Black Girls Are Tired of These Phrases – And Here’s Amandla Stenberg’s Perfect Summary of Why

February 19, 2016 / Teen Vogue

“Can I touch your hair?” is only the beginning.

Here’s 17-year-old actress Amandla Stenberg reminding us once again of why she’s one of our faves. She teams up with some brilliant and inspirational friends, including filmmaker Franchesca Ramsey, activist Johnetta “Netta” Elzie, and the women of Urban Bush Babes, to get real about the phrases black girls are tired of being told.

Many of these are meant as “compliments,” but with Amandla’s breakdown of why they’re hurtful, you’ll know why they’re not complimentary at all. This shows just how relentlessly black girls get comments on their looks, voice, and more – and how it all takes a toll.

This is one of three parts of an outstanding video series Amandla co-directed and co-created herself for Teen Vogue. We’re so excited for this and more #BlackGirlMagic from her powerful voice.

With Love,
The Editors at Everyday Feminism

Click for the Transcript

Amandla Stenberg, Actress: When I grew up I had a lot of black friends, so I’m like an honorary black person. You feel me?

Franchesca Ramsey, Filmmaker: You are the prettiest black girl—

Elaine Welteroth, Teen Vogue Beauty & Health Director: —I have ever seen.

Amandla Stenberg: When you tell me that I’m pretty for a black girl, what you’re implying is that my blackness equates to ugliness. And that being white is the only standard of beauty that’s actually valid.

Amandla Stenberg: Oh, my God, you talk like a white person.

Franchesca Ramsey: Your nose is really small. Are you mixed with something?

Cipriana Quann, Co-founder of Urban Bush Babes: Where are you from?

Amandla: That’s your dad?

Cipriana: So where are your family from? Where are your ancestors from?

Amandla: When you tell me I talk well for a black girl, what you’re implying is that black people are stupid.

Franchesca: Everyone has a tendency to call out when something is different.

Elaine: And it makes them feel like they need to explain themselves, that they can’t just be.

Amandla: Your hair is, like, so weird.

Franchesca: Can I touch it?

Amandla: …it’s like Cheetos or something.

Franchesca: Just kidding, already touching it!

Johnetta Elzie, Activist: I don’t wear my natural hair and wear weave instead.

Franchesca: My hand is in your scalp.

TK Wonder, Musician: It’s so soft; I never would have thought.

Franchesca: Please don’t do that.

Amandla: What you’re implying when you ask to touch my hair is that my hair is exotic and it’s not normal. It’s like petting a dog. It’s just straight up dehumanizing.

Camonghne Felix, Poet: You would change your hair this much if you could; I promise you. How was that? Was that good? That felt like a good eyeroll.

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Franchesca “Chescaleigh” Ramsey is a graphic designer and video blogger based out of New York City. With over 100k subscribers on her two YouTube channels, Chescaleigh and Chescalocs she and her videos have been featured on numerous style and entertainment blogs and news publications including MTV, The New York Times, Essence.com, and The BBC. In January 2012, Franchesca had her first viral video “Shit White Girls Say…to Black Girls” which accumulated 1.5 million views in 24 hours, 6 million views in a week and over 9 million views to date. Follow her on Twitter @chescaleigh.

Amandla Stenberg is a model, actor, and philanthropist best known for her role as Rue in The Hunger Games. You can check out her website here and follow her on Twitter @amandlastenberg.