10 Disrespectful Things You Should Never Say to a Black Woman

'Do You Know Your Dad?' You would be surprised at how many times a Black girl is actually faced with this question. There is an awful stereotype that all Black women have serious daddy issues and have never even met the man who helped bring them into this world. The assumption, in and of itself, is racist and offensive. Actually posing that question to a Black girl is incredibly insulting and just downright foolish. 'You Act Like a White Girl' It’s the most obvious one in the book. What exactly does a white girl act like? What is a Black girl “supposed” to act like? Most of the time that question is posed to suggest that a Black girl is polite, intelligent, well-spoken and conservative. The fact that those traits are automatically associated with white people and an apparent surprise to see in Black women is only proof of the damage caused by years of negative, stereotypical portrayals of Black women. Almost Anything Ending with 'The Rest of Them' “You’re quieter than the rest of them.” “You’re prettier than the rest of them.” “You’re smarter than the rest of them.” “You’re not like the rest of them.” Who exactly is the “rest of them” and why is it so important that a Black woman strives to be better than the “rest of them”? Are you suggesting that the only way to compliment a Black woman is to suggest she is nothing like the rest of her people? This faux compliment is yet another cringe-worthy way to suggest that Black women are expected to be loud, unintelligent, classless human beings. Anything Ending in “For a Black Girl” The same principle applies here. “You’re smart for a Black girl.” “You’re pretty for a Black girl.” “You’re so nice for a Black girl.” These types of comments are wrong on many levels, the first being the inherent assumption that Black women aren’t usually smart, pretty or nice. The message here is simple — the way to compliment a Black girl or anyone for that matter is not to devalue the rest of their people. 'Do You Braid Hair?' Unless a Black girl has already informed you that she is a hair stylist or beautician of some sort, there is no reason for you to ask if she knows how to braid hair. It’s just another stereotype that mainstream media picked up and ran with. There are many Black girls who have never braided hair in their entire lives, and making the assumption that all Black women braid hair is just a way of exposing your own racist subconscious. 'You Must Know How to Dance, Right?' Being Black is not some sort of “one size fits all” cultural label that ensures every Black person is equipped with a certain set of skills that certifies their Blackness. Many Black women can’t dance, and this stereotype, like so many others, is merely rooted in the type of racism that has been quietly cackling behind the doors of mainstream media for decades. 'Do You Date Guys Who Aren’t Black?' There is a misconception that Black women are only interested in Black men. Just like any other human being, every Black woman has a unique set of things that she finds attractive. It’s not embedded in her blood or mixed into the pigment of her skin. Some Black women are indeed only physically attracted to Black men. Others are open to dating men of all races and may place more focus on other personality-based standards. Black women are not some sort of pack animal that only answers the mating call of other Black people. 'Is It True What They Say About Black Guys?' Even without race as a factor, the question is simply offensive and inappropriate. For starters, you shouldn’t be asking any questions about someone’s sex life if they didn’t open the door for that conversation. Also, this question is embedded with a series of other insulting assumptions. You’re suggesting that the woman has slept with enough men to know whether or not a Black man is, on average, more endowed than his white counterparts. You’re also buying into yet another racially charged stereotype, all while sizing Black men up as some sort of sexual fantasy rather than another human being. 'I’m Not Usually Into Black Girls, But You’re Beautiful' What is it about Black women that you usually aren’t into? Why should a Black woman take it as a compliment that you’re “willing” to step outside the box to date her, but you wouldn’t go near other Black women with a 10-foot pole? It’s simply offensive and suggests that in a sea of unworthy Black women, she stands out as the exception to the rule. 'Is That Your Real Hair?' There is no reason you should assume that it isn’t. Not every Black woman is walking around with a weave, and the ones who are do not want to have a conversation with you about it not being their natural hair. Not to mention the fact that you shouldn’t be surprised every time you see a Black woman with long hair.

Related Stories

‘My Whole Body Just Shut Down’: Black California Family Terrified After Vandals Spray Paint Disturbing Racist Threats On Home and Vehicle While They Slept

White Woman Called Cops on Black 14-Year-Old Washington State Boy, Accusing Him of Pushing Her at Park. Police Charge Her Instead After Multiple Witnesses Allege She Was Aggressor

‘Skin Tone Is Subjective’: Hooters Reaches $250K Settlement After Management Expressed Preference for White Servers Who They Claimed Were ‘More Presentable’ Than Black Girls