The Undercover Introvert

  • Home
  • About
  • Activism
    • Racial Justice
    • Feminism
    • Politics
  • Writing
    • My Exciting Life
    • Freelancing
    • The Craft
You are here: Home / Activism / Hair Hatred is Real When You’re Black and Female

Hair Hatred is Real When You’re Black and Female

April 17, 2018 by Tess

I’ve hated my hair for years, maybe even forever.

I grew up watching shampoo commercials featuring white women with silky smooth sheets of golden, brunette, and auburn hair, and I had plenty of white friends with hair that looked similar to what I saw on television. They flipped their rippling tresses over their shoulders or giggled as they batted it out of their faces in a high wind. My hair, on the other hand, is a thick and nearly impenetrable afro. Running my hands through it isn’t an option, and in its natural state–the very opposite of silky smooth–even hurricane force winds wouldn’t move it.

As a little kid, I rocked braids. I recall sitting on the ground in front of my mother’s chair every Sunday as she tugged my hair into intricate patterns, the braids so tight, my scalp burned. But they lasted the entire week, and we got to watch the Wonderful World of Disney, which I counted as a win.

For several years in the mid to late 80s, I had a jheri curl, which made my hair manageable, but I hated it. Touching my hair meant coming away with a dripping wet hand that needed to be scrubbed clean with soap. Forget about leaning against a wall or a car window. And it took hours in the salon to achieve the finished product. I still shudder when I see a bottle of curl activator…

When the 80s disaster that was the jheri curl finally went out of fashion, I switched to what us black folks call creamy crack. This product is a tub of white chemicals applied directly to the scalp that literally burns the hair straight. I’m not fucking joking, white readers. You leave it on until your entire scalp is on fire, because the longer you can soldier through, the straighter your hair is at the end, and that is the goal. As you can imagine, this isn’t great for your hair. But I did it anyway because it was easy to take care of, though I hated the 2 to 5 hours spent in the beauty salon every 8 to 12 weeks. This chemical process is expensive, time consuming, and shitty for your hair. It also feeds into the narrative that black hair looks best when it resembles white hair. I bought it, hook, line, sinker…

Then last week, I cut all of my hair off and went natural.

And I absolutely love it.

Okay, maybe this new haircut was born more from laziness and my overall just don’t give a fuck attitude concerning hair and makeup, but I have to admit that I bought into the beauty standards presented to me from cradle to the present day: glossy straight hair that’s manageable and floats on the breeze.

Fuck that.

I can love my hair too, even if society says I’m not supposed to.

The narrative is tilting these days, slowly but surely.

Remember the Sesame Street character Segi singing about how much she loves her hair?

Or every black woman in Black Panther?

Absolutely no hate, judgment, or disrespect to those still using chemicals to make their hair bone straight. I’ve done it myself for decades. But since I already love the skin I was born with, why not love the hair I was given, in all its kinky, dense, non-drifting-on-the-breeze glory? Part of doing better and growing as a person involves accepting myself for who and what I am.

I’m bound to stumble into old ways of thinking about standards of beauty, but I think dealing with my hair hatred is a great place to start…

Image Source

Filed Under: Activism, Racial Justice Tagged With: life, racism

Comments

  1. sinequan generic says

    January 9, 2021 at 9:57 am

    I precisely desired to say thanks again. I’m not certain the things I could possibly have carried out in the absence of the creative concepts discussed by you concerning my area of interest. Entirely was a daunting concern for me, but coming across a expert avenue you handled it forced me to cry for contentment. I’m grateful for the assistance and as well , expect you comprehend what a powerful job that you are carrying out educating many people by way of a web site. I am certain you’ve never come across all of us.

  2. test koronawirus says

    March 15, 2021 at 5:57 am

    Ja naprawdę skarb twoją dzieło, Świetny post test koronawirus test koronawirus.

  3. Profesjonalny test antygenowy wymazowy SARS covid 19 says

    March 15, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    Ja naprawdę wartość twoją dzieło, Świetny post Profesjonalny test antygenowy wymazowy SARS covid 19.

  4. koronawirus test antygenowy wymazowy says

    March 15, 2021 at 4:18 pm

    Ja naprawdę nagrodę twoją pracę, Świetny post koronawirus test antygenowy wymazowy koronawirus test antygenowy wymazowy.

  5. Richardmiz says

    March 21, 2021 at 6:15 am

    buy real viagra online where to buy viagra online
    п»їviagra pills

  6. TerryStene says

    March 23, 2021 at 1:17 am

    ed pills online cheap ed pills
    buy ed pills from canada

  7. TerryStene says

    March 23, 2021 at 9:22 am

    buy ed pills ed pills without a doctor prescription
    cheap ed pills

  8. TerryStene says

    March 23, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    buy ed drugs buy ed drugs
    buy ed pills

  9. BillyEluck says

    April 2, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    buy clindamycin online: buy ketoconazole generic
    keflex tablets

  10. MichaelHunty says

    April 4, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    meds from india: order prescription drugs from india prescriptions from india

  11. MichaelHunty says

    April 5, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    all generic meds from india: order medications online from india india pharmacy mail order

  12. MichaelHunty says

    April 6, 2021 at 6:56 pm

    order prescription drugs from india: india pharmacy mail order india pharmacies online

  13. RobertErend says

    April 7, 2021 at 11:23 am

    viagra pills: https://edpillsonline24.com/# best male erectile dysfunction pill

  14. RobertErend says

    April 8, 2021 at 10:12 am

    generic viagra pills: https://edpillsonline24.com/# cialis ed pills

  15. RobertErend says

    April 9, 2021 at 6:08 am

    cialis ed pills: https://edpillsonline24.com/# best erectile dysfunction pills

  16. Michaelrooth says

    April 10, 2021 at 9:03 am

    viagra professional: viagra prescription viagra without a prescription

  17. Michaelrooth says

    April 11, 2021 at 6:23 am

    viagra from canada: viagra without a doctor prescription usa buying viagra online without prescription

  18. ClaudAbser says

    April 13, 2021 at 7:21 pm

    doxycycline online: doxycycline generic – doxycycline 150 mg

  19. ClaudAbser says

    April 14, 2021 at 7:02 pm

    diflucan 200mg: diflucan without a doctor prescription – where can i purchase diflucan

  20. ClaudAbser says

    April 15, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    diflucan tablet uk: diflucan generic – diflucan online cheap

  21. ClaudAbser says

    April 16, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    price of amoxicillin without insurance: amoxil – cost of amoxicillin 875 mg

  22. PierreEvora says

    April 17, 2021 at 11:05 pm

    https://metforminst.com/# metformin 500 mg otc

  23. CharlesCaf says

    April 21, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    ventolin rx: cheap ventolin – how to get ventolin over the counter
    valtrex cream

  24. CharlesCaf says

    April 22, 2021 at 11:16 pm

    finasteride prostate: finasteride hair loss – how much is propecia
    price of valtrex without insurance

  25. CharlesCaf says

    April 23, 2021 at 7:14 pm

    propecia prices: buy propecia – where to buy propecia online
    generic valtrex for sale

  26. CharlesCaf says

    April 24, 2021 at 5:46 pm

    valtrex without prescription: valtrex without a doctor’s prescription – valtrex generic prescription
    1000 mg valtrex daily

  27. CharlesCaf says

    April 25, 2021 at 12:20 pm

    tadalafil generic india: tadalafil without a doctor’s prescription – tadalafil pills
    canadian pharmacy valtrex

  28. DonaldShits says

    April 26, 2021 at 3:48 pm

    new ed treatments: best medication for ed – ed medications online
    medicine for erectile

  29. DonaldShits says

    April 27, 2021 at 2:43 pm

    ed medications online: erectile dysfunction pills – male ed drugs
    cheap erectile dysfunction pills

  30. Michaeldah says

    April 29, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    reputable online pharmacy – erectile dysfunction pills canadian discount pharmacy or canadian neighbor pharmacy

  31. Michaeldah says

    April 30, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    online canadian pharmacy reviews – online pet pharmacy trusted online pharmacy or online pharmacy delivery delhi

  32. Peterdycle says

    May 3, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    generic cialis daily pricing cost of cialis without insurance – buy cialis tadalafil tablets
    buy cialis 36 hour

  33. Peterdycle says

    May 4, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    buy cialis now buy cialis online in canada – buy cialis tadalafil uk
    buy cialis tadalafil tablets

  34. AnthonyGreef says

    May 10, 2021 at 5:37 am

    viagra pills viagra samples – viagra cost
    natural viagra

  35. AnthonyGreef says

    May 11, 2021 at 9:17 am

    viagra generic viagra vs cialis – cheap viagra
    cost of viagra

  36. AnthonyGreef says

    May 12, 2021 at 8:03 am

    generic viagra without a doctor prescription п»їover the counter viagra – 100 mg viagra lowest price
    viagra online

  37. BradleyBuh says

    May 13, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    buy cheap cialis overnight where can i buy cialis without a prescription – buy cialis canadian
    generic cialis daily pricing

  38. BradleyBuh says

    May 15, 2021 at 12:45 pm

    how to get ciails without a doctor buy cialis online at lowest price – cialis tadalafil portugal
    buy cialis insurancecialis online without prescription

  39. JosephCam says

    May 18, 2021 at 3:31 am

    best non prescription ed pills: cheap erectile dysfunction pill – medicine erectile dysfunction

  40. JosephCam says

    May 19, 2021 at 5:50 am

    best ed pills at gnc: erectile dysfunction pills – ed pills cheap

  41. PhilipIsomi says

    May 20, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    taking cialis soft tabs – buy cialis insurancecialis online without prescription
    cialis without presciption in usa

  42. PhilipIsomi says

    May 21, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    original cialis low price – buy cialis online viagra
    cialis 20mg low price

  43. KeenanMen says

    May 24, 2021 at 3:54 pm

    reliable canadian pharmacy reviews: mexican pharmacy online – canada drugs

  44. KeenanMen says

    May 25, 2021 at 5:22 pm

    buy viagra professional blue pill viagra – viagra cost

  45. KeenanMen says

    May 26, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    real viagra without a doctor prescription viagra for women – generic viagra overnight

  46. Williamsault says

    May 28, 2021 at 4:36 am

    buy cialis tadalafil tablets can i buy cialis online – buy cheap cialis overnight

  47. Williamsault says

    May 29, 2021 at 5:48 am

    cialis sale 20mg generic cialis 20 mg tadalafil – buy cialis very cheap prices fast delivery

  48. NumbersSep says

    June 7, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    allegra price canada allegra medication – allegra 120

  49. NumbersSep says

    June 8, 2021 at 7:49 pm

    cheap erectile dysfunction pills online male erection pills – cures for ed

  50. NumbersSep says

    June 9, 2021 at 8:05 pm

    buying amoxicillin in mexico bactrim ds 800 – doxycycline 500mg

  51. NumbersSep says

    June 10, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    meropenem antibiotic cipro antibiotic – septra antibiotic

  52. Kevinmof says

    June 11, 2021 at 9:04 pm

    online medications dysfunction erectile medicine erectile dysfunction

  53. Kevinmof says

    June 12, 2021 at 10:15 pm

    100mg viagra without a doctor prescription ed pills erectional dysfunction

  54. Richardquarp says

    June 14, 2021 at 5:45 pm

    price of viagra: best place to buy generic viagra online best over the counter viagra

  55. Richardquarp says

    June 15, 2021 at 6:29 pm

    viagra amazon: viagra without a doctor prescription usa generic viagra walmart

  56. ClaytonApora says

    June 18, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    can you buy amoxicillin uk amoxicillin without rx – generic amoxicillin over the counter

  57. ClaytonApora says

    June 19, 2021 at 9:33 pm

    doxycycline 100 mg doxycycline – doxycycline prices

  58. ClaytonApora says

    June 21, 2021 at 2:27 am

    prescription for amoxicillin buy amoxicillin online uk – prescription for amoxicillin

  59. ClaytonApora says

    June 21, 2021 at 11:10 pm

    order doxycycline buy doxycycline online – odering doxycycline

  60. ClaytonApora says

    June 22, 2021 at 9:48 pm

    order doxycycline 100mg without prescription buy doxycycline online without prescription – buy doxycycline cheap

  61. CharlesGob says

    June 23, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    order viagra online – viagra price online doctor prescription for viagra

  62. CharlesGob says

    June 24, 2021 at 11:42 pm

    over the counter viagra – viagra viagra 100mg price

  63. JasonPloli says

    June 26, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    ed drugs canadian pharmacy online – canada online pharmacy no prescription

  64. JasonPloli says

    June 28, 2021 at 3:45 am

    natural cures for ed canadian drugs pharmacy – canadian pharmacy ltd

  65. Joshuainsaw says

    June 30, 2021 at 8:25 pm

    metformin coupon pharmacy can i buy metformin from canada – metformin 300 mg daily

  66. Joshuainsaw says

    July 1, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    lisinopril 120 mg lisinopril for sale – lisinopril 20 mg coupon

  67. DavidTietS says

    July 6, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    https://stromectolfst.com/# can you buy stromectol over the counter

  68. Chrisgailt says

    July 8, 2021 at 12:14 am

    ivermectin 50 ivermectin price comparison – ivermectin cream canada cost

  69. Charlesnum says

    July 10, 2021 at 11:40 pm

    online canadian pharmacy: ed in men ed drugs over the counter

  70. Charlesnum says

    July 12, 2021 at 4:34 am

    ed medication online: ed cures that actually work cheap ed pills

  71. Valentin says

    July 12, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    This website really has all the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know
    who to ask.

  72. RobertGum says

    July 17, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    п»їviagra pills viagra over the counter – cheap viagra online

  73. RobertRem says

    July 20, 2021 at 5:13 am

    buy cialis in miami buy cialis online viagra – buy cialis tadalafil tablets

  74. RobertRem says

    July 21, 2021 at 10:18 am

    much does cialis cost without insurance can i buy cialis online – cialis without prescriptions canada

  75. Sidneywooca says

    July 24, 2021 at 8:45 pm

    lasix medication lasix – lasix 20 mg

  76. Sidneywooca says

    July 26, 2021 at 12:38 am

    lasix dosage lasix – lasix 40 mg

  77. Juanita says

    July 26, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    Wow! In the end I got a blog from where I can actually take useful data regarding
    my study and knowledge.

  78. Sidneywooca says

    July 27, 2021 at 5:57 am

    ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price ciprofloxacin mail online – buy generic ciprofloxacin

  79. Sidneywooca says

    July 28, 2021 at 5:24 am

    cipro pharmacy cipro online no prescription in the usa – ciprofloxacin 500mg buy online

  80. Sidneywooca says

    July 28, 2021 at 10:31 pm

    cialis canada free trial mastercard cialis – best cialis online

  81. Sidneywooca says

    July 29, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    cialis on ebay brand cialis – viagra/cialis packs

  82. Sidneywooca says

    July 30, 2021 at 10:44 am

    cialis buy australia cialis 40mg – canada pharmacy generic cialis

  83. Sidneywooca says

    July 31, 2021 at 3:28 am

    herbal cialis canadian cialis online – cialis soft tablets

  84. MatthewTurne says

    August 1, 2021 at 11:07 am

    best viagra online soft viagra with dapoxetine – viagra buy australia no delivery

  85. MatthewTurne says

    August 2, 2021 at 5:18 am

    free samples of viagra where to buy viagra melbourne – viagra online au

  86. MatthewTurne says

    August 2, 2021 at 7:22 pm

    viagra, cialis levitra online real viagra for sale nzbugti – cheap viagra 100mg

  87. JamesGew says

    August 8, 2021 at 10:09 am

    zithromax 500 mg cheap azitromycin – zithromax coupon

  88. JamesGew says

    August 9, 2021 at 3:50 am

    how to buy amoxycillin generic amoxil – buy cheap amoxicillin

  89. JamesGew says

    August 9, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    where to get doxycycline cheap doxycycline – order doxycycline

  90. JamesGew says

    August 10, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    zithromax cost australia cheap azitromycin – zithromax 500 mg for sale

  91. JamesGew says

    August 11, 2021 at 11:45 am

    buy doxycycline online uk buy doxycycline – buy doxycycline cheap

  92. JamesGew says

    August 12, 2021 at 10:29 am

    can i buy amoxicillin over the counter in australia amoxil for sale – amoxicillin 500mg prescription

  93. JamesGew says

    August 13, 2021 at 5:09 am

    buy azithromycin zithromax generic zithromax – zithromax for sale usa

  94. ScottPsymn says

    August 14, 2021 at 10:46 am

    ivermectin uk coronavirus stromectol tablets – ivermectin lotion

  95. ScottPsymn says

    August 15, 2021 at 6:07 am

    buy ivermectin stromectol tablets – buy stromectol online uk

  96. Danielvog says

    August 17, 2021 at 10:10 pm

    canadian drug prices buy ed drugs online – website

  97. Danielvog says

    August 18, 2021 at 8:28 pm

    fast ed meds online best drugs for ed – treatments for ed

  98. Davidclume says

    August 20, 2021 at 11:40 am

    stromectol oral ivermectin – buy stromectol

  99. Davidclume says

    August 21, 2021 at 8:01 am

    price canada lipitor 20mg lipitor generic – lipitor 10mg tablets

  100. Davidclume says

    August 22, 2021 at 4:32 am

    plaquenil 250 hydroxychloroquine – how much is plaquenil pill

  101. Davidclume says

    August 23, 2021 at 1:35 am

    stromectol coronavirus buy stromectol – stromectol ireland

  102. RobertBox says

    August 23, 2021 at 11:20 pm

    best over the counter viagra sildenafil – where to buy viagra online

  103. Rick says

    August 24, 2021 at 9:30 am

    We are a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your site offered us with helpful info to work on. You have performed
    an impressive process and our entire neighborhood
    shall be thankful to you.

  104. RobertBox says

    August 24, 2021 at 9:10 pm

    dog antibiotics without vet prescription ed meds online without doctor prescription – ed meds pills drugs

  105. RobertBox says

    August 25, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    drugs for ed prescription drugs without doctor approval – drugs and medications

  106. RobertBox says

    August 26, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    which one is better viagra or cialis cialis canada purchase – top sale viagracialis

  107. RobertBox says

    August 27, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    canadian drugs online ed meds online without doctor prescription – natural cures for ed

  108. SheessKep says

    August 27, 2021 at 9:58 pm

    Viagra

About Tess

I’m a writer who spends her day making things up for pay. I also moonlight as a community organizer for free …

Recent Posts

  • American Math: Black + Female = Unqualified
  • When History Hurts Your Feelings
  • Miss Me with Your MLK Quotes if You Don’t Support Voting Rights
  • A Journey Through Time and Space
  • Open Letter to Those Ruining it for the Rest of Us

My Books

© 2022 · Tess R. Martin ·