This past Tuesday a young women, of a different race, asked me "Why can black people keep their hair oily and don't have to wash it everyday". I am not a licensed cosmetologist, therefore I did not know the appropriate answer. All I could tell her was that hair textures vary from person to person, not necessarily because of one's race. I honestly believe that she did not meant any harm. When reviewing the resources for this week, it opened my eyes to just how often scenarios such as this, and the discussion board, occur.
Week 4 resources have allowed me to realize that discrimination does not have to be as open and obvious as a burning cross. People often tend to say or act in ways that are totally oblivious to them as being racist or discriminatory.
LaQuasia,
ReplyDeleteIs it me or does it always seem weird when people ask you those questions? Example, when I taught Kindergarten some of the children had and spread lice in my classroom. One of the other teachers told me how lucky I was that I didn't have to worry about getting lice. It throws you off balance as far as responding but I did the same thing as you explained in a rational manner the truth about hair textures and told her about one of my little cousins that actually did get lice once.
Yes, it is weird and makes me feel uncomfortable. I know she did not mean any harm, but why does race have to be an issue with every situation?
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