The conversation is important but the insults are gee dee abrasive and unnecessary. Loyalists to MC will defend her if they sense disingenuous compliments. This whole discussion could open up in ways that maybe these companies will listen to - if, they are not being conducted as such. They use psychology to manipulate people into buying their products and this is where 4's can manipulate back and force them to stop promoting the idea that 3 is best, that glossier is best, that longer is best etc. Afterall, it's a beauty product, mostly. Where is the campaign, though? Why not write to the company itself and demand more representation of 4's or promote that others stop buying a product that is not interested in showing women of 4?
MC shouldn't become the sacrificial lamb, though.
You are right that there should be a campaign, but I don't think writing to these companies would make the impact we need. We demonstrate impact through dollars and through buzz. People talk about how this site gets read and somehow we see companies coming up with products building upon trends that occurred on this board or elsewhere on the Internet.
I also argue that for me, I'm not saying we should protest and stop buying Shea Moisture because Mahogany Curls
Expand the pie, not diminish it. How does saying one wishes more representation mean that it needs to happen at the expense of another?
Nope, you have it wrong there. It's comments like yours and they well I wish more 4s would get recognition and (b)witching, complaining and moaning in private and behind closed doors and just on boards rather than actually doing something about it.
We don't ever want to put forth the effort. You have to hustle to get subscribers and stuff. But nope. We just want it all handed to us and dropped out of the sky. That works for the few but the many and majority have to bust their asses but it's easier to just sit around and whine and say "why why why" rather do.
Speak the truth but only in private and in circles. Who's listening? Oh right, the same ol people over and over.
You sound so passionate about this so I'm assuming you're a 4a-b so your videos will be up soon yes????
About the bolded: For those 4b/4c's who do have videos on YT, you think that it's because they don't put in the effort and hustle in order to get the subscribers? What are the videos lacking that can be addressed to make them more successful?
I honestly don't do videos since most of my time is spent working with low-income students in education. While I'm passionate about media/representation (this isn't my first post AT ALL regarding this topic
), I personally put in more effort towards education and developing social capital since I believe that will have a stronger, long term impact. Plus I'm poor and I don't have a camera
If someone wants to throw stones at me, have at it.
Going back to the larger point here, I think the next phase of the black hair movement is inclusivity and more representation (not just say with natural hair, but also considering texlaxed/relaxed/locs). I think if the discussion isn't happening here (however much people despise this commentary and think everything I'm saying is shade
), it won't be happening period. Hair boards are ground zero for all things related to hair.