I've got all kinds of responses from people about my dreadies. They're at the point that some stick out pretty obviously and my friends ask to see a couple out of curiousity and because they think it's "neat" an "interesting" in how hair changes when you don't brush it. THOSE people I love showing my dreads off to. They're are genuinely intrigued as much as I am.
However (and getting to why I'm posting this):
Every time I show my brother my dreadlocks he touches it, pulls away and says "feels just like a black person's hair". He's 16 and very ignorant. We've had discussions about how dreadlocks are widespreadacrossthe human race. But, I still keep getting these comments from him.
And then yesterday my mom (who has been supportive, doesn't quite "get it" but not negative) said after she felt a really tight dread "I bet that's how Whoppie Goldberg's hair feels".
Here's my question: Should I be offended? I'm upset about them generalizing and I feel like they're stereotyping but I'm not sure how to convey this to them and make them understand. I'd really like anyone's stories about how people react when they feel your dreadlocks but especially any POC and what they think about my brother and mother.
Thanks!!!
updated by @samalamajam: 01/13/15 09:17:17PM