For most of us, a stranger touching our hair or face is considered bizarre behavior, and even when well-intentioned, it can feel like a microaggression. But when a non-Black adult touches a Black child out of curiosity or admiration, it screams entitlement and privilege.
This frustrating scenario has played out countless times before, but recently, a Black mother named Ranzaneek caught one such moment on video.
The UnCutt recently shared the video on Instagram, and itâs quickly going viral.
Out for a shopping excursion in New Orleans, Ranzaneek was helping her smiling daughter try on a matching pink dress and coat when a woman reached out to touch the girlâs face, without bothering to address Ranzaneek or ask her permission.
The woman swooned over the girl, brushing her hand along the girlâs cheek as she browsed through the store, as if to say, âI can do whatever I want.â Some viewers felt the stranger treated the girl like a pet.
But the girlâs face said it all: her bright smile suddenly dimmed, and she stroked her cheek as she told the woman, âNo touching my face.â
Fighting back her protective mama bear instinct, Ranzaneek kept her cool and calmly reiterated, âNo touching her face.â
In the video, the woman, who spoke with a foreign accent, sounded surprised and offered a dramatic âOh, sorryâ before continuing with her shopping. The clip is striking a chord with all mothers, but especially Black mothers, who too often must contend with absurd boundary violations by strangers.
âWhy would a stranger even think thatâs okay?â asked one in the comments section. Another chimed in, âLike eww, idk where your hands have been, lady.â
The daughterâs ability to âstand on businessâ at such a young age impressed many. As one commenter put it, âThatâs right, lil mama, set boundaries.â
People also heaped praise on the Ranzaneek for teaching her daughter a fundamental lesson about consent. âYouâre doing a great job, Mom!!! Baby girl is confident & speaking up for herself already.â
