Happy Monday! I wonder if you can help me out with a little exercise. Imagine the following scenario:
You, an African American man, take your two young daughters out to dinner at a neighborhood Casual Dining Establishment. (You have so gracially arranged to do so on a weekly basis so that your wife can have several hours to work at the office, for which she is eternally grateful. But I digress.)The three of you settle into a booth. As you are attempting to equitably divide crayons and kids' menus/activity books, a fifty-ish White man and White woman are shown to the booth behind yours. As they pass your table, they smile at you and your daughters, and you smile in return before returning to the important task at hand. A few moments later the gentleman leans over his booth to peer into yours and says,
"May I feel your daughter's hair?"
If you were the African American man, which of the following would be your response:
(a) "Of course! Honey, stand up on the seat so this nice man can reach your hair."
(b) "Of course... May I feel your wife's breasts?"
(c) "No. And I just want to let you know that I find your request highly inappropriate, offensive and rude. My children do not exist to be the means of your desire fulfillment, curiosity seeking, or cultural education. If you are curious about African Americans' hair and hair styles, I suggest you conduct some research on the Internet, or arrange to sit in for a few hours at a Black hair salon, or talk to any of the close personal Black friends you may have. If you are asking because you like my daughter's hair, then a simple, 'Your daughter's hair is so beautiful' is both appropriate and welcome."
(d) "No, you may not."
(e) [No direct verbal response. Any number of other responses including but not limited to (i) evil looks, (ii) breaking out into a loud, dramatic rendition of "We Shall Overcome," (iii) bodily assault or homicide.]
(f) Other __________________ (Please provide answer via email or comments)
Thank you!
Posted by perry032 at December 11, 2006 08:57 AM