I’m sorry but I just have to say it: you’re not African. You’re white. Irish and Italian, right?

Coarse hair doesn’t make you African, and to suggest such a thing is so flipping offensive. Are you trying to glom on to the long overdue and finally-emerging power of Black women and Black Girl Magic? Like, ‘Hey! I really am one of you! I have coarse black hair!’

I am really troubled by this. We — the entire human race — descend from Africa. So in some essence you’re right. But you are not Black. And this whole notion of having “Black hair” touches on so many issues of appropriation.

Further, I’m really struggling to understand where you’re coming from and what the motivation is behind this entire piece. I also have very curly hair and very full lips. Does that make me Black? Not in my most fervent and hopeful of dreams. This piece feels like an inauthentic bid for sympathy or some other misguided attempt at “oh, I’m not racist because I like Black people.” I really am shaking my head. What were you thinking? That white guilt and white privilege are notions to be exploited for clicks? I’m at a loss for words right now.

It is kind of funny that your name is Felicia, because I can authentically and genuinely say, Bye Felicia.