/edubirdie-edubirdie-com
    http://yewankbb.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=338554

    How to write in shorthand free
    How to write an internship cover letter engineering
    Order best phd essay on pokemon go

    http://nangstar.com/nangstar/blog/cmt-commerce-customizable-products?page=5985#comment-650458
    http://alrosan.sa/ar/node/174?page=1851#comment-1120234
    https://saldogratispoker.com/showthread.php?tid=12146&pid=536476#pid536476

    Black hawk down essay questions xxvdp
    http://9month.ru/forum/showthread.php?444191-K-smith-resume-template-aufkf&p=1057718&posted=1#post1057718
    http://haval.su/forum/threads/proektirovanie-i-prokladka-teplovyx-setej.12823/#post-29833
    https://www.1ic.nl/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=53453&p=72833#p72833

    english coursework marking scheme zloio[/url] personal essay writers sites for masters yluop[/url] good introduction to an essay examples[/url] essay significant place ssliu[/url] hawk down essay questions xxvdp[/b] argumentative essay writing site gb mevbs[/url] personal essay writers site for school pstsd[/url] writing action verbs rcbbo[/url] write a bibliography video ggqng[/url] login[/url]

    Best software architect resume
    Thesis proposal editing for hire
    Resume examples administrative positions

    hawk down essay questions xxvdp[/b] headline for automation tester rbfki[/url] writing botany speech dgyry[/url] college essay on hillary clinton[/url] essay paper suhff[/url] essay on sonny blues qhara[/url] analysis essay ghostwriters for hire online lpwri[/url]
    studybayws
  • https://bulios.com/status/91790-download-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-720p-480p-and-1080p
    https://bulios.com/status/91791-free-download-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-online-480p-720p-and-1080p-on-eng-sub
    https://bulios.com/status/91792-download-ant-man-3-2023-fullmovie-free-online-720p-480p-and-1080p
    https://bulios.com/status/91793-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-at-home
    https://bulios.com/status/91794-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-online-sci-fi-action-hd-streaming
    https://bulios.com/status/91795-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91796-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91797-free-to-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91798-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91799-123movies-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91800-123movies-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91801-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-online-fullmovie-free-download-720p-480p
    https://bulios.com/status/91802-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91803-official-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-online-streaming-at-home
    https://bulios.com/status/91804-where-to-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-online-free-hd-streaming
    https://bulios.com/status/91805-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-yts-torrent-download-yify-magnet-download
    https://bulios.com/status/91806-free-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-online-free-on-123movies
    https://bulios.com/status/91807-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-free-fullmovie-online
    https://bulios.com/status/91808-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-online-download-free
    https://bulios.com/status/91809-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-free-in-hd-fullmovie-online-at-home
    https://bulios.com/status/91810-watch-ant-man-3-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-online-on-in-mobile-hd-flim-free
    https://bulios.com/status/91818-watch-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-online-free
    https://jsitor.com/rqrvxKgLUf
    https://rentry.co/hium7
    https://controlc.com/f6ce9331
    https://backlinktool.io/p/EeV48dFZnyoFfFAhvp8x.html
    https://paste2.org/K5H0bZP3
    https://paiza.io/projects/CSZAqFflNDF83lM7NlkcmQ?language=php
    https://pastelink.net/cqumn7nt
    https://rextester.com/YDLNAI66816
    https://bitbin.it/fU2SH4lL/
    http://snaplant.com/question/d-werq-rqrqw-qwrqwrqwrqwrqrqw/
    https://graph.org/dxz-gwee-eqq-rqrq-qeqwrrqrq-02-15
    https://codepen.io/toyera2200/pen/ZEMYWqm
    https://pastehere.xyz/aT2B6blx2/
    https://www.docsity.com/en/answers/f-edsfj-sdfkjklvn-ehf-f-kfk-jaknnsd-dfndfjfhj/367998/
    https://www.vingle.net/posts/5340211
    https://telegra.ph/wetwee-qwrqrqwr-w-q-qwrqwr-qrqrq-02-15
    https://theprose.com/post/620845/sd-eqe-qrqr-q-fwd-weerrq
    https://www.mixily.com/event/4405468941489781449

    sdf wee qwrqwr qwrqwdsfeqr
  • https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-the-whale-fullmovie-online-free
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-missing-fullmovie-online-free
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-plane-fullmovie-online-free
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-fullmovie-online-free
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-titanic-fullmovie-online-free-2
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-sword-art-online-progressive-scherzo-of-deep-night-fullmovie-online-free
    https://www.nbma-unirio.com/forum/tire-suas-duvidas/where-to-watch-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-fullmovie-online-free-1

    sdf wewe e ewe wewe4
  • https://player.soundon.fm/p/f8c540a3-9569-4933-90bf-d37cd2276b8a
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/a1b86c74-0645-4272-b3e7-9e494ae67d85
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/a3fd377c-673b-448d-8894-a0a1e311376c
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/07034433-0be1-42d5-bd12-fab0d17e3d1a
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/743a0f0f-9b48-4450-a39f-d0872e2f17eb
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/72f22130-dace-4503-9900-439a5c2b3cd3
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/3ce7c6e9-445c-454a-b0a7-4ac3908d76c9
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/45c39a8d-0a0f-4b5d-bb7f-adb0e7ed8e7f
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/0e6691e9-04e7-4ec8-b200-d06e35768895
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/7e87e766-5f9b-4d17-be7d-acdd8378706d
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/d5d7bb1e-11b0-4594-a5ea-a6cfe5f8c114
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/19ebf926-70d0-4114-b07f-03e07b4ed23c
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/288d48a5-9b5f-4bb8-87c9-2ae602fbc30f
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/965788c0-2ac9-4498-ae61-aca795bdd3a2
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/9d0ca99c-4f3e-47a0-9add-0dc9516b9a55
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/37c7f1d9-977e-44a2-b159-b1460177d29b
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/ac9aa0b2-b681-4487-aec3-a733d60c92c1
    https://player.soundon.fm/p/d00ef472-f50b-4a1d-8a0f-e772fa8ddef7

    sdf qqqwrqw q
  • https://stepik.org/course/139797/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139800/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139801/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139802/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139803/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139804/promo

    https://stepik.org/course/139797
    https://stepik.org/course/139800
    https://stepik.org/course/139801
    https://stepik.org/course/139802
    https://stepik.org/course/139803
    https://stepik.org/course/139804

    https://stepik.org/course/139886/
    https://stepik.org/course/139890/
    https://stepik.org/course/139891/
    https://stepik.org/course/139893/
    https://stepik.org/course/139895/
    https://stepik.org/course/139906/
    https://stepik.org/course/139909/
    https://stepik.org/course/139912/
    https://stepik.org/course/139915/
    https://stepik.org/course/139919/
    https://stepik.org/course/139922/
    https://stepik.org/course/139924/

    https://stepik.org/course/139886/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139890/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139891/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139893/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139895/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139906/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139909/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139912/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139915/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139919/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139922/promo
    https://stepik.org/course/139924/promo

    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-the-whale-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-babylon-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-m3gan-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-titanic-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-she-came-from-the-woods-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-80-for-brady-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-fear-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-infinity-pool-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-plane-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/watch-magic-mike-s-3-last-dance-fullmovie-free-streaming-online-at-home?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/livestream-super-bowl-2023-live-free-broadcast-nfl-super-bowl-2023-tv-on-reddit?lang=en
    https://www.coldiversa.com/forum/argomenti-del-forum/where-to-stream-super-bowl-2023-live-free-broadcast-nfl-super-bowl-2023-tv-on-reddit-1?lang=en

    https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/881419e8-b292-4237-b3e7-19691b75da20/page/yaLFD
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/76f1abf9-f8b8-4fff-97a5-87960d42c32a/page/MbLFD
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/c3777888-f65e-43d8-ba60-3333bf72a19b/page/tbLFD
    https://lookerstudio.google.com/reporting/ebe06d08-78f6-4698-ac7e-c724b95d088e/page/WcLFD

    sdf we qr qrq
  • https://bulios.com/status/91174-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-free

    https://bulios.com/status/91175-watch-ant-man-and-the-wasp-quantumania-2023-fullmovie-at-home

    https://bulios.com/status/91177-where-watch-marlowe-1969-official-trailer-james-garner-bruce-lee

    https://bulios.com/status/91178-watch-marlowe-2023-online-free-for-reddit-at-home-hd-full-film

    https://bulios.com/status/91181-watch-who-are-you-people-2023-fullmovie-online

    https://bulios.com/status/91182-where-to-watch-and-stream-you-people-free-online

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1263653544667119623

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1263652146932088839

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1263665499675033604

    https://bulios.com/status/91186-watch-the-weapon-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-at-home

    https://bulios.com/status/91189-watch-the-weapon-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1263668901943443458

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1263677558298771461

    https://bulios.com/status/91192-watch-88-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies-at-home

    https://bulios.com/status/91195-watch-88-online-free-reddit-123movie-hd-max

    setghjg

Leave a comment