I had to go back and watch the "Naturals, Grow up" video again, because the first time I saw it, it didn't really incite any issues with me. But reading this thread made me understand why some things Kimmay's doing now might come back and bite her in the butt ( I said might, ok?)down the road
My reasons are below:
1) It appears that this perceived "arrogance" is similar to that age-old concept of a "newly educated natural". Anyone who's been on the deemed contemptful "hair forums" since their inception has seen it time and time again. (Anyone remember Dr. Suny and the Delphi hair forum for Black Hair Care? Or Yahoo! Black Hair Super Grow Out?? Yeah I see you, lol) Many times, someone who is newly natural [on their own] starts learning about their hair and seeing results and starts vilifying what everyone else out there (esp relaxed heads, and some other naturals too) is doing. In this case, I think it just took her a little longer to get to that 'stage'.
When I first went natural at 18 yrs old in 2001, I experienced it too. I bought all the books, did all the techniques and thumbed my nose at everyone who didn't know what I 'knew'. (Even when I relaxed again in 2005, I knew I had figured out the key to "making it [Black Hair] work"...I am going back natural now, because at the end of it all, there is no 'one size fits all'--it's all about what you can handle and what you're willing to do for
yourself, not the community) I wasn't doing it intentionally, but the experience of learning something different from the status quo caused that response. So...I guess, every time I see Kimmay behave with this "arrogance" I shrug it off. I guess because in the back of my mind, I think "ehh, she'll learn". Does that make sense??
I remember when Nappturality was created (I was one of the first members that first year) and I remember feeling so guilty for leaving "the boards" to go heat straighten my hair, and then eventually return to relaxers, only to realize that there's more than one way that "works" and laughing at them...heck, I leave here for months at a time and come back to laugh at a lot of the topics that come up about hair because it's so interesting to see if and when the "light bulb" comes on for people...
Ok, I digress...So to the poster who said that Kimmay is dead wrong for saying that the past 10 yrs have been moot, I say "Hallelujah, Amen" because that is on point. Just because Kimmay's progress took so long to reach "Hair Nirvana" doesn't mean the everyone else's did or will...And the "hair forums" for whom she carries such obvious disdain prove that exquisitely.
2) As many folks that Kimmay has coming at her crazy in emails and YT comments, there are those who are also watching to see if she will really reach her goals personally and professionally. Like I said, there are some of us who have been around a long time, and found out the same info she is finding out now and more, but if she starts thinking she's at Ivy League Hair status based off of a couple of books and some pH strips when she's still in Hair high school AP classes, this is going to be a bumpy road to the top. Especially as an entrepreneur. While I do agree that there is a lot of issue with the Black Hair care industry already, turning off people who've already been doing it long before you have won't win you any friends (or customers). Just a word for the wise in good business.
3) Thirdly, if one realizes that they have big personal and entrepreneurial dreams, and will have to become somewhat of a known figure, the last thing one should do is let that attitude loose on camera. I also agree that she should have deleted it--or even better recorded it, watched it, and then re-filmed with a better self-directed mindset. When you have goals like that, it is important to remind yourself that all kinds of people are watching you. And yes you cannot please everyone but if you still want their money down the road, you need to watch that mess. Don't believe me, look at any celebrity out that that has longevity. Humility and gratitude goes a much longer way, y'all. Leave the drama at the front door when the camera is on.
Wow, I really didn't intend to type this much. ("Bones" is playing on tv right now
) but I needed to state my opinion on this. I'm not saying she will continue down that path or anything, but she should just be more mindful in the future...a million subscribers can easily turn to none in a short amount of time.
The End. (ps. Yes I subscribe to her. I respect and appreciate her overall goals)