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.
Emory scholar essays tliko.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Best home work writer services us
Nujabes spiritual state homework edit
List of good argumentative essay topics
Architectural technologist student resume
Powerpoint presentation program
Brief essays by annie dillard
Role of ethics in life essay
board papers yacwa[/url] coursework introduction[/url] to get criminal law report yksam[/url] letter template business analyst[/url] 20f1636Popular biography editing site for college
Top case study ghostwriting site for masters
Interview job resume tip
Thesis for heidelberg disputation
Resume pa in english
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
persuasive essay ghostwriter for hire usa skumc[/url] topics in primary education rqrrq[/url] enforcement promotional cover letter dbydc[/url] research paper rslqs[/url] dissertation abstract editor website uk pyiol[/url][b]Emory scholar essays tliko[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]proessay[/url]
Frost39s home burial essay
Web content manager resume sample
Risk manager insurance le resume
PaperHelp.org Review
scholar essays tliko[/b] home work writer websites for masters atxvh[/url] national honor society icfel[/url] for my professional university essay on presidential elections kfbzo[/url] me shakespeare studies dissertation chapter rdcei[/url] pro[/url]http://account.evelynhone.edu.zm/saml/module.php/core/loginuserpass.php?AuthState=_8185654acaa0a37e40d6d90f3294afb7169040dfb1%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fessaypro.co&language=pt
https://online.jhcsc.edu.ph/wiki/index.php/User:AnnaBondUSA
https://www.google.md/url?q=https://essaypro.co
Best reflective essay writer services ca
Obituary writing service
Physics ghostwriting service
[url=http://aviabileti-deshevo.ru]поиск дешевых авиабилетов по всем авиакомпаниям[/url]
[url=http://ezaem-cabinet.ru]ezaem ru личный кабинет вход[/url]
http://tvpad.ca/staging/profile/annajohnsonus
https://givemekeys.com/user/profile/EduBirdiecom
Ap english language and composition synthesis essay technology
Sample harvard application essays
Esl resume ghostwriting websites
https://www.islamorigin.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=23&p=1620#p1620
http://www.stetuskop.com/showthread.php?p=1025924&posted=1#post1025924
https://www.5verdades.org/forum/thread-94358-post-303321.html#pid303321
Emory scholar essays tliko
ghostwriters for hire gb zfjpd[/url] course work writers site for mba cvlkp[/url] essay example ophza[/url] essay writers website us kpqhr[/url] scholar essays tliko[/b] on being a nurse[/url] thesis statement writing for hire for phd anpqa[/url] resident resume tdjfk[/url] and loathing in las vegas essays snpgu[/url] bay[/url]https://keynutritionhealth.com/blogs/health-wellness-blog/2020-here-i-come?comment=103553564868#comments
http://www.uttsb.com.my/hello-world/#comment-54475
http://renieruchomosci.nstrefa.pl/aqestates/index.php/forum/donec-eu-elit/503498-professional-cv-editing-for-hire-usa-ejmpv#504032
Custom resume editing website au
scholar essays tliko[/b] to write gadgets for google mshlz[/url] dissertation methodology writers sites us sdjgy[/url] annotated bibliography ghostwriters for hire au dgrst[/url] chapter 5 summary of findings sample nknpg[/url] supervisor resume juxtk[/url] papers editing website for masters uqerg[/url]Pay for my music home work
Top rhetorical analysis essay ghostwriting sites us
https://fundingapp.einaudi.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/sap-flas/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-2023-movie-at-home.pdf
https://fundingapp.einaudi.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/sap-flas/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-full-movie-shazam-2.pdf
https://fundingapp.einaudi.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/sap-flas/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-watch-online-free.pdf
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/profile/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-167912841242
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/profile/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-free
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/profile/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-full-movie
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/profile/shazam-fury-of-gods-2023-at-home
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/profile/shazam-fury-of-the-gods-2023
https://player.soundon.fm/p/a58e3c83-90a1-46b8-bf03-c2fdd519aed3
https://player.soundon.fm/p/fe7de219-fe7c-4ee4-b77b-630cf819f41f
https://player.soundon.fm/p/9950a53b-3ce3-41c8-91fb-c9c6af850303
https://player.soundon.fm/p/3dac4386-9a25-476b-9867-7b369453e1ce
https://player.soundon.fm/p/ed1ed5ed-13b1-484d-930b-1a0eb4bf0e3a
https://player.soundon.fm/p/b25033fe-e787-4235-bf34-3fa14e109fda
https://player.soundon.fm/p/421099c7-eb3c-40c5-b8f6-b0079b668e1d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/52e767a8-4b3c-4d71-aa98-f310900a1be5
https://player.soundon.fm/p/ff4b49d2-ef60-4a5d-9d15-19d54bcbe655
https://player.soundon.fm/p/60b9873e-17bb-44f6-929f-29df6d52c098
https://player.soundon.fm/p/bee7dc82-a60c-4134-b7b0-b927c6a4d026
https://www.sbnation.com/users/hacec48710
https://challonge.com/dsiq2xz4
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5531142
https://telegra.ph/dr-yr-yeryy-eye-yy-ww-wwtwtw-03-16
https://theprose.com/post/705329/qwe-3q-qqw-wqwrq-qwqwrq
https://www.mixily.com/event/5847987297580648652
https://www.pexels.com/watch-creed-3-free-fullmovie-online-483151970/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-creed-3-fullmovie-free-online-1080px-483152147/
https://www.pexels.com/watch-65-free-fullmovie-online-483152296/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-65-fullmovie-free-online-483152881/
https://www.pexels.com/watch-scream-6-free-fullmovie-online-483153068/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-scream-6-fullmovie-free-online-483153153/
https://www.pexels.com/watch-demon-slayer-to-the-swordsmith-village-483153366/ https://www.pexels.com/watch-luther-the-fallen-sun-free-fullmov-483153629/
https://www.pexels.com/@watch-luther-the-fallen-sun-fullmovie-free-online-483153810/
https://www.docsity.com/en/answers/sdkp-kpweop-wepjwpewep-weop-wepjpewtowe/371079/
https://challonge.com/24wz6mr1
https://www.vingle.net/posts/5487913
https://telegra.ph/sd-wewew-epojwep-weopowep-03-10
https://theprose.com/post/698433/sd-fwk-powewope-weopkwepo-wep
https://www.mixily.com/event/5409144453504289633
https://rextester.com/WLYEK52044
https://bitbin.it/JSXWpo9e/
https://tech.io/snippet/YnvVQO3
https://paste.ofcode.org/KmQrxmVjX9BhgLjVSyfNWK
https://graph.org/sdf-et-ewt-qq-wqw-qwqw-qw-03-10
https://pastehere.xyz/enE5abmmw/
https://codepen.io/toyera2200/pen/yLxpMbv
https://okwave.jp/qa/q10112013.html
https://boosty.to/unlockhere/posts/dcb9731c-3482-46bc-915c-65166c0d5c5a
https://jsitor.com/2r7cNIaUlQsF
https://jsfiddle.net/5h4g9cna/
https://glot.io/snippets/giyuuoyctp
https://rentry.co/khye3
https://controlc.com/aceacc06
https://backlinktool.io/p/Ppmj2mNNYthHGol2I4SZ.html
https://yamcode.com/untitled-65391
https://paste2.org/GpAZZsnx
https://paiza.io/projects/m3HW39czq7MGyJaZMT0_0Q?language=php
https://pastelink.net/y3z8vmab
https://notes.io/q6ABT
https://paste.vpsfree.cz/NsPh:Su-/
https://paste.ee/p/s8W2k
https://pasteio.com/xyeALS415HoR
https://justpaste.it/6zm0z
https://ivpaste.com/v/FT7hx2YVHm
https://www.justgiving.com/team/dskwjkwe
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/watch-creed-iii-creed-3-fullmovie-free-2b85f40f64784f088c4e81ee401c1523
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/watch-creed-iii-creed-3-free-fullmovie-online-e822b5d967754094b1728375550b4fba
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/creed-3-2023-movie-download-free-720p-english-4a2f30d501da477e9b447d107359e124
https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/watch-creed-3-online-fullmovie-cb6ca7fb303c4ca9aeb81e3a4f0da16e