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.
Conservative essays rjdzn.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Sample thesis in guidance and counselling
Best dissertation results writers site for school
Esl creative essay ghostwriter website for university
Persuasive essays on why abortion should be illegal
One flew over cuckoos nest essay
University essay editor sites us
Frederick jackson turner’s frontier thesis asserted that the frontier
persuasive essay ghostwriter for hire xisbv[/url] arbeitsplan vhobc[/url] essays cmzad[/url] to write a business trip report example webzh[/url] e431adcQuint careers cover letter examples
Make my paper mla format
Cheap dissertation abstract editor sites gb
Thesis ghostwriters site usa
Essays ordinary people family
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
candidate masters degree resume jbllg[/url] problem create a risk matrix lmuzd[/url] masters admission paper ideas dibth[/url] essays writing websites online tclru[/url] letter example whirlpool dbrdm[/url][b]Conservative essays rjdzn[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
Book review ks2
How to write a record in pl sql
Audison thesis th 1 5 violino
algebra 2 help editapaper.com
essays rjdzn[/b] my nursing research proposal pshrb[/url] resume certifications gyufk[/url] to get custom best essay on presidential elections vlfir[/url] me popular bibliography online kjmfc[/url]]
https://maps.google.com.co/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://images.google.ru/url?q=https://studybay.ws
https://www.couponxoo.com/httpsessayproco-coupon
Masters degree physical education example of thesis
Best places to post a resume
Economic history dissertations
[url=http://bpx.by/sostavlenie-smet-smetyi-na-stroitelstvo-proektnyie-smetyi.html]заказать смету на ремонт квартиры[/url]
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]экспертиза качества строительных работ[/url]
http://www.panoirpedia.com/User:KristiDisney
https://www.ayuren.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=32203&do=profile&from=space
Free essay on capital punishment in india
Write a business plans
Sample first resume no job experience
http://balisurfexpress.com/background-slider/tommy-schultz_com-172/#comment-27152
https://www.interstatehdu.com/blogs/news/new-menu-item?comment=87028629654#comments
https://prologic.su/topic/14691-ut-austin-essay-tips-eqcoa/page__gopid__64543#entry64543
Conservative essays rjdzn
book review writer for hire online eacra[/url] to write om symbol in word sytsr[/url] rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriter for hire for phd tkteu[/url] dissertation introduction editor for hire for college wwqgb[/url] essays rjdzn[/b] my top phd essay on lincoln rxibr[/url] homework writers services us zuczs[/url] to write a coroners report zxnom[/url] free resume cmdbe[/url] bay[/url]https://ericadlermd.com/?cf_er=_cf_process_5fc01d8aac50e
https://prisaoinvisivel.com.br/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=539298&p=673906#p673906
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=82429018190#comments
Popular cover letter proofreading for hire usa
essays rjdzn[/b] thesis topics doc rwvlv[/url] as well as brawn essay dtchz[/url] vs reality essay topics gvymw[/url] dissertation introduction proofreading for hire jlvpn[/url] of notecards for a research paper[/url] for delivery[/url]Conservative essay right short
Business to business marketing research papers
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8256EDX8o7rEJhxCQOzuyNLa1670428236
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8256PdakCDqWSKAStvv3sxoc1670429856
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/83047BWLKIxyNoYyQIqShUce1670520054
https://tapita.io/pagebuilder/pbpreview/8304tUmKcMREEShhy89yxHoo1670520655
https://instabio.cc/4120817WI2jGe
https://instabio.cc/4120817jgYtnt
https://new.c.mi.com/br/post/28475
https://new.c.mi.com/br/post/20362
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-filme-2022-filme-completo https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-filme-filme-completo-2022
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-2022-filmes-dublado-online https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-repelis-ver-el-menu-2022-pelicula-completa-online-gratis
https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-pelisplus-ver-el-menu-2022-hd-en-pelicula-completa-espanol https://vk.com/miutanelbuktunk-cuevana-ver-el-menu-2022-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol
https://assistiravatar2022filmecompletodublado.statuspage.io/
https://super-mario-bros-la-pelicula-2023-online-enespanol-latino-hd.statuspage.io/
https://supermario-bros-la-pelicula-2023-pelicula-completa-en-espanol.statuspage.io/
https://supermariobroslapeliculasubespanolpeliculacompletaonline.statuspage.io/
https://www.mixily.com/event/5864802458014756738
https://www.mixily.com/event/2598075729091652079
https://www.mixily.com/event/2533235389532636457
https://www.mixily.com/listing/4740024591984567258
https://www.mixily.com/listing/7865725559545971360
https://www.mixily.com/listing/8108365096745090120
https://www.mixily.com/listing/6802041337930161876
https://www.mixily.com/listing/546698273504044851
https://www.mixily.com/listing/1309044960202402307
https://www.mixily.com/event/5124875929359200220
https://www.mixily.com/event/6464881818371599719
https://www.mixily.com/event/7207599098972961320
https://bullet-train-2022-film-complet-en-francais.statuspage.io/
https://bullet-train-2022-francais-gratuit-et-vf-complet.statuspage.io/
https://regarder-bullet-train-2022-streaming-film-complet.statuspage.io/
https://bio.site/Bullettrainstreamingvf
https://stremingmovies.hashnode.dev/assistir-avatar-o-caminho-da-agua-2022-filme-completo-online-dublado-em-portuguese
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-cda-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-nowy-film-lektor-pl https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-po-polsku
https://vk.com/kiclickmbappe-ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online https://techplanet.today/post/hd-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-ver-pelicula-completa-online-en-espanol-latino https://techplanet.today/post/cuevana-ver-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-pelicula-completa-en-espanol-latino https://techplanet.today/post/repelis-avatar-el-sentido-del-agua-2022-pelicula-completa-online-gratis-en-espanol https://techplanet.today/post/cda-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-nowy-film-lektor-pl https://techplanet.today/post/ogladaj-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-online-za-darmo-caly-film-po-polsku https://techplanet.today/post/avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online-lektor-pl https://avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-caly-film-online-lektor-pl.statuspage.io/ https://avatar2thewayofwatercalyfilmonline.statuspage.io/ https://instabio.cc/4122508MBjXIS https://instabio.cc/4122508QB7sxL https://www.mixily.com/event/2735140417335339205 https://www.mixily.com/event/3144006158327494110 https://www.podpage.com/avatar-the-last-podcast/Avatar-The-Way-of-Water-caly-film-2022/ https://www.podpage.com/avatar-the-last-podcast/blog/sleduj-avatar-the-way-of-water-online-2022-czsk-dabing-i-titulky/ https://stremingmovies.hashnode.dev/fgjkutyiryultkyultil7 https://m.vk.com/679260897-avatar-2-teljes-film-magyarul-full-online-2022-filmek-magyar?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://m.vk.com/679260897-avatar-2-teljes-film-magyarul-2022-videahu?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page https://m.vk.com/679260897-videahd-avatar-2-2022-teljes-film-magyarul-online?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://m.vk.com/679260897-mozi-hd-online-avatar-2-2022-teljes-filmek-videa-hu-filmnzs?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page https://m.vk.com/679260897-nzd-avatar-2-2022-teljes-filmek-magyar-online-720p-hd-videa?context=author_page_date&ref=author_page
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5135949
https://zeno.fm/radio/avatar-2-2022-online-fullmovie-download-free-dwonload-in-english/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-avatar-2-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/watch-avatar-2-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movis-to-avatar-2-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-online-fullmovie-download-free-dwonload-in-english/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-avatar-the-way-of-water-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movis-to-avatar-the-way-of-water-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/violent-night-2022-online-fullmovie-download-free-dwonload-in-english/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-violent-night-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/watch-violent-night-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movis-to-violent-night-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-online-fullmovie-download-free-dwonload-in-english/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movis-to-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-online-fullmovie-download-free-dwonload-in-english/
https://zeno.fm/radio/free-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2022-full-movie-free-online-on-123-movies/
https://zeno.fm/radio/123movis-to-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/—download——puss-in-boots-the-last-wish—2022—mp4-720p-1080p-hd-4k-n-english_53747/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish—2022—online-fullmovie-free-download-1080p-english-subbed_53749/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/—download——avatar-2—2022—mp4-720p-1080p-hd-4k-n-english_53751/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/-avatar-2—2022—online-fullmovie-free-download-1080p-english-subbed_53752/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/—download——i-wanna-dance-with-somebody—2022—mp4-720p-1080p-hd-4k-n-english_53755/
https://www.catchafire.org/organizations/-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody—2022—online-fullmovie-free-download-1080p-english-subbed_53756/
https://player.soundon.fm/p/bb71f39a-721e-43b9-b98b-e5e8aab4b5a8
https://player.soundon.fm/p/f99656d1-3f5c-4329-a9c5-5ebe91fcef97
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4d769f00-4b61-4916-8f00-9a5243bb1e6d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/8a48ed7d-f181-4ba6-9dd8-b5f0d156f689
https://player.soundon.fm/p/44fb7f3d-0217-4c0d-b30d-2af0f79f2c85
https://player.soundon.fm/p/03c77afc-fbf3-4a23-86ac-0991a0b16e84
https://player.soundon.fm/p/2ef1a929-3da1-4fc8-a375-d8280123e70e
https://player.soundon.fm/p/063fee99-76c5-452e-affe-718c0ace49d8
https://player.soundon.fm/p/51106a25-e4d8-41d7-8049-38393acbd7ca
https://player.soundon.fm/p/fb46b9c1-9c7d-402e-8ba5-0b112387552d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/af3ce4b4-c9e4-4a1e-b17f-1f72d973b03d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/f2668722-2da1-488c-a42c-1aed9bb3f532
https://player.soundon.fm/p/8fe8e73b-a153-4563-9577-b4e13b44d7b1
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4b935af8-8340-484f-b471-9ef7763f0e9f
https://player.soundon.fm/p/a89842b6-02c7-4c25-a5a3-c4575304d4ae
https://player.soundon.fm/p/1853e119-86bb-4514-9b7a-8bb2f21c3863
https://player.soundon.fm/p/b1c7178b-15b1-4f81-9af4-66fa42e6236f
https://player.soundon.fm/p/5725d06b-8338-4d2c-b3ca-ccab56399e28
https://player.soundon.fm/p/1cdce18d-7696-4858-bc3e-e9a8868d4b53
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4c2f261c-52e7-4b4d-ba73-32a5aaebb1b6
https://player.soundon.fm/p/a3fc52dd-4fde-4fdd-9e11-c34bf4fb5975
https://player.soundon.fm/p/ef8f0e61-b61c-4c8d-ba69-3cced77c30e3
https://player.soundon.fm/p/8327e4e9-9796-41a5-ba82-0f4ea3eee439
https://player.soundon.fm/p/92a28361-90f3-452a-a695-f22517bda286
https://player.soundon.fm/p/ecc72854-6d31-4edf-a0c4-9b9a82845345
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4fbcdb6e-f8f6-440e-a154-e696d043fc3c
https://player.soundon.fm/p/b8b5e943-2038-46fc-b1d0-7e7ea16ad0d1
https://player.soundon.fm/p/fa4af5ea-2e64-4574-bc18-b23c0310c69e
https://player.soundon.fm/p/5c71d886-0ef8-443c-98bd-e2446a78f34b
https://player.soundon.fm/p/00432ed6-4fb2-4679-beec-3e1d5a72a2a2