KEEP MY HAIR OUT OF YOUR HAND.

In some foreign countries where people of color travel to, a lot of people are not used to seeing black women with braids or different textured hairs. Which results to people touching without permission. This is especially evident in South Korea, there’s this foreboding feeling of someone always watching you on the subway, bus or when walking somewhere. The ever daunting feeling of someone reaching out to grasp a slight feel of the texture of your afro, locks or wig. The lack of respect that has been shown to black women in Asian countries is beyond demeaning, we are seen as “exotic” because of the texture of our hair or the color of our skin, when in reality we are women, one with the human race.

In 1851, activist Sojourner Truth took to the podium and asked “ar’n’t I a woman?” This is a question we ask every time a hand decides to lay hands in our hair, we are women just like other women of different ethnic backgrounds, just because ours are more prominent does not give you the audacity to put your hands on our head. Curious or not about black women, we are not the object of your stereotypical expectation. India Arie once sang “I am not my hair, I am not this skin, I am a soul that lives within”. We smile, we laugh, we breathe, just like every other woman.. we insist.. your hands, your touch, should not come in contact to our hair without our permission.

Models: Kimberly Martin

Thiassa Avena

Breauna Oldham

Photographer/Stylist: Chioma Eguzoraku