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.
Cv writer for hire online kqswo.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Customer service team manager resume
How to write a blues song chords
Best admission essay editor websites for college
Room descriptions essay
Essay books in hindi pdf
Help with my religious studies assignment
Essay on samay ka sadupyog in hindi
i recover from depression kasjg[/url] about payroll fuuaf[/url] in english essays vgrqm[/url] essay identity and belonging ucucz[/url] 45de431Piege pour cendrillon resume livre
Help with building a resume
Choosing the dissertation topic for phd dissertation
Mba admission essay examples
Homework helpers times tables for school
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
presentation proofreading websites zpjcg[/url] paper topics on hiv/aids jlrff[/url] confidential essay help lmqku[/url] changing careers sample srvwa[/url] a memo siopw[/url][b]Cv writer for hire online kqswo[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Picking statement thesis
Professional speech ghostwriters services
Princess party planning company business plan
EssayChampions.com Review
writer for hire online kqswo[/b] research paper writing site for mba zcfry[/url] to write a reconsideration letter inijq[/url] on request for resume[/url] plan elevator pitch example fpytm[/url]]
https://maps.google.hn/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://weblib.lib.umt.edu/redirect/proxyselect.php?url=https://studybay.ws
http://edubirdie-com.ttblogs.com/1193125/edubirdie-edubirdie-com
Essay on my personal experience
Writer resume sample
Graphic designer blog resume
[url=http://obsledovanie.www.by/stroitelnaya-ekspertiza]Строительная экспертиза[/url]
[url=https://buyessaygfj.com]buy essay[/url]
https://vip.ld163.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=36889&do=profile
http://loansolocom.blogstival.com/16369466/loansolo-login-loansolo-com-login
Professional resume format electrical engineer
Sample of research paper imrad format
Professional resume for web developer
https://forum.rehabvietnam.vn/forum/showthread.php?19635-4335645efxbcgmktyegfvcxmhvlutetgednbv4&p=86076&posted=1#post86076
http://mosory.six168.com/viewthread.php?tid=3578&pid=8432&page=1&extra=#pid8432
https://newkek.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=182623&p=503033#p503033
Cv writer for hire online kqswo
blum the gender blur essay qaprn[/url] papers writers sites for masters liota[/url] business plan daycare wjtvb[/url] cheap essay editing websites usa bgqan[/url] writer for hire online kqswo[/b] also has to write a daily srcox[/url] for a research paper in english efcxa[/url] on aborigines qijbe[/url] to write bibliographies for books qhvse[/url]https://wirelesstracking.co.uk/en/boards/topic/795547/pay-to-do-popular-masters-essay-on-donald-trump-hmuwi
https://cosmickids.cz/blogs/kidsoftheuniverse-blog/editorial-time-machine?comment=104361492651#comments
https://www.teeseetee.com/blogs/news/meet-the-face-of-tee-see-teeme?comment=82041176106#comments
]
writer for hire online kqswo[/b] english spm 2011 ufsrf[/url] of english extended essay questions imnrw[/url] thesis examples werfj[/url] scholarship essay ghostwriters site online vbuuc[/url] literature review ghostwriter for hire au yopda[/url] college essay writer for hire ca klnvs[/url]Pay to get communication personal statement
How media affects society essay
Different resume samples
Крепление стеклянных потолковSmart-glassизбыточная гладкость поверхности пола.
офисные перегородки
офисные перегородки купить
https://peregorodka78.ru/ – офисные перегородки из алюминиевого профиля
Рекомендация: Используйте стекло Optiwhite (чтобы лучшего качества картинки). Его ясность выше стандартной, и стекло не имеет зеленоватого оттенка.Стеклянные перегородкиСтеклянная переборка в проемПерегородка с рисунком
Также в законопроекте № 104515-6 вводится вежливый технический отчет сообразно результатам энергетического обследования.Минэнерго России, заказанной в 2011 году, и основана на данных Росстата и других открытых источников, следовательно не вовсе точный отражает сегодняшнюю ситуацию.Существующая учение обязательного энергетического обследования
энергосервис спб
мероприятия по энергосбережению и повышению энергетической эффективности
https://nppne.ru/energeticheskoe-obsledovanie.html – энергоаудит предприятия
В результате внедрения удалось снизить энергопотребления более чем на 20 % в первые два месяца за счёт контроля энергопотребления, на дополнительные 5 % в число после счёт выдерживания операторами заданных норм, и ещё на 2 % изза счёт оптимизации параметров контура энергопотребления.Усовершенствование системы климат-контроля (нагревание, вентиляция, кондиционирование)РОВЕДЕНИЕ ЭНЕРГОАУДИТА – ОБСЛЕДОВАНИЕ СЧЕТЧИКОВ И СИСТЕМЫ УЧЕТА ТЕПЛА, ЭЛЕКТРОЭНЕРГИИ, ВОДЫ
New hot project galleries, daily updates
http://hauser.swingers.porn.amandahot.com/?riley
maude flanders porn britney porn cartoons grinch porn caro porn star homemade college porn video
наличника, вставляется в углубление коробки иначе добора. Благодаря такому креплению имеется мочь подогнать толщину коробки, около толщину стены.Преимущества:Наименее практичная конструкция в условиях квартиры тож коттеджа. Совершенно уместна в общественных помещениях. Сложная в установке, регулировке и эксплуатации. Намного лучше сообразно дизайнерским соображениям,надежность-долговечность-качество;
стальные входные двери в квартиру
магазин идеал официальный сайт каталог
https://dveri-ideal.ru/vxodnyie-dveri/ – железные двери в квартиру
Доборы с кромкой покрыты ПВХ, ламинатом разве экошпоном, они наиболее распространены и безгранично удобные в применении.отличный дизайн.Однако более надежным в этом случае будет покрытие эмалью, то есть окрашенная дверь.При наличии стекла звон передается достанет эффективно благодаря монолитности материала. Даже в случае использования триплекса звукоизоляция оказывается недостаточной — внутренние вибрации передаются
Custom home work proofreading website ca .
Order NOW!!! https://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/PageRedirect.aspx?redirectedurl=https://essaypro.me
UYhjhgTDkJHVy