We each go around sharing little quirks and background information about ourselves. Keli goes next. “Well, my name is Kelicia Marie Johnson. My favorite TV show is Martin. What’s up? What’s up? WHAT’S UP?!” she says, imitating the famous opening lines of the show. Most of the people at the table get it, but Connor seems baffled. “That’s how the show opens,” I lean over and whisper in his ear.

“I like collard greens and cornrows,” she continues. “My parents from the South and got accents so thick, it sounds like they have a mouth full of cotton when they talk. I was born in Alabama but raised in Chi-town, where I learned to throw bows, if necessary. Don’t let the necessary occur, ya heard? Lastly, I’on think Tupac is dead. He’s totally chillin’ on an island somewhere in the Caribbean.”

Connor raises his hand awkwardly. He is learning well, I think to myself. “Can I ask a question? What are cornrows?”

“I guess there’s just no Black people in Vermont, huh?” Keli responds teasingly. “They’re a type of braid, Connor. I can show you on your hair if you like. It’s long enough.”

“Yea, that’d be awesome!” he exclaims.

Keli braids four cornrows in the crown of Connor’s head. Like a thoughtful teacher, she explains to the other white person, Elizabeth, what she’s doing as she works and the importance of braided hairstyles in the Black community.

“Way back in the slavery days, women hid rice in their braids during the Atlantic Passage to feed their children. You should also know that this shit is really important to us. It’s one of our main types of expression, like fashion and rap. It would take all night to explain the ways that Black hair has been shamed, politicized, and controlled. These unique styles help us reclaim our heritage.”

Keli finishes braiding Connor’s hair. “All done.” Connor gets up and looks in the mirror next to the couch. “Whoa,” he says. “Dude, these are sick!” he yells excitedly from across the room.

Connor leaves the braids in as we prepare to share deeper information about ourselves. His new Black hairstyle makes it hard to take him seriously, but we all do our best.