As a black girl in a predominately white society, we often get ignorant remarks and questions thrown at us. Here are some of the things that we wish people would stop saying to us:
1. “Can I touch your hair?”
OK, no. No, you may not touch my hair. Why do you feel the need to touch it? I am not a dog that you pet. Yes, my hair is different than yours, but that doesn’t mean that you have to look at me like I’m some kind of exhibit at the zoo.
2. “Can you teach me how to twerk?”
If I hear this question one more time I might pull all of my hair out. First of all, not every single black girl in the world knows how to twerk. And even if we do, what makes you think that we want to teach you? Rhythm is not a teachable thing, sorry.
3. “Is that your real hair?”
Why do you need to know? How does this affect your life in any way, shape or form? And even if it is not the hair that I was born with, it is my hair. I bought it.
4. “Do you like fried chicken?”
Not all black people like fried chicken. This is a stereotype that has been around for forever. Yes, some of us like fried chicken, but it is not the only thing we eat. Every race of people eats fried chicken, so it is not only black people.
5. "Can you wash your hair?"
Of course I wash my hair. This is honestly the most ignorant question a person can ask. Just because my hair is a different texture from yours, does not mean that I don't wash my hair. I’m not allergic to water. Obviously, I wash my hair.
6. “Let’s go tanning!”
Can’t you see that I am already brown? I obviously can’t tan. Why would you ask me such a stupid question? I’m appalled.
7. “You talk like a white girl!”
What is that supposed to mean? How does a white girl talk? Just because I talk like an educated person, doesn’t mean that I'm talking “white.” By saying this, you are implying that black people are stupid and uneducated. It is flat out rude and ignorant.
8. “Hey, girl!”
No. Don’t try to talk “black” to me. That is not a good look. You sound dumb and you are embarrassing yourself. Not all black girls talk like this, so it is extremely annoying to have people shouting this at you from across the hall. A simple “Hey, what’s up?” is fine.
9. “I wish I had a big butt like you!”
OK...thanks, I guess? Yes, a lot of black girls are curvy and tend to have bigger butts, but don't you think we’re self-conscious about it? We don’t need you to remind us, we see ourselves in the mirror every day.
9. “You're the prettiest black girl that I've ever seen!”
What is that supposed to mean? You’re basically saying that black girls are ugly. This is beyond disrespectful and we are so sick of hearing it. Every shade is beautiful, so don’t say things like this that make us feel inferior to other races.
