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
Fun home a family tragicomic essay .
Order NOW!!! https://cults3d.com/fr/utilisateurs/essaypro-com2
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
My new hot project|enjoy new website
amateur wife strapon porn porn with no required email big ass black nurse porn friendfinder porn vintage japan pornhttp://porncrave.danexxx.com/?makayla
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
College level creative writing teaching jobs .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume services write
Custom college essay advice
Write my world affairs admission essay
Madame bovary essay titles
Net resume samples
English essays on terrorism in india
Army value duty essay
dsl plans business plan – Current interest rate business plan xrlgd 2021[/url] essay examples for high school xohih[/url] doctrine essay yqlqj[/url] thesis proposal writer sites ca wpcst[/url] 20f1636Jean chretien essay
Professional annotated bibliography writer site
Elkins intermoutain newspaper
Cheap school masters essay topic
I write a proposal on
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b][url=https://hub.docker.com/u/studybay]studybay[/url]
]
literature review ghostwriters service uk zmfqo 2021[/url] to write a speech body[/url] you letter for your resume[/url] resume objective examples[/url] of the people essay topics kifye 2021[/url]Business plan for home health care
Sample abstract for psychology paper
Data emc experience resume storage veritas
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] my apa reference page cxtkk[/url] marketing manager resume jqdwe 2021[/url] thesis topics library science mfqxr[/url] dissertation critique dialectique pydxg[/url] pro[/url]PaperHelp.org Review
https://ai-db.science/wiki/What_Does_EssayShark_Review_Mean
https://peatix.com/user/8048844
https://easybookmark.win/story.php?title=considerations-to-know-about-edubirdie-com#discuss
Sample mcse resume
Obama and homework
Shipping receiving manager resume
]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com]банки кабинет[/url]
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s379/sh/9e88d352-e2ba-cd49-a9f5-7954cc38cc2f/39456b94f01b7976c6e3f0e330b203d7
https://paperhelp-org.blogcudinti.com/2053251/paperhelp-paperhelp-org
Industry experience resume
How to write a resume for a business
General cover letter inquiry
https://www.thekingwarehouse.com/blogs/quiz/solve-this-rubikcube-quiz?comment=124449161315#comments
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/500529-free-guide-resume-writing/
https://www.purevitality.co.nz/blogs/news/7-natural-remedies-back-aches-and-pain?comment=123858157637#comments
College level creative writing teaching jobs
educational research papers jqigj[/url] resume upload kcade[/url] papers on highstakes testing and administrators klbop[/url] for my top personal essay on presidential elections gxbvs[/url] level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] organizational skills in a cover letter[/url] setup resume – Top analysis essay editing service uk efqjh 2021[/url] resume font type jvxih[/url] my environmental studies business plan dgfmh 2021[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://www.schoenhuber.com/home/%28now%29/1621046332/%28error%29/form_178#form-178
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/suggestion-box/252915-best-article-review-ghostwriting-website-online.html#276521
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/251159-phd-thesis-in-e-government.html#274091
Basic job resume format
level creative writing teaching jobs [/b] functional resume teacher qzfzx[/url] writing history article review ieuoi[/url] admission essay on presidential elections updep[/url] essays on metamorphosis jbhhn[/url] of resume for working students sgmbw[/url] under the influence essay xdfas 2021[/url]Music and english thesis example
Top critical essay editing website au
Young Heaven – Naked Teens & Young Porn Pictures
http://condompopspornmorganville.miaxxx.com/?alejandra
wifecrazy free streaming porn extreme 3d porn free fetish porn online hi res soft porn pics mandy lightspeed xxx porn
Настройка таргетинга в ВКонтактеРАЗРАБОТАЙТЕ ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКИЕ КАРТЫ – ЛИСТЫ РАЗВИТИЯТак сколько буде вы всерьез настроены продвигать частный бизнес в Инстаграм, игнорить основную ленту и сторис не стоит. Также не стоит игнорить и такие важные нюансы, ровно хэштеги и геолокацию.
заказать настройку рекламы в гугл
[url=https://perm.skgroups.ru/razrabotka-saitov.html]создание и разработка сайта[/url]
https://perm.skgroups.ru/razrabotka-saitov.html – заказать создание сайта
Также сюда входит загрузка сторонних баз с данными пользователей: списков email-адресов alias номеров телефонов. Система находит пользователей по этим контактам и позволяет изображать им рекламу.Ровно сверстать свой принадлежащий сайт.5. Разбор сайта на кроссбраузерность, оптимизация сайта около основные браузеры.статистика сообразно промоакциямСловообразование через ключевого болтовня