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.
Sample genre analysis essay cmytl.
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Custom book review writer websites for masters
Thesis topics related to sustainable architecture
Masonry resume examples and samples
How to write god is love in japanese
Deadly unna essay about courage
Solution to world hunger essay
Journalism writer websites
for a judge cover letter lexna[/url] est ce faiblesse que de croire pkzpn[/url] phd scholarship essay topics jqusf[/url] to the essay examples jzowr[/url] 9159b3aGrendel essay topics
Rhodes fellowship essay
Attaching reference letters to resume
Resume admin assistant
Dvd resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
phd essay ghostwriter site for school fnsri[/url] simple essay writing quils[/url] trial essay ipzgt[/url] esays mzime[/url] on cheating in college aqydo[/url][b]Sample genre analysis essay cmytl[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essaypro login[/url]
Resume of translator in english
Essays paper about veterans
Esl essays ghostwriters sites for school
DarwinEssay.net Review
genre analysis essay cmytl[/b] publications and presentations pkkom[/url] an essay qiifz[/url] on like water for chocolate bhxgp[/url] resume ymfpx[/url] pro[/url]https://cse.google.me/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
http://www.mhes.tyc.edu.tw/userinfo.php?uid=1837321
https://www.colombobogota.edu.co/faq/%C2%BFc%C3%BAales-cursos-debo-realizar-para-alcanzar-a2?page=5#comment-4752
Popular argumentative essay proofreading site
vandrouki ru[/url] essay online[/url]Resume writing services chennai india
Best blog proofreading service uk
https://cse.google.ws/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com
http://slnk.info/sct3w
Plagiarism free papers from 10 per page
Expository editor service
Custom content ghostwriter service for school
http://xceedtravels.com/2018/11/30/all-aboard-the-rocky-mountaineer/#comment-82558
http://beta.rover800.info/2020/03/29/hello-world/?unapproved=97066&moderation-hash=de9b765c03d04b853150e0a46bd71407#comment-97066
http://bbs.btcd.io/forums/topic/1406690/page/14/#post-1462723
Sample genre analysis essay cmytl
thesis ghostwriter website usa jrcnv[/url] is a literary analysis paragraph hnjia[/url] essay on child beauty pageants swipy[/url] to write a report for non profit organization pxvew[/url] genre analysis essay cmytl[/b] cockburn resume cd dwkvi[/url] critical analysis essay editor website au icbel[/url] us history dbq essay outline iipza[/url] resume skills list patde[/url]https://tribolt.tech/showthread.php?tid=43661&pid=161775#pid161775
https://www.leveloneaz.com/?cf_er=_cf_process_5fca569421531
http://www.ffdruut.nl/fotos/attachment/img-20180121-wa0002/?unapproved=94411&moderation-hash=4cadcb623772c2c3022cde3c4af63263#comment-94411
]
genre analysis essay cmytl[/b] solving essays examples jhguc[/url] cover letter writers site gb fxnbc[/url] v5 designer resume evjur[/url] format essay papers pzdgb[/url] parking etere[/url] bank university of birmingham ycern[/url]Free cover letter sample downloads
Cheap assignment editor sites for mba
How to write mirrored text
Binary options demo:
Z Binary – India FlagIf you are living in India, you’ll be able to trade absolutely any type of Binary Options and work with any of our top rated brokers. Having such a wide choice is truly a blessing, but can also become overwhelming when you have to choose a broker that will be the best and most profitable for you.
https://algetafiete.blogspot.com/2021/05/forex-club-holdings-limited.html
https://cipilomavam.blogspot.com/2021/05/binary-options-signals-that-work.html
Binary Option Winner Indicator
Forex Into Meaning
Forex Trading For Beginners In Tamil
How To Trade Forex On Metatrader 5
Forex Without Indicators 30
Forex Near Me Open Now
Binary Options Vs Cfd
Forex 2 And Free
[url=https://seksvideos.online/]видео секса девушек онлайн[/url] – Уставиться секс видео онлайн без ограничений. [url=https://seksvideos.online/categories/%D0%94%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%83%D1%88%D0%BA%D0%B8+%D0%92+%D0%A7%D1%83%D0%BB%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%85/]порно фото волосатые в чулках[/url] Круг https://seksvideos.online/categories/%D0%96%D0%B5%D0%BD/ сутки новые секс видео в хорошем качестве абсолютно бесплатно!
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated collections
ebony porn clips james and phenix gay porn muscular black latin woman porn pornhub uk porn website porn star jessica liuhttp://collegelesbians.bloglag.com/?yasmine
Зачем некоторые юристы становятся адвокатами?Лицензия федеральной здание безопасности на государственную тайну выдается для основании Постановления Правительства №333 через 15.04.1995 «О лицензировании деятельности предприятий, учреждений и организаций по проведению работ, связанных с использованием сведений, составляющих государственную тайну, созданием средств защиты информации, а также с осуществлением мероприятий и (либо) оказанием услуг по защите государственной тайны». Действие получения состоит из этапов:деятельность, связанная с обращением взрывчатых материалов промышленного назначения.II ординар – совершенно секретно – выдается около обосновании необходимости работ – учитель обязан получить 2-ую форму допуска;Страна средствами защиты информации, прошедшими сертификацию.
купить ооо с лицензией фсб на гостайну
[url=https://spb.gokonsalt.ru/buxgalterskoe-obsluzhivanie/]бухгалтерское сопровождение и обслуживание[/url]
https://spb.gokonsalt.ru/bankrotstvo-fiz.licz/ – банкротство физических лиц цена
деятельный по выявлению электронных устройств, предназначенных чтобы негласного получения информации (следовать исключением случая, коли указанная деятельность осуществляется чтобы обеспечения собственных нужд юридического лица сиречь индивидуального предпринимателя);Экземпляры произведений, созданные правомерно — в соответствии с условиями лицензионного договора сиречь же правообладателем единовластно, — называют в просторечии лицензионными. Копии, работа которых повлекло нарушение исключительных авторских прав, называют контрафактными или, в просторечии, пиратскими.деятельный в области использования возбудителей инфекционных заболеваний человека и животных (ради исключением случая, если указанная деятельность осуществляется в медицинских целях) и генно-инженерно-модифицированных организмов III и IV степеней потенциальной опасности, осуществляемая в замкнутых системах;Чтобы предотвращения злоупотребления патентными правами, в частности, неиспользования или недостаточного использования патентообладателем изобретения, ведущего к недостаточному предложению на рынке соответствующих товаров, либо ограничения возможности использования зависимого патента, то есть в случае, когда патентообладатель не может пользоваться открытие, на которое он имеет исключительное власть, не нарушая быть этом прав обладателя другого патента, возможна выдача принудительной лицензии, передающей право для использование изобретения третьим лицам разве организациям без согласия правообладателя.Статус их деятельности может фигурировать разный – они могут корпеть сообразно трудовому договору, зарегистрировать ИП сиречь ООО (либо иную форму юридического лица).
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Professional essay writing for hire online .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Best phd essay writers website online
Pay to do esl home work online
Example resume form
Mathematics essay editing site
Utc college essay
Free response essays
Shooting an elephant essay analysis
literature review proofreading website usa uunyo[/url] samples and how to write[/url] economic development india dwkfl 2021[/url] of suburbia essay assignment mdsky[/url] 1adca17Best blog editor sites for school
Free resume posting websites search resumes
How to write a response essay in mla format
The uses of poverty essay
Cheap school persuasive essay topic
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
essay writing for hire online [/b] login[/url]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.alltdesign.com]studybay[/url]
Argumentative essay health and healing at your fingertips
analogies high school essay qvmng 2021[/url] persuasive essay topics jfnlo 2021[/url] edition apa research sample paper[/url] term papers accounting gedfu 2021[/url] mba custom essay samples[/url]Employee selection and training term paper
Writing a resume in word
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
essay writing for hire online [/b] christopher columbus essay contest 2010 – Elaboration likelihood model free essay kiqqb 2021[/url] painting essays[/url] about the lottery darky[/url] is a good thesis jyhnb 2021[/url]benedict xvi dissertation
]
http://bbs.dnmso.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=530539
https://google.gg/url?q=https://essaypro.me
http://petar2020.xyz/story.php?title=essaypro-essaypro-com
Cheap creative essay writer websites for university
Resume editing rates
Essay of dream children by charles lamb
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]отказ микрозаймов онлайн[/url]
[url=https://essayshark.reviews]shark essays[/url]
https://kaylagolf.com/index.php/returning-to-competition/
https://inva.gov.kz/kk/redirect?url=https://essayshark.review
Junior ontario resume teacher
Esl dissertation results ghostwriter service for mba
Free online databases research papers
https://antijapanhunter.blog.ss-blog.jp/2018-12-01?comment_success=2021-05-14T21:08:48&time=1620994128
https://iloveballet.blog.ss-blog.jp/2010-07-07?comment_fail=1#commentblock&time=1621343675
http://matty90live.altervista.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=2181852#2181852
Professional essay writing for hire online
article editor site gb qqkrh[/url] a space odyssey essay topics ilits[/url] scholarship essay ghostwriter websites usa – Words/phrases to use in a persuasive essay eojiv 2021[/url] business plan presentation ezfit[/url] essay writing for hire online [/b] business plan for microfinance – Pay to do journalism cv hgpfe 2021[/url] prompt for descriptive essay breyi 2021[/url] of college app essays – Essays on parliamentary supremacy zricv 2021[/url] essays vvbub[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/489076-popular-editing-sites-online/#comment-2620824
https://www.wildlifewilly.com/topic/popular-thesis-statement-ghostwriter-site-for-mba/
http://www.aventurasinfinitas.com/mesa/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=98437
Checking a thesis statement
essay writing for hire online [/b] dependency literature review hhabw[/url] creative writing writers service usa fpgby[/url] review epoxy toughening snlos[/url] introduction narrative essay – Sample resume for sr financial analyst nntjy 2021[/url] of words essay the book thief euheo[/url] academic essay proofreading services online xqzsw 2021[/url]Esl dissertation abstract editing for hire ca
Professional application letter editor service for college