Lol@how meta this thread has gotten
Folks are being condescending in responding to claims of kimmay's condescension. "I guess some people just don't like that she speaks proper, clear English". Yep, that's it, cuz us black folk like'ta talk like dis and our ears be bleeding at the sound of enunciated, "standard" English. Nevermind the many reasonable explanations that have been provided to the contrary; why take those into account when you can come up with your own presumptuous reason that makes it easier to dismiss others' criticism? (h/t to the op for actually asking for people to explain further rather than automatically dismissing or assuming things)There are certainly people whose dislike of kimmay is rooted in pettiness and/or insecurity but the majority of dissent hasn't been about that.
Now, I used to be a self-professed kimmay fan. I tolerated her didactic tone (which, as others have pointed out differs from the conversational, extemporaneous tone of other YTers) because I appreciated that her videos were going for an overall sensibility that was more professional and structured and that doing voice-overs would naturally lead to such a tone. However, I can understand why that tone would be enough to turn some peopIe off.
Tone aside, I had some inklings of her condescenscion/arrogance but I filed them away as "things that make you go hmmm" - isolated tidbits that could be misconstrued. In hindsight, they were part of a larger pattern - the same pattern which others have noted. I think this pattern is part of a deliberate agenda/marketing shtick. My last straw was the baking soda video. Between the overt tone and the figurative and literal subtext of the video, I made a reasoned decision to unsubscribe. (I can go into specific examples if anyone wants)
I very much appreciate the time, effort, creativity and research that go into kimmay's videos - it's not only reflected in the production value, but also orientation around "why?" and "how?" instead of "what?". Kimmay's videos stand out as unique because of their educational slant. However, she's gone beyond being descriptive to being prescriptive, and, sometimes abrasively, proscriptive. I said in a thread that I started a while back that I appreciated her approach of teaching people how to fish (the basics of hair and hair care) instead of handing them fish on a silver platter (simply listing what products she uses with little explanation of why they work). It seems like she's now started telling people that they're fishing the wrong way - even though they have a boatload of fine fish to show for it.
I know people are enamored with the novelty of her professional, educational approach but that does not mean that she's beyond reproach. Having a uniquely high production value doesn't necessarily make her any more or less arrogant/condescending. Also, a well-produced and seemingly well-researched video does not make her the final authority on hair. So while I'm sure her videos have taught viewers a lot about fundamental aspects of hair and haircare, I really hope that viewers are ultimately convicted to be more analytical, and to include kimmay's content in the range of things which require analysis. It's one thing to tolerate a particular tone, it's another thing to tolerate inacurracy.
My decision to unsubscribe and my observation that she can be arrogant does not mean that I don't appreciate her efforts, that I'm incapable of being satisfied or anything else in the litany of accusations. I haven't completely written off the idea of buying some products from luvnaturals. I guess one could argue that we buy products from entities who very well might be more arrogant than kimmay or outright "bad". The thing is, when you choose to build a brand around yourself, it's reasonable and just that consumers will take your [perceived] personailty into account of whether or not to support facets of that brand. Moreover, when one of your products is videos - in which information along with your personality, opinions, idiosyncrasies and delivery are at the forefront- than all those things will serve as a basis for people's opinion of and decision to consume said product. If she was selling curtains through an online retail store, I should hardly think that that the criticisms in this thread would be made or would matter.
This is the first I'm hearing of the "why naturals need to grow up" video. I haven't watched it yet but based on the title and reactions, I have a feeling that viewing it would erase whatever iota of regret resulted from my decision to unsubscribe and further confirm the agenda that I've noticed. I also have a feeling that she probably hits on something that has some kernel of truth, which would only make her fans more assured in their dismissal of any criticisms.
(but I'm working on that as well). She's an educated sister who takes a no nonsense approach to the things she wants and knows who she is and where she's going. In order to become the best person you can be, you need to "be about it".
)
Those two things are not even close to being substitutes for each other. That's like baking a cake with salt because you ran out of sugar. 
erplexed You can only express positive opinions or keep quiet. 
given her accusations.
