On Sept. 8, a frustrated white mother turned to Reddit to express her outrage after her mother allegedly shaved her biracial daughter’s hair without consent.
In a detailed post, user @Ornery_Exchange8001 described how she felt compelled to call the police after the incident involving her 3-year-old daughter, Zoe. The mother, who shares Zoe with her Black husband, Tyler, voiced her deep concern over the violation of trust and autonomy.
“Zoe has the most stunning curly hair, and I’ve always taken great care of it. She absolutely loves her curls, and we’ve made it a fun bonding activity to style her hair together,” the ticked-off momma detailed in her since-deleted Reddit post , according to New York Post .
@ Ornery_Exchange8001 claimed that her mother, Susan, always had an issue with Zoe’s luscious curls and would constantly make shady remarks about the little one’s crown, calling it “wild” and saying she had “too much hair for a little girl.” According to the social media user, her mom wondered if Zoe’s hair would be “easier” to manage if were straight.
“I’ve always brushed it off. I thought it was just harmless ignorance – until last week.”
A mother and her bi-racial daughter (not @Ornery_Exchange8001 and her child pictured above) – Source: Isbjorn / Getty
Things took a turn for the worst, when the mother had a work emergency that led her to leave her daughter with her mom for a few hours. When she returned, she was horrified to find Zoe’s beautiful curls completely shaved off.
“Her head was shaved bald. I started screaming, asking what the hell had happened, and Mom just shrugged and said, ‘I did her a favor. Now she looks tidy and presentable. Besides, it’ll grow back straight.’”
The mother, furious and distressed, immediately took Zoe home, where her daughter was in tears and repeatedly touching her shaved head. Overwhelmed with anger and emotion, the mother felt that her own mother had violated Zoe’s sense of self. Then @ Ornery_Exchange8001 took matters into her own hands.
“I decided to call the police and report the incident as assault,” the Reddit user revealed.
“They actually came and took statements from both me and Mom, and she was brought in for questioning later. After that, my dad, who I’ve always loved and respected, called me and was furious. He said I’d gone too far, that mom was just trying to help, and that calling the police was a massive overreaction.”
She added, “Hearing my dad side with her broke my heart. I yelled back that mom had no right to touch Zoe’s hair, that she disrespected my boundaries as a parent, and that I wouldn’t tolerate it.”
Social media users react to @Ornery_Exchange8001’s post.
The user shared that her parents have severed ties with her following the heated exchange, labeling her as “cruel” for involving the police. She questioned whether she had overreacted by calling law enforcement, but many commenters quickly stepped in to offer support, affirming that she had made the right decision.
“In my opinion, this is worth going no-contact over, because if they’re willing to do this NOW, when she’s 5, it’ll only get worse from here,” wrote one netizen on Reddit.
Another supporter noted how cutting someone’s hair without their permission is a criminal offense in some states. According to Granite State Taxpayers, in New Hampshire specifically, cutting someone’s hair without consent and without a license is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year.
“Your mom will be singing a very different tune if she had her own hair shaved. Shame on your dad for supporting your mum. NTA, cutting a person’s hair without permission is a crime in a lot of jurisdictions.”
A third Reddit goer added, “The trauma this inflicted on your child is just so upsetting. Your mother is a monster. Show her our posts.”
We’re siding with this mama.
Hair holds significant cultural, emotional, and identity-related importance for young Black girls. It reflects their cultural heritage, connecting them to their roots, traditions, and community. Hair serves as a medium for self-expression and creativity, allowing girls to showcase their individuality.
Additionally, it plays a crucial role in shaping self-esteem ; positive experiences with hair can boost confidence, while negative ones—such as pressure to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards—can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Susan will never understand what it means to leave the salon sporting your kinky, shiny curls freely in a world dominated by European beauty ideals.
This mother wanted Zoe to feel empowered and confident, embracing her true, authentic self. Hair care often involves family rituals, fostering bonding through shared cultural practices, which this proud mom tried to do for her little one. Moreover, navigating societal beauty expectations can be challenging for young Black girls, making their hair a vital aspect of their social identity. Ultimately, hair is not just a physical attribute but a deeply intertwined element of identity, culture, and personal expression.
We hope little Zoe is doing okay.
RELATED CONTENT: Standing On Bouffant Bidness! Beyoncé Eats Up Her Own Damn Fans With CÉCRED Wash Day Challenge
The post White Woman Calls Cops On Her Mother For Shaving Biracial Daughter’s Hair Without Permission appeared first on MadameNoire .
Local News
