Sat, Nov 21, 2009
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Name:
Harriet
Comment: MalcolmX said that Black folks need to get the kinks out of their minds instead of thier hair. I agree. It is sad that a white man sheds light on, or speaks out about such a taboo subject in the Black community, which is our dislike of our natural hair and the billions of dollars that go into bettering someone else's race because of that dislike.
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Name:
MDhornet
Comment: Harriet I agree with you on this one. Even though folk in the industry knew about this, it's taken a white man to bring it to national attention. I don't spend too much on products or salon visits because I wear my hair in its natural state; however, I do patronize my local Korean store. Now that I know what they're doing, I'l make a concious effort to get my products elsewhere.
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Name:
Harriet
Comment: MDHornet- I too am natural and loathe the Korean beauty supply stores. I do not wish to spend my money in a place where a stage is built behind the cash register in order for the owners to "see" me as I shop. They aren't even good business owners. A lot of the time they are rude and the store is junky and sometimes funky.
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: This is what I have been trying to educate my sisters and brothers about for a long time. The Korean supply merchants hate my guts cause I walk in and start educating the sisters about what is really good for their hair and not just saying " good for you" 99%of those store owners have never been to school while I on the other hand am working on a PHD (yes it is real) in Tricology. When most store owners in DC see me coming they run cause they know I'ma drop science on the consumer. We spend 9.5 billion dollars a year on beauty,skin, and hair products yet we are hardley ever represented in the media . I am working hard to change this. I hold the only license in the US to teach cosmetology to the deaf and hard of hearing as I am a master sign interpretur. I truly believe knowledge is power so each one reach one.
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Name:
Harriet
Comment: bigbullhead2- Dhat's what I'm talking about! Continue to fight the powers that be and more power to you. I have found that a lot of sisters get mad when you try to talk to them about the damage they are doing to themselves and their communtities due to their hatred of their own hair. They think that you are questioning thier "blackness" when you appraoch natural hair care with them. That is not it. A person is not defined by thier hair but the hair is certainly an extension of that person and how they see themselves. God is not a god of mistakes and if our hair is kinky then so too is the hair of the God that we serve for we are created in the image of our Maker. Some sisters feel that you are sitting in judgement of them when you try to talk to them about thier hair but that just isn't the case. I wore my hair processed for many years and prior to that, I got it pressed or better yet, fried. All little girls equate beauty very early in their lives with long straight hair and I was no different. But as we grow and mature as women and develop a consciousness about ourselves and the world around us we know better and should therefore do better. That shyt is damagaing to our hair and expensive and we don't even have a stake in the multi-billion dollar industry.
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Name:
TAZBABY
Comment: Every Black Person that gets their hair done or do hair should see this documentary. Of course, many of us have seen this coming and now happening in a big way. How can some other race of people be an expert on our people? Is it their pricing of the product? The product? Variety?, Divulging to much knowledge of Us to any one asking questions like they are interested, when all they hae is an ulterior motive? What is it that has drawn us to this point of depending on the Koreans for our hair care?
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Name:
coesmo
Comment: Cudoos to you bighead....
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Name:
queeniebunz
Comment: I have often wondered why black folk don't take over this market. We as a community have the money to do it. I will say that I prefer to shop at the Korean store to the African one because they are ruder. I may get some flack for saying that but it has been my experience. I know my hair dresser is sitting on some money because she saved and bought her own shop over the time I've known her. I think that I will start buying my products from her from now on. I do my own perms 4 times a year myself and buy my hair color from the drug store when I color my hair to save money. I don't feel like one of these $8.9 billion "hair victims" necessarily but still this is no real surprise to me because I know that Asians prey on blacks and then treat them badly (Korean soul food stores in the hood and all). I don't frequent places like this because I don't trust fried chicken made by Chung Lee. If you are in the DC area and want some good food, go to Carolina Kitchen at the Boulevard in Landover - black owned and scrumptious!
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Name:
Snicker
Comment: --->queeniebunz i haven't been to carolina kitchen but i figured their food must be good because every time i go past there the line is out the door.....i'll have to try that place out.
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Name:
queeniebunz
Comment: >Snicker - The food is OFF THE CHIZZLE!!! Make you wanna smack your mama and your grandmama too! LOL! And, the staff is very friendly and welcoming.
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Name:
thechocolate10
Comment: before i enter this debate i need to look at my hair grease, and other hair mosturizers
so i know they make allthe fake hair and stuff
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Name:
Dovelyone
Comment: Wow. Don't even know where to start. Can't be mad at the Asians for seeing a market and jumping on it. It ain't right...I hope we (Black folk) wake up real quick.... P.S.: I started my transition out of relaxers about nine months ago....
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: Harriett right you are my darling. I too have natural hair and it looks straight when wet set however I have always told my sisters and brother that good hair is not straight nor curly, good hair is healty hair. It is amazing how often people step to me with one set of hair questions and walk away with a whole new prespective on hair care from diet to excercise. It's my duty to tell them the truth as I see you too make it your duty to tell the truth. Keep telling it sister, they will listen.
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: coesmo...thank you, its nothing more than any of you do in your chosen professions I am sure. But a little can change alot , I believe we are all gifted with special talents and abilities and when we don't share those gift we cheat ourselves and the world. There are some truly amazing people on this board.
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: Queeni.. Trust me I am getting ready to and any one who wants to come with me can. I have the rights to two hair patents right now that have been approved and I am a master mixologist when it comes to hair potions. I want the best for my people and in order to deliver the best I have to study to show myself approved. And it is so.
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Name:
Thunny
Comment: This is a simple case of capitalism and the law of supply and demand. Who can be blamed? Is there even a blame? Koreans also sell blunts and alcohol out of their corner stores they own in Everyhood, USA. I'm not accounting for their attitudes or biases towards black folks, but we've known about their disdain for decades now and still continue to frequent their shops.
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Name:
DCGG
Comment: Thank You THUNNY!!! Also, how ironic that a white man calls out Koreans for exploiting black folks and just what is it this fool is doing??
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Name:
Thunny
Comment: Pretty funny, huh DCGG? He's trying to mask this as an expose' but he's also using the interests of black folks to generate wealth for himself. That in itself is the same type of exploitation this filmmaker is supposedly attempting to shed light on in this documentary.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: I, too, wear my hair natural but only go to the Koreans to get accessories. I do not buy ANY shampoo/conditioner products from them. Most of the shampoos contain harsh chemicals in them anyway, so either I make my own shampoo or go the health food store. As for the filmmaker, he's a little 'suspect' to me but at least he saw something important that we may need to address.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Another thing that needs to be mentioned: Alot of today's black hair care products are NOT black owned. Most of them are owned by big corporations like L'Oreal, for instance. However, this would not have happened if blacks who became successful in hair care, didn't sell out. The only hair care company that is I know is still black-owned from back in the day is Bronner Brothers, which operates on a large scale. But there are some sistas & brothers who are coming up with natural hair care products(without mineral oil or petroleum) are qhemetbiologics, myhoneychild, oyinhandmade, anita grant, nubianhertiage, etc. I figure I would post some of these companies so we can support them. All of their companies are on internet and they are reputable. :)
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Name:
Thunny
Comment: I will continue to proudly use Head and Shoulders because there's never a second chance to make a first impression.
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: newsflash ladies, the Koreans are even selling to women who have gone natural so it is not just about us wanting to be like some other race and be kink free
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Name:
CJazz
Comment: Bigheadbull2--You go girl!!! Keep up the good work! I have a question for you. What is good to use on thin hair and thin edges to get your hair to become filled in and thicker? My hair is so thin, and I can never wear it back due to my thin edges.
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Name:
ss69054
Comment: I am from Detroit which is truly the black hair capital of the world. Many of the stylists there are creating, distributing and selling their own products to each other which is a start. Many of the products are better than the well known brands that are sold on the shelves. So I am proud of those stylists because this is the first step. Next, what needs to be done is having those stylists come together and invest in owning their own beauty supply stores since we have thousands of black-owned hair salons. However, we do have black own beauty supply stores and many of them will have a sign stating black owned so I am glad those are popping up. Those Koreans make so much money off us and treat us badly. They degrade blacks in such a way by following them around the store like they want to steal knowing they see these people on a regular basis buying at least 40 to 50 dollars worth of hair care products and also selling bootleg, imposter purses, and clothes. I guess they say they can sell us anything and we will buy. This is truly my first time hearing of them having soul food restaurants. They could never even pop one up in Detroit. They don't go that far. But being realistic, our folks need to stop buying so much and invest in our own communities. I don't even think we actually know how much spending power we have in this country. Until we are together, not hating on each other, not in competition with each other, then we will be able to own hair care stores, party stores which we really don't need many of them and grocery stores, etc. Support Black Businesses!!!
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: CTFU@Thunny .... pankie still owns Head & Shoulders
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Priceless: The websites I mentioned are all owned by blacks as well as their products. They cater to natural black hair care. I know that the Koreans also sell to this segment via stores but some of us are opting to go elsewhere to buy.
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Name:
ss69054
Comment: CJazz use Dr. Miracle. An excellent product. My mom hair was thinning and when she started using this product, her hair grew in within weeks of using this. I start using the products as well. My hair is long anyhows. Many people think I have a weave but it is not. I am also growing the perm out my hair so it is good for breakage also. It also has a tingling sensation and open the pores to your scalp. Very therapeutic. Make sure you buy the hair growth oil. Put at least three to four drops and massage your scalp. Get a very good brush and just brush your hair daily. Brushing the hair does some justice.
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: NYCSoul, I was just addressing one of the earlier comments about us going natural to avoid giving the Koreans money, but I'm sure the natural sistas would love to know where they can buy black for their naturals ... I am proudly permed and will remain so
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Priceless: Sorry. My last sentence didn't make sense. lol. What I meant was that products that are already established and on the market are sold by the Koreans. The sites I mentioned you have to order from the owners directly.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Priceless: Okay. BTW, I think some of the products can be used for those with perms. Those sites I posted also sell skin care as well. Sorry if it looks like I'm pushing this, but we can't complain about our situation if we are not willing to change it.....
ss69054: I totally agree with you.
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Name:
CJazz
Comment: ss69054--THANKS! a bunch for the hair care tip (Dr. Miracle). I will try and find it tonight after work.
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Name:
CJazz
Comment: ss69054--THANKS a bunch for the hair care tip (Dr. Miracle). I will try and find some tonight after work.
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Name:
CJazz
Comment: ss69054--I'm from Lansing and have been to a few black-owned hair care product stores in Detroit. We only have 1 black-owned hair care product store in town and she charges way too much for her products!! I do love supporting black businesses, but sometimes I don't due to the high prices. I'll be in Detroit tonight at Chene Park for the Wed. Night Jazz Series to see Roy Ayers!
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Name:
ss69054
Comment: Hey CJazz, the reason why her prices are high is because the Koreans own the distribution channels of the hair care products. They will market the products to their own kind at a cheaper rate and sell it to her or anyone else at a higher rate. So in regards to that, she has to set her prices a little higher to help cover operating costs which can drive her out of business. They know us too well. They study us like clock-work. Anybody that is non-black that has a business in our community know we are intelligent human beings and if we get too close to an idea of driving their businesses out of our neighborhoods, they get frantic and very insecure because they know that we have a preference of supporting our own if that chance perhaps exist. So in order for them to have control, they not only own the stores but they also own the products, the distribution channels to keep us from owning anything. I know I may sound like a professor of some sort but I am just trying to get some knowledge out there to my people. I am one to rather pay a higher price to keep one of us in business. They make so much money and don't even give back to their customers as far as scholarships and whatsoever and they won't even dare doing that. So it is up to us to make the decision not to be the consumer but the lender. Last but not least, I wish I could go to that concert tonight, it is going to be so off the chain! Roy Ayers is the man!
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Name:
Priceless
Comment: NYSsoul, thanks for the heads up cuz I spend much mula on skin care and hair care products
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Name:
Dovelyone
Comment: What's up, ss69054! I'm from the Big D!!!! I agree with you about supporting Black businesses...but they have to manufacture a quality product. Dr. Miracles? Um...not so much....
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Name:
UKBajan
Comment: If you think it's bad in the US think how bad it is in the UK. I'd have to say the vast majority of Black Hair Care retailers in the UK are from the Indian Sub-Continent. They don't appear to employ any Black people let alone support Black organisations. It has to be said that they have become wealth at the expense of the very people who use the products they sell.
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Name:
prettygirl
Comment: I will get my healthy hair relaxed by fabulous Black stylists until the day that I die! I agree with Dovelyone. I will not support black hair care companies unless they sell a quality product. Same with the black cosmetic lines. I worked at a major dept. store in college and was recruited to sell Fashion Fair. I sold it for a week, until the product tore up my face. I switched to the Prescriptives counter and sold it for 4 years - no problems. Same with hair care. Most "black" products are heavy with oil and fragrance. They weigh down my hair. I won't even buy the "black" variations of "white" products for the same reason. I don't shop at the Korean shops, mainly b/c they sell the cheap, greasy stinky products anyway.
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Name:
MsFresno
Comment: Well i dont buy "hair" so I guess I have not contributed to the Koreans unless "sallys" is owned by koreans
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Name:
ss69054
Comment: Ok, that is another initiative we need to take. If you find a black hair product that is out of wack, instead of complaining make a complaint as a customer so that they can improve. They will never know how bad the product is unless they hear complaints to improve it. I will make a complaint to any company regardless of who owns what and if they don't do anything to improve, then I won't support them.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: prettygirl-the companies or independent sellers that I listed, use nothing but plants & herbs in their products. A couple of them, their product is water-based. So I do agree that most, if not all Black hair care products are have cheap fillers like mineral oil & petroleum. However, as I keep emphasizing, there are some of us who are doing the damn thing. We just have check out some of the black hair care sites and get to know some of them. All of the ones I listed earlier, all promote their products to black hair care sites. BTW, don't forget Carol's Daughter, which I also believe is still black owned & caters to natural as well as relaxed heads.
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Name:
NYCsoul
Comment: Priceless- you are welcome! :)
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: cjazz email me at bigheadbull2@yahoo.com . I will ask you some questions and based on your response I will give you an analysis. Free of charge.
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: Dove I agree about DR. Miracle its like novacain to me I ain't feeling it.
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Name:
MrsPhoenix
Comment: And this is the defintion of Trichology (NOT "Tricology"):
Main Entry: tri·chol·o·gy
Pronunciation: tri-'käl-&-jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gies
1 : scientific study of hair and its diseases
2 : the occupation of hairdressing
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Name:
sweetpea
Comment: I don't understand how the Koreans have been able to take over the African-American beauty supply market. When I was a child I remember African-Americans owning these stores. What happened?
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Name:
Stevie
Comment: Black people have soo much power we don't know how to use it. We don't have a problem patronizing people that degrade us and sell substandard, quality products. We have to start EMPOWERING ourself by taking back what belongs to us. Ok there are 10 beauty supply stores in Chicago...spend your money wisely in those 10 stores. Ask those owners to get what need, let them know if their prices are too high, and tell 10 people you know to start shopping at the black own beauty stores. Its all about word of mouth, who have what and at cheap prices. Sista don't even care about quality, looking good is just for the moment. That is why the Koreans don't allow you a refund, they know their quality is not the best. They want your money!!! that is why you will not get a refund but an even exchange for something in that store. Are we that passive??? I thought we lived in America, when your purchased is not up to satisfactory you have a right as a consumer to return your item with a receipt. The Koreans made their own rule up, as puppets we are following their rules...who money is this?? Wake up sistas the buying power is in your hands.
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Name:
YazUnderwood
Comment: Yes!!!
I recently met up with a lady who had a fearce Angela Davis Afro. I asked if it was a weave & she told me
"NO, my hair is REAL from my scalp, NOT from a shop." I asked her what products she used she told me "I make my own products" & we started talking she told me that she blistered her hands using a store bought product and she told me that she started making her products when she transitioned from relaxed to natural. This lady gave me her web address www.anitagrant.com & a few hair tips. I went onto her site & was amazed!!! I purchased the Shampoo Bar & Cafe Latte cream detangler.
My hair is relaxed (I'm transitioning) and her products worked wonders on my hair - the added bonus was that I knew exactly what ingredients went into the products PLUS my hair felt softer and stronger.
Just say NO to the Koreans and purchase from people who know about and maintain our hair on a daily basis - our own Black peoples!
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Name:
YazUnderwood
Comment: @UKBajan
You are lucky to have anitagrant.com as she is based in England, UK.
I am based in Canada but met up with her by accident in London when I was there on holiday. Although, the Canadian dollar is weak at the moment I will still purchase anita's products in bulk because they work for me. I'm also going to try Oyin too because she is Stateside. But anita's stuff works really well for me.
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Name:
JOTN
Comment: I just wanted to say thanks to you sistas for sharing information about natural hair care locations. I've been searching for a while & am at my "roots" end! LOL
Anyway, if anyone knows about any shops or salons in the Chicago area, I'd appreciate it!
You can e-mail me at klenot@excite.com
Thanks!
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Name:
economicpower
Comment: When will we get it economic power is a tool and not a sin or crime. The sin and crime is continuing this cycle of watching everyone else profit from money but us. This is not only about black hair, its about everything. Why do we love to shop but will not setup shop and sell something? 2007 should finally be about black economic developement and its ok.
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Name:
Lesotho
Comment: This is an interesting topic... I agree with economicpower though. Everyone should read the following book: "Capitalist %*$!(@: The Road to Success : A Spider Web Doctrine" by Chika A. Onyeani
I am a proud African woman who perms and braids her hair... I don't weave or put extensions though.
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