A heartwarming video featuring a 4-year-old girl, Leila Danai from Florida, has taken TikTok by storm after her mother, Mildred Munjanganja, shared a clip of her daughter recounting an incident at school. The video showcases young Leila confidently responding to a classmate’s disapproval of her natural hair.
In the video posted back in July, Leila shares with her mother that a boy named Owen expressed dislike for her hairstyle at school. Unfazed, Leila asserts, “Owen said he didn’t like my hair, but I said, ‘I like it.'” Her mother, proud of her daughter’s self-assured response, encourages her to elaborate. Leila goes on to explain, “He said, ‘I don’t like that hair, it’s crazy,’ and I said, ‘My mommy made it. If you don’t like it, I’ll keep it for myself.'”
The video’s empowering message resonated globally, amassing over 1.9 million views, along with 404,600 likes and shares combined. Notably, Hollywood actress Viola Davis shared the video, catapulting it to international recognition.
The response has been overwhelming, with individuals from various countries, including Pakistan and Syria, reaching out to express how Leila’s confidence has inspired them. The video has sparked conversations about parenting and instilling self-confidence in children.
Munjanganja and Leila frequently engage in heartfelt conversations on TikTok, capturing moments of their daily rides to and from school. These moments serve as a way for Munjanganja’s parents, who are in Zimbabwe, to stay connected with their granddaughter’s experiences.
Leila’s poised response to the incident stems from her mother’s intentional teachings. Munjanganja emphasizes the importance of not letting others’ opinions affect Leila. She states, “People will have different opinions, and we can thank them for their contribution, but we don’t have to soak it in. We don’t have to take it, we don’t have to accept it, we don’t have to allow it to ruin our day.”
Furthermore, Munjanganja has actively promoted embracing individuality, recounting a moment when Leila desired hair like her predominantly White schoolmates. To counter this, Munjanganja took her to a dog show, using the diverse breeds as a metaphor to convey the beauty of differences among people.
Leila’s uplifting story continues to inspire countless individuals, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and celebrating one’s unique qualities.
