Actress Teyonah Parris Had Her Natural Hair Fondled and Called “Stimulating” By an Old Man

Discussion of whether it’s acceptable to touch a black woman’s hair is ongoing in the natural community, but touching a black woman’s hair after she has made it clear that she is NOT comfortable is always crossing a line. Actress (and our eternal hair crush) Teyonah Parris detailed on Twitter an experience she recently had with an older gentleman while she had dinner with friends at The Ritz.

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

Yuck. There was a time in this country when black women had no agency over their bodies. I wonder if this man is from that generation. That he sees his clear violation of her personal space as a compliment is troubling (not to mention creepy).

Ladies, what are your thoughts?