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
Бесплтное [url=https://tubetron.icu/]посмотреть порнуху бесплатно[/url] доступно круглосуточно [url=https://tubetron.icu/categories/%D0%91%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%88%D0%B8%D0%B5+%D0%96%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%8B/]дала в большую жопу[/url] к просмотру онлайн: на https://tubetron.icu/categories/%D0%9A%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%86%D1%8B/ удобном порно сайте TUBETRON.ICU
Nude Sex Pics, Sexy Naked Women, Hot Girls Porn
naruto porn vids tube strippers porn mature lesbian teachers porn sites pipi girls porn teen emo porn freehttp://lesbianlive.instasexyblog.com/?anjali
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
How to write up a experiment .
Proceed to Order!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
What is the content of a cover letter
50 successful harvard essays
Non fiction book reports for elementary
Database development oracle redwood resume server shore
Hillary rodham thesis alinsky
Resume template information technology professional
Professional mba essay editing service online
best essay writing for hire for college azkvz[/url] college dissertation[/url] resources dissertation sample emnpo[/url] to make a good conclusion for a persuasive essay thelo[/url] 45de431Write a mail
Lesbain homework session sandra butterfly
Pullman strike of 1894 thesis statment
Example of a research design paper
Good essays for primary school
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
to write up a experiment [/b] login[/url][url=https://files.fm/f/dm5brtgdn]essaytyper[/url]
Counseling psychology dissertation topics
movie review ghostwriting website for college – Sales resume templates tekow 2021[/url] my custom movie review – Research paper topics on communication engineering bvmsr 2021[/url] cv ghostwriting for hire usa[/url] on water pollution essays hvwfi[/url] essay examples[/url]Dear human resources cover letter
Popular home work ghostwriter for hire for masters
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
to write up a experiment [/b] me top college essay on lincoln[/url] cover letter example[/url] me psychology critical thinking drddy[/url] plan ghostwriting services us[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
a dissertation abstract
http://www.pearltrees.com/quietattic3
http://www.mhes.tyc.edu.tw/userinfo.php?uid=1827964
http://www.meijindao.com/member.php?action=profile&uid=202420
Pay to write content
account creation[/url] US[/url]Journalism isnt a profession ma essay
Top thesis proposal ghostwriting sites for university
https://nexgen3d.in/forums/users/annajohnsonusa/
https://zz.be/MediaWiki/index.php/User:KristanPolglaze
Esl speech writers website for mba
Irish essayist
Gilda film noir essay
https://www.aiyima.com/blogs/news/our-brand-history-hope-you-participate-with-us?comment=124051325003#comments
https://markdoesstuff.com/blogs/news/8162889-hello-some-updates-to-the-store?comment=128050626662#comments
http://www.vintagegibsonforum.com/index.php?threads/how-to-write-and-compile-c-program-in-ubuntu.123449/page-2#post-125064
How to write up a experiment
essay graphic organizers ghizm[/url] abap research papers bbrpm[/url] papers on subliminal messages xvgls[/url] speech editor sites for phd fqjmk[/url] to write up a experiment [/b] dissertation proposal proofreading services for phd jymav[/url] to write a grant letter of interest oubln[/url] creative writing writers site for mba qjplx[/url] example of a simple job resume[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://cvetshtor.ru/blog/dlya_chego_nuzhny_shtory#comment_251264
https://bironi.ru/forum/messages/forum1/topic9/message386880/?result=reply#message386880
http://nangstar.com/nangstar/blog/cmt-commerce-customizable-products?page=11910#comment-1077413
Tender business plan
to write up a experiment [/b] school dissertation hypothesis examples rviht[/url] papers documentary film fydwc[/url] annotated bibliography ghostwriters service gb bqqqn[/url] in resume or cover letter ybmjm[/url] article review ghostwriting for hire for mba xgizf[/url] mba essay writers sites ca pdnpz[/url]Reading support and homework grade 4
English ghostwriters websites
Howdy, miss.
купить лист нетрудоспособности задним числом Купить водительскую справку без прохождения врачей. Получить водительское удостоверение можно только после прохождения медицинского осмотра. Кандидат в водители должен отстоять утомительные очереди в поликлинике, обойти нескольких врачей и доказать, что имеет такое состояние здоровья, которое бы не препятствовало ему при управлении транспортным средством. Ясный ум, острое зрение, крепкие нервы – медицинская справка оптимистично зафиксирует результаты обследования и выдаст заключение «годен». Но можно ли купить водительскую справку без прохождения врачей? Водительская медкомиссия г Москва. Медицинские справки в своей жизни получал практически каждый человек. Данный документ необходим во многих жизненных сферах, даже если человек не болел. Различные справки могут понадобиться детям, взрослым и пенсионерам. Наряду со справками о временной нетрудоспособности одними из самых популярных видов считаются справки для водителей.
справка 027/у http://www.icyfireballservers.com/showthread.php?tid=61347&pid=130981#pid130981 купить справку спорт купить справку о болезни в Москве справка в спортивную секцию для ребенка http://www.crackingforums.org/Thread-China-Electric-Thermostat-suppliers?pid=94#pid94 водительская медицинская справка в Москве справка 001-ГС/у Москва
New super hot photo galleries, daily updated collections
http://teenboyporn.mifflinburg.sexjanet.com/?juliana
laurel and hardy porn little girl porn kiss rough maid porn evils of the porn industry documentaries free bukake porn pics