I ran a couple of errands yesterday. It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shining and all you had to do was crack the window in the car and you were comfortable. #LoveThoseDays
During my journey, I came across a nice lady. She started off our conversation with a compliment…”Your hair is beautiful!” To which I replied, “Oh, thank you!” HA! You thought that was the end of the conversation!!!! She continued…”Now, did your hair come out like that or did you have to do something to get it to look like that?” #BuzzKill #ThisIsNoLongerACompliment #NowItsADiscussion #OrALesson
I politely responded, “I just wash, blow dry, and flat iron.” You thought the conversation was over…NOPE! She then says, “Now, I see that is all the craze with going natural. I think afros are so cute. Is that more work than an afro?” #Flatline With my polite face on…still…I responded, “Afros still take a lot of work too.” I couldn’t tell you what all she said after that, but I was happy the conversation had finally come to an end. #LessonOver
Ok…let’s discuss. I had an exchange with a nice lady today. True. Was she just curious? Sure. Did she mean any harm? Doubt it. So, then what’s the big deal? Well, it’s more than just the questions. Is my hair that much of an anomaly? Do you not see a lot of people who look like me? Are you surprised that my hair looks the way it does? Should it not? Why? And it isn’t always just the questions that get to me…it’s the look. It’s the look you’d give a unicorn if you saw one in person. After some time, you get sick of the look and of the feeling that you have to constantly explain parts of you that just are the way they are. #SuperFrustrating
I didn’t walk away angry…just a little shocked and annoyed. One day, I’d love the conversation to just stop after the compliment. #CulturallyAware
