There was a black guy who sat behind me in History class in 1990. He asked to touch my hair, I said sure, he touched it, and we both moved on with our lives. We were openly interested in each others' differences back then, and no one cried about it.

@cmay7429

7 ай бұрын

Yup. I went to an elementary where most of the kids were black or hispanic. I had long, blond hair, and other girls were always playing with it. Kids are curious. Adults are too, we just learn to repress it for the sake of etiquette. If someone asks to touch your hair, they probably like it. We usually don't want to touch gross stuff, right?

@justinshelton5026

7 ай бұрын

But, he asked first. I can’t tell you how many people touch my long hair without asking. Black , white, Latinos…. I’ve had all sorts of people touch my hair in public, and I don’t appreciate it at all. Especially when they are behind me and I don’t see it coming.

@darkwind2024

7 ай бұрын

I high school the black girls like to cornrow my straight blond hair.@@cmay7429

@Zeus1845

7 ай бұрын

i would take that positively like im getting attention! someone’s showing interest in something i have! dopamine hit.

@Nylon_riot

7 ай бұрын

One of my favorite moments was in high school in the 90s. The movie The Breakfast Club nails the social groups at the time minus the hip hop crowd. The cliques, did not interact with each other. Except for my class, we had a really friendly bunch that was exceptional for high school. But I was the metalhead clique, mosh pits and everything. Our Spanish class was roundtable setup and I shared a table with the head Yo-boy. We were the only two sitting there before everyone showed up, he was jamming to a CD and I asked him who he was listening too. He casually responded: Iron Maiden. My mouth dropped open and we became friends. I regret losing track of that cool dude. Devon if you are still out there, I hope you are doing well. As I get older I wonder if he did it on purpose, LOL. slick one if he did.

Seriously. I’ve had black people want to touch my hair. In Africa, they wanted to touch my skin. This is humanity. This is real life. This is connection. Y’all are making this more difficult than it already is.

@justicewokeisutterbs8641

7 ай бұрын

I had a similar experience on a trek in Nepal. I was wheezing and straining up the trail because of the altitude and in the midst of that I came upon an old Nepalese woman coming the other direction. At that time the mountain trails were "one lane" only so I got off to the side so she could pass, but she stopped instead. She reached out and touched my forearm, which has pale, freckled skin and was sweaty and flushed red from the effort of climbing, then she looked at me and just laughed her ass off. She could walk those trails with little effort. We couldn't talk but we could share a laugh at how ridiculous I was. It was a great little moment. She had no teeth; I had only a fraction of her cardiovascular capacity. 😆

@theheroingreen

6 ай бұрын

I grew up with asian step-siblings, and as a little blonde boy they were the first people i ever knew that didn’t look like me. I remember playing with my oldest step sisters hair because it was much thicker and softer than my blood sisters hair, and she would just let me. She’s the reason i have such an appreciation for the differences we have as humans of different races.

@Pidatha

6 ай бұрын

​@@theheroingreen As an indian, Blonde hair is very Rare here and whenever i see a natural Blond (usually a foreigner) it makes me want to touch it. Not that I'd ever go up and actually ask them 😂

@bamidele4383

6 ай бұрын

​@@Pidathain a saner world, it shouldn't be a problem to want to explore how different hair feels like. Don't lose your curiosity.

@bamidele4383

6 ай бұрын

​@@justicewokeisutterbs8641You have lived!!

As a white woman who grew up in a mostly black neighborhood I can testify that black girls always touched my hair snd wanted to braid it… was I offended? Of course not! I think most of us are curious about hair that is different than ours. Stop being offended by everything people!

@AML147

7 ай бұрын

EXACTLY. This girl from Ghana wanted to touch my hair and why would I ever think ill intent? You can always say no if you don't like your hair being touched.

@ConservativeGrouch

7 ай бұрын

@@AML147 The woman at the 9:30 mark: where in the hell does she get the idea that anyone wants to touch her nasty greasy hair???

@livelaughlove_sleep

6 ай бұрын

YESS my friends always used to braid my hair they wld always play with my hair

@edithdlp8045

6 ай бұрын

Exactly. Standing ovation to you.

@nicolegoodew1547

6 ай бұрын

There was a girl in school who I didn't really talk with much because we were in different classes, but she stood behind me and asked if she could style my hair. I agreed and she braided half my head before after-school was over. It made me feel special because I'd see the other girls(who usually bullied me) braiding each others hair. She left a few months later but I really appreciated her friendship. It changed my mind about the other girls. Years later the girls who bullied me and I talked stuff out and became friends with the one that was the meanest growing up. We both have changed so much but she was the one that reminded me of the girl who braided my hair and told me she thought I looked nice with the braids but because she had her issues back then she lashed out at me. Its amazing what can bring different cultures together and I'd hate for things like this to end. I learned so much and valued the memories I made with them. Almost all of them turned into wonderful people and I wish them all the best

I actually do get really uncomfortable when speaking to a person of color, simply because I have absolutely no idea what they might interpret as racist and I don’t want to offend them. It just adds to my awkwardness that I have in general and makes me feel like a complete moron when I have such an interaction Edit: Don’t misunderstand this, it’s not like I look at a black person and go “oh they’re black, they’ll take everything I say the wrong way and think I’m racist”. No, my point is, that racism had become such a sensitive topic that anything said _could_ be taken the wrong way, which scares me because I’m not the type to purposely offend someone. That makes me awkward, because I’m not a very well-spoken, social person to begin with. It also makes me sad that I feel like I should walk on my toes, when in reality it is only a small percentage who gets really offended or uses “racism” as an excuse. I am aware that every person is their own person regardless of color, I just want to explain what it’s like for me sometimes.

@christianaguiare544

7 ай бұрын

Don’t blame yourself, the world expects white people to be super 100% on alert regarding the things we say about other races

@jpturner9452

7 ай бұрын

Some people are offended because you're white, those people are going to be annoying at the least towards you.

@seancurtis3975

7 ай бұрын

I used to feel the same way. But then I had no choice but to realize they will think you're a racist no matter what. It pretty much comes down 3 different things. 1. The black culture nowadays is so messed up and it's done real damage to them 2. Over 90% of them will fall for whatever trick the democrat party has for them and they obviously want them to hate white people 3. Feeling like a victim must give them some kinda joy, excitement or super power or something because they live for that feeling

@m39fan

7 ай бұрын

EXACTLY! Thank you!

@firedmotion

6 ай бұрын

Ya I think society has made this happen. A lot of people aren't racist but it becomes awkward because they don't want to hurt Anyone. I think the biggest thing is just treat people like people with respect and love and getting to know them. If they get offended and you treated them with respect and kindness, it's a heart issue not your issue

Black dude:"How come you can't you pronounce a black person's name correctly but you don't have a problem pronouncing the name of a famous person that just so happens to be white?" That was the most brainless question ever

@bsg8336

7 ай бұрын

Maybe because you hear their name in the media 100 times a day?

@UPB78

7 ай бұрын

​@@bsg8336Of course, that's the reason. Look at Saoirse Ronan, she's irish-american and she's white, and has a very irish name. How many people to this day can pronounce her name correctly, even after she publicly stated the correct way so many times?

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

Not only that they are in the media but most and centuries if not millennia old.

@hardywatkins7737

7 ай бұрын

I'm English. I met a Welsh guy called Geraint. I never heard the name before. I must have asked him like eight or so times before i got it. We both had a good laugh about it. Don't get me started on Irish names ... i mean how does 'Niamh' end up sounding like 'Neev'? 😂

@ashebennett7726

7 ай бұрын

As a “white” person, there are other “white” people names I can’t pronounce correctly. I can’t say Greek names correctly. I have problems pronouncing some German names, some British or French names, some Irish or Scottish names. There are so many names that can be hard to pronounce no matter the origin or who has the name. A lot of names can just be hard to pronounce whether “white” or non “white”. And not everybody has a name from their origin. I mean, I called this one girl Carol-EEN, but it’s pronounced Caro-LINE. So stupid how they make it about race when it’s about the name and the pronunciation. How many European or Slavic names can they pronounce? Can they even pronounce a lot of African names correctly?

my daughter with blonde hair came home from kindergarten in tears one day. it turns out she was sad because kids were constantly coming up and touching her hair without asking, even her friends who were black and latino. (my daughter is half latina). black kids do it AS much as white kids do. people need to cut the crap acting like only white nationalists do it. CALL OUT the LIES! thank you Amala!

@desertdarlene

7 ай бұрын

Yes, it's very common if you live in an area where there are no (or few) other blondes. I'm mousy-brown, but I've had people get curious about my hair because it was unusual to them.

@justinshelton5026

7 ай бұрын

I’m not blonde, or a woman, but people always touch my hair in public without asking. I often tuck my long hair in my coat so no one can touch it. It’s for me, not you. But if someone asks nicely, I might let you touch it. Just a touch. Not getting your hands all up in my hair like it’s a toy.

@bruceblack9975

7 ай бұрын

🫡

@ashebennett7726

7 ай бұрын

The black kids in my school use to pull my hair and my older brother had to defend me. They even ripped my hair clips out of my hair and my brother had to grab it from them and give it back to me and told me to just put it in my pocket. My mom couldn’t even fix my hair anymore before sending me to school. And I had to make sure to face them at all times. My brother is my hero. If they wanted to touch my hair, they could ask and I wouldn’t mind, but they like touching my hair and pulling it and ripping my hair accessories out of my hair. I couldn’t wear my favorite hair clippings at school anymore.

@MeadowsMiniFarm

7 ай бұрын

This, my daughter has curly 3C3B hair depending on the day and how we style it. I’ve gotten dirty looks from not “ white”mothers, because of the products or braids I put in her hair. They’re just not in the “white people” section. Little do they know our family’s is a Heinz 57 variety.

As a white person with curly blonde hair I have had multiple people ask me " hi can i touch your hair " the answer is yes absolutely it isn't racism it happens to everyone

@kaylahuesman1825

7 ай бұрын

Growing up, the same thing always happened to me. Curly blonde hair. I’d be in a supermarket with my grandmother and it happened all the time. My hair was different so people were curious.

@commenter5901

5 ай бұрын

I have straight blonde hair and I would have people ask me and my sister to be in their vacation pics (I lived in a place that was popular for Asian tourists).

@Joy-qz7hi

3 ай бұрын

I have curly hair and tbh I don’t like it being touched, so what annoys me is when people don’t even ask and go and pull it or something, but that doesn’t make them racist and it’s really not that deep 🤦🏽

@cosmicreef5858

2 ай бұрын

As long as they ASK and accept if the answer is no then yeah it is fine.

I was a nanny for 3 black children and I didn’t know how to do their hair. I definitely didn’t do well the first few times. Their mom taught me how to do their hair properly and I am grateful for the experience. I learned some great tips for my curly hair as well.

I left my African country and moved to a remote British Isle that is 99.999999% white. The curiosity about us was high, toddlers were coming up to us in the checkout line asking to rub some of the “paint” off our arms, my kids’ hair has been touched, etc but I assure you that we have never been racially abused or mistreated. I ask the same questions about their hair, skin etc because we are human and curiosity is natural. I love it here and I don’t interpret every mispronunciation of my name as an attack.

@edgargarcia5693

7 ай бұрын

i work with a lot of people from India, i always ask how their name is pronounced, and im sure i do it wrong almost every single time, and they do the same, most of the time they told me Edger instead of Edgar, and its fine, because i know its not intentional, its just difficult to pronounce words from lenguajes we dont speak

@msk3905

7 ай бұрын

I had to go to Ghana for work in 1997 and it was weird but I didn't freak out when the local black children walked up to me felt my hands to see what a white man felt like. I knew I was the first white person that they saw so were just curious...people are WAY TOO UPTIGHT TODAY!

@w.cairing1898

7 ай бұрын

Best comment here. Yes, people are simply curious about, read INTERESTED IN, people who seem unlike those they know. And my son's name, from a EUROPEAN country, has a very strange spelling, is completely foreign to most Americans and his name is virtually always mispronounced. Thus proving mispronouncing a name is hardly 'racist.' He actually takes it as a great opportunity and ice breaker and it's been a great way to get to know people as he tells them the story behind his name and they in turn tell him a story and so on...

@tashavolovsek9115

7 ай бұрын

​@@w.cairing1898there are many different people in the U S, and many different pockets of culture , language and even names .

@w.cairing1898

7 ай бұрын

@@tashavolovsek9115 I'm missing how your comment refers to anything I said.

It must suck thinking about race 24/7. Everyday, every issue, every opportunity? I literally dont even think about the color of my skin until some race grifter brings it up.

@bluesakura2092

7 ай бұрын

That’s why I just feel sorry for people like this. Imagine how excruciatingly ridiculous their mind is. The mind can be used for so many better things…

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

The very concept of being ‘white’ and an identity associated with it baffles me. I’m from Scotland where 96% of the population is white so for all but real racists it means nothing it’s not part of our ‘identity’.

@geekmastermind

7 ай бұрын

"Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste" has not aged well.

@BrandonS-lk2qc

7 ай бұрын

​@@geekmastermindGoodness. You are NOT wrong...that did NOT age well

@AutomaticDuck300

7 ай бұрын

Imagine seeing everything through a lens of race, gender and other superficial aspects of humanity. It’s a great way to never enjoy your life.

For the most part it’s harmless. I’m black with the 4C hair and even other black people try to touch my hair because it’s long down my back. I tell them the same as anyone, ask and if I say yes THEN you can touch. I’ve had to scold people who look just like me that you can’t just touch people without their permission even if we are the same race. Similarly, in a job a couple years ago an Indian guy saw my hair in a puff and wanted to touch it. I was working so I told him no, and he proceeded to ignore my response and tried to reach over my desk and touch it anyway. I backed away and told him to stop and he wouldn’t listen. I wouldn’t call it r@cist, it’s just a lack of basic decency. That goes for anyone.

@middayshine6627

7 ай бұрын

What is 4C hair? 🤔

@libfuzzy4629

5 ай бұрын

​@middayshine6627 tight curls afro

I am so sick of being considered racist simply because I'm white. My go to answer had always been to ask my good friends from Zimbabwe, or my black friend from California, or my Black friend from Jamaica, or my multiple Korean friends, or my Chinese friends or my many East Indian friends (etc...) of they've ever thought of me as racist. They have not. Not one of them. It has never crossed the mind of any of them.

@ronb5463

3 ай бұрын

You didn't mention having any Hispanic/LatinX friends!!! THAT'S RACIST!!!! JK, I'm just messing with you...

As a white girl in the 60s living in a neighborhood that was predominantly black, girls were always touching and messing around with my hair and very often without my permission. Amala really showed the pettiness of all this. Believe me, I don't sit around wondering what black people think of me. In fact, I don't sit around thinking of them or anyone at all. I think these people need to get hobbies. They are way too fixated on uncreative thinking.

@filmjustice4172

7 ай бұрын

I just don't get it either. I had young black woman who was my roommate who had a huge problem with my blonde hair. The comments were actually pretty insulting, but I didn't let it bother me too much. However, the society stereotype of blondes being dumb bothered me more so I now color my hair darker. Waiting for the day when people start saying it's racist for me to color my hair dark.

@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812

7 ай бұрын

Oh gawd don't say that out loud or it will happen. "You're racist for coloring your hair!" 🤦

@brittascharmsandbeads9057

7 ай бұрын

@@filmjustice4172 Oh, please don't color your blond hair... 😢 Enjoy it while you have it, cuz naturally blond hair darkens with time... 😢 And the joke about blonds being stupid, noone really believes in that... 🤣 Must have come about because others were jealous... 😉 The girl you talk about clearly was, and jealous people can be mean...

@tastypymp1287

7 ай бұрын

This IS their hobby!

@kellyroyal9579

7 ай бұрын

​@@filmjustice4172im sorry you feel like you have to change your hair color because of the stugma around blonde hair and being dumb this is somhing thats affects ppl but no one thinks about it i cery much so hope your feel secure enough to let your hair be natural and feel happy with it because thats not fair it has nothing to do with your intelligence that gorl was probably threatened by your intelligence and your hair so she tried to bring you down dont let her negativity and hate win shes wrong and ignorant at the least i hope your having a great day 😊

As a Boomer (vintage 1955), I just had to respond. I grew up in Harlem and had the opportunity to attend a very prestigious Upper Eastside Manhattan high school from 1969 to 1973 on a full scholarship. Out of a class of 44, there were five from the "ghetto". We wore afros and were asked by our white classmates about our hair. We answered and that was that. We let them touch it and all was cool. I went on to college and became an accountant. I wore my hair straight, natural, and in braids. I worked with a Jewish accountant who asked me if I would mind taking his daughter to my hairdresser since she hated her kinky Jewish hair, and he knew I had worn my both straight or natural at times. I did and all was cool. When I wore braids, I was asked by all races where I got them and wanted to touch them. I guess I am just an old-ass boomer, but sometimes I wish we could all go back to the '70s. We had a sense of humor, were more accepting of each other's differences, and did not make everything bad that happened because of race. Peace.

@sherryford667

7 ай бұрын

As a contemporary, I couldn't agree more. I miss those days when people's default attitude was "nice." 😅

@Sofasurfa

7 ай бұрын

I’m a British Boomer (circa 1959 crept in at the tail end) my mums best friend to the day she died was a lady who I grew up calling aunty Angela she came to the UK from the Caribbean they became friends because they had the same name. They looked after each others kids, aunty Angela’s boys became like my big brothers. When my mum died, they stood by my side and wept with me. When aunty Angela passed on eighteen months later I stood by their side and wept with them. We do not share the same skin colour, we share the same values, have the same hopes for the future, want the same things for our children and although the two families have become scattered across the UK we still make time to visit. There was pockets of racism of course there was. There are always morons in the world with a chip on their shoulder who make themselves feel better by being obnoxious to others and there always will be. We would be foolish to believe that will ever change. But what all humans can do is be part of the solution not part of the problem. 😊

@sherryford667

7 ай бұрын

@@Sofasurfa Beautifully said.

@EleneriPenneth

7 ай бұрын

Same.

@liannemarie2504

7 ай бұрын

Amen! When someone expresses genuine curiosity towards me, I look at it as an icebreaker and an opening to make a new friend! I'm just a very happy person I'm naturally outgoing and people often think I'm unintelligent or disingenuous. But I just genuinely like people and as cliche as it sounds, I just want us all to get along

As someone with Swedish heritage, and on the topic of dreads and braids being typically stereotyped as “Black” hairstyles, uhhhh Nordic people (Vikings, Swedish, Norwegian) quite commonly wore their hair braided or in dreadlocks or twists. Long before any interaction with people of African descent.

@bunglesmcphee

5 ай бұрын

Also, the "holy men" of India have been doing it for god knows how long. Hundreds? Thousands of years?? Also, pretty much any ethnicity would develop dreads naturally if they never combed (or washed) their hair. It's just that it would happen sooner with curly hair.

when I was a kid I had natural, long white blonde hair. I traveled abroad with my family and a group of ladies surrounded me and kept touching and playing with my hair. they were legit intrigued. they had never seen hair like mine before. They were very sweet and It made me feel kind of special actually.

The first friend I ever made in kindergarten was a black girl who sat beside me and braided my hair almost every day. I never cared. I loved her. I had a black kindergarten teacher who loved all of us kids like we were all her babies. I loved her like a mama. I was one out of three white kids on my school bus and the older black girls always wanted to play with my hair and braid it. I would get off the bus at the end of the day with a full head of braids and my mom never got angry or upset. I had severe rheumatoid arthritis as a child and I honestly thought God had sent angels to heal me with their hands when they played with my hair because the relief I would feel throughout my nervous system was Heaven sent. Some of us were raised to see with our hearts and not our eyes and I was raised with love and angels of all colors around me. I thank God every day for that.

@ryn4984

7 ай бұрын

this was such a beautiful read. i’m so glad you had angels around you looking out for you. 💜

@danaluha5019

7 ай бұрын

@@ryn4984 Thank you and bless you. Me and my son have always been blessed in that God has always sent angels disguised as people of all walks of life and skin tones that have aided, protected, and embraced us when we needed it the most. Be it the human spirit or the Holy Spirit, I'm grateful for that and so is my son. 💛 Bless you again and thank you.

@edithdlp8045

6 ай бұрын

My first friend in kindergarten was also black. She had 2 white siblings. Her mother had married a white man who was in the ARMY and died in action. Then she remarried a black man. So she raised all to not discriminate because of their race.

@astromigui

6 ай бұрын

beautiful story thank you !

@libfuzzy4629

5 ай бұрын

Awwwe beautiful

Maybe I’m crazy, but having someone like Amala, who will defend white people against things they never did, makes me feel very comforted

@Kittra.kaibyo

7 ай бұрын

Yeah it's rare and kind of a relief to see honestly.

@persephonel2117

7 ай бұрын

Wtf? Why do we need a black person to do that for us? We can’t do it ourselves anymore? That’s exactly why we are in the weak position we are in today. Because white people are looking to other groups to defend us…

@Mimeh53

7 ай бұрын

That's because--among other things--Amala has a brain, and she uses it to review and analyze every topic on the social spectrum before she makes a decision where she stands on an issue. These are cerebral tools that seem to be lacking in this day and age, sadly.

@danteshollowedgrounds

7 ай бұрын

Wow, you almost had me with that one honestly and I mean like your comment really had through me off at first but yeah I agree I guess 😅😅 I'm also glad that Amala is still and collected against other ceazy topics... I really appreciate her for that.

@WeepingValkyrie

7 ай бұрын

It also makes me deeply depressed because we feel now like we need someone to defend us like it's race swapped 1920s

I was catching a coach from a london airport home to wales when a young black mother and her daughter arrived to put their cases on the coach. The little girl asked if she could touch my hair ( I had long blond straight hair), her mother apologised to me but I said that it was ok and she felt my hair. She said that it was soft and pretty, I then told her that her hair was pretty too, (no I did not touch it because as an adult that would have been inappropriate) we then boarded the bus and nothing more was said. This was just about an inquisitive child and I was pleased that she was not afraid to ask such a question

I didn't expect to agree with all of your responses, but I do. I'm a 60yo black man & I feel you were right on point.

57yr old white lady here. Grew up in southern California. Lived among so many beautiful nationalities & cultures. Was very color blind. I hate that I'm now forced to SEE color, or else! I'm very very sad that racism has blown up again. It's a cancer we thought we'd gotten all of. Pray for those who hate.

@annemiller8227

7 ай бұрын

Amen, hallelujah! Also in my 50s Also grew up in So Cal. Watching after school specials and Little House on the Prairie that showed us being judgmental/racist was the worst thing you could be! So I "saw" race the same as I saw height or shoe size... just another part of the "whole" Then Rachel Dolizal did her whole thing and suddenly I am racist and I have no say in the matter I'm told I was just born that way and no way to fix it Weird bc I had never thought it amounted to the same as original sin which can only be cleansed by baptism But there's no baptism for the sin of being born white (ie racist) Thank heavens for Amala showing that not everyone thinks like that.😊

@valerie4975

7 ай бұрын

Same - 59 from LA and race was never a thing for me. We were poor in my early years and at one point lived in La Puente in a gang area. I have had black, Puerto Rican, and Hispanic boyfriends. One of my bridesmaid was my best work buddy and a man of color. But somehow I am a privileged racist. Much as I try to not take on resentment it is getting harder.

@thehaglin

7 ай бұрын

Same! We were the generation who completely dismissed racism. It was basically a non issue for us growing up. We mostly all realized racism was stupid, wrong and just bad. But, the riots changed that narrative and not for the better, sadly. I just hate to see what is going on now!

@annemiller8227

7 ай бұрын

@@valerie4975 my grandmother (who looked like Lucille Ball) married a Hispanic man when I was a baby. She had a drapery business and a black man helped her with the heavy lifting. The man she married refused to invite him to the wedding. My mother was surprised and asked why. He replied "bc he's a *racist word* black man. My mother was shocked. He looked at her and said "why is it that you think only white people can be racist?" It a bit surprising to realize that it's racist to believe that only one race can be racist!

@H0SANNA

7 ай бұрын

I live in Canada and it’s very multicultural here with little racism.

To that woman who said "This is the hair I was born with. When you wear it, it's offensive." I am pasty white, but also have dark 3b curls that I was born with. Right now, my hair is in a top bun just like that woman. So, newsflash for all the racist black women, you don't own dark curly hair. I will continue to rock my natural curls. Deal with it.

@kathleenstoin671

7 ай бұрын

I had that coloring, too, but now at 78, my hair is white, but still very curly. People sometimes think it's a permanent. It's just my hair!

@abbeyjane5014

7 ай бұрын

@@kathleenstoin671 yea black people don't own slavery or colonialism either no one talks about the fact that white people were enslaved by black people and muslims/arabs in north africa

@americandissident9062

7 ай бұрын

They don’t own curly hair, and even if someone wants to artificially style their hair EXACTLY like a black woman (why the hell would you want to?), black women have to accept it and get over it.

@GabrielleTollerson

7 ай бұрын

@@americandissident9062they don't own any hair styles like they claim to. Dreds and braids were used by Europeans for thousands of years

@kathleenstoin671

7 ай бұрын

@americandissident9062 Frankly, I think black women wearing light blond hair looks a bit strange, but I don't get all offended over it. Those huge fake eyelashes look weird to me, and I don't think tattoos look nice, either, especially all over someone's arms, legs, and face, but I don't get offended over it. I think getting offended over such things is just silly. Don't we have enough problems in this world without worrying about how other people wear their hair?

i find it so endearing when people ask about stuff to be honest. My boyfriends black and the first time he touched my hair he was like "HOW DOES IT HAIR LIKE THAT, ITS SO SOFT??" It was so sweet 😭 i was really surprised cus his hair falls out in tiny coils and i found one and was shocked cus i never saw hair like that before. It goes both ways, and its just human nature and questioning things. He tells me he wants my "white girl hair" all the time cus it would be easier to do in the morning 😭💞

Thank you for covering this Amala. I know there are individuals who want there to be boundaries that keep people separate because it gives them a reason to accuse someone or an excuse to get out of something.

Better question: why are college professors and race grifters framing this as "boo hoo everyone wants to touch our hair because they hate us" instead of "wow everyone likes our hair, that's great, our hair is really great"

@TrangleC

7 ай бұрын

It is projection because they themselves hate their hair and see it as a ugly flaw. Why do you think weaves and wigs are such a thing with black women?

@okiedokieartichokie772

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. If they ask, I assume it's out of curiosity. Granted I don't see why any adult would ask such a thing to anyone thy do not know very very well. The reverse happens to me at church all the time. My friends little girls are black and "pet" my super fine hair every week.

@KH-no7ph

7 ай бұрын

I agree that there's too much sensitivity about it, but you don't know what the h*ll you're talking about in blaming college professors. I'm a college professor--we have knowledge to teach, and we get to it. The students come to us with these crazy notions. I think they mostly get them from social media. How did you and so many other conservatives get this notion that all college professors do is indoctrinate? We all spent more than a decade earning the degrees you need for this line of work, and worked really hard to master our fields of knowledge. You think we have time for the hair touching crap? Miss me with that.

@slang1517

7 ай бұрын

@@KH-no7ph Come on. You know college professors are pushing identity politics, even if you're not. Don't gaslight us.

@jeffhall768

7 ай бұрын

​@@KH-no7phlol yea, you're 100% gaslighting. Gtfoh

For all of these beliefs that I'm supposed to hold as a white person - most of these have never crossed my mind even once. But thanks for letting me know what I think and feel.

@saygerow

7 ай бұрын

amen all those questions have never once crossed my mind about and i honestly wouldnt care one way or the other about following those stereotypical questions

@SeraphsWitness

7 ай бұрын

Yea these were almost all entirely bizarre to me. These people really think white people all think these things? I guess in one sense, I would understand why they think we're evil racists. If they genuinely believe this is what we think about. So weird. No clue where they get their info from.

@AH-ms5uv

7 ай бұрын

That's called white privilege, the fact you don't even need to worry about such feelings is exactly what privilege you have as a white person, people of colour all over the world feel this, and we aren't stupid, we can sense the hate in your eyes when you stare at us

@daivahataka

7 ай бұрын

Better still those same people will say you are racist for not admitting to, and apologising for, those things they accuse all white people of doing.

@AB-ez4rm

7 ай бұрын

Its the liberal way to tell you what you should think and feel as a white person.

I appreciate your wisdom. I’ve watched quite a few of your videos and have agreed with pretty much everything you have said. This crazy world of ours needs more wise young people like yourself. This is from a woman in her late 60s.

Amala I appreciate your point of view SO much! Of course I don't always agree, but you are so rational, competent, well spoken, an ambassador of goodwill, I could go on and on. I really hope someday you decide to go into politics. Good luck from Utah!

I'm a white-looking woman and in a conversation at work, my black colleague told me in the most natural way "You're ancestors were trash". And everyone around acted like it's completely normal... Funny enough, I actually have no idea who my ancestors were because my parents are immigrants and have no archives or knowledge of their respective families XD

@noreenelizabeth6617

7 ай бұрын

I had similar. It was a teacher in high school. She was telling everyone who was white that we descended from slave owners. My family (both sides) didn't show up to the US until mid to late 1800s.. She didn't appreciate my speaking up about it. Because then everyone else started to think critically about it. People went home to find out more about their own histories... On the city I lived in during mid 90s had a big population of Russian immigrants. I hope she learned a lesson about generalization.

@tashavolovsek9115

7 ай бұрын

So you look English Anglo?

@tashavolovsek9115

7 ай бұрын

@@noreenelizabeth6617 thus is still happening now its gotten even worse . People are being murdered everyday on American inner city streets because teachers like her teach racism ignorance and hatred in the schools! I have over 30 dead friends because the schools are promoting this , some were Sicilians, some native Americans abd some middle eastern . I've had some one SHOT next to me in a racist hate crime who was also not a decendant of slave owners. Many Slavic people were not even freed from slavery until 1878 which is AFTER African Americans were freed . That last island in Greece was not freed from slavery until 1912!!! There are many different people who are systemically ,racistly absent from the American public school books and collage course books. And it's getting people killed and more young black men dead or in jail . It's horrificly bad psychology that's being promoted in the schools and needs to be ended emediately! The schools should be sued (along with the oress and government!) The dept of Education disbanded and all new people in there and the national "education " association completely disbanded sued and hands off what's promoted and omitted from our nation's libraries in regards to culture and race .

@tashavolovsek9115

7 ай бұрын

It is not acceptable and it is racism. In the case of all "others" who are not decendanta of slave owners and do not share their culture history heritage genetics or identity it is not "reverse racism " either . It is racism and abuse they were taught by our schools and government. It is not acceptable .

@mary-janereallynotsarah684

7 ай бұрын

I'm white but my ancestors weren't even considered white in the past. They also faced discrimination and real oppression. So if someone told me my ancestors were trash I'd give them a little history lesson.

My best friend growing up was black. We told everyone that we were sisters. LOL I was over at her house all the time. Her mom was my second mom. I was exposed to all different types of foods and music. I even went to church with her a few Sundays. I thinks it’s a good thing to learn from each other.

@m33ddyhv

7 ай бұрын

You not friends with her anymore?

@mockfanatik

7 ай бұрын

@@m33ddyhv I lost touch with her years ago unfortunately. I really miss her. We were friends since the 3rd grade through high school. I tried searching for her but haven’t found her yet.

@m33ddyhv

7 ай бұрын

@@mockfanatik Im sorry about that, Ive recently lost my brother who ive been friends with since the age of 6 since he decided to go be a hardcore jehovahs witness

@mockfanatik

7 ай бұрын

@@m33ddyhv It is difficult when you lose someone. Hopefully one day I’ll find her. Stranger things have happened. I found some of my army friends from 40 years ago. LOL

@saygerow

7 ай бұрын

@@mockfanatik i feel ur pain, one of my first friends in elementary was black and i lost contact with him among any other friends i had back then because my brother just didnt like the fact i had friends that would help me when he tried to mess with me so he cut my only means to contact my friends off and even after years of searching i still havent found and reconnected with them

Great video, great content, Amala. Your insight is great and greatly needed. Thank you.

Thank You So Much! Amala Ekpunobi. You just earned a new Subscriber.

I’ve never had the urge to touch a black person’s hair, but once the older sister of a black friend asked if she could touch my hair. I assumed she was just curious, and I said sure. I was glad she felt comfortable enough to ask, and the world didn’t even come to an end. Imagine that!

@TheNinjapancake14

7 ай бұрын

It’s fine when people ask! Well, for me, it’s fine when my friends ask but some people are cool with strangers getting up in there too.

@lisazaccardimeunier8378

7 ай бұрын

@@TheNinjapancake14 I can’t imagine just walking up to someone of any race and touching their hair. 😂

@AH-ms5uv

7 ай бұрын

That's called white privilege, the fact you don't even need to worry about such feelings is exactly what privilege you have as a white person, people of colour all over the world feel this, and we aren't stupid, we can sense the hate in your eyes when you stare at us

@donotneed2250

7 ай бұрын

I've had people, women, ask me if they could touch my facial hair. Then they'll ask how do I keep it soft when their significant other's is rough feeling. I tell them I comb and shampoo it like I do the rest of the hair on my head. Some have thought since it was turning or had turned gray/white it wouldn't be as soft as when it was black. Then they're surprised when I tell them I still get ingrown hair although I have not shaved since 1980.

@lisazaccardimeunier8378

7 ай бұрын

@@donotneed2250 what’s your ethnicity and do you get offended

The word racism has lost whatever meaning it has. And as someone in Nigeria 🇳🇬 watching all these unfold, the use of the words "people of color" I feel even adds to that segregation of white folks and in fact tends to cause even more racism. And as a black person technically, I can give these so called black people 100 Nigerian names you won't be able to pronounce in a year even if you tried. So teach your white friends how to say your name and be happy they even want to learn it...

@hardywatkins7737

7 ай бұрын

I had a Nigerian supervisor at work once. His first name was easy 'Dave' but his Nigerian surname ... not so easy!! As a white guy i've always had a slight difficulty with saying 'person of colour' because it seems like overly politically correct and artificial, and also just too general a term as to not actually be very descriptive except to say they are not white. In an ideal world i'd find out what nationality people are and refer to them by that. Recently i worked with a whole bunch of people from Kerala, Southern India and i asked loads of questions about their country and language and what all the different words meant, what their names meant, ect ect and they seemed to genuinly enjoy someone being interested and enjoying teaching me also.

@UltimateThanos

7 ай бұрын

Spoiler Alert: "Racism" is actually gibberish. It was coined by Leon Trotsky to dehumanize all critics of communism and justify their systematic murder.

@rahnesong

7 ай бұрын

Has anyone reached out to Crayola and let them know white is no longer a color? Someone should probably get on that so they can remove the white coloring crayons from their boxes.

@hardywatkins7737

7 ай бұрын

@@rahnesong I'm not sure what you're implying but technically neither white or black are colours, - they are shades.

@Omizuke

7 ай бұрын

The name thing was so stupid. There are plenty of White Europeans names people not of their native tongue would struggle to pronounce. My last name is european and I have to spell it every single time I give it, To black, white, asians it doesn't matter. And even after I spell it and pronounce it again some people can't get it right until multiple tries.

Hi Amala! I’m a liberal white girl who watches your videos, and I appreciate that you encourage open, kind discussion on the topics you cover. I always try to educate myself to understand the viewpoints of many, even if I don’t agree with them myself all of the time. 🙏🏻 One instance where a black woman was told her hair was not appropriate/professional was Kat Graham, who played the character Bonnie in The Vampire Diaries. She was often denied any chance of being able to wear her hair naturally for the show. I don’t have all of the details, but this is one instance that came to mind. There’s plenty of research that can be done about it online as well, as she’s expressed her thoughts on it before. But I hope this helps give a different perspective on that situation 🙂 Again, appreciate your open kind discussion encouragement! I feel like we all need to come together and have these open chats without all of the hate. The first step to building something that works for everyone, or most, is to listen to one another and be open to different viewpoints.

I am a white female, and when I was very young, I had extremely curly, kinky hair. On multiple occasions, many individuals of color would come up to me and touch my hair. They couldn't believe that a white girl could have such curly hair. As a now 50 year old, my hair is more curly and wavy, but people of color will still come up and touch my hair. Yes, it's a bit unsettling when they don't ask, but the point I'm making is that people of color touch white people's hair too. I'm sure this happens in all races and not just blacks.

With all this controversy around questions, I haven't asked a black lady anything. I don't even dish out compliments unless I know they're cool. All this entire fiasco has made me more weary of people and I grew up in the 90s in a huge melting pot city. I feel like we're more separated than ever.

@niconeeco4608

7 ай бұрын

We are, take this from a mixed person. Who feel it if place everyday because I am what true acceptance and love looks like. And right now I get so much hate, but it's mostly from minorities, why? Because my mother is white and that makes me an abomination I guess. And it has always been this way for mixed people, the best way to know if your society is still racist is to see how they act towards mixed race people. If they have a distaste towards them then it's still racist in some kind of way.

@RavenHaili

7 ай бұрын

​@@niconeeco4608it's so crazy. I'm hoping we figure out a meritocracy. Where we realize the potential of all our human brains. I'd really like to see a space age before I croak

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

@@niconeeco4608 if it’s from black people its because they aren’t in a headspace yet where they are willing to face and accept that they are part white themselves. A lot of it is self loathing, sadly. This clinging on to racism wont go away until black people descended from slaves acknowledge and accept that they aren’t ‘African’ they are something new.

@sherryford667

7 ай бұрын

@@boxtradums0073 I agree. I hope that American black people come to realize that, while they may be something new, they are just fine as they are. It seems to me that they are generally more accepted by white society than they are accepting of themselves or each other, and that's just sad.

@larissaalcorn3406

7 ай бұрын

That's the goal. Keep us separate to keep us weak. People controlling the narrative know exactly what they're doing.

So here in Africa, Namibia, Im a white girl with long hair to my bum, when I go out Ive had so many balck women touch my hair without my consent, also MANY black kids. I don't always like it but I have tolerated it because if I had to complain I'd be labled as a racist, because Im white who am I to complain. Lastly I learned to just try and be more understanding. Natural long white hair is probably something not seen or experienced often in Africa, especially for the little African kids. So I just deal with it because they dont mean disrespect, they do it out of admiration and curiosity. So please black women in the US calm the f down...

@youllneverknow_123

7 ай бұрын

You might want to leave, quite honestly..

@WacoBeautyQueen

7 ай бұрын

Honestly for once I don’t think it’s a black or white thing, it’s a etiquette and upbringing thing. Most people don’t know how to respect the basic boundaries of others, and especially if someone is a stranger to you…why are you even touching them in the first place? Not even a greeting or a handshake? I’m a black woman (Caribbean) and I had an African girl from old high school touch my hair without my consent and her hands were dirty with chalk, I absolutely lashed out and told her not to touch my hair with her dirty hands. I don’t care. Call me xenophobic, racist, colorist, classist whatever. All I know is you must come from a shabby upbringing if you touch people like it’s your right. For children though I would be more forgiving but that will also be the time they will learn this lesson of keeping your hands to yourself. Edit: also don’t tell black women to calm the f down, how about you stop looking like an idiot portraying yourself as some white goddess that the Africans can’t help touching lol. ADMIRATION lol?? Really? It’s not cute. And if they do admire some random white stranger, they need to learn self-respect. Like the first commenter said get out of there.

@darrilyntharp7021

7 ай бұрын

That's really nice. Interesting too.

@luckdragongirl

7 ай бұрын

I was one of less than 10 white kids in my grade in elementary school. I went to a black elementary school and lived in a black neighborhood. I had the longest hair of anyone in my class. Down to my butt like you (I keep it shorter now). I never attempted to touch anyone's hair. I had my hair touched, pulled, stroked, etc. by kids in my class, some of my teachers, and the kids' parents. It was annoying. I didn't like it. I dealt with it. I have zero desire to touch anyone's hair but my own. Probably due to having those experiences early on.

@Nylon_riot

7 ай бұрын

Let them call you a racist, what did you do? It is a form of narcissism that someone thinks you are going to create special behaviors for them based on how someone looks. There are billions of people, what makes you worth the effort? That being said, my cousin is a teacher I'm the ghetto and the kids are always touching her hair. It is just curiosity.

Girl I just subscribed last night because you are the realest person I know rn. I aspire to be so much like you and cut this generational "racism" my family has. Not to get too into it, you are doing a good thing with his channel and girl keep it up! I'll be here with ya

My first ever friend was a black female in kindergarten and we were basically like besties 24/7. I have played soccer with kids who are black, and one of my most favorite teachers was my 3rd grade English teacher WHO WAS BLACK- And now I am in high-school and I have so many different friends who are from so many different back-grounds.

I love being called racist and privileged, simply because I'm white. Feels good. Thanks, Moral Police.

@AyanneCZ

7 ай бұрын

A twitter nobody: "You have racism problems" Me whose racism works perfectly fine: "?"

@WhatTheWHAT524

7 ай бұрын

Right! So wonderful and lovely to experience. Let me tell you. For me personally the part that REALLY bothers me about this entire asinine narrative is the fact that now days if anything there's more privileges for people of color due to the nonsense that is, "diversity, equity, and inclusion". Instead of hiring someone based on their qualifications and not their skin color makes no sense. Now days a white person who has more of the qualifications needed for a job will be passed up for someone of color whom doesn't have the same qualifications specifically because of their skin color. Racism is racism. Period. Hire based on qualified skills and NOT skin color. Can not stand the hypocrisy that seems to come with this type of mentality in my opinion. Genuinely believe they're taking us backwards instead of forward. I say get rid of being able to mark your race or skin color ect. Hire solely on them being most qualified. Allow entrance in colleges ect based solely on qualifications. That simple. Hire the right person for the job, not hiring in order to meet some weird quotas.

@jonadabtheunsightly

7 ай бұрын

Eh. My skin is thick enough that I generally don't really get too bothered about random people I don't know on the internet saying random junk about me that isn't connected to reality. If it were somebody I know and care about doing it, that would be different. But if it's some idiot on Twitter or KZread or wherever? xkcd 386 applies.

@deusdex1186

7 ай бұрын

We need to stop caring. Give them zero power. Why shouldn't we be racist? They're racist and they don't care.

@RWB20

7 ай бұрын

Funny how black people call all white people racist making THEM the most racist people on the planet in 2023.

I am able to ask my black friends questions, which 9 times out of 10 assures me that most of this stuff is seen as ridiculous to most black people. For example, I read an article saying that white kids shouldn't dress up as Black Panther. He was my youngest's favorite superhero at the time, and he had the costume too. I asked one of my black friends if that was offensive, genuinely. She was PISSED that anyone would tell my son he couldn't love Black Panther or dress like him. I'm glad we are close enough to talk about these things, and it helps me see the ridiculousness of it all. I'm going to listen to my real life peers more than the internet.

@cookiedoe6068

7 ай бұрын

Wow that’s terrible. Imagine parents telling their kids “Sorry, you can’t be your favorite superhero for Halloween, because you don’t have the right skin color.” That’s not the right message at allll. Good for you for not playing into that bs

@saygerow

7 ай бұрын

i wouldnt care what anyone else things on halloween people are allowed to dress however the f they want as long as its appropriate and they arent just doing it to cause trouble or poke fun at anyone, if u like a fictional character then by all means dress as that character regardless of ur skin color vs their skin color and if u want to act like a clown and police what people can and cant do or wear if its not actually harming anyone then i say dress like the clown that u are being

@SeraphsWitness

7 ай бұрын

We live in a world where you're apparently only supposed to be inspired if you see someone on TV with your skin color. Before then, it was impossible for black kids to be inspired. Here I was, a young white boy, loving the story of Mulan, an Asian woman. I don't know how I did it.

@jasonheilinger8437

7 ай бұрын

And guess who is the biggest pusher of identity politics???????? You guessed it.... DEMOCRATS Democrats are the reason you had to ask your friend if it was ok for your son to wear a black panther costume. It's their identity politics garbage.

@mikoto7693

7 ай бұрын

That’s terrible. Kids are kids. Race means nothing to them unless they’re taught otherwise. When I was a kid I’d dress up as one of the teenage mutant ninja turtles-who have green skin and in most versions were four male brothers! I didn’t care. I was a female ninja turtle with grey arm/headbands!

Thank you SO much for making this video!! I agree with you 100%

Love your responses to these questions.

Race-swapping characters is indeed racist. Can you imagine what would happen if I were a Hollywood producer and I remade a classic sitcom like "The Jeffersons" or "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" with all white actors?!

@LadyJennyfer75

7 ай бұрын

The name thing: Same reason I cannot pronounce names in other dialects. One of my neighbors is Italian descent and I had trouble learning to say his last name. I am not Italian, I did not grow up in an Italian family, and I do not speak the language. It is NOT a hate of Italians. I was a fan of "The Sopranos" and one actor was Michael Imperioli. It took me a zillion tries to get that last name right. My favorite actor is Bruce Campbell. Campbell is a COMMON name, so everyone knows it. The only reason I can pronounce Schwartzenegger is because he is a celebrity that I am familiar with and have heard the name all my life.

@corsaircarl9582

7 ай бұрын

People get on my ass about liking Miles Morales. "Oh you said you don't like race-swapped characters" I don't, but Miles Morales is a *DIFFERENT* character with his own personality and backstory, he's not a Black Peter Parker.

@djjaysky9071

7 ай бұрын

this is why i want to make a martin luther king or malcolm x movie with the whitest person i can find

@angryhermit4291

7 ай бұрын

​@@corsaircarl9582without spider man and Peter Parker there would be no miles morales

@marvinmcmartianpants9542

7 ай бұрын

I loved fresh prince

If you views life via a lens of “is this racist”, many things will seem racist that aren’t.

@saygerow

7 ай бұрын

thats exactly y im color blind and i only see people for who they really are, if u act hateful then all i see is someone thats hateful but if ur kind and respectful then i see someone i can be respectful towards but as far as the color of ur skin that makes absolutely no difference to me in any way

@beatnrg

7 ай бұрын

@@saygerow no doubt people are much less likely to be mean to nice people

@saygerow

7 ай бұрын

@@beatnrg unless they just want to try bullying the nice people to do whatever they want cause there are those sort of people in the world that are mean just to be mean and would target nice guys because they think its a sign of weakness

@coffeemachtspass

7 ай бұрын

Robin d’Angelo wrote a book (that has sold millions of copies) where she teaches everyone not to even ask IF something is racist. Instead we’re just supposed to ask HOW racism played a role in it. Absolute poison.

I enjoyed your video Amala, and I agree with everything you said. I am originally from Germany. I have been in Canada since 2006. When I was a teenager in Germany, I had 2 friends from Zaire who were around the same age as I was. We touched each other's hair a lot out of curiosity. My 2 friends had a little sister who was 5 years old back then. That little girl was obsessed with my hair. Every time I visited them, she came with a hairbrush and wanted to brush my hair. I actually loved it when she was doing it. She did it in a way that it felt like a really nice head massage.

I had a friend in my 20s who was black (I'm white) and we enjoyed asking questions about differences like hair, skin care, etc & neither felt weird abt it.

💯 The problem is, when a group of people is educated to believe that literally everyone is out to get them and that all of their shortcomings are the faults of other people. Then it is ALWAYS an "us versus them" mentality and assumption that anything people other than them do... it is with malicious intent.

@daionna-6809

6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for saying that!!

A lot of white people mispronounce European names too. My mom had a Norwegian surname that no one ever pronounced right (and constantly misspelled). She kept my dad's name after she divorced him (before remarrying) because of it lol We can pronounce "Schwartzenegger" because he's famous and we hear his name all the time. Actor and governor

@olgavoronina397

7 ай бұрын

Indeed. None of English-speaking friend never prononce any part of my name correctly. :)

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

Then you are around some stupid English speakers. Anyone that’s had a Spanish lesson in Europe knows how to pronounce it.

@whocares_bear

7 ай бұрын

@@boxtradums0073So you can pronounce Tryggve Ørjasæter without looking up the pronunciation?

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

@@whocares_bear that’s a bit of a false equivalence given that Scandinavian and Norse Languages are only spoken in those countries it make sense few would be able to pronounce them. Spanish and English are the most common second languages in the world.

@whocares_bear

7 ай бұрын

@@boxtradums0073 Not the point at all

Thank you for explaining colorblind. Hopefully some will FINALLY understand. Color does not mean that you ar special or not. Colorblind as you said judges based on the person themselves. I thought that's what we all wanted - to be accepted (or rejected) for who we are.

Being one that has many different races and loving to explore and learn about all cultures, I am so happy I am “colorblind”. It makes my experiences so much more fulfilling and moving.

I’m a blond haired person living in Asian countries for much of my life. I have lost count of the times people (especially old ladies for some reason) have grabbed and stroked my braids and asked me about my hair. Its obvious from the context that they are curious and there is no need to be offended at them. People are curious about features that are different from theirs. Its probably human nature.

"Most white people, I think, are really interested in black hair"... maybe in the past before it was weaponised. Now there are many of us who will not even interact with black people for fear of micro-aggressions (and I'm a person who deliberately went to work in Africa). And in the long run this separates us - well done you!

I love Amala and her videos. She’s really smart and makes valid and logical points.

Several years ago, I spent a week in a somewhat remote part of China. From the day of my arrival and for the duration of my trip, people followed me and children peeped around doorways to get a glimpe of me. When I walked into a department store, clerks yelled to each other across the store about my arrival. Why? Simply, as a blue-eyed blonde, I was an anomaly that most had never seen before. Why would I turn that experience into some racial or cultural event. As someone different, I was a subject of curiosity in which they were momentarily interested. They were curious about me, which I completely understood; and, when they asked me questions about myself, it actually broke the ice and made for easier communication between us. Their curiosity was in no way meant to be disparaging, and I didn't read a lot of presumed insults into it. Wasn't it Freud who once said, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"?

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

I get the same thing when people see the colour of my eyes especially from Arabic people. I have heterochromia like a husky but instead of bitch and moan I let them have a good look knowing it’s the rarest eye colour.

@sherryford667

7 ай бұрын

@@boxtradums0073 That is so much more positive than working ourselves into a lather, isn't it. Let's face it; most of us could probably be considered odd given the right circumstances, but It's a situation that can be negative or positive, depending upon how one chooses to handle it. 😀 ps: Your eyes sound absolutely stunning.

@boxtradums0073

7 ай бұрын

@@sherryford667 yeah it’s how you choose to perceive it. I’ve always taken it as a compliment. My eyes are quite interesting and I never noticed they were different colours until the Arabic girls pointed it out 🤣

@TrangleC

7 ай бұрын

I spent a year in China as a student intern, working on a engineering project, pretty much exactly 20 years ago (Summer 2003 to Summer 2004) and I found it funny how people treated me. It probably would have been more extreme if I would be blond, but even my brown hair was different enough that when I got my hair cut, the stereotypical flamboyantly gay hair dresser would call his friends to watch while he did it. People treated me like a celebrity and my male Chinese friends would even use me as a means to pick up girls. They would walk up to girls, ask them whether they wanted to meet a foreigner and then stand in front of my dormitory door in the middle of the night with a gaggle of girls who wanted to party. People were used to seeing Caucasian fashion models on billboards and in advertisements and I was just the closest thing to those images the people I met had ever seen in person. Back then China was still a very friendly and welcoming place, at least to white foreigners. That has changed since. The current dictator blames foreigners for everything that goes wrong, kids are being trained in school to hate everyone who isn't Chinese and you get treated with suspicion and hostility. I've heard of people getting harassed by angry mobs because they took a picture in front of a government building and people suspected them of being spies.

@timeracer123

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. I think part of the problem is attitude and how we preceive it. Some comments and interactions can be rude or insulting however we are the ones who deside how we will react to it

When I migrated to this country I was in 7th grade. My first introduction to this weird racist expectant behavior was in chem lab. Teacher says, don’t mix A with B because it will damage solution which means it will need to be recreated. These 2 black girls in front of me did exactly that, the girl that was translating for me and I watch and commented oh no, we’re going to have to wait until teach re-mixes the solution. These 2 girls literally turned around looked up and down at us and said “what? Why are you staring and talking about us? Is it because we’re black?” And we were shocked, I said “no because you did what we weren’t supposed to and therefore damaged the solution for the rest of the class”. They turned and walked away

@livywithane

7 ай бұрын

Bruh. It’s people like them that I don’t like. Life isn’t about you. Gosh🙄

@bjtaylor4360

7 ай бұрын

That is why I have noticed " white" people scared to talk to black/etc people or talk about different😢 cultures , because they will be accused of something or worse.

@anonamatron

7 ай бұрын

@@livywithane I don't understand how you can use a word like "bruh" and not feel like an idiot. I agree with you otherwise.

@roygeorge5364

7 ай бұрын

I really think America is compounding this race to divide themselves, due to the constant asking of peoples ethnicity. I don't mean the American people, I mean the government, and their little boxes on documentation, for peoples ethnicity. It starts with their birth certificate, and seems to just keep going over a person's lifetime. We are asked where we are born, but that's it. Our ethnicity isn't asked and I've never even seen a form with a box to tick with white, black or Asian in my life. Why would it be asked in the first place? This is an American situation and the rest of the world understands that Aunty Kate was just excited about her new niece or nephews looks, the same way we ponder whether the new baby will have dad's blue eyes, however Miss Markle had to call Oprah and claim racism. I can't for the life of me see what the box's purpose is??

@_st33f

7 ай бұрын

​@@roygeorge5364Guessing they're still there for the cats to jump into and out of.

Girl I LOVE that shirt! you always look great babe 😘 love your show, keep on killin it 🤘❤

One thing my history teacher said that I will never forget: “diverse is a synonym for divided”

1) I agree with Amala, instead of race-swapping we should be making more movies focused on black people. There are stories and writers out there who have amazing ideas and write incredible books and we should be focusing on that and doing NEW stuff rather than remaking and race/gender-swapping old characters for no good reason. It's stupid. (hint hint Disney) Create NEW characters and movies instead of fucking up the old ones. Leave them alone. They were perfect as they were. We don't need remake after remake. That's just ridiculous. But they need to branch out and create movies written by black people about black people. And when it comes to Disney, who I'm starting to hate because of their BS. Why don't they start making movies about black folk tales and fairy tales? There are so many amazing folk tales in black history that they could be making movies about. I honestly think the fact that they ignore black folklore is more racist than not having black characters in old European folk tales.

@jerm8146

7 ай бұрын

I've been saying this for years, but I'm white so I just get accused of racism or white fragility when I say it. There are SO many amazing stories from every culture on the planet. Instead of telling these stories and exposing people to other cultures, Disney takes the easy route and just does "blackface" with most of their stories (figuratively, not literally). I'm honestly surprised that there isn't more outrage from the Black community over it because it's incredibly patronizing.

@TheRedPeril

7 ай бұрын

What a surprise. Someone black wants more. You do realise it’s not all about you don’t you? You probably don’t actually.

@teehee440

7 ай бұрын

Why are you so obsessed with having black characters? Why is it so important to you?

@aliblul2997

7 ай бұрын

It's not important to me, I don't really care. But it seems to be a big issue for everyone else.@@teehee440

@aliblul2997

7 ай бұрын

I'm actually not black. Never said it was about me, I don't think it is.@@TheRedPeril

If I was asked... "Why do you find it so hard to acknowledge your privilege?" My response options... 1. "Do you really want me to?" (So many good ways this could go depending on their answer) 2. "My privilege? If I have any special privilege, I'd love to hear about it."

@denisl2760

7 ай бұрын

Exactly. If white people openly acknowledged their privilege all the time people would say "look at this pompous a** thinking he's better than us".

@oliviaelderberry9423

7 ай бұрын

@CloudzofPink Valid. Although those people are few and far between. I believe more black people commit crimes simply because that's a fact. But I WOULD NEVER assume every black person I see is a criminal.

@Roastbutt

6 ай бұрын

@CloudzofPinksounds like you might be a lot of people.

@johnrussell5592

6 ай бұрын

I think that what was seen as white privilege is what I know as middle-class privilege. It's not about skin tone but about address and bank statement. There is now a smaller middle-class than ever before, and a larger percentage of white Americans in the lower- and poverty-class.

@oliviaelderberry9423

6 ай бұрын

@@johnrussell5592 Blaming inflation for that.

0:40 This…this right is my belief too!!! Basically this WHOLE reaction video is PERFECTLY phrased by you, Amala ♥️♥️♥️ And I’m white with a unique name that many have mispronounced and misspelled my WHOLE life, so it’s not just black people.

Some days I really, truly appreciate you being you.

When I would babysit kids in high school. A neighbor needed a sitter in an emergency. The family was black and the little girl was 8 and was really nervous but asked if she could touch my hair and I was like "sure" and then she wanted to play with my hair. So I let her. I had very curly hair for a white girl and she was curious. Such a sweet girl to take care of. Her family was pretty great too.

@anonamatron

7 ай бұрын

Why didn't you slap her hand away and tell her to stop being so racist, and then make a TikTok video about it?

@noreenelizabeth6617

7 ай бұрын

@anonamatron because I'm white. Had tiktok been a thing, maybe I would have recorded it to prove to the world that I'm not racist.

9:26 Here’s a true, heartwarming story: I went to a charter school for troubled or under-privileged kids (or kids who struggled with their grades or surpassed regular high school) when I was 15. And a big, beautiful burly black teenager walked up to me and said, -and I quote: “Damn, girl! You got hair like an Asian!” And she immediately touched and played with my hair. I was taken aback, but also very flattered because I always struggled with self-esteem. I was very depressed and shy, but she opened up my confidence and I became more sociable and we became friends. Then she would braid my hair after or before class. I’ll never forget her. Her name was Chontelle. It’s a shame we lost touch after I suddenly had to move away. I always hold that memory as a fond experience that warms my heart. She was a sweetheart. People to this day struggle to believe my story, but I don’t care. I got to experience something nice from my teen years, and growing up as a teen I was miserable. I hold onto any fond memories I can, and she was one of them. My memory to hold dear. Love you, Chontelle. Wherever you are. ❤️

@kelliehorn1082

7 ай бұрын

I believe you, and I love that!

@rebekahallen3933

7 ай бұрын

I hope one day you two meet again so sweet ❤❤

@patriciarossman8653

7 ай бұрын

Somebody is going to tell her about reading this. I simply know that. ❤

@peggysherman2811

7 ай бұрын

I am a white 66 year old woman who grew up in Maine surrounded by white people. I love nice looking hair. Black hair or white hair. I complement people but I would not complement a black person unless I knew them and even then I would think they might think I'm singling them out. But I do love black braids. Can't help it. I would never touch other people's hair though. In my mind people are just people and I try to act accordingly.

@SunBunz

7 ай бұрын

@@peggysherman2811 that’s sad you feel afraid to compliment black people about there hair because of this new generation’s invented victimhood may see it as “micro-aggressions.” (One of many dumb made-up words) There was a time when a compliment was _just_ a compliment. Times sure have changed, and I don’t like it. I work on the phone, and an old man thanked me and called me “ma’am” and immediately apologized. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t sure if that applies or if those are your pronouns.” I told him that there’s no need to apologize, and that we’re both from the previous generation before any of these became a “problem” for society, and that even if I were a “sir” I take no offense whatsoever, that I am a grownup and I never offend easily. I wanted to express how I felt about today’s generation, but I kept it professional and ended the call after making him laugh and cheered him up. I just find it sad how this generation trying to be “inclusive” and more “tolerant” has had the opposite effect: changing people into being anti-social and afraid to speak, say hello “ma’am” or “sir” or even something as innocent as a compliment about their hair…if it’s a certain group. Because of the snot-nosed brats who write the scripts for videos on Buzzfeed. (Yes, these racist videos are scripted)

Thank you for this video!

I love how the dude was like why can't you pronounce this name that you've never heard but you can pronounce the names of famous people who you grew up hearing about! Obviously, if you grow up hearing a name, it's easy to pronounce! Also, I had a really hard time with Galifianakis the fist time I saw it spelled out! Because words are hard!

I miss the 80s and 90s because of videos like the one Amala reacted to. We weren’t perfect back then on race issues, but it did seem a heck of a lot better than now.

@djblackprincecdn

7 ай бұрын

Its because we were starting to stop seeing colour and the race hustlers didn't want any of that. So they ramped up the victim making and regressed things to the point we are at now. Its fucking sad.

@judyjsmail

7 ай бұрын

Now I don't want nothing to do with black people now knowing how they feel about white people

@msk3905

7 ай бұрын

Absolutely correct!

@songnverse

7 ай бұрын

That’s because all we cared about was chillen. And if you were down to chill, that’s all that mattered 😄

I just don’t get the victimhood - it must be weighing to be that miserable all the time. As a SA survivor I believe in being an overcomer and not letting my past keep me down.

@Pandcakes936

7 ай бұрын

I guess reality is we aren't wired the same. There's days I feel sure of myself, then there's other days when childhood trauma starts to show itself. Should we brag about it? I don't think so. Best way is to reassure them and share some words of wisdom, imo.

Great video but I have to say my favorite part way when you used “ amalgamation” which is my new favorite word now lol

Thank you sweetie i really appreciate your channel

It's staggering how many of these "divides" are either illusory or can be explained very very simply, which is exactly what Amala is doing. The askers are treating something simple like it's nefarious, when easy and non-racist explanations exist. It's like that scene in Me, Myself, & Irene where a white guys says "do you people take checks?" to his black limo driver and the guy assumes "you people" means black instead of limo drivers or people who work for his company. If you expect to find racism creeping around every corner (and this goes for everybody, obviously, not just black people), you will find it everywhere, even if it's just your own confirmation bias.

You are so educated, logical and articulated. The world needs more of this.

I can really appreaciate your point of view. You are very refreshing and intelligent.

A word is simply a noise that you attach to an idea or object. And it only has as much power as you give it. This has been especially obvious to me since I've studied several different languages and had to actually do this several times.

Thank you! New subscriber here! Victimhood mentality has got to stop in all races, full stop!

I've said it before and I'll say it again... You're not the only people who get your hair touched by random people! As a young blonde and very straight haired blue eyed child, MANY people wanted to hold my pony tail or just scrunch my hair because of how thick it was. It was mind boggling to some people how much hair I had. People just want to experience what's different.

Thank you for this.

Haha my husband grew up in the Bahamas.. Freeport area. He and his 2 siblings were the only white kids and everyone at school wanted to touch his hair. Said he had “dog hair”. We took our 2 kids several years ago and it’s the same.. all the little kids at the church wanted to pet my son’s head and ask about his hair. People are just interested in people who are different than them! It’s not deeper than that.

We really need more ppl like Amala who actually uses her brain and logic.

@michaelbrinks8089

7 ай бұрын

She did a great job explaining things.....The ironic thing about the people in the video is. They're claiming whites are always being racist without realizing it. While they themselves are being totally racist towards whites, without realizing it. 🤪 🤡 🤪 🤡

I once had a Somali guy, very politely, ask to touch my hair. Shrugging, I gave permission and after a few minutes he was satisfied. Afterward, I asked if he'd mind reciprocating. He happily consented. That encounter humanized us to each other. Humans are curious. Doesn't matter who you are or where you're from. I've been to other countries; spoken to many people without a common language between us. Engaging in such respectful interactions brings us closer together.

@Fadelita

7 ай бұрын

KEYWORD: Respectful!!! If someone you didn’t personally know out of nowhere touched your hair or your skin, wouldn’t you feel weird about it? Understand that people have gone thru difficult experiences that might be different from yours. Putting yourself in their shoes too. That’s also respect!

@joeb5230

7 ай бұрын

@@Fadelita I'm sorry for not specifying this in my original post, but my point was that touching someone's hair is not racist. All kinds of people have that impulse, but us decent folk either refrain or ask for permission first. I wholeheartedly agree with you that maintaining a respectful attitude when interacting with others is crucial. I have in fact had several people from varying backgrounds, including my own, touch my hair without warning. I hate it. I don't know where their hands have been. Some of them just came back inside from a smoke break. It's gross. I've also had many encounters where someone randomly pats me on the back, places their hand on my shoulder, or initiates some other form of random physical contact. I even had a woman I'd never before met approach me and place her hand on my chest for several seconds, and this was after a short conversation where I mentioned I was married and she stated that she had a boyfriend. I was physically abused as a child, so I don't like any physical contact, aside from that with my wife or some limited contact with friends or family. Other than these acceptable forms, I need to first psych myself up in those times where permission is requested beforehand, such as in my original post or shaking hands in a business setting. If I don't have time to prepare, I have to stop myself from lashing out at whomever invaded my personal space. I restrain myself because I'm aware that such a reaction would be disproportional to the intent behind the unwanted contact. Which leads me back to my original point, that not everything is about oppression or discrimination. Many people are just awkward or downright rude in their interactions with everyone else. I do thank you for pointing out my lapse in my original post. I didn't mean for it to come across the way that it did. Be well.

@SRBOMBONICA86

7 ай бұрын

​@@Fadelitadifficult experience????😂omg you are priviliged as hell

What a clever intelligent young woman, keep up the good work my girl ❤

Thank you Amala :)

As a white woman with curly hair, I also was asked if people could touch my hair. When I, in turn, see someone with thick hair- I want to know what it feels like because my hair is very thin and fine. I think hair is one of those things. Were used to our own and find others' so fascinating.

@vangerbain4183

7 ай бұрын

Same...

I love you and agree with you 100%. The victim mentality is real

@bluesakura2092

7 ай бұрын

It’s just sad. They don’t know how messed up their mind is to constantly be thinking about race. That’s not normal or healthy mentally!

I had a black girl in middle and high school who liked to play in my hair all the time. She said she liked the way white girl hair felt and it was relaxing so win win

THANK YOU

I have a biracial daughter and I love when she wears her hair naturally 🤦🏻‍♀️. I love seeing her curls.

My neighbour’s white blonde daughter attended a predominantly black elementary school. The black kids were ALWAYS touching her hair and face. So much so it became a huge issue as many kids did this to her all day every day. Curiosity sure but this became so overwhelming for her it affected her desire to even attend school. They had to have an adult shadow her for a while to make sure no one was touching her. So…..it happens both ways.

@urielnino8755

7 ай бұрын

That sound made up to me. Black kids don't go around touching white kids everyday .

Excellent video. Ty

I’m from Denmark. A few months ago, a new historical movie came out about rural Denmark in the 1750s, starring Mads Mikkelsen. During a press conference, he and the Director were asked why there weren’t a more diverse casting, aside from actors from the Nordic countries. Only problem was Denmark was not even the slightest a diverse country in the 1750s. It would be historically inaccurate, especially for rural Denmark in that period, to have a diverse population. And I applaud the Director for not following Hollywood’s diversity for the sake of diversity approach. I am all for diversity, but not when it comes to showing actual history. Not to mention the series about Anne Boleyn, where she is portrayed as black.

In 1965 I lived in a dorm with 2 American Black guys in the room across the hall from me. We treated each other the same as anyone else. We were friends and I would drive one of them home on weekends sometimes. It was a time when natural Afro hairstyles were the "in thing" and very fashionable. Since this fashion did not require any grease or other hair treatment, I asked if I could touch it. When given permission I was amazed at how soft the hair was. I learned many things about the black culture of that time, and even how one of the guys used a hair remover to remove his beard because shaving irritated his skin terribly. We never had any conflicts and always treated each other with respect. I wish those times could return once again.

Lol, as a white Namibian I've had my hair touched by fellow black compatriots on numerous occasions. Variety is the spice of life. PS Love your videos, Amala 👍

I recently discovered your channel and I am becoming more and more addicted to your videos each passing day. This one is not different and I appreciate it but there is something I wanted to point out. As a French white woman, this thing about touching black people hair in USA never fails to amaze me… Like in USA, we have a lot of black or mixed citizens too. Either from our former colonies in Antilles or more recent African (or Indian or whatever origin they are) workers migration. I am still waiting to encounter a French person asking for touch the hair of a random black/mixed person in the street. It’s just never happens if not for professional reason like to the hairdresser. I can’t tell for sure how people act in others European countries but I am pretty confident it never happens in our western nations. Maybe it’s different in former soviet union countries where curly haired people are less common but still… Even if it’s out of curiosity, it’s sounds very strange to me. As a caucasian person, I wouldn’t see people touching my hair just to test their texture or weight. I can’t blame black Americans to be annoyed if they are constantly being asked this kind of dumb questions.

this comment section definitely passed the vibe check. I love hearing about everyone’s stories

The hair-touching thing is weird for me. I totally understand people not wanting others to just touch their hair (or any other part of their body) without asking, I don't personally think anybody should just be doing that unless you've already got a very close relationship with them, at minimum. That said, I'm a white dude with pretty long, wavy hair and people are always trying to touch my hair. Even black women have decided to run their fingers through my hair completely unprompted. So it always seemed like a weird double-standard to me.

@bluesakura2092

7 ай бұрын

It is weird. I feel like sometimes it stems from a child like curiosity. But sometimes I have seen people want to touch it in a mean way. I’ve seen both situations.

@GeekOwtLowd

7 ай бұрын

It is weird. But it's a boundary thing, not a race thing.

@CharitysClarity

7 ай бұрын

Same with pregnancy I had people just touch my baby bump with all 4 of my pregnancies

@QAZ-OMEN

7 ай бұрын

I shave my head and so many people want to rub it. It makes me so annoyed

@ChaoticYak1

7 ай бұрын

I will admit that I've never seen this happen. I don't deny that it does, but it does seem inappropriate to touch someone without their permission, no matter what part of the body it is.

Geez who came up with all these ridiculous questions 🤦🏻‍♀️ Thank you so much for reacting to this one, Amala…your common sense is a breath of fresh air in this crazy day and age!💜🖤

Okay, so I think the lion reference was in response to people being outraged by Cecil the lion being shot by a big game hunter, and it absurd that they are bringing him into it.

You rock Amala

When I (WF) was in basic training (USAF) I was watching another woman (BF) doing her hair. First, for a white woman, I have very curly hair, but I was curious about her hair. To me it looked as though it would feel coarse. She very graciously let me touch her hair. It was soft! Softer than mine actually. She, and another woman who was black, went on to explain to me that black hair comes in all different textures. I've always been glad they were willing to share with me.

@KatnessEvermean

7 ай бұрын

My(WF) first roommate(BF)at the language institute (right after basic, also USAF) taught me how to care for my curly hair by having me play with and style hers. She also wanted to style my hair cause I'm not tender headed so she could get some really good braids in. We had a blast and she was wonderful! She use to tease me about being so white that I'm allergic to watermelon, all in good fun of course. I miss the heck out of her! Thank you for sparking some of my best memories of being in the military!

@katherinewells3099

7 ай бұрын

@@KatnessEvermean I've learned more from black women (watching videos and such) than white women on how to work with my hair. I also use a lot of products meant for black hair.

@roku5071

7 ай бұрын

​​@@katherinewells3099I have also learned a few tricks and tips that work for my curly hair, too from watching YT and Pinterest videos about black natural hair and I am passing those onto my granddaughter that has curly hair like me

@KatnessEvermean

7 ай бұрын

@@katherinewells3099 Same here. My hair is actually healthy now. Before it was this weird, frizzy, dry mess and all I could do was put it in a bun to hide it. Also not having to use a ton of gel any more helps so much. Best thing that was ever recommended to me though was a silk bonnet.