Hello Alchemist Letters,
I get it, my hair is cool. Its curly. Its kinky. It is whatever I want it to be, because its mine. I understand for a lot of people my hair is so fascinating to the point that they can’t help but stare. I was use to it, especially being one of only a few black people in my department. It was fine as long as it was look, but don’t touch. But on this day that line was crossed. I was working at my desk. Very focused to the point that I didn’t noticed anyone approaching me. My hair had just changed for the 3rd time this month and apparently this style was the most attention grabbing, because my co-worker, a white woman, asked if she could touch it. I respectfully responded, “no thank you” and went about my day. Then suddenly I felt hands in my hair. I assumed it was my co-workers, but when I turned around it was my boss/PI with my loc still in his hand.
He then decides now is an appropriate time to ask permission to touch my hair. I respond, respectfully no. He responds, “Can you blame me? I’m like a kid in a candy store.”
I attempt to laugh it off and explain to him that I am not a petting zoo. He continues to touch my hair. I attempt a different method, explaining to him that my hair is a unique ecosystem and his hands carry things that disrupt it. No cigar. I finally excuse myself from the room to escape his hands. I hate that because he’s my PI I feel that can’t do anything.
~End~
Author Submitted Identifiers: African American, Female (she/her/hers), Graduate Student
Case Study Analysis
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