This is literally my everyday expression whenever someone stares at my hair for more than 5 seconds. I definitely know a bunch of questions is coming up, yeah let me put a banter so you know what I’m talking about.
Them: wow a new hairstyle again
Me: yeah but in my mind, it’s like duh Im black and creative, don’t ask anything.
Them: Is this your hair or you had to buy fake hair and glue it.
Me: This is my hair I just decided to let it breath
Them: Can you wash it, how do you sleep at night, how long will it stay in your head
My brain: But I just said it’s my hair????
Them: Well must be hard keeping your hair like this blaaaaaaah, Can I touch it?
My brain: Holy spirit activate.
The most annoying thing is that the “can I touch it” question is accompanied by action. How, and why would you find it Okay to touch someone’s hair. We aren’t going to make it a race thing, I understand that sometimes people are just curious and sometimes ignorant.
You can compliment my hair if you like it I can compliment yours if I like it. But let’s operate under the mutually respectful agreement that touching is off the limit.
My hair is my crown, and my jewelry how I choose to wear it on that particular day shouldn’t be a topic for the day.
I remember this other day I went to work wearing my afro. I have 4C type of hair the one they call kinky, nappy, or bushy. Upon seeing my hair my colleague screamed wow that’s a lot of hair that looks like a mop and she was already touching it. Yep, that’s what she said that’s what she did. I had to go outside and breathe, then later addressed the issue. I was not impressed at all. She justified her ignorance and started talking about neatness blablabla the so-called “beauty standards” I told her my hair is different from hers because I was BLACK and African and it does not interfere with my work it shouldn’t be a discussion. I didn’t fuss about her purple hair why was my afro such a big deal?
These are some of the things black girls have to endure. Black women are criticized no matter what they wear on their heads might be natural hair, relaxed hair, wigs, or bonnets. It really doesn’t matter. Your black your hair doesn’t need to be fixed, Society’s view of beauty is what`s broken. May your curls grow and your skin glow.
Happy black history month.
A public diary. 