NY Times article about "Going Natural"

[TrueToHair]

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[thaidreams]

Great article! Thanks for sharing it!!!

 

[JerriBlank]

Good for the ladies who got a chance to speak a little more in depth about what they do,and why. I am pleased to see them getting recognition for what they have done. I'm sure they have helped numbers of women who may not be active on the boards,but also want to learn to take better care of their hair. Natural hair is a new area of business that is just being tapped into. Many have been, and will be making money off of it. I say,they deserve to be compensated,even if only marginally,for their efforts.

 

[preciouslove0x]

Great article. I wish it was a little longer though. I enjoyed reading it. I also WISH they had added a few more resources (online forums like this one). Some people are truly clueless to how to take care of their hair so that would be even a bigger plus.

 

[My Friend]

NYT! Natural heads are doing big thangs I also live seeing all the positive feedback in this thread. I hope they all make a ton of money.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

This is a great thing!

 

[Maracujá]

Simply awesome!

 

[BrownSkin2]

Great article!

 

[reeko43]

Wow, this is a very positive article not only for natural hair but also a positive portrayal of Black women doing their thang!

 

[OndoGirl]

That article really made my day! Thanks OP! As a new natural, I need all the inspiration I can get.

 

[andromeda]

Good for the ladies who got a chance to speak a little more in depth about what they do,and why. I am pleased to see them getting recognition for what they have done. I'm sure they have helped numbers of women who may not be active on the boards,but also want to learn to take better care of their hair. Natural hair is a new area of business that is just being tapped into. Many have been, and will be making money off of it. I say,they deserve to be compensated,even if only marginally,for their efforts.

And this is really what the article was about - a new market and new way of capitalizing on that market using web 2.0 (as opposed to physical haircare products and conventional haircare services). That's why the profitability of their sites/YTs were mentioned. It's relevant to the story and provides scope for how viable the market is.

 

[africanqueen456]

I am happy for them all..But as for kimmaytube it is not all about the money?!!?? Still I have learned a lot from them.They deserve it!!!

 

[kandake]

I heart Nikki Mae. Such a sweet person.

 

[Mandy4610]

One thing though--I wish they wouldn't focus in so much on how much money they're making...We all know they're getting paid, but when they start showing dollar amounts.. :/

I had that feeling too. Seems to me that anytime money is brought up, it seems to take away from the genuine willingness to share information that most of these ladies start with. Its great that they make money doing it and they certainly deserve it because they work hard, just something about money does something to people. IDK....

I had no idea somebody had used Kimma-I mean Ms. Love's videos on their website, without her permission? No bueno. Great article and that author really sounded like they knew what they were talking about.

Maybe this is why she took down all the vids showing other people's products that she used to use.

And this is really what the article was about - a new market and new way of capitalizing on that market using web 2.0 (as opposed to physical haircare products and conventional haircare services). That's why the profitability of their sites/YTs were mentioned. It's relevant to the story and provides scope for how viable the market is.

Thanks for this perspective, makes sense.

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Wow! This is awesome!

I think it's so cool that I feel like I practically know these women personally after seeing their videos over the years on youtube!

This is SO cool!

 

[PennyK]

I read the article and I agree that it was well written and showered a more positive outlook and drive about black women and natural hair. The statistics for the hair shows is what moved me and I'm both surprised and excited that more and more women are taking the time out to learn more about their natural hair and are indeed going natural.



(no offense to relaxed heads)

 

[FindingMe]

Loved it!!!!

 

[Valerie]

Very very pleased with the article. Congratulations to all the ladies involved!

 

[qchelle]

YAY! That's so wonderful!

 

[mech]

holy crap, nikkimae is 25???

she looks soooooo young, i thought she was in hs!

 

[BraunSugar]

I dig the positivity of the article & this thread. Makes me happy.

 

[Honey Bee]

Kudos to the journalist of the piece.....I love how he/she referred to relaxer as "caustic paste" and natural hair as being in an "unadulterated" state.....Prose at its finest.

ETA: I love when people in general are productive, but I get a warm feeling inside when black women do their thing...

@omegachick31

@ 1st bold, As a texlaxed head, I have to say that was the one line that rubbed me the wrong way. One group of black women doesn't have to be put down in order to lift up another. The article would have been just as inspiring without it, imo. It's not a big deal, I just feel like, why do we always have to be pit against each other, you know? I mean, how does the NYT refer to the chemicals used to bleach hair? I bet they ain't calling that a "caustic paste."

@ 2nd bold, Me too.


eta: I hope I didn't ruin the positivity of the thread , I was just surprised nobody had mentioned it yet.

 

[omegachick31]

honeybee I'm not sure how you regarded a product being described as caustic as putting down black women...maybe you should look up that definition? They were describing the action of the product not the action of women using the product....if you have some type of internal conflict with your choice maybe you should work on that....I stand by my statement..I liked the description, I'm sorry you did not.

Glad you liked my second point...smile

 

[Xavier]

This article really made me proud. I am so happy the natural hair community is getting such positive attention.

 

[Solitude]

@omegachick31

@ 1st bold, As a texlaxed head, I have to say that was the one line that rubbed me the wrong way. One group of black women doesn't have to be put down in order to lift up another. The article would have been just as inspiring without it, imo. It's not a big deal, I just feel like, why do we always have to be pit against each other, you know? I mean, how does the NYT refer to the chemicals used to bleach hair? I bet they ain't calling that a "caustic paste."

@ 2nd bold, Me too.


eta: I hope I didn't ruin the positivity of the thread , I was just surprised nobody had mentioned it yet.

@Honey Bee I noticed it, too. I just knew that there was no point in mentioning it. The way of thinking on this forum that used to be open and friendly towards all different hair types, textures, and those of us with relaxers as well as naturals has completely shifted. I knew you would only end up with responses like this:

@honeybee I'm not sure how you regarded a product being described as caustic as putting down black women...maybe you should look up that definition? They were describing the action of the product not the action of women using the product....if you have some type of internal conflict with your choice maybe you should work on that....I stand by my statement..I liked the description, I'm sorry you did not.

Glad you liked my second point...smile

rather than an intelligent discussion about the pros and cons of the article.

 

[H4irHappy]

@honeybee I'm not sure how you regarded a product being described as caustic as putting down black women...maybe you should look up that definition? They were describing the action of the product not the action of women using the product....if you have some type of internal conflict with your choice maybe you should work on that....I stand by my statement..I liked the description, I'm sorry you did not.

Glad you liked my second point...smile

Your condescending remark was not really necessary... All she meant was the article didn't have to throw shade at being relaxed, which it did.

But anyway...congrats to the ladies featured.

 

[MissMasala5]

Very nice article, well done. And that it was in the NYTs is not too shabby, neither

 

[Connie]

Your condescending remark was not really necessary... All she meant was the article didn't have to throw shade at being relaxed, which it did.

But anyway...congrats to the ladies featured.

I'm relaxed (but transitioning) and I didn't find the "caustic" reference offensive at all. What I got from reading it was that the author was referring to the chemicals in the relaxer, not the women using them.

 

[MissMasala5]

I'm relaxed (but transitioning) and I didn't find the "caustic" reference offensive at all. What I got from reading it was that the author was referring to the chemicals in the relaxer, not the women using them.

Yes, ITA. "Caustic" is a property of any chemical with a high pH level. Relaxers have high pH levels. It comes in a cream form, ergo "caustic cream". No slight whatsoever on users of relaxer.

 

[allmundjoi]

Your condescending remark was not really necessary... All she meant was the article didn't have to throw shade at being relaxed, which it did.

But anyway...congrats to the ladies featured.

Plese don't take offense. If a chemical has the ability to destroy tissue the term 'caustic' is applied to it-either a strong base or acid. Relaxers, even soda, can fit that definition. Have you seen the enamel on some chronic soda drinker's teeth?

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