"You must have some indian in you"...

[brownhaired_bonanza]

...because you've got long hair".

That's the line I recieved from a co-worker the other day. All I could do was stutter because I wanted to laugh and explain to him (without being too preachy) that genetics has nothing to do with the length of my hair, and everything to do with the way I take care of it.

Have any of you ladies gotten similar comments?

 

[lexi08]

Yeah... I have heard this comment before too. My hair is not even bra strap length, it is collarbone length except for the front. This irritates me sometimes because some people think if you are a black female with some length/fullness to your hair, you must be mixed with some other race/ethnic group.

 

[carletta]

why is it everytime a woman of color has beatiful healthy hair w/ some lenght to it .... she's got to have to be mixed w/ somthing? . the last time I heard that mess, I said " yeah I am, more common sense about my regemin " then go on to tell them what I do !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

why is it everytime a woman of color has beatiful healthy hair w/ some lenght to it .... she's got to have to be mixed w/ somthing? . the last time I heard that mess, I said " yeah I am, more common sense about my regemin " then go on to tell them what I do !!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know?? I wanted to tell the guy something similar along the lines of what you said but then I thought, "screw it" and went back to work.

 

[SilkyandSmooth]

Absolutely. I've been getting the "are you mixed" comments a lot lately and it's because of the texture of my hair. I'm almost a year into my transition, so the waves are really popping. Several people have asked me if I have Indian in my family. One person even asked me if I was Dominican. I told them no. Both of my parents are black, therefore I'm black. Of course I have Indian in my family, but don't most black people do? erplexed

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

Of course I have Indian in my family, but don't most black people do? erplexed

Exactly! My dad's grandparents were Indian but that doesn't make me anything other than black. I couldn't say the line, "I'm black and Indian" without laughing.

 

[Porsche19]

What makes me pissed is that they think it's cute. Or that it's a good thing that you don't look like what they accept as looking very black.

People have said, what are you to me and I've replied "black". You know this guy had the nerve to say "that's ok, you still look good"

Or people will sit there and repeat,"well you must have some white in you or something" or "you really do look dominican"

Look you bastards, I'm black! I look black! I don't care if my features aren't 100% negroid looking! I don't find it to be any better or worse to be full black or black mixed with anything else! You are not complimenting me when you say I don't look black!

Arrghh!

Sorry, I was venting.

 

[BrwnSugaBabee]

I hate that! I get supposed "compliments" frequently when i wear my hair down that I have really good hair I must be mixed. I take major offense to that, and try to explain to them that black people don't have bad hair it is just a different more fragile texture. However, I do believe that genetics does play a part in hair growth, it just a fact of nature. But you can help you hair to grow to its maximum potential with great care.

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

Look you bastards, I'm black! I look black! I don't care if my features aren't 100% negroid looking! I don't find it to be any better or worse to be full black or black mixed with anything else! You are not complimenting me when you say I don't look black!

Arrghh!

Sorry, I was venting.

S'okay. Vent on. I needed a laugh. Seriously though, what do you say when someone says that you don't look black?

*in a fake voice* "Yesssss I'm moving on up! I've been waiting so long for someone to tell me that!"

Give me a break.

 

[cutebajangirl]

It doesnt matter how black you look if you are pretty then you dont look black to them. I have a beautiful 100% yoruba friend who people insist that she must be Dominican cause she is pretty. Please! When I put on full make up and the hair is right then everyone thinks I am Peurto Rican, no make up and a blow out then everyone thinks I am a Dominican but if I go out in a bun and no make up then I am a light skin black girl. Okay People are so freaking stupid.

 

[ChocoKitty]

When people say that to me-if my sister is around--we put on a show! In our best Sheneneh voices we go on to say "Um Hmm! We got that Cherokee in our family..." Then we start playing in each others hair. While one of us says to the other "Your hair would look cute with burgandy highlights sprinkled gold glitter in french roll with "scruch waves & crimps"... People think we're crazy--then they just shut their mouths. But hey-we have fun with it!

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

When people say that to me-if my sister is around--we put on a show! In our best Sheneneh voices we go on to say "Um Hmm! We got that Cherokee in our family..." Then we start playing in each others hair. While one of us says to the other "Your hair would look cute with burgandy highlights sprinkled gold glitter in french roll with "scruch waves & crimps"... People think we're crazy--then they just shut their mouths. But hey-we have fun with it!

You got me lauging just thinking about it.

If those burgundy highlights with the gold glitter sprinkle french roll doesn't come out right, you can always go round the way to Juanita's Bumper Curl.

 

[Keen]

...because you've got long hair".

That's the line I recieved from a co-worker the other day. All I could do was stutter because I wanted to laugh and explain to him (without being too preachy) that genetics has nothing to do with the length of my hair, and everything to do with the way I take care of it.

Have any of you ladies gotten similar comments?

Although all black people can grow their hair to maximum lenght with good care, genetics does play a role on how long your hair grow and your hair type. People with extremely dry hair tend to be more prone to breakeage therefore their hair needs more TLC. people with slower growth rate due to heredity may never reach hair goal of waist lenght. Imagine if you have the combination of dry hair, thin hair strands, and slow growth rate due to heredity, your hair may never get to the lenght of someone of Indian heritage. That person is more likely to inherit faster hair growth and scalp that excret enough oil to keep their hair moist from their Indian heritage

So, IMO, there is validity to what your co-worker said. It may not be true in your case but most likely African Americans of caucasion, Indian or Oriental heritage tend to have hair types that grow faster and need less moisture. Therefore most likely to have long hair.

We have discussed this topic several time on this board and I really have not read anything to disprove that hair lenght does not have anything to do with heridity. Long hair is also relative. What one person think is long may not be long to another. After joining this board, long hair to me is like bra strap or a couple of inches above that.

 

[jaded_faerie]

Ive gotten this a lot...since ive been in Miami ive been considered Dominican or biracial...at home it was Brazilian or biracial...
i dont get it...

 

[cocopuff]

No one questions my racial background. I have always had a head full of hair since the day I was born and it grows really fast, but because I am not a lighter-skinned black person, people don't question whether or not I am black. The irony of it is, my family actually does have a Native American heritage, but because I am darker-skinned, people don't believe it. My grandmother said the other day that my hair was always pretty and that "must be that Indian in me". People are funny sometimes.

 

[TigerLily]

That's so silly/ridiculous. I'd look at them and say something like, 'are you serious?' or, 'that REALLY is not a compliment...especially since I'm not Indian. Don't say that silly mess to me again'.

Then I'd be accused of being 'mean'...Oh well...

That would nip those idiotic comments in the bud, though.

 

[Starian]

I've been told about 8 times in the last 3 months that I look Dominican. And about 3 of those people were Hispanic themselves! I just don't see it.

And a few people have asked if I'm mixed with something and I always tell them "I'm half black and half blacker." With a straight face. Sometimes they smile, sometimes they frown. Either way, it's ridiculous. But I try not to get offended or upset because I suppose that's their wierd way of being complimentary, no matter how screwed the view, ya know?

 

[SilkyandSmooth]

I couldn't say the line, "I'm black and Indian" without laughing.

For real. I would look like a a fool!

 

[Avaya]

And a few people have asked if I'm mixed with something and I always tell them "I'm half black and half blacker." With a straight face.

I'll have to remember that one!

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

That's so silly/ridiculous. I'd look at them and say something like, 'are you serious?' or, 'that REALLY is not a compliment...especially since I'm not Indian. Don't say that silly mess to me again'.

Then I'd be accused of being 'mean'...Oh well...

That would nip those idiotic comments in the bud, though.

I feel the same. Uh, I'm black, not Indian *in jerry seinfeld voice*- not that there's anything wrong with that. Calling me an Indian when I'm not doesn't make my day brighter, nor my life easier.

Wanna give me a compliment that I'd love to hear? Tell me it looks as if I lost some weight. I might just kiss you.

 

[Lucia]

That's some tall pooh, even if you do have other races/ethnicities in you that has nothing to do with how long your hair can grow we all know that the right regimen and patience can get anybodys hair down their back.
I can name 5 east Indian girls I know right now whos hair is way shorter than mine and some of those never, had hair past their shoulders.

 

[TigerLily]

That's what I'm sayin'! Tell me you notice my new pair of earrings or outfit or somethin' like that!!!

When my hair was past my shoulders, I didn't get the Indian thing, I got the weave thing. Numskulls!!!!

Another thing. Do any of you feel that some black women actually like being mistaken for 'half Indian' even though they play like they don't? Not sayin any of you have done that/are doing that, it's just that I've heard women 'complain' about being mistaken before....but they looked as if they rather enjoyed it and secretly liked it and would bring it up a lot.

 

[pink_flower]

Another thing. Do any of you feel that some black women actually like being mistaken for 'half Indian' even though they play like they don't?

But of course!

These women tend to bring it up often and at the most random times

 

[brownhaired_bonanza]

That's what I'm sayin'! Tell me you notice my new pair of earrings or outfit or somethin' like that!!!

When my hair was past my shoulders, I didn't get the Indian thing, I got the weave thing. Numskulls!!!!

Another thing. Do any of you feel that some black women actually like being mistaken for 'half Indian' even though they play like they don't? Not sayin any of you have done that/are doing that, it's just that I've heard women 'complain' about being mistaken before....but they looked as if they rather enjoyed it and secretly liked it and would bring it up a lot.

I think some do. I've seen the blushes and the smiles and heard the giggles and the "I've got some indian in me" line.

 

[Mahalialee4]

What is wrong with being "Indian"? Some people are English and Portugese and some are English and French and visibily show the acharacteristics of bothe cultures. I see some East Indians mixed with white and it shows. Like with the green or grey eyes. Is it truly an insulut to assume someone is mixed, or an insult to be considered "only Black" or only Portuguese and not Black or only Black and not Portuguese if you are mixed? This is an interesting thought provoking topic. What do you think about the questions I asked. BOnjhour.

 

[Lucia]

Nothings wrong with representing your'e background whether your 100% something or of various backgrounds, I don't see it as an insult if people say that to me. But if you're not mixed just correct that person, or skip it.

 

[hottopic]

I've been told about 8 times in the last 3 months that I look Dominican. And about 3 of those people were Hispanic themselves! I just don't see it.

And a few people have asked if I'm mixed with something and I always tell them "I'm half black and half blacker." With a straight face. Sometimes they smile, sometimes they frown. Either way, it's ridiculous. But I try not to get offended or upset because I suppose that's their wierd way of being complimentary, no matter how screwed the view, ya know?

girl you are too funny.
On a serious note. It really does get annoying after awhile. I get that crap too when I go out, because I have a smooth brown complexion, they think I am mixed.

 

[TigerLily]

What is wrong with being "Indian"? Some people are English and Portugese and some are English and French and visibily show the acharacteristics of bothe cultures. I see some East Indians mixed with white and it shows. Like with the green or grey eyes. Is it truly an insulut to assume someone is mixed, or an insult to be considered "only Black" or only Portuguese and not Black or only Black and not Portuguese if you are mixed? This is an interesting thought provoking topic. What do you think about the questions I asked. BOnjhour.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with it...if that's what you are. I see it as totally silly and idiotic though, to assume that someone is mixed and view it as a compliment...as if being black isn't 'enough' or not good. I am black and if someone came up to me, based on my hair (not accent, clothes, food, culture, etc) but on my hair/looks and said, 'You MUST have some Indian/Spanish/fill-in-the-blank' in order for my hair to look good and healthy then they are going to get a lesson they don't want to hear from me. I"m not about to sit there, giggle and think it's just oh-so-cute. I COULD ignore it or whatever, but if someone is standing in front of me talking to me about ME, then me not being insulted is not even likely. There's nothing wrong with being mixed if that's what you are...however there's nothing wrong with being just black, either.

 

[divine]

I get that all the time, but its mostly you must got a little spanish or asian in you.

 

[SherryLove]

people say this to me all the time; and for the most part, it's true.......i simply reply, "yes i do," but i also take very good care of my hair in addition to being of native american descent....