Things People Should Stop Saying To Women Of Color About Their Hair | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Things People Should Stop Saying To Women Of Color About Their Hair

Just a reminder that our hair hair is always popping and people should stop with rude remarks.

1219
Things People Should Stop Saying To Women Of Color About Their Hair
Simone Johnson

"Is That Your Real Hair?"

Sometimes it may be hard to tell with protective styles and all but if someone tells you that the style they are wearing is their hair, you should not argue with them (about their own hair) and you should seriously stop asking 5,000 questions as to why and how it is the way that it is unless you really just want to be informed.


"Why Did You Big Chop?"

Answers can vary, but for the most part, most natural women big chop or cut their hair for normal reasons like any other person, for healthier hair, a change in preference, etc. Maybe they needed a trim or simply wanted to try something new. Curiosity is okay but that negative connotation associated with someone who makes a dramatic cut to their hair is rude and unnecessary.

"Why You Straighten Your Hair More?"

First and foremost, you must understand that like all hair, heat can cause damage. However, the circumstances are much higher for curly haired women as it will not only kill their hair in general but it causes irreversible and VERY noticeable damages to our hair if not done properly or too much. I’ll also throw in the fact that straightened or not our hair still looks amazing and who doesn't love to see some popping curls?

"Your Hair Looks Like A Poodle"

I have had a numerous amount of my friends tell me that someone has said their hair looks like a poodle, bush, sticks, etc. It is not a compliment and I'm not sure if people think it is but it is extremely rude and you don’t see anyone bashing other styles in the same way. It takes elegance to rock natural hair so beautifully, people should not compare it to dogs or anything like that out of respect and simple human decency.

"I Liked Your Hair Better When You Had "X" Hairstyle"

This is one even other women with natural hair say to each other. All I have to say is if you aren't my significant other, my mother, paying for my hair, or a celebrity hairstylist don’t tell me how you liked my hair better in another style. Natural/ black hair is very versatile so why should it be restricted to any few styles. Everyone should be able to experiment with their hair, without hesitation because people may not like it as much as the last style they had.

"Can I Touch Your Hair?"

It's safe to say that most people are okay with very few people touching their hair. If you are not close to someone you have no reason to put your hands and other limbs anywhere near their head. Not only is it a bit disgusting but it is extremely rude and sometimes just odd. Ask before you start braiding, twirling, or closely examining anyone's hair. This goes for all people.

"How Do You Get Your Hair So Curly?"

Usually, it consists of just water… it's our natural hair texture… it just is...simply...genetics. Just like other people have naturally straight or wavy hair, it is possible to have naturally curly hair! As my roommate said once “Ask my parents, they probably have the recipe”.

"How Did Your Hair Grow So Fast?"

This should not be a question people should still be asking. They’re called protective styles, usually consisting of some sort of extensions. I understand that some people are just curious but honestly, context clues and common sense can figure this one out. It gets annoying after a while.

Thanks to my beautiful friends for allowing me to feature their pictures YES, QUEENS!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

2216
boy in adult clothes

Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

Keep Reading...Show less
pizza
Fandango

There are a lot of foods in this world, but there is only one dish that stands above the rest: Pizza. If you're close to me or at least know who I am, then you know that I'm totally obsessed with pizza. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I will NEVER turn down a slice, even if it doesn't have my favorite toppings. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thinking about pizza. I even sleep with a pizza pillow every night! There are many reasons why pizza stands above all other foods, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

782
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments