I'm all for breaking down barriers
But don't touch my hair
I’m not even asking nicely
Because we shouldn’t even have to go there!
Why does joining a campaign
In the name of
Accessibility to commonalities
Involve touching my hair?
Are you trying to tell me that equality
Within the human race starts
With an invasion of my personal space
Haven't we been here before?
[...]
See it starts with the hair
With innocence intrigued
And interest peeked by the versatility
Of each strand
The dignity that shines in the face of bigotry
Whether a fro, straightened, locs or twists
Our ability to resist persecution
And bring about our own revolution
As coded into each wiry follicle
[...]
I'm all for breaking down barriers
But don't you touch my hair
I am not your pet, your plaything
I do not consent to your analysis
Hear me on this –
My body is not an artefact
For you to examine, a landscape for you to frack
I will not join your circus and be a big tent
Spectacle of ridicule
I’ve no desire to satisfy your curiosity
I'm not here for you to peruse
And will not be an attraction in your zoo!
Excerpt from 'My Hair, My Rules!'
Nairobi Thompson © 2013
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