Natural Hair Blogger Whitney White aka Naptural85 had an uncomfortable experience on Sunday at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which unfortunately is all too common amongst natural haired beauties: People touching their hair. Ugh.
White, a Boston native who was in Nola for a speaking engagement at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival, detailed the entire ordeal on Twitter. White gave a play-by-play of her deep-seeded rage as a white couple marveled and touched her natural hair. Here’s what went down:
Hairstylist Tells Woman That her Natural Hair is ‘an Animal That Can’t be Tamed’
Was never for OR against strangers wanting to touch my hair…. Until NOW.
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
It’s always been someone I respect, or had at least a brief GOOD conversation with, even if a stranger, who has asked to touch my hair…
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
But not today.
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
At the New Orleans airport. Wearing a super cute Afro style.. (Which I’ll post soon )… And decided to stop into the “bodega”-type store..
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
I grab a bag of peanut M&Ms and wipes, and stand in line… Meanwhile there a man and his wife standing in line…
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
He’s laughing it up with a drink in his hand talking to strangers, while she’s standing in front of me…
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
The strangers walk away… And he turns and looks at me and my hair. <- he says “I looooove your hair!” I say “thank you!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
He says “if I had hair”… (He was bald) “I’d wear it like that every day!” I said “thank you very much! I really appreciate it!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
Then he says “I mean it, I love you people’s… African-American hair!” He says “My wife would trip! She loves it too! Honey! Take a look!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
She turns around, and smiles and shakes her head. I look at her and smile and say “thank you very much.”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
He says “man!’ She loves touching your people’s hair! Everytime she sees it, she says its like a big cloud!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
At this point,I can sense what’s coming next, so I politely say “thanks so much!” & turn towards the cashier to try and end the conversation
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
The wife pays for her things… and moves out the way so that I can pay. I place my M&Ms and wipes on the counter…
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
I sense her looking at me, so I look at her… And then hear the man tell her, “touch it!! Touch it!!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
My face –>
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
She leans in with her hand out, and I’m like “Oh!!” “Uh!…” …
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
And she puts her hand into my fro, with a gigantic smile on her face, while he has a huge smile on his… And starts touching it everywhere.
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
She’s done harassing my Afro… I look at them w/ a sort of side smile/shocked half grin-thing..I say “okay!” And turn towards the cashier..
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
I’m just looking down at my M&Ms and wipes… They leave… The cashier (a black woman) looks at me.. I look at her like
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
She shakes her head and I’m like “I canNOT!”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
I was SOO PISSED!! I couldn’t believe she touched my hair! I turned away from them. Conversation over..And HE invites her to touch MY hair!!
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
Like maybe you should ask ME!!!
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
That was SO RUDE!! It was the first time someone’s touched my hair and made me feel like an exhibit or animal. I get it now COMPLETELY.
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
I looked at the cashier and just said, “Well I’m glad they had a good time.”
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
You people’s….
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
Literally cannot. That’s never happened to me before so I wasn’t prepared… Oh believe… I WILL be prepared next time. #NaturalHair
— Naptural85 (@Nap85) July 3, 2016
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