evenstar3 said:

Exactly. This is the gag name of one of the joke firms mentioned at the end of "Car Talk" on NPR...

But Wankman’s actions opened the door for other colleagues to satisfy their curiosity about Davies’ mane by reaching out and touching it.

“I’ve asked them a thousand times, please don’t touch my hair,” says Davies, 37, who last year put a sign on her desk reading ‘Don’t Touch My Hair.’ “Abby caught me on the wrong day.”

SCNDLS said:

BlueZebra said:

First of all, slow ya roll and pump the brakes, because your tone with me is not appropriate

Now, moving right along;

1. I understand that there are racial conflicts across the globe, but that's not the topic here. We are discussing African American hair and how perception of that hair impacts us personally in the US. I believe SirPsycho was being really heartfelt when he was sharing his perspective and experiences, and was not saying people other than Americans are not human. Anyone that's ever read his posts here on prince.org knows that he is a fun loving, gregarious type who strives to get along with all and isolate no one. The fact that you would call him out to attempt to twist his experience into something uglier than what it was really there is rude, bordering on manipulative,and not to mention baiting. Note taken. If you wanted to tie that theme into this conversation, did you consider that perhaps Phych's not aware of the racism that exists in some of other countries? How others across the world endure diffulties based on peceptions and racial attributes? Who knows? Why not try asking him, and maybe offer to shed some light on information to broaden his perspective instead of twisting the context? As for the racial issues between Japan and China, of that I am very much aware, considering I have a flat in Shinjuku. Additionally my travels over the last 15 years have taken me all over the world, from the streets of Medilin to the Piazzas of Milano and the Souks of Hammamet- via work or residency. One thing I have learned up close and personal is that yes, racism exists on every corner of the earth. You are definitely right about that. From Amsterdam to Monrovia, it always finds a way to rear its' ugly head.

2.As for the hair comment from my client, it would be easiest for me to say "you don't know him, you don't know ME, and you had to be there to understand", but allow me to clarify a bit instead: this client was someone that I actually know in character very well as he does me. His vitamin question was an awkard attempt at a joke to inquire about my hair, the texture and so on, to satisfy his curiosity. Do I believe he meant it as a racist remark? No. He is a kind person of great character, who I like alot and enjoy working with. However, his was yet another hair remark that I've had to endure out of hundreds, if not thousands, over the course of 37 years whenever I'm the lone black in a group of caucasians, to point out how I am "different" from them. It's tiring, unnecessary, and grossly unappreciated on my behalf.

i can't beleive this poor lady actually had to put up a sign saying 'don't touch my hair'. she should have lodged an offical harassment complaint with management LONG before then

XxAxX said:

It's not a real story.

RipHer2Shreds said:

oh thank heavens!

XxAxX said:

It's alright, honey. But I like the discussion this satirical scenario is generating about real world situations.

SCNDLS said:

i was reminded, reading this, of when i lived in japan and roberta, an african american exhcange student, lived with me for a while.

she complained about how the japanese people kept asking her if they could touch her hair. (at least they asked!) it bothered her quite a bit.

XxAxX said:

And most non-black people even if they were annoyed by people invading their space like this prolly wouldn't think anything about it. However, this is definitely a sensitive issue for most blacks and especially African-Americans. If I worked in an office I may have to put up a sign tho.

SCNDLS said:

i think most people would object to having folks touching their hair. it's really not acceptable behavior in a workplace.

The story

The only guy touchin my hair is my man...and hes fine so he can do that
But growing up my grandmother used 2 do my hair b4 school and tell me not to let people play in my hair.I guess it stemmed from when I was little this little girl poured sand in my hair and it toopk 4ever to wash out and ever since then my grandmother didnt trust any barbie totin snot nose playground heffa(my words not hers,lol)
And ironically my uncle cut off my mom's braid when they were younger
cant even trust family now???? lol,j/k

XxAxX said:

True, but I think that black folks are subjected to this intrusion more frequently. Especially in situations where we may be around a lot of people with different ethnicities who after knowing us for awhile want to satisfy their curiosity.

I think this goes both ways. I think people are just intrigued by things they don't have themselves.

JustErin said:

Is that why you always fondle my balls?

JustErin said:

Is that why you always fondle my balls?

I always thought girls and women of any race generally admire, to the point of touching, each others hair.
I don't think its a black woman thing.
The race card was just an excuse.

horatio said:

FYI this is an article from the ONION or some such. just a joke, not an actual event

XxAxX said:

oh, i didnt catch the onion part

honeypot69 said:

. . . a muthafucka would.