spiceykitten said:
I know some will throw rocks at me but I do not care. Everyone has spoke their opinion and I need to speak mine.
I get so upset when I read post like this for my best friend of many years is Korean and her son is my godson. Her parents treated me like their own child. I would go shopping with them at Korean stores and even call them Mummy and Daddy in front of other Koreans. They would introduce me to other Koreans as well and treat me well. If I needed a dollar or even more they would give it to me. When I volunteered to work at their store with my best friend they gave us an equal allowance.
I would sleep at their house and even lived with my best friend and her husband for a month in their small apartment until I found my own.
My friend's parents had a store in a low income neighborhood and guess what..most Blacks were rude and nasty. I even got in an argument because I could not believe the behavior.
I must also say this, most AA complain that other groups are advancing but think why some AA do not advance.
What is that AA and some Blacks in other countries need to learn.
When I lived in Europe I was so upset that I had to go to a European shop to get my hair products. I wanted to patronize a BLACK shop or Africans but guess what...their products were below my standards. I am not using some Pink Oil on my hair and I am not overpaying for that piece of crap either.
It killed me each time I walked in a European store to buy a quality product but I had no choice until I found another store.
I finally found an Indian store. I was so happy to find my precious alma oil and get my plantains all in one spot.
I am not racist. I have received prejudice from both black and white. Mostly AA to be honest. Overall, I am a business woman and I do understand business practices. In fact, I have a MBA.
I want the best for my money. I do not care if you are black, green, yellow or even purple. I want the best products and I am not paying a lot either because I value my dollar.
When I think of selling or buying a product (good or service) I never think of race. My first thing is will it sell or is it a good deal and is this the best for everyone. I must say this for some Blacks can be hateful and envious and always questioning someone if they put a product out.
And I do like certain things that other races and ethnic groups make. I do not know about any of you but I am not giving up my Italian purses or shoes fjust to support a sista or brother.
Think about how some Blacks run the hair salons. I stopped going for they kept F---ing up my hair and waiting 6 hours to get my hair done..WTF. My best experience was in a European man chair.
I can remember the last time I let a sista flatiron my hair. Well she kept waving her flatiron around my face talking to another woman. The other woman kept saying your hair is so long and she kept saying "Girl your hair is not bad at all". Now I am not paying you to tell you about my hair and to have some girl all up in my hair. I just want to get my hair done and get out. The only good thing was she got my brastrap hair washed and flatironed in 45 minutes. I call that good service but the waving of the flatiron, loud music etc made me never go back. Mind you this was downtown in the city near my work.
Let us also face it Pookie around the corner does not care about politics or business. Pookie just wants her hair done and cannot wait to get her weave whether it is from you or the Korean lady down the street. Many ladies here are knowledgeable and great but many Black women still think DIRT grows hair. A lot of black women have a long way to go and boycotting is not the answer because if you think Pookie is going to be nice..well think twice. Pookie will question you more because you are suppose to be sista and why can't pookie get a discount or pay you back later..we suppose to be sista. Well sista I want my money. The subject of Black business goes way deeper...
It is all about priority and some Blacks need to find out what priority means. How can you expect someone to put you first if you do not do that for yourself. Boycotting is not the answer. I challenge each of you to look deeper for the answer and solutions that will not only bring business back in the hands of the Black community but enhance it as well.
No stones spiceykitten
. We all value your opinion, and this is exactly why I started this thread. I want you to contribute to this thread. I am interested in everyone's point of view and I respect everyone's point of view. Thank you.
I have recieved racism on all ends of the spectrum - much of it from Black women - as well. And I am truly sorry that you are offended by my thread, sister, that was not my intent. I was trying to share with other women and have a discussion. However, I don't apologize for discussing this topic, because I feel like it needs to be discussed in order to get to larger issues. We have to start somewhere. I don't think that what seems to be stirring here is a boycott - a least on my end. I see a discussion on addressing the larger issues. The largest issue that I see is self-reflection - our attitudes (especially towards each other), our lack of concern, or lack of prioritizing, and for some people, a lack of knowledge and understanding (or, the lack of desire). My point is that Black people as a whole and black women need to do better. And if talking about issues with our lack of presence in our own hair care is a way to spur that dicussion, so be it. I also am not trying to slight the Korean community - I am not a racist. I love all of God's creation, and there are good and bad people of EVERY COLOR. Of course, every Korean person is not as some of those described, and it was not my intention to imply that. When I speak of certian issues, I speak only to those whole those issues pertain to - not the entire ethnic group. I guess what I am trying to say is, I wish black people no matter thier color would examine ourselves and figure out why we ar "behind" in a lot of areas; Why certain products have a specific target market for "us," (such as liquor, cars, condoms, and hair products) yet we continue to want that silky weave and bicker amongnst each other. That is it. I am not asking anyone to give up thier clothing or anything else. I want people to look at situations and think about them critically - not just accepting what is in front of them. We are cruel to each other and we don't think about things that really matter . And no, "Bookeeka" and "Pookie" don't care, and are not going to be nice. That is precisely why I don't try to reason with "Bookeeka" and "Pookie" down the street. I share with other intelligent women of color who know about the world around them, know about business, know where they are going, and have knowledge to share with me and everyone else... Which is why I posted this on LHCF. I believe that some of those women are here. And unlike "Pookie,", I
do care about business and politics, and am very educated about both topics, and above all, I am kind to people, including my own, unless another approach is needed. I do konw of a few Asian owned businesses in my home town that have been there since I was a little girl. And the people could not be sweeter. They are good people, and I don't mind giving them my business. And like you, one of my closest friends from my first year of college is half Korean, half Cambodian, and 100% Asian. I love her and her family. They are wonderful people. In fact, she and I were in an Asian BSS in Philly and the lady was talking nice to people in thier face, but saying VERY nasty comments in Korean (I know this because my friend told me what she was saying, and my friend got pissed off and checked her on it). And no, I will not shop anywhere, I don't care who owns it, if I am not treated right and I am spending my hard earned money (girl please!) But, I am not talking about Asian owned beauty supplies with good people who work there, or ghetto-stank black owned beauty supply stores either. I am referring to those who are secretly racist toward my people, but want to sell me a product. Those that will try to get me to buy all of the brands the push, but talk about how that "*****s hair is so nappy" and all kinds of other racist comments when they think you are not paying attention. Those are the people I am referring to. And I am talking about supporting ethical black businesses with educated, good-hearted people who have sense and a business mind, but sometimes have a hard time getting a good foot in because some people (because of past experiences) pre-judge without giving them a chance. I am not saying shop ONLY at black businesses - we don't make everything. We need to get what we like. I am just saying we should be a little more supportive of people, when our support is warranted. All I am saying is we need to support those who are trying to do better, and we also need to recieve good service and products for our money.
So, I definitely feel where your coming from, and I DEFINITELY agree with a lot of what you said. But this is not about calling an entire group of people racist or evil. I don't remember saying that. This is about why everyone's hand is in our hair but ours. We need more Black people to be educated about Black hair - not old wives tales, but real education. And once again, I know it may be a small thing, and there are larger ventures that we need to get involved in and be worried about, but I still see this issue as a means to and end. It is a small step in that direction for those who need small steps before larger ones can be made.
That is just my take. God Bless, and please don't be offended. I am just trying to have a discussion Sister :Rose: