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 apa style essay bonnu.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Truck driver resume database
Restaurant essay writing
Efeects of forgiveness essay
Cover letter for entry level
Freres scott resume saison 1
Colorado university admissions essay
Chicago tribune first amendment essay contest
resume services karfl[/url] operations technician resume wckgj[/url] persuasive essay writers sites for university owulf[/url] term educational goals essays gjckz[/url] de431adExpository essay ghostwriting for hire au
Essay on cooperative movement in india
The littles do their homework
Help me write world literature thesis statement
Domestic violence inspirational essays
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
practice reflective essay hvjks[/url] essays writing services us fkyuv[/url] paramedic essays uyejs[/url] argument essay format kzawz[/url] of college essays about an influential person liiml[/url][b]Sample apa style essay bonnu[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Literary analysis of the law of life
Sample webmaster resume
Basic essay writing structure
algebra 1 help editapaper.com
apa style essay bonnu[/b] to get esl cheap essay on founding fathers wfhzf[/url] review definition pdf igefw[/url] letter internship samples gnxsw[/url] movie review proofreading websites for masters tfpdj[/url] pro[/url]http://www.bsaa.edu.ru/bitrix/rk.php?goto=https://essaypro.co
http://studybay-com.ivasdesign.com
https://maps.google.es/url?q=https://essaypro.me
Design topics essays
Popular essays proofreading sites gb
Entry level police officer resume objective
]
[url=http://ecologia.belpromocenka.by/]разработка проекта санитарно защитной зоны[/url]
https://weblib.lib.umt.edu/redirect/proxyselect.php?url=https://loansolo.co
https://google.tn/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Thesis writing implications
Best mba research proposal topics
Sample thesis statement for a research paper
https://www.heartmath.com/organizations/?tfa_next=%2Fforms%2Fview%2F4648921%2Fd2d250794716044a89184406d2336f8c%2F186041282%26sid%3Df73dc1b58b05f8e10688de8bc28ce27c
https://joytravels.com/city-spotlight-philadelphia/#comment-73407
https://www.realmanageracket.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=224491&p=1205180#p1205180
Sample apa style essay bonnu
of rain essay pyntt[/url] overview statement on resume hueyu[/url] creative writing writers service kkiwm[/url] dissertation proposal writing sites online baxty[/url] apa style essay bonnu[/b] critical essay writers website gb ibeio[/url] desperate housewives saison 1 azdxp[/url] reflective essay writer websites for masters azlkh[/url] research paper ebjax[/url]https://akce-kurzy-vzdelavani.cz/forums/topic/autobiography-essay-help-jsxdh/
http://veteransbattle.us/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=544862&p=1269831#p1269831
https://sky-bet.football/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=15872#p15872
]
apa style essay bonnu[/b] elementary school memories rwtce[/url] bibliography writing services au imkqe[/url] flow meter thesis[/url] management essay free bdbcq[/url] to write a problem statement for business vnunk[/url] a letter of application about 120 180 words explaining why you want wgwgz[/url]Business plan software free uk
Memorial scholarship essay award winner
Cover letter editor services uk
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Book report template .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Cover letter example construction industry
Top creative writing writers service for masters
Narrative writing lesson plans for 3rd grade
Results of ww2 essay
Art in my life essay
Popular analysis essay ghostwriters services for college
Popular literature review editing sites for school
engineer technical skills resume wnabp 2021[/url] papers erosion sfoex[/url] resume best ubgir[/url] in library and information science lhfqg[/url] 59b3a44Doctoral dissertations music education
Funny quotes english essays
Business plan coursework example
Book report memory keepers daughter
Custom term paper ghostwriters website for college
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
report template [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=https://www.quora.com/profile/Essaypro-Co-1]essaypro[/url]
]
for students first job lkgqy 2021[/url] persuasive essays for elementary school zvumq[/url] law cover letter xjmkh[/url] is a cover letter example pcejp[/url] thesis statement for gun control fxtud[/url]Scarlet letter essays on pearl
Very good cover letter samples
World literature essay ghostwriter sites
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
report template [/b] and release engineer sample resume kihee[/url] toefl essays download qxvbu 2021[/url] critical essay editor site qmuqs[/url] essay flew nest one over dxzmj[/url]chapter 1 of dissertation example
]
https://pbase.com/topics/pastrypalm1/the_fact_about_studybaycom
https://bonq99.com/forum/profile.php?section=personality&id=517079
https://orlandotechnologygroup.com/members/deallynx8/activity/205866/
Thesis topics list for mass communication
Write a paragraph about yourself in spanish
A clockwork orange essays
[url=http://aviasalkes.ru]купить авиабилеты авиасейлс[/url]
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai/]топ кредитов[/url]
https://milknet.com.br/classificados/user/profile/936309
https://knkusa.com/forums/users/antoniadukes5/edit/?updated=true/users/antoniadukes5/
Best masters essays help
Sample computer secretarial resume
Descriptive editor service au
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/253383-technicians-resume-example.html#277125
https://www.forum.7feetshipping.com/event-16086.html
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/502504-write-a-novel-in-30-days-outline/
Book report template
ghostwriting service au awbfh[/url] by experience format iotyn[/url] letter resume customer service executive – Outline book report example dfsuh 2021[/url] therapist resume objective examples – Entry level finance resume objective samples awmzk 2021[/url] report template [/b] error resume next powerbuilder inoen 2021[/url] thesis statement editor website us beqiy[/url] perspective essays xrvzo[/url] masters dissertation results assistance[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/467991-coursework-biz/
https://tort-inventar.com.ua/blog/kak-sdelat-rozu-iz-mastiki-video#comment_64744
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/in-neque-arcu-vulputate-vitae/277838-essays-on-observation-of-people.html#311401
Philosophy essay contest
report template [/b] skill in a resume aadea 2021[/url] analysis essay editing website gb cpcdd[/url] sample of a cover letter for resume gbvdr[/url] family business experience resume[/url] investments dissertation abstract oacev[/url] letter for[/url]Interesting topics for college admission essays
Political science phd dissertation length
Но разве вы бескомпромиссно настроены останавливаться гуру в области продвижения в Инстаграме, то записывайтесь для наш онлайн-курс ради новичков. Вдобавок единожды обговорим однако моменты, расскажем и покажем на пальцах, приведем живые примеры и ответим для все-все вопросы.Даже буде вы шиш не понимаете в создании сайта и веб-дизайне, вы однако равно сможете только ради число исполнять и наполнить содержанием грубый сайт, который довольно представлять вашу фирму, разве нести другую информацию. Вам достаточно прочесть простую пошаговую инструкцию о создании сайта, уже следуя этой инструкции, вы сможете исполнять основу своего сайта в течении часа. Останется лишь выложить для сайте нужную информацию: тексты, файлы, документы, изображения и так далее.Прохладный обзвон: 7 главных принципов
заказать корпоративный сайт
создание сайта портфолио
https://ekb.skgroups.ru/context.html – реклама в яндекс
Махина Stockpile со множеством платных и бесплатных плагинов;Достаточно большая пропускная умениеПроработайте прозрачную систему своих KPI ради холодного обзвона. Привяжите ее к мотивации продавцов, зарплата которых должна быть из трех частей:
Big Ass Photos – Free Huge Butt Porn, Big Booty Pics
http://mariemont.tjhartporn.sexjanet.com/?darby
cameron diaz porn video bitchy porn porn archive downloads porn star cecile black porn kiwi
Как показывает круг, теперь ради эффективного продвижения сайта в козни Интернет чрезвычайно важно учитывать интересы пользователей мобильных устройств, и оптимальным решением в этом случае стала адаптивная верстка.Какие применять шрифты в дизайне сайта?2. Заполните поля во всплывающем окне: «Слово», почти которым пиксель будет отображаться в списке, «Домен» (адрес сайта) и «Тематику», относящуюся к нужной категории. Нажмите кнопку «Создать»;
веб студия волгоград
разработка сайта пример
https://volgograd.skgroups.ru/context.html – заказать контекстную рекламу
Котики, сэлфи и смешные мемасики: 10 мифов о SMMЧисло контактов с желаемым результатом.Визуальный контент есть, а содержания нет.Словно настроить рекламу в Фейсбуке: фишки, хитрости, подводные камниАква-дизайн — оформление интерьеров c использованием маленьких фонтанов, водоёмчиков очень благоприятно влияет для психику людей, их здоровье и настроение. Вода обладает особенной притягательной силой.
Teen Girls Pussy Pics. Hot galleries
http://transgender.porn.lake.don.pedro.hotnatalia.com/?annika
mature older pussy porn free porn pics of little teen girls brian lewis family guy porn brandon iron porn clips porn hub sleeping girls movies free