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 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.
How to write sat writing essay zetxr.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Homework facts good
How to write xpath manually
Esl annotated bibliography editor service for college
Blank template for resume
Custom home work ghostwriter website for school
Popular analysis essay writers website
Write a short essay on global warming
case study editing for hire for university rgilf[/url] rime of the ancient mariner essay ybshm[/url] portal architect resume hadca[/url] application essay cqqvh[/url] 159b3a4How to do a college essay introduction
Cover letter for industrial training
Pay for my chemistry personal statement
Introduction thesis sample
Template business plan
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
research papers plasma membrane grldu[/url] somerville updating my resume agqvd[/url] definition essay writer for hire online xxoia[/url] writing cover letter sample sfybr[/url] social responsibility dissertation propo uhtnq[/url][b]How to write sat writing essay zetxr[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
Resume example education in progress
Microeconomic essay questions
What will you bring to our campus essay
BestEssays.com Review
to write sat writing essay zetxr[/b] curriculum vitae ghostwriters for hire gb gmyhv[/url] letter for abap resume xcvju[/url] download script with resume support ctzxk[/url] introductions scholarship essays uvdld[/url] pro[/url]https://maps.google.com.sb/url?q=http://author24.ru.com
https://images.google.gr/url?q=https://studybay.ws
https://essaypro63.mystrikingly.com/
Ubuntu vnc resume session
ru официальный из питера[/url]Learn how to write fta bin files
Apparel production manager resume samples
[url=http://banki-samary.ru]банки самары[/url]
https://wikicorp.org/index.php?title=User:Annajohnsonus
http://fitnesstypes.com/story.php?title=essaypro-essaypro-com-essay-writing-service
Help me write trigonometry dissertation methodology
Is it safe to post a resume on careerbuilder
Send your resume and email
https://sneakerbinge.com/blogs/news/top-5-kanye-west-yeezy-sneakers?comment=82797133901#comments
http://tukangbokep99.com/blog/77733
http://www.uttsb.com.my/hello-world/#comment-53794
How to write sat writing essay zetxr
paper stress workplace tfejq[/url] essay words ariun[/url] best essay editing service au phnkf[/url] w brown middle school homework now ukpar[/url] to write sat writing essay zetxr[/b] to write geography research proposal tnlzi[/url] for high school students applying to college templates qtqrr[/url] school essay editor services gb abdfo[/url] service xugrr[/url]http://www.ffdruut.nl/fotos/attachment/img-20180121-wa0002/?unapproved=94588&moderation-hash=53277a82f0bd8237ec5616b461222bb9#comment-94588
http://libria.su/librarium-elementum/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=291708&p=421364#p421364
http://footgolffactory.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=76152&p=122065#p122065
]
to write sat writing essay zetxr[/b] journalism curriculum vitae hiyft[/url] college essay editor services au[/url] contests scholarships ochod[/url] academic scholorship essays mzwgy[/url] my professional academic essay on shakespeare iutkm[/url] treasures homework rgwnh[/url]Espresso cart sample business plan
High school persuasive essay
Esl creative writing writing services gb
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7099
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7116
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7122
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7126
https://gitlab.pavlovia.org/de-making/demakepis/issues/7128
https://mobilizon.fr/events/43d57e88-dcd5-4c5c-826a-c8f8f146eaa8
https://mobilizon.fr/events/0ccf29a4-32b7-409c-9fa6-5fff33e6407c
https://mobilizon.fr/events/5ce431ce-c664-428a-b3ef-8e6119a09a82
https://mobilizon.fr/events/e1acdd84-3ba2-41d6-a929-0b484c1a8e8a
https://mobilizon.fr/events/164ecfc7-d1cf-4183-84ad-7973c337427f
http://playit4ward-sanantonio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/fsdrgdfghftyu
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/dgfhfghjgjyityuft-2608405/?page=0
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/sdfgfcghfgjfty-2608407/?page=0
http://allabouturanch.com/profiles/blogs/sfgdfghfgjhfty
https://foros.3dgames.com.ar/newthread.php?do=postthread&f=144
https://www.docsity.com/en/dashboard/
https://www.deviantart.com/movieonlie/journal/dfsdfgdrtete-954893447
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(FREE)+FULLMOVIE+ONLINE+AT+HOME+|+John+Wick%3A+Chapter+IV+2023/1_7ni2sae9
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WHERE+TO+WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(FREE)+FULLMOVIE+ONLINE+ON+STREAMINGS+%7C+John+Wick%3A+Chapter+IV+2023/1_tljxqmgz
https://www.schooltube.com/media/John+Wick+Chapter+4+(2023)+FulLMovie+Download+Free+720p%2C+480p+And+1080p/1_rj6byf93
https://www.schooltube.com/media/WATCH+John+Wick+Chapter+4+(John+Wick+Chapter+IV)+Free+FullMovie+Online/1_hx8jhmhq
https://www.360cities.net/profile/john-wick-chapter-4-free
https://www.360cities.net/profile/john-wick-chapter-4-free-at-home
https://www.360cities.net/profile/where-to-watch-john-wick-chapter-4-online-free
https://www.360cities.net/profile/john-wick-chapter-4-online-streaming
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7202/where-to-watch-shazam-fury-of-the-gods
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7216/watch-shazam-fury-of-gods-fullmovie-online
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7223/where-to-watch-scream-6-fullmovie-online
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7239/watch-scream-6-fullmovie-online-free
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7275/where-to-watch-creed-3-fullmovie-online
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7290/watch-creed-3-fullmovie-online-free
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7325/where-to-watch-65-fullmovie-online
https://bitbucket.org/atlassian/crowd_pam/issues/7348/watch-65-fullmovie-online-free-streaming