The Invisible Racism Around Black Hair & What White People Can Do About It

I was in 8th grade science class at a table with three people doing group work. Another classmate came up to me. They were holding a pencil and making a joke, something about how if they stuck it in my hair, it probably wouldn’t fall out. Another day I might’ve laughed along, but in the moment, I couldn’t see anything funny about someone trying to stick pencils in my hair. I told that to the person and they walked away. The other three people at my table had been watching, so I turned around and started telling them how I didn’t like it when people touch my hair because it feels racist and like an invasion of my personal space. I think they were trying to be understanding, but not the right way. They told me it was because my hair was just so pretty and that it wasn’t related to race because they had classmates try to pull their hair in elementary school. I wanted to argue, but didn’t know where to go with the conversation, so I dropped it.

This was far from being a one time thing. While the people at this school and their efforts towards anti- racism are great, there’s definitely room for improvement. I’ve had this conversation with my friends over and over, and their responses have been the same. They brush it off or tell me that it happens to white people too. While I won’t stop having prejudice directed at me, I’ll be invalidated if I bring it up. When I experience hair related microaggressions, I have a moment of wondering if there’s anyone I can talk to about it. If I go to a friend or a teacher, it’s likely that they won’t understand and I’ll be left unsure if I even have the right to be upset. Of course having people mess with your hair isn’t exclusive to any one race, but the obsession around Black hair is gross and invasive. It has to stop. We are not “exotic” petting zoo animals. Our hair belongs to us. No one else has the right to touch it or tell us what to do with it.

At predominately white schools like this one, being a student of color can be very lonely. When topics of race are brought up, they are often directed towards the white students as if we aren’t there or they single us out. White students and teachers might not be able to see racism in their everyday lives, but it is still happening. Although it’s not the job of any person of color to educate white people, it’s important that you listen when we share what makes us uncomfortable or else you’re going to stay ignorant. If you see a classmate experiencing racism, based on their hair or anything else, check in with them. Ask them if they’re okay and if there’s anything you can do to help the situation. A lot of the time, all they want is someone to talk to.