Realms of the -illmafia Clique (rant book)

I Am Not My Hair (reignofshady)

That's me in the mm. I think that was around November 2014.

As you guys know, I'm African American and have a really kinky and coily hair texture. It's 4c, for those of you who know the hair typing thing. Basically, it's the most undesired hair texture.

I have recently gone natural, just in October and I've learned to fully embrace my hair because to be honest I used to hate it. And I mean hate it. Like so much that I just wanted to be white.

I have basically worn box braids my whole life, or cornrows once in while. I have never gotten my hair relaxed, permed, or colored. I very seldom straighten my hair, only once a year. Cause last time I did, I got a lot of breakage, and so many split ends.

So anyway, I wear my natural hair, and people just can't keep their hands out of it. They always want to touch it! I hold back so many emotions but I literally just want to cut off their fingers. Here's what people have said, after touching my hair without my permission. Like at least ask. I'll still say 'no' but at least ask. For real.

Things people have said about my hair:

It looks weird... Why is it like that?

Internal answer: Have you ever heard of something called... genetics? And why is your hair like that?

It looks like something I wouldn't want to touch. (They say this while touching it.)

Internal answer: THEN DON'T FUCKING TOUCH IT!

It feels like cotton candy.

Internal answer: Why don't you just take a bite out of my hair, while you're at it?

It's so... nappy.

Internal answer: Oh, thank you! That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!

Why don't you straighten it?

Internal answer: So you want me to melt off my hair at 6363636353535353 degrees Farenheit?!

I liked the braids better.

Internal answer: Oh, thank you for your input.

Your hair is so... frizzy!

Internal answer: And yours is so... dull!

Me, being the Taurus that I am, have never lashed out at someone after their comments. I just smile and laugh it off but I actually kind of wanted to slap them. The thing is, they don't even know that they're being low key racist.

But there's only so much that I can take. One day, I'm just gonna snap, and I feel like that day is imminent. I was afraid of being stereotyped as being 'That Black Girl With An Attitude Problem' but fuck it. Cause I am not my hair. My hair doesn't define me.

So people need to get their dirty hands out of my hair. I don't know where their hands have been: in their ass, in their ears, up a pussy, like I don't know. Because it ain't funny anymore, and I'm not playing. I won't tolerate it anymore.

Shout out to all my fellow naturalistas! No matter what society says, you are fucking beautiful and keep slaying!

*bursts into 'I Am Not My Hair' by India Arie*