A mom took to her twitter to express her distress over a teacher touching her daughter’s hair.
On Twitter she wrote:
My daughter for her pre-k graduation and the text I had to send to her white teacher immediately after drop-off.
She greeted my child by squeezing her Afro with excitement and fascination.
I said “ok… that’s enough” at the school, but I still felt icky. ☹️
In response to the uncomfortable scenario she texted the teacher saying she regretted not saying anything sooner, telling her not to touch, squeeze, pull or play in her daughters hair.
See below text:
She also admitted in another Tweet that this was not the first time, the teacher had touched her child’s hair.
She did it before when Zayna wore 2 puffs and I let it slide thinking it was a one time thing.
But to do it again???? And I hear from other moms she does it to their daughters??? Get your shit together.
If you work with Black kids, be culturally aware. Or at least try to.
— Z (@mamaztheguru) May 16, 2023
Most people are applauding her for standing up for her daughter and there are some that do not agree with the text but think she should have addressed it on the spot.
A text kinda passive
— Bianca. (@KeepingUpWitBEE) May 16, 2023
and
Ppl are mad at me..
I said what I was comfortable saying at the school. I sent a text to emphasize my point, and I met w/her & the principal after school to drive it home.
Being mad at how someone else reacts to a situation that isn’t yours is mental illness. Get well soon.
She also made the point that some moms suggested she let it slide since we are at the end of the school year.
I put this in the moms’ groupchat I’m in and 1 said to “let it slide” because “we’re almost done w/the year” and “it’s almost over”.
This exact mindset is why yt ppl get away with lacking cultural awareness. Start correcting these mfs. Start taking up space about these things.
Mom went back to the school and addressed the incident with the principal
Twitter reaction
??? smh as a teacher WHYYYY would she do this?! Smh. Hope she got the message clearly. I’d speak with or include the director in the messages because they all need to be practicing cultural awareness and appropriate responsiveness.
— fruity booty?✨ (@222spicyma) May 16, 2023
and
Ugh I love her hairr, so glad you spoke up bc idk why they think that’s okay. ?
— slim ?? (@slimgawdsi) May 16, 2023
and
Thank you. I don't like ANYBODY playing in my hair and it always made me wildly uncomfortable when my teachers or other white adults would play with my hair and when I was younger, sometimes they'd ask but I always said yes because I was scared I'd get in trouble.
— JaLeah G. (@survivalbymusic) May 16, 2023
and
Why do people think it’s acceptable to put their hands on anyone, especially a child????? You’re a good momma. Teaching children that they have bodily autonomy and that it’s not ok for people to just touch them is crucial. I hope she learns from this
— ?Katya? (@DemonicNesquik) May 16, 2023
and
this happened to me when my mom did little afro puffs for me and my mom stopped it by saying 'would you like her to bark for you as well?' (this was 1973) the woman didn't know whether to shit or go blind.
— Pfunk, the shenanigator (@Gluonsrule) May 16, 2023
and
I teach preschool and the only time I touch their hair is to help with hygiene and/or self grooming. We got a mix of ALL hair types, so I’ll say things like “your mommy does such a good job with your braids!” Or “you picked a nice color for your beads!” But I DONT touch jfc lol.
— Lake Ocean (@jyssika17) May 16, 2023
and
u absolutely did the right thing by sending that message. u put it in perfect words. I’m saving that for later. My daughter has 4A curl pattern and I’ve seen too many yt people reach towards her hair and she’s not even 2. I always say no ma’am or block. thank you for sharing. ?
— nae ✨ (@JenaeAntoinette) May 16, 2023
and
I tell my daughter's their hair is their Crown. No one is supposed to touch their hair And they do not touch anyone's else's hair. They have permission to tell ANYONE not to touch their hair. They have ownership! I remind them they are NOT pets!!!
— Facts (@trusemommi) May 16, 2023
We cannot stress enough how important it is for people to keep their hands to themselves.
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