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 HELP?
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.
Against child labor essay ndppt.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
How to write an mou
Raz essays on law and morality
Trefethen homework solutions
Azureus resume
Homework help about
Submission thesis oxford
Sample resume format for mba marketing fresher
resume qdnls[/url] app essay questions 2016-17 ntdlb[/url] you have to write a senior thesis jzhsi[/url] on my ambition of becoming a doctor nvkxu[/url] 1_55d5aWhy censorship should be banend essay
Buy religious studies papers
How to write an introduction to an analysis
Essay about why you shouldn’t talk in class
Pointers on how to write a resume
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
colors to put on a resume lesly[/url] crimes essay exam questions fanzf[/url] on negative effects of computer viruses tsawh[/url] research paper for free straz[/url] homework hqsbj[/url]https://paperhelps-org.blogspot.com
[b]Against child labor essay ndppt[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Popular creative writing ghostwriters site gb
Top writers website gb
Thesis on sister carrie’ feminism
who i am editapaper.com
child labor essay ndppt[/b] with my esl definition essay on lincoln xobbf[/url] blog ghostwriter website vcexi[/url] vs nurture research paper outline dyxxj[/url] unemployed time qvkaf[/url] pro[/url]https://cse.google.gm/url?q=https://essaypro.co
https://google.ws/url?q=https://essaypro.me
https://cse.google.no/url?q=https://studybay.ws
Ieee research papers computer science
Esl college analysis essay assistance
Custom critical analysis essay writers service online
]
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозаем на карту[/url]
http://wahmplex.com/profile/EduBirdiecom
http://www.chaemjing.com/reference-educationhomeschooling/essaypro-com-essaypro-reviews/
Help with top admission paper
Top university home work sample
Resume espanol ejemplo
http://forum.prozagar.com.ua/topic/458210-custom-rhetorical-analysis-essay-writer-website-online-lksui/page__st__20__gopid__1074646&#entry1074646
http://kinmen.taiwan-pharma.org.tw/node/219#comment-179088
http://pes5.pesmanager.net/showthread.php?t=85&page=187&p=23207&posted=1#post23207
Against child labor essay ndppt
term paper title page example fxmlg[/url] by jacquelyn grant tseit[/url] writing sites uk ondlz[/url] thesis acknowledgment letter lozfz[/url] child labor essay ndppt[/b] to write a board paper iomoi[/url] paper writing site for phd fjdsh[/url] appreciation essay vgabj[/url] to write your accomplishments chart vhywz[/url]http://forum.munoria.net/showthread.php?194-XEvil-5-0-break-BitFinex-Captcha&p=8950&posted=1#post8950
https://cars4kwallpapers.com/index.php/1994/09/14/sport-car-wallpapers/?unapproved=270795&moderation-hash=02edcf5f58b13b83a73d7343ab86d3da
http://mamaprim.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=230746&p=792547#p792547
]
child labor essay ndppt[/b] verbs for resume depwk[/url] essay on cultural diffusion qgvym[/url] paper on gods existence wqbrn[/url] high school dropouts dtmik[/url] for my poetry biography mdxbw[/url] plant operator resume nwrxw[/url]Essay story about a fisherman
Cheap papers editor sites ca
Research paper on gender discrimination in the workplace
https://bulios.com/status/50711-4k-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50715-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50718-where-to-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50719-4k-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50720-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50721-where-to-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50727-4k-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50728-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50729-where-to-watch-i-wanna-dance-with-somebody-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50730-4k-watch-the-whale-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50731-watch-the-whale-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50732-where-to-watch-the-whale-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50736-4k-watch-babylon-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50739-watch-babylon-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50740-where-to-watch-babylon-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50741-4k-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50742-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50743-where-to-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50750-4k-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50751-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50752-where-to-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50753-4k-watch-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50754-watch-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50757-where-to-watch-operation-fortune-ruse-de-guerre-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50761-4k-watch-plane-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50762-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50763-where-to-watch-plane-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50777-4k-watch-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50778-watch-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50779-where-to-watch-the-devil-conspiracy-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50785-4k-watch-house-party-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50786-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50787-where-to-watch-house-party-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50793-4k-watch-the-offering-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50794-watch-the-offering-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50795-where-to-watch-the-offering-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50801-4k-watch-the-son-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50802-watch-the-son-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50803-where-to-watch-the-son-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50806-4k-watch-alice-darling-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50810-watch-alice-darling-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50811-where-to-watch-alice-darling-2023-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50812-4k-watch-missing-2023-watch-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free
https://bulios.com/status/50813-watch-missing-2023-fullmovie-free-online-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/50814-where-to-watch-missing-2023-free-online-at-home
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4b60cca9-a99d-4f61-a4a7-b4f6700f708b
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d9cedff5-b7c5-40a0-9be5-6dc95c1150ed
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d9fe49ba-ffe1-4e1d-9cf0-c96b3232a127
https://player.soundon.fm/p/bb870111-a60e-48ad-a36e-bbfde6fe4cc9
https://player.soundon.fm/p/9e788e54-05bb-4e1b-b689-cc69ce29bd10
https://player.soundon.fm/p/b87f399e-ddde-4529-94a7-ec4620004a14
https://player.soundon.fm/p/43baa3d5-1c3b-4557-8145-9806adae4e2c
https://player.soundon.fm/p/0c9b1420-f169-4b7f-9796-6e7fe1b3f6bf
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d5a42a64-5204-4b0b-a99a-a70882637cac
https://player.soundon.fm/p/4c43425a-47f3-42df-823e-2f87dc4aa84a
https://player.soundon.fm/p/c905e2f9-fe28-4a91-a4dc-e3ed455941eb
https://player.soundon.fm/p/24ca5a37-cda2-4860-940d-9444132bcc54
https://player.soundon.fm/p/85474f1a-0065-47fe-ac24-61b6fbf4f361
https://player.soundon.fm/p/888480ba-462e-4c88-8c94-d89d50086d2e
https://player.soundon.fm/p/dc380d2a-0d62-49d9-98a1-f983fb578e06
https://player.soundon.fm/p/f1b23694-2dff-4846-90f4-c4b3a0d75e87
https://player.soundon.fm/p/cbcbee2b-8e0d-4edb-b5dc-ac31e68cfd2e
https://player.soundon.fm/p/45e728c3-bcd7-4615-a1c3-45892d6ea63c
https://player.soundon.fm/p/3bbc8a40-fc5e-4213-85a2-7865559f39ab
https://player.soundon.fm/p/5088f731-3cdb-4ef7-bfab-c0b00c75d4e4
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d7f96336-69c2-467a-98de-03619758cce6
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d02d8c70-a02e-4c8e-bc64-df0ffc7cc20a
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d6d10956-3257-43d0-9d67-8aad99825ec9
https://player.soundon.fm/p/80a1df8b-8044-4839-b88d-4535d81d80a9
https://player.soundon.fm/p/8428bbe2-b163-4551-b360-3b9bc2803607
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d7f96336-69c2-467a-98de-03619758cce6
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d02d8c70-a02e-4c8e-bc64-df0ffc7cc20a
https://player.soundon.fm/p/d6d10956-3257-43d0-9d67-8aad99825ec9
https://player.soundon.fm/p/80a1df8b-8044-4839-b88d-4535d81d80a9
https://player.soundon.fm/p/8428bbe2-b163-4551-b360-3b9bc2803607
https://player.soundon.fm/p/53dbc752-917e-4c97-badb-aebb16b2f36a
https://player.soundon.fm/p/2514bb19-7de5-4251-b883-9075986c02ba
https://player.soundon.fm/p/b42496b9-79ca-4df2-97e8-34685f8892ed
https://player.soundon.fm/p/a15ab63b-687a-45f3-ac1e-caed733f5bb4
https://player.soundon.fm/p/27d440e5-43af-4af4-8c52-7a671648cc8c
https://player.soundon.fm/p/aa28c51b-7c8a-4e6c-9440-7f23d2c99ae6
https://player.soundon.fm/p/77eaaf19-e5fa-46c1-a0ce-173f24bb38b2
https://player.soundon.fm/p/dc3c67d6-bc25-45b3-8d25-3339c884259d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/a9c6a840-e783-430b-b5a1-d3a69964e5b7
https://player.soundon.fm/p/1d253e56-c852-4d5a-b8cf-edcd43d38d3d
https://player.soundon.fm/p/6dbebfdc-d38a-44ca-b660-0d1d12031fb3
https://player.soundon.fm/p/3e2b57f9-3263-4811-ba56-9f3dd64d0151
https://player.soundon.fm/p/e0f0d043-4104-48e3-8681-aeb9ed136d8f
https://player.soundon.fm/p/bb127931-46c8-44cb-8f3f-3b391df5f487
https://player.soundon.fm/p/71e50bbe-e2e3-405e-baf7-6e07a0fb50eb
https://bulios.com/status/47871-official-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47872-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2022-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47873-usa-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47874-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47875-watch-avatar-2-the-way-of-water-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47876-official-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47877-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2022-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47879-usa-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47880-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47881-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47882-official-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47883-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47884-usa-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47885-a-man-called-otto-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47886-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47888-official-megan-m3gan-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47889-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47890-usa-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47891-megan-m3gan-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47893-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47895-official-plane-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47897-watch-plane-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47899-usa-plane-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47901-plane-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47902-watch-plane-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47903-official-house-party-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47905-watch-house-party-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47906-usa-house-party-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47907-house-party-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47909-watch-house-party-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47911-official-alice-darling-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47912-watch-alice-darling-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47913-usa-alice-darling-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47915-alice-darling-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47916-watch-alice-darling-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47919-official-the-son-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47920-watch-the-son-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47921-usa-the-son-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47922-the-son-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47923-watch-the-son-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47926-official-missing-2023-online-hd-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47927-watch-missing-2023-online-free-on-putlocker
https://bulios.com/status/47929-usa-missing-2023-fullmovie-online-streaming-for-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47930-missing-watch-2023-fullmovie-online-on-download
https://bulios.com/status/47933-watch-missing-2023-free-online-streaming
https://bulios.com/status/47669-plane-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47670-plane-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47672-watch-plane-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47673-download-plane-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47675-house-party-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47677-house-party-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47678-watch-house-party-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47680-download-house-party-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47684-the-son-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47685-the-son-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47686-watch-the-son-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47687-download-the-son-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47689-alice-darling-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47690-alice-darling-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47691-watch-alice-darling-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47692-download-alice-darling-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47695-missing-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47696-missing-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47697-watch-missing-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47698-download-missing-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47700-megan-m3gan-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47701-megan-m3gan-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47703-watch-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47704-download-megan-m3gan-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47706-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47707-a-man-called-otto-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47708-watch-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47709-download-a-man-called-otto-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47712-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47713-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47714-watch-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47715-download-puss-in-boots-the-last-wish-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47716-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-online-free-at-home
https://bulios.com/status/47717-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-online-free-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47718-watch-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-free-online-on-123movies
https://bulios.com/status/47719-download-avatar-the-way-of-water-2023-fullmovie-online-free-at-home
https://www.showwcase.com/alicedarling
https://www.showwcase.com/alicedarlingmovie
https://www.showwcase.com/alicedarlingfilm
https://www.showwcase.com/thesonfullmovie
https://www.showwcase.com/thesonmovie
https://www.showwcase.com/thesonfilm
https://www.showwcase.com/meganm3gan
https://www.showwcase.com/watchm3gan
https://www.showwcase.com/m3ganmoviehd
https://www.showwcase.com/planefullmovie
https://www.showwcase.com/planemoviehd
https://www.showwcase.com/plane2023hd