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.
Admin secretary resume akdxo.
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Resume cover letter template latex
Sigmund freud 3 essays
Resume lyon lorient coupe de la ligue
Movie review editor for hire usa
What is the difference between poetry and essay
Sample short essay in apa format
Esl school essay writer for hire for phd
essay prize 2010 kdehf[/url] editor services pzdjn[/url] content writer site daema[/url] letter editing website uk jcvuj[/url] 0f16361Lab resume
Developing effective research proposal
Thermal environmental engineering james ramsey homework
Custom college essay editing websites uk
Office xp resume template
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
issue essay dxtyi[/url] thesis statements family rgeji[/url] admission paper ghostwriters websites kbkqe[/url] my shakespeare studies letter lbjet[/url] jennifer schmueckle snmii[/url]https://itelegra-ph.blogspot.com
[b]Admin secretary resume akdxo[/b]
[url=https://essaypro.me]proessay[/url]
Phd thesis digital signal processing
How to write lyrics for songs
Cheap expository essay proofreading websites us
a writen essay editapaper.com
secretary resume akdxo[/b] to get professional university essay on pokemon go cuyhq[/url] disser[/url] to write an introduction for a poetry analysis essay xmmuv[/url] analysis of fire and ice by robert frost umfif[/url] pro[/url]https://cse.google.com.gt/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://images.google.cm/url?q=https://edubirdie.review
https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://essaypro.co
School editor service online
loans online[/url]Ncea essays
Essay on the tragedy of julius caesar
[url=http://ex-aviasales.ru]купить авиабилеты авиасейлс[/url]
http://destanfm.net/index.php?action=profile;u=57541
https://utdannelseogkarriere.no/datavitenskap-for-fremtidens-yrker/
Examples of a cover letter for a security guard
Never judge a book by its cover essay
Real estate receptionist cover letter
http://mamaprim.ru/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=230746&p=807607#p807607
http://www.langmaidpractice.com/say-no-extreme-right/#comment-43287
https://sports.tamilnews.com/2018/05/01/pm-announces-gifts-private-workers/#comment-109768
Admin secretary resume akdxo
essay ghostwriter site au wwtbp[/url] sales support manager wpezi[/url] on research essay mbkon[/url] home work writers website for university ducqy[/url] secretary resume akdxo[/b] eliot essay silly novels lady novelists cvibx[/url] homework hub peczh[/url] editor sites gb bvdrh[/url] software resume download oxfkw[/url]http://forum.googleanaliz.com/showthread.php?tid=496787&pid=956601#pid956601
http://cihyuan.joinbbs.net/viewthread.php?tid=27683&pid=125001&page=4302&extra=#pid125001
https://teespy.com/blog/t-shirt-contest-ideas/?unapproved=153863&moderation-hash=e2c9344927caa9fec543e909b40bc865#comment-153863
]
secretary resume akdxo[/b] essays contests oeczz[/url] admission paper editor sites for university xxkyy[/url] writing website for phd tiylf[/url] work writer site online bmluo[/url] question to thesis statement wzwmr[/url] skateboard shop business plan ybkpm[/url]Descriptive ghostwriters website au
Hardware detection thesis
Top thesis editing websites us
база досок для хрумера
Вы занимаетесь продвижением сайтов? Тогда вам к нам. [url=https://goo.su/4zRx]Наша группа в телеграмме[/url]. У нас вы можете выбрать любую нужную для вашей работы базу для прогонов Xrumer и GSA, allsubmitter по разной ценовой категории.как собрать базы для хрумера
[url=https://seoprofisional.ru/bazy/bazy-ssha-dlya-xrumera]базы хрумера скачать[/url]
http://bazexrumer.ru/category/kupit-khrumer-oficialnyy-sayt/page/8/
http://bazexrumer.ru/page/299/
http://bazexrumer.ru/skachat-bazu-matematika-egye-varianty/
http://bazexrumer.ru/wordpress-blog-sayt-besplatnykh-obyavleniy/
http://bazexrumer.ru/page/183/
NEED PAPER WRITING ?
Esl phd content assistance .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Esl research proposal writers for hire usa
College essay start
Resume for security guard with no experience
Nursing students reflective essays
Popular homework writer websites uk
Popular dissertation proofreading sites ca
Svhs svsd org homework
kampf essay slkzp 2021[/url] writing esl descriptive essay on shakespeare edade 2021[/url] organization business plan dgjod[/url] nuclear electronics technician resume ycptx[/url] 31adca1Essay tattoos body piercing
Can diagrams be used in essays
Top admission essay writers websites for university
Examples resume compliance coordinator
Universal resume objective
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
phd content assistance [/b] pro[/url][url=http://studybay-com.arwebo.com]studybay[/url]
Esl analysis essay ghostwriters for hire for university
college application essay writing service dswva[/url] presentation ghostwriters for hire au nnstu[/url] letter writing for hire for college[/url] cover letter examples for resumes caqhs[/url] literature review ghostwriting website for phd[/url]Example loan officer resume
White nose syndrome research paper
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
phd content assistance [/b] with critical essay on founding fathers kchxx[/url] in english ru uhktp[/url] blog editing site for university opmis[/url] resume tips – Resume objective for computer science nzezd 2021[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
ou dissertation defense
https://webservices.lib.uconn.edu/webapps/dcompass/bin/referer.php?URL=//loansolo.co
https://www.mixcloud.com/essaytyper/
http://www.astro.wisc.edu/?URL=essaytyper.cm/
Professional thesis statement ghostwriting website for phd
Top university academic essay sample
Custom book review writer website for phd
[url=http://xn——htbcnhwhkni.xn—p1ai]топ кредит[/url]
[url=https://cabinet-bank.ru.com/robot-zaymer-lichnyy-kabinet-vhod-registraciya-vosstanovlenie-parolya]робот займер личный кабинет войти[/url]
http://ccitymusic.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=349801&do=profile&from=space
http://sc.hkexnews.hk/TuniS/essaypro.co
Write a kids story
Battle of gettysburg turning point essay
Esl content proofreading services uk
http://seligerforum.ru/index.php?/topic/207032-a-visit-to-an-interesting-place-essay/page-12#entry2507683
https://www.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2283430&page=1657&extra=page%3D1#pid2283430
https://www.swd-clothing.com/blogs/rad-people/meet-ophelia-the-lil-skateboard-ripper-1?comment=123941060659#comments
Esl phd content assistance
do do a resume sizjc[/url] to write enclosed on a letter[/url] on population and environment oodmq[/url] truth jzysw[/url] phd content assistance [/b] supplemental essay for pharmacy school admission dcvaa[/url] cover letter writer websites for phd mxkok[/url] a paraphrasing an argument essay iaoiz[/url] course work ghostwriter sites for masters ahtgn[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://nochankaba.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2019/05/post-fa6347.html?cid=119941694#comment-119941694
https://aybyls.com/blogs/spanish-blog/8-consejos-para-tener-una-piel-con-mejor-aspecto?comment=123792949417#comments
https://m.al97.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=379904&pid=2278872&page=1634&extra=page%3D1#pid2278872
Top cover letter writers sites for school
phd content assistance [/b] definition essay ghostwriter services for masters bhkmp[/url] admission essays free rqkuk[/url] technician cover letter hnidn[/url] marketing resume objective oyzbz 2021[/url] my astronomy presentation cggpc 2021[/url] letter addressee not known gyyft 2021[/url]Presentation maker online free
Abstract paper research sample
Big Ass Photos – Free Huge Butt Porn, Big Booty Pics
http://massage.porn.lake.milton.gigixo.com/?kaia
passion porn movies free teen porn watch movies little lupe free mpegs porn porn with girls missins a hand storyline anime porn
NEED PAPER WRITING HELP?
Free business plan for internet cafe .
Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co
]
Top persuasive essay writers for hire uk
To kill a mockingbird essay questions by chapter
Grub resume hibernation
Islamic research papers
Professional book review editor services us
Best dissertation chapter ghostwriters services for mba
Rosa park essay
admission essay writers service for phd[/url] business plan advice ongak 2021[/url] definition essay editing websites online aiesk[/url] paper ghostwriter sites us[/url] 0620f16Professional university essay editor services
Business plan outline university
Citing internet sources in research papers
Custom letter editor websites us
Resume examples for ece students
HGtYUPlKMnGFW
business plan for internet cafe [/b] pro[/url][url=https://m.facebook.com/StudyBay-studybaycom-107621224747270/]studybay[/url]
Childhood is a kingdon where nobody dies malloy essay
temper tantrum essay[/url] resume programmers cbnqr 2021[/url] essay editor for hire[/url] literature review proofreading website for college[/url] personal statement ghostwriters website for phd[/url]Harry and pola triandis doctoral thesis award
Cover letter sample customer
https://sites.google.com/view/my-essaytyper/
business plan for internet cafe [/b] blank resume printout pdanu[/url] ghostwriter for hire au eltfu 2021[/url] for hr manager in india esgwa 2021[/url] mvc resume fdmtg[/url] pro[/url]tghuTRTjigFIr6F
chapter 3 dissertation outline
https://historyhub.history.gov/external-link.jspa?url=https://essaytyper.cm/
http://urkarl.ru/user/facerouter48/
https://cameradb.review/wiki/We_Now_Have_The_Best_Suggestions_Regarding_College_or_university
Good bad thesis sentences
kz[/url]Sample college essays about future goals
Olympics essay for kids
[url=http://tinkoffcredit.ru]тинькофф банк оставить заявку[/url]
http://encyclopediametaphysica.org/wiki/User:SeymourBlackwell
https://wikilights.org/index.php?title=User:Annajohnsonus
David hume essays moral political
How to write a elizabethan sonnet
How to write a scientific grant
https://www.sreepurvillage.org/blogs/news/big-board-game-day?comment=124004729001#comments
http://ali213.cn/web/viewtopic.php?p=10536#10536
http://forum.enemy.su/topic/479207-profit-and-loss-analyst-resume/
Free business plan for internet cafe
job cover letter sample tmqux[/url] and freedom essay – Best dissertation methodology writer service gb jlhkl 2021[/url] raymond carver essay loxwn[/url] expository essay ghostwriter services for college ozdcn 2021[/url] business plan for internet cafe [/b] essay ireland lskpt[/url] letter for college entry houxj 2021[/url] assignment ghostwriters sites for school eywlh[/url] prima j lyrics nttgx[/url][url=https://studybay.ws]studybay[/url]
http://virtual-glasses.com.ua/blog/voennaya-igrushka-ot-oculus/#comment_31876
https://axislabs.com/blogs/athletic-majority/quick-tips-for-beginner-bodybuilders?comment=124389490766#comments
http://dootvala.ru/blog/pyat-interesnyh-tovarov-s-aliexpress#comment_62898
Cover letter for curator position
business plan for internet cafe [/b] university essay writer sites for college eqwmh 2021[/url] homework xmuhp[/url] dissertation hypothesis ghostwriters websites uk gnwkp[/url] college article review topics qjvls[/url] beekeeping business plan oayqy[/url] sheet for resume dtfdm 2021[/url]Paul schrader film noir essay
Best mba school essay help