No one enjoys an interruption at dinner. But for Mad Men actress Teyonah Parris, an awkward encounter turned into a thoroughly unpleasant experience when a man grabbed her “stimulating” natural tresses.
Whatever that means.
Parris live-tweeted an encounter with an older White man who continuously tried to touch her hair at The Ritz-Carlton earlier this week. Parris, who went natural in 2014, says she was objectified and belittled when the man reached for her tresses without permission.
And we all know, you don’t just go sticking your hand in anybody’s hair.
Parris’ encounter goes a little something like this:
Having tea at The Ritz w/beautiful brown folk. Old Man walks over boldly asks me “Is that yours or an add on?!”Clearly referring tomy hair.
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
I firmly state “Sir, that’s rude.” And turn to finish enjoying my company. He continues w/ “I told the manager he should have the waitresses
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
wear that hair bc it’s stimulating.” I say “Excuse me?” He says “I’m saying I like it.” I reply “That’s all you had to say. You like it.”
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
I turn back to my company to once again END this convo w/ my body language and this man grabs my hair- I swear to Goodness- as he says
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
“It’s stimulating!” His 40 something yo daughter is clearly uncomfortable as she sees my and the whole group of brown folks reaction and she
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
goes “He’s trying to give you a compliment. C’mon Dad!” I’m dumbfounded and in shock. You have objectified, fetishized, attempted to demean,
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
and a number of other things all in one quick exchange. The sad thing is after all of my explaining to him about how inappropriate he was-
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
Im pretty sure he left as clueless as he arrived. Yup, it’s 2015. There’s levels to this type of #ignorance and #privilege.
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
Im pretty sure he left as clueless as he arrived. Yup, it’s 2015. There’s levels to this type of #ignorance and #privilege.
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
Of course, the actress cleverly plugged in her critically acclaimed film that addresses these social stigmas: Dear White People.
Anybody see this lil movie I did called #DearWhitePeople ? It’s on DVD and OnDemand! Go check it out!!
— Teyonah Parris (@TeyonahParris) June 9, 2015
Parris’ acting credits include The Good Wife, CSI, and now the Starz and LeBron James-produced drama Survivor’s Remorse.
SOURCE: Huffington Post, Twitter | PHOTO CREDIT: Instagram/Twitter
SEE ALSO:
Zoe Saldana Doesn’t Care What You Think About Her Husband Taking Her Last Name
Break The Internet! This Prom Dress Designed By High Schooler Kyemah McEntyre Is Everything
Don’t Touch A Black Woman’s Hair: “Mad Men” Actress Teyonah Parris Live Tweets Encounter With ‘Old Man’ Who Grabbed Her Natural Locks was originally published on newsone.com