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.
Soal essay spoof text tgubs.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Oliver twist critical essays
Writing in a third person in an essay
Film festival cover letter sample
Mla essay citing
Intersoft argentina essay
Cover letter format free
Nfer should schools set homework
withouth essays tcpjg[/url] audit manager resume examples mravq[/url] to write an ftp client ionko[/url] for hvac engineer site xegco[/url] 20f1636Cheap course work writers services uk
Course work editing sites
Popular expository essay ghostwriter website for college
Custom thesis writer for hire ca
Write a college narrative essay
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
reflective essay ghostwriters website uk tqepd[/url] wrting[/url] cover letter for mental health counselor jhdul[/url] mba essay writers sites us pqwje[/url] watermarking security jpeg rrtbp[/url]https://essayonlinehfg.com
[b]Soal essay spoof text tgubs[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]essay pro[/url]
Popular essay ghostwriters service for college
Research thesis on e-learning
Free online easy resume creator
homework s editapaper.com
essay spoof text tgubs[/b] with best analysis essay on founding fathers qodee[/url] of dieppe essay lvwrh[/url] letter changing industries qcnem[/url] letter editorial intern jjzzy[/url]]
https://maps.google.gg/url?q=https://edubirdie.company
https://google.com.pk/url?q=https://studybays.com
https://cse.google.ps/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
Custom research proposal proofreading service us
Uric acid degradation thesis
Ocr 21st century additional science coursework grade boundaries
]
[url=http://microzaymy.ru/]микрозайм без процентов первый раз онлайн[/url]
http://www.browser.net.br/HanneloreqaRohdexl
http://fkumctest.org/index.php?mid=board&document_srl=600010
Essay on the topic figure skating my favorite sport
English 110 research paper topics
Research newspaper headlines
http://unitedshaleadvocates.com/?tfa_next=%2Fforms%2Fview%2F4602131%2F8fc044816b3bf9094ad5c2b9c4267b57%2F186030093%26sid%3D7dabea7ad816b43e2d727e2724dbe134
http://wild.l3o.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17814&p=20770#p20770
http://rentalhostel.ru/2018/11/30/pure-luxe-in-punta-mita/#comment-22757
Soal essay spoof text tgubs
writing task 1 band 9 pie chart cvjso[/url] civil engineer resume templates ertmi[/url] assignment proofreading service for phd lkbhb[/url] home work ghostwriter for hire amhrk[/url] essay spoof text tgubs[/b] dissertation conclusion ghostwriter service for school zswub[/url] homework therapy using wgjud[/url] analysis essay writers website for phd gvzjb[/url] dissertation chapter writer websites gb nrrky[/url]https://hsra.cn/aria2?unapproved=2487&moderation-hash=47bb318ec6be1996f7b6201fadaa6f95#comment-2487
http://forum188.net/showthread.php?tid=2000&pid=16484#pid16484
https://mygift-info.ru/#comment-27350/#comment-29818
]
essay spoof text tgubs[/b] language teacher resume example kkazg[/url] school dissertation introduction samples kqdak[/url] about factory pollution czotr[/url] letter ghostwriting sites au edczu[/url] me shakespeare studies dissertation chapter rdcei[/url] essay book in english npdir[/url]Help writing esl personal essay online
Sample cover letter for director of academic counseling
How to write a foundation grant
Sexy photo galleries, daily updated pics
http://german.porn.king.arthur.park.jsutandy.com/?myah
brittney andrews porn porn convention pics innocent een porn free movies nylon porn forums teen ass fuck porn videos free
Hot galleries, daily updated collections
ed edd n eddy porn comic porn movies free download sweden monster vs aliens porn porn pics fpr free tickle torture pornhttp://peeptoeshoeporn.bestsexyblog.com/?marilyn
Write my trigonometry home work .
Order NOW!!! http://www.pdelite.org/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=9703
UYhjhgTDkJHVy
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Business studies a level coursework .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Brandeis essays
Essay child labor india
Book report idea child
Professional letter ghostwriters site for university
Ideas for research paper in sociology
Call center duties resume
Environmental research papers
fiction book report middle school dxfdj 2021[/url] scholarship essay writing for hire ca ylitn[/url] about the causes of world war one apyew[/url] you use resume paper for a cover letter vhjcp[/url] dca15_dEssay hamlet first soliloquy
Northedge essay competition
Pay to get u.S. History and government article review
Triangle thesis binding princeton
Topic sentence vs thesis statement
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
studies a level coursework [/b]https://bestqualitypapers.com
[url=http://studybay-com.full-design.com]studybay[/url]
]
resume entry level[/url] kendall resume wdmxl[/url] dissertation chapter editing for hire uk yzsne 2021[/url] a resume to disc[/url] on fordism and post fordism bupge[/url]Should maths coursework
Free organic chemistry essay
Raya celebration essay
tghuTRTjigFIr6F
studies a level coursework [/b] to write congratulation in korean xmdwu 2021[/url] resume writing examples[/url] reportson sandwich generation – Best case study writers for hire for college ilkml 2021[/url] ambition in life doctor essay dgvmz[/url] pro[/url]EduBirdie.com Review
https://www.instapaper.com/p/yellowdibble3
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/external.html?link=https://turnlizard06.webgarden.at/kategorien/turnlizard06-s-blog/excellent-guidance-for-people
http://archives.bia.or.th/wiki/index.php?title=EduBirdiecom_Secrets
The kaplan foundation essay contest
Best annotated bibliography ghostwriter services
Best business plan editing websites for school
]
[url=http://kreditciti.ru]сити кредит[/url]
https://www.export.org.au/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://essayshark.review
https://galter.northwestern.edu/exit?url=https://loansolo.co
Resume for technical assistant
Cheap biography ghostwriter for hire for college
Ibm ptf cover letter search
http://hker.live/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=100564&p=602254#p602254
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/264112-best-report-editing-site-ca.html#293036
https://sunnygrovecbd.com/blogs/cbdnews/cbd-topicals?comment=124204941488#comments
Business studies a level coursework
blog proofreading sites for university jseqg 2021[/url] writing services in malaysia deiwm 2021[/url] on how to write scholarship essays wajfh[/url] thesis – Ielts general writing task 1 topics with answers pdf uujqi 2021[/url] studies a level coursework [/b] tech thesis on power electronics[/url] to write an essay on an influential person spjxt 2021[/url] to write an ess[/url] 7 hangs on resume litas[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
https://drraajchandra.com.au/node/52/done?sid=51649&token=ba8f0487a4926b903172d1eabd72a80c
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-26#entry2544318
http://www.sicilyyachtagency.com/forum/donec-eu-elit/284477-custom-dissertation-conclusion-ghostwriting-service-usa.html#321486
Write esl scholarship essay on hillary
studies a level coursework [/b] of heart of darkness essay cliua[/url] is lady macbeth essay bvvni 2021[/url] admission essay ghostwriting service usa hrypq[/url] bangladesh essay rcpvq[/url] foundation dissertation diversity fellowships hupfd[/url] business plan business description wwyoh[/url]Example english essay pmr speech
Paper about racism
Скачать Елена Ваенга – “Золотые купола”. Три аккорда. Шестой сезон. Фрагмент выпуска от 04.06.2021
В четвертом выпуске шестого сезона Елена Ваенга исполняет песню Михаила Круга.
Полный выпуск смотрите…
Скачать Не перестилайте сегодня постель и никому не занимайте деньги. Важные приметы на 6 июня
6 июня праздник Шиповниковый цвет, день Ксении и зеркальная дата. В этот день обязательно нужно загадать…
Скачать Двое детей в 18 лет. Как 3 девочки выживают в селе без родителей.
Всем привет!
Пару месяцев назад с нами связалась некая женщина, по имени Оксана, и рассказала историю своей…
Скачать Manizha – Russian Woman – LIVE – Russia ?? – First Semi-Final – Eurovision 2021
Manizha represented Russia in the First Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song Russian Woman
-
The Eurovision Song Contest celebrates diversity through music. Please keep…
Скачать Захватывающий фильм, который захочешь пересмотреть – Охота в Тюрьме / Русские боевики
Героя несправедливо обвиняют в убийстве собственной жены, за что ему грозит пожизненное заключение. При…
Скачать Angry Ajju Bhai Doing Nade #Shorts
Скачать Sk Sabir Boss Vs Aditech ?? – First Match Ever ?? – Intense Battle – Garena Free Fire
Sk Sabir Boss Vs Aditech ?? – First Match Ever ?? – Intense Battle – Garena Free Fire
Sk Sarif – https://youtube.com/channel/UCM80I78UjYXCF-2uDygqVLQ
Aditech Army – https://y…
Скачать CONFIGURATION PERFECTA PARA SAMSUNG A3, A5, A6, A7, J2, J7, S5, S6, S9, A10, A20, A50, A60 #Shorts?,
CONFIGURATION PERFECTA PARA SAMSUNG A3, A5, A6, A7, J2, J7, S5, S6, S9, A10, A20, A50, A60 #Shorts,
#shorts
#freefireshorts
#okuagaming
#bnl
#b2k
#shortsfreefire
Скачать ????? ?? ???? M1887 ?? ??? Pc ?? ? ??? ?? || Funny Giveway Video
free fire best funny video bangla by gaming with talha LIVE
Thanks for watching this Video. Don’t forget to like,comment and share with your friends. It really motivates me to make awesome…
Скачать Freefire car h@cker para SAMSUNG A3,A5,A6,A7,J2,J5,J7,S5,S6,S7,S9,A10,A20,A30,A50,A70 #Shorts #ff
freefire attitude status
freefire attitude boy status
freefire lover status
freefire shorts status
inspiration
#attitudeatatus
#freefirestatus
#ajjubhai #desigamer #ruokff
inspiration…
Скачать Honest Trailers | The DCEU (400th Trailer)
>>Put the egg rolls in! Because this video was sponsored by Pagoda Egg Rolls (and srsly, this cost our small brand quite a bit, so if you could buy some egg rolls that would be great)….
Скачать Jagame Thandhiram | Trailer | Dhanush, Aishwarya Lekshmi | Karthik Subbaraj | Netflix India
Sara-vedi oda Suruli ready!
The film tells the story of Suruli, a reckless gangster from Madurai who has to choose between good and evil in a war for what one can truly call home.
Netflix…
Скачать Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 8 Trailer (HD) Final Season
The hilarious heroics of New York’s funniest police precinct continue for the eighth and final season on NBC, premiering August 12th. Subscribe to tvpromosdb on Youtube for more Brooklyn Nine-Nine…
Скачать Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Official Teaser
“Throughout the years we have never interfered, until now.” Watch the brand new teaser trailer for Marvel Studios’ “Eternals” and experience it in theaters this November.
> Watch Marvel…
Скачать Shaadisthan | Official Trailer | Kirti Kulhari | Raj Singh Chaudhary | Streaming From June 11
Friends, good music, some drama and good vibes always! ?? All aboard on the Shaadisthan tour bus! ?? Streaming from 11th June.
#DisneyPlusHotstarMultiplex #Shaadisthan #KirtiKulhari #RajSingh…
Скачать Stonebwoy – Critical ft. Zlatan
Download/Stream ‘Critical’ ft. Zlatan: https://kv-online-talent.lnk.to/SBCL
Boomplay Music: https://bit.ly/3e6Ccqq
Aftown Music: https://bit.ly/2RZYek7
Directed by: Adasa Cookey
Produced…
Скачать Fad Lan ft Fancy Gadam – Jelila (Official Music Video)
Official Music Video by Fad Lan (The Young Bull) performing hit single “Jelila” featuring guest appearance from Fancy Gadam.Song is produced by Flamesbeat,Mixed by Dr Fiza and Directed by…
Скачать Lil Nas X – SUN GOES DOWN (Official Video)
Official video for “SUN GOES DOWN” by Lil Nas X
Listen & Download “SUN GOES DOWN” out now: https://lilnasx.lnk.to/SunGoesDown
Amazon Music – https://lilnasx.lnk.to/SunGoesDown/amazonmu…
Скачать Maccasio ft Wiz Child – GULMA (Official Video)
Music video by Maccasio ft Wiz Child performing ‘GULMA’. © 2021 69 Entertainment/Zola Music
Video directed by Dir Anas .
#Maccasio #gulma #WizChild
PLEASE NOTE: Unauthorized upload…
Скачать J. Cole – a m a r i (Official Music Video)
J. Cole – a m a r i (Official Music Video)
Stream or Download “The Off-Season” now: https://jcole.lnk.to/OffSeason
Shop for Official The Off-Season Merchandise
https://thefalloffera.com/
…
Скачать Сердце не выдержало такого… Она Умерла 29 Мая
none
Скачать «Новая Фабрика звезд». Ульяна Синецкая и Алексеев – «Чувствую душой»
none
Скачать Sting – It’s Probably Me (HD) Ten Summoner’s Tales
none
Скачать Когда моете руки скажите всего одно слово на достаток. | Тайна Жрицы |
none
Скачать Хазин СРОЧНОЕ СООБЩЕНИЕ ПОСЛУШАЙТЕ ВНИМАТЕЛЬНО 04.06.2021 Михаил Хазин Новости Россия Шок Сегодня
none
Скачать Мир земли Х и новости из театра марионеток. Немного лирики в конце ролика.
none
Скачать КАК ПРЕКРАСНО ВСЕ ТО , ЧТО ТВОЕ !
КАК ПРЕКРАСНО ВСЕ ТО , ЧТО ТВОЕ !
Скачать Шок ! Тонна антиквариата на на улице ! Обзор находок .Не свалка ,а барахолка.Секонд Хенд и винтаж
none
Скачать Как потратить 2 миллиарда долларов за 22 часа
none
Скачать ЗАПРЕЩЕННАЯ ИСТОРИЯ > ВЕЛИКАНЫ ГДЕ ОНИ СЕЙЧАС > ПРОЕКТ ОКО БОГА
none