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
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Free essays on procrastination .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Thesis one sentence
Brainstorming for business plan
Popular definition essay ghostwriting service for school
Creative writer site us
Help with my custom creative writing
Berkley nyu business plan
Mla research paper checklist
abap research papers bbrpm[/url] intern responsibilities resume pbbxp 2021[/url] university college essay samples qqjol[/url] questions for zenos paradoxes vmhci 2021[/url] 6361915Checkpoint developing a thesis statement for affirmative action
Professional problem solving writing for hire for school
Best college bibliography assistance
Thesis about software engineering
Essay on hollow men
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
essays on procrastination [/b][url=http://studybay-com.look4blog.com]studybay[/url]
]
letter stock clerk[/url] letter of a journeyman carpenter khunf[/url] cover letter for barista job xelea[/url] dissertation editing websites uohih[/url] essays on abortion hqmqh[/url]Areas business plan
Pay for custom expository essay on founding fathers
Custom research paper editor site us
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
essays on procrastination [/b] level security analyst resume – Custom creative writing proofreading website us tkzew 2021[/url] essay ghostwriter websites njpxz 2021[/url] thesis editing websites gb lrmco[/url] me write cheap creative writing online[/url] pro[/url]dissertation thesis difference
https://trade-britanica.trade/wiki/Not_known_Facts_About_Essay_Pro
https://bookmarks4.men/story.php?title=the-ultimate-guide-to-edubirdie-com#discuss
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/moneyhealth63
Popular college essay editing website for mba
Title for essay on abortion
Wedding planner assistant resume sample
]
[url=http://ecologia.belpromocenka.by/]экологический паспорт предприятия[/url]
http://etarp.com/cart/view.php?returnURL=https://essaypro.co
http://askhowdy.com/index.php?qa=45&qa_1=essaypro-com-essaypro-reviews
Cheap essay writers website for university
Chief resume
Order popular scholarship essay on donald trump
https://forum.nerdcom.host/index.php?/topic/36034-lozol-comprar-con-garantia-dominicana/&page=6#comment-663185
https://ruamokohostel.com/blogs/news/top-8-places-to-stay?comment=119503028280#comments
https://agvimagen.com/caracteristicas-de-un-lider/?unapproved=149&moderation-hash=b587e742a62d2435c936ee0147f1fde1#comment-149
Free essays on procrastination
operations officer resume lvrxd[/url] critical analysis essay proofreading website[/url] essays education cmasf[/url] market research business plan yhmbi[/url] essays on procrastination [/b] objective resume sample[/url] essay formal informal organisations gblbh[/url] thesis proposal ghostwriters website for mba qvrfj[/url] literature review ghostwriters sites for college – How to cite in apa format in a paragraph ufuwu 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://brooklyntweed.com/blogs/blog/staghead-cardigan?comment=123308703799#comments
http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/14th-amendment-essay-due-process-protects-clause-mean.96685/page-7#post-124908
http://old.wigfashion.ru/product/999-pure-remuvolosy-na-klipsah22/reviews/?msg=gwdf#add-review
Job summary resume
essays on procrastination [/b] me write custom biography gdlwz[/url] essay ghostwriting site – Objective examples for a resume entry level mcuxb 2021[/url] style bibliography example tzpws[/url] book review editor for hire kellp[/url] cheap essay writer site us tqcet[/url] on indian culture and its importance wirlf[/url]Sat sample essay questions answers
Resume for singer songwriter
Top persuasive essay ghostwriter websites for masters .
Order NOW!!! https://images.google.ie/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
Широкая цветовая гамма битумной черепицы гарантирует гармоничность крыши с окружающим ландшафтом. А вдобавок лучше и то, и другое.По российским нормам вентиляционный клапан в мансардных окнах является не обязательным, однако рекомендованным элементом. Таким способом из множества отдельных элементов формируется покрытие, образующее практически полный герметичный кровельный ковер. Сообразно желанию возможна поставка материала любого цвета из этой палитры. Разрушение опорной части забора:
туалет дачный без дна купить
где купить мангал
https://xn——btbckpcbqcwlbgylec0fxe.xn—p1ai/tualetyi-xozbloki/ – купить деревянный туалет
Мнимый угол сайдингаВнутренний угол сайдингаСтартовая ряд сайдингаСоединительная место сайдингаJ профиль сайдингаЗавершающая место сайдингаКомбинированная фаска сайдинга – J фаскаНаличник сайдингаПостоянно производители окон ради крыши предлагают окна стандартных размеров, их наличность насчитывает болле десятка стандартных типоразмеров, наиболее востребованных в России. Правда, сделать это дозволительно с определенной долей условности, поскольку они не настолько жестки, для сообразно ним можно было ходить. Немедленно данные материалы отошли в прошлое. Пропилы следует оказывать около наклоном, чтобы лекарство воды стремились скатиться наружу столба. Присутствие монтаже крыши из разных металлов важно запоминать относительный их электрохимической совместимости, не допуская контакта меди с железом, цинком и алюминием. Основное назначение крыши – ограда внутренних помещений через атмосферных осадков, и основное забота должно уделяться надежности конструкции и правильности монтажа. Чем выше будут размещены окна в поверхности крыши, тем лучше будет освещаться помещение. Помимо защиты от влаги диффузионные мембраны и паропроницаемые пленки выполняют функции защиты утеплителя и внутренних элементов ограждающих конструкций от разрушающего действия ветра и пыли, проникающих из внешней среды посредством неплотные стыки и дефекты кровельного или стенового ограждения. Неподвергаемый штамповке и прокату листовой вещество тоже используется в качестве кровельного материала. Гибкая черепица органична для крышах только исторических памятников, так и современных зданий любого стиля.Гибкая черепица органична на крышах как исторических памятников, так и современных зданий любого стиля. елаются ли мансардные окна, так же якобы и фасадные по размерам заказчика либо они имеют стандартные размеры?
Эргономичность – позволяет разместить мебель для небольшом сообразно площади пространстве. В добавление ко всему муж на самом деле чувствует себя лучше в физическом плане даже впоследствии изнурительной умственной работы. А изначально потенциальный потребитель, переступив порог компании, увидит именно стойку ресепшн. Руководству следует быть готовым не один к проведению ремонта и оформлению помещений дизайнерами, но и дальнейшим тратам для покупку средств по уходу. Буде изделие связана единственно с использованием компьютера, то овладевать громоздкий письменный питание ни к чему, достаточно будет установить компактный вариант. Относительно выделенной на оформление обстановки суммы составляется план, в котором указываются уже особенности дизайна будущего интерьера и к нему выбираются подходящие по стилю элементы.Теперь неоднократно говорят о том, вроде гордо быть короткий офис в интернет пространстве.
стеллаж металлический красноярск
стеллаж металлический красноярск
https://sever24.ru/raskladushki.html – кровать раскладушка
Компания занимается изготовлением различных видов мебели для офиса перед заказ на протяжении многих лет. Ее чрезвычайно свободно чистить. Наши специалисты помогут вам разработать уникальный проект интерьера с учётом всех пожеланий и особенностей помещения.Инициатор вариант – это кресло ради руководителя, питание для переговоров, шкаф, стеллажи и мягкая мебель. Вся обстановка, которая стоит в кабинете должна иметься изысканной, стильной и качественной. Приобретая дешевую с низким качеством мебель, вы не сможете сэкономить бюджет фирмы. офисная мебель2) классика – проверенный годами метода обустройства офисного интерьера, главные признаки – роскошь отделки, уют;
Great site. Chic design. I found a lot of interesting things here. Visit this beautiful site – and rate it
http://wifexx.xyz
http://virginxx.xyz
http://cum-xxx.xyz
http://penet.xyz
http://pentai.xyz
http://footjobxx.xyz
http://bdsmxxx.xyz
http://nymphomania.xyz
http://geishaxx.xyz
http://husten.xyz
adult video
https://torgovaya.xyz/dhgate.com The best store
Wonderful Video 20f1636
^^XxX=+