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.
    Law enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa.

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

    ]

    Business plan for clothing store pdf
    Free generic fax cover letter
    Great paper research topic

    Phenomenology thesis examples
    It business operations manager resume
    Best thesis statement ghostwriter for hire uk

    Re coursework discipleship
    Cover letter for blog writing job
    Mla formatting thesis statement

    case study editing websites for masters terqq[/url] cover letter for training position hkqck[/url] up comedy how to write jokes laagh[/url] objective for flight attendant resume todlp[/url] 6361915

    Abortion position paper essay
    Gcse rs coursework
    Sample resume for payroll administrator

    HGtYUPlKMnGFW
    [b]Law enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa[/b]
    [url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro[/url]
    Business plan of an event planning company
    Mary moon and the stars by janice galloway essay
    Format for dissertation report

    dissertation conclusion editor services for masters aagyx[/url] application essays on diversity bpvhv[/url] cover letter for mechanical design engineer ppeqr[/url] templates samples for organizational developer pdths[/url] resume objectives utecd[/url]

    EssayOnTime.com Review

    enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa[/b] surgeon office manager resume wsjmz[/url] prowler no essay scholarship legit lqsxo[/url] for sending resume xjlpw[/url] resume fundraising manager dvejf[/url] pro[/url]

    https://maps.google.co.jp/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
    http://proxy-ub.researchport.umd.edu/login?url=http://essaypro.co
    https://www.cracked.com/members/essaypro/

    Esl creative essay ghostwriters websites online
    Esl speech editing services for school
    Essay on identity and belonging witness

    [url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки личный кабинет[/url]
    [url=http://ru-zaem.ru/]заем ру[/url]

    https://www.google.sm/url?q=https://loansolo.co
    http://ventasdiversas.com/user/profile/95446

    Where employer can access jobseekers resume
    Resume it career objective
    Free essay on western culture

    https://rallyfitness.com/blogs/news/the-remarkable-story-of-a-big-kid-who-was-determined-to-qualify-for-the-army?comment=97755365437#comments
    https://saldogratispoker.com/showthread.php?tid=76140&pid=553371#pid553371
    http://makroswiat.pl/content/capsus-ater?page=122#comment-8789

    Law enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa
    http://www.bartarforum.ir/showthread.php?92733-top-editing-services-uk&p=244562&posted=1#post244562
    http://www.zxzyw.top/401/.html?unapproved=12100&moderation-hash=2e1d9e5419b5f26682352b9facf72612#comment-12100
    http://mosory.six168.com/viewthread.php?tid=670&pid=1807&page=2&extra=#pid1807

    coursework topics tilqr[/url] sports bmnxu[/url] paper writers services ca pvchy[/url] my life science dissertation chapter oadgh[/url] enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa[/b] essays betmc[/url] for fast paced global resume jdvxt[/url] dissertation results ghostwriting websites usa dxhfj[/url] essay on abortion zxmtz[/url] bay[/url]

    Creative writing papers essays
    Type my cheap academic essay on brexit
    Resume skills by job

    enforcement code of ethics essay lzwqa[/b] registered nurse sample resume xyowd[/url] james carter resume wokdr[/url] online resume spider vlnkw[/url] of patent rights zubnz[/url] development thesis oxbbf[/url] on save nature for better future lpvsy[/url]
    studybayws
  • https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-01.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-02.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-03.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-04.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-05.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-06.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-07.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-08.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/ant-man-3-stream-usa-09.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-01.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-02.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-03.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-04.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-05.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-06.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-07.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-08.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-09.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-10.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-11.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-12.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-13.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-14.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-15.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-16.pdf
    https://si.biostat.washington.edu/sites/default/files/quantumania-movie-2023-17.pdf
    https://www.loom.com/share/51cd050435b3441b860232a9be421185
    https://www.loom.com/share/42dc44ea714e4ee0910399f198263b13

    sd we q q q qrqrqr
  • https://hackmd.io/@antmanandthewaspquantumania/B1PmS7A6i
    https://www.vingle.net/posts/5350304
    https://telegra.ph/httpshackmdioantmanandthewaspquantumaniaB1PmS7A6i-02-18-2
    https://rextester.com/XXGV99037
    https://bitbin.it/pqOqdkAB/
    https://tech.io/snippet/iFDFn1Y
    https://paste.ofcode.org/5vRgaFju6rAz6QVUzQwMqq
    https://graph.org/httpshackmdioantmanandthewaspquantumaniaB1PmS7A6i-02-18
    https://codepen.io/toyera2200/pen/MWqawzr
    https://pastehere.xyz/index.php
    https://www.docsity.com/en/answers/sd-wwetw-et-wewet-wetwef-wwtwewetwetw/368421/
    https://notes.io/q4RQ4
    https://paste.vpsfree.cz/gLnxwAI2/
    https://paste.ee/p/xPw1F
    https://jsitor.com/dEOJmxsdah
    https://jsfiddle.net/fwady1o6/1/
    http://pastebin.falz.net/2499808
    https://glot.io/snippets/gicgoa3flv
    https://rentry.co/hs99d
    https://controlc.com/88523938
    https://backlinktool.io/p/GYLItORVZzxxF8qhl6Fy.html
    https://yamcode.com/untitled-62444
    https://ide.geeksforgeeks.org/online-c-compiler/bcd93d5b-25ae-4ee4-b2df-2b5a0d79297a
    https://pasteio.com/xJYeFHHb632n
    https://paste2.org/as0eIK9h
    https://paiza.io/en/projects/new?language=php
    https://pastebin.com/2QReWRnX
    https://pastelink.net/iev7mydy

    sd we qw qqrqrq
  • https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267983404503924739

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267984625113497608

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267985781415739395

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267987209878241285

    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267988839323402248

    sdfdgdrtr
  • https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267935570974998536
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267932874649894912
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267932399703425025
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267940252723970050
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267940720103915526
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267941245775773705
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267943295020433417
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267943771770191881
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267944277351596038
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267947068719628293
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267947470416510985
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267947974312067074
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267950328717246466
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267950750580604931
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267951184892395527
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267954152857403394
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267954687010406408
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267955257762643975
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267958279456686082
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267958757406015489
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267959309175357443
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267961201234280453
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267961649504714758
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267962076459433991
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267964176396713992
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267964726555181061
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267965239442800641
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267967450487193605
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267967945809068037
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267968404347420680
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267977348675272712
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267977833872359429
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267978252019302409
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267980939997741063
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267981419490836489
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267981846923968519
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267985549269401601
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267985956913807364
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267986420099448834
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267991369948594180
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267991822136508419
    https://communityin.oppo.com/thread/1267992312207376385
    https://www.docsity.com/en/answers/dsfkljfwe-e-sdfkjjr-iq-jkfjrjeqijqijqo/368171/

    ds we twet wetwetwe
  • https://sway.office.com/qUqIP0DAwUGO6KHU
    https://sway.office.com/47LhS2SbLDai4LDQ
    https://sway.office.com/qPikaqF1lrmCOXCE
    https://sway.office.com/MJOGOoeqiNWMpwoo
    https://sway.office.com/ssv4uWhPMtVsR59G
    https://sway.office.com/0kAJSts2tHvkFZzP
    https://sway.office.com/X5fxgpU6vpqvz2LF
    https://sway.office.com/iNahCMnDD3H7uTW4
    https://sway.office.com/yJU6kdXAnG0Ycxi3
    https://sway.office.com/X0BsnuZIHb8Gm1K2
    https://sway.office.com/Axm8BBwLXNbRkqAG
    https://sway.office.com/oflnzvSB4ba97G9G
    https://sway.office.com/q5R20irU1VXBkZQH
    https://sway.office.com/uXJw7XZEC6RZUEu8
    https://sway.office.com/9LeKEKFA1yD4nXOs
    https://sway.office.com/1tUFQsK2oq6M0SYX
    https://sway.office.com/wqO0Kc0IvpLy0pl8
    https://sway.office.com/woh6Z8DYaxmGuvEX
    https://sway.office.com/AmKhV5XhD4BKRmoW
    https://sway.office.com/i3WoRh3G2FU1sxrE
    https://sway.office.com/s9GRXTxsUn5meU9C
    https://sway.office.com/Iw1QIkEmUi1N0qSE
    https://sway.office.com/Iw1QIkEmUi1N0qSE
    https://sway.office.com/CozmWNrE8HCyiIza
    https://sway.office.com/G74guCYoGPi6llp0
    https://sway.office.com/SzXIYwjjTWA1rG8t
    https://sway.office.com/pidss9YErvNTA3YE
    https://sway.office.com/pzQ7BO4nulutfvq9
    https://sway.office.com/545mnVlHNyW5mLAk
    https://sway.office.com/ACLDfzjRPrp6TqEr
    https://sway.office.com/DwPPBRBVJCz85Pxl
    https://sway.office.com/XAeZGlSLAgEqO2JY
    https://sway.office.com/iZfRbIoKqDJy1FWe
    https://sway.office.com/azyKVG9gQiAFkUPq
    https://sway.office.com/gUkbso9nBHobGhv6

    sd weqw rqwrqwrq

Leave a comment