I STILL say that it's mighty funky/counterproductive to act all judgemental of people while you're telling them to rally around the black unity cause. It's extremely CATTY and uniformed to suggest that saying "buying what works" necessarily means buying non-black (now who's got black unity issues?). And no, I'm not going to run down my "I'm down with being black" resume just to feel valid in this discussion either.

And again, I STILL feel that, though I always give brothers and sisters first dibs on my money for a number of things, I WILL NOT tolerate bullsh#t on any level: service, price, product and generally accepted business practices. I don't tolerate BS from any biz owner, be they a multinational corporation, a non-black- or black-owned small or medium-sized business. Period. And yes, I GO OUT OF MY WAY to patronize the few black businesses here in Chicago that are "standin' on somethin'" in terms of my aforementioned criteria. However, there are far too few black businesses who give half a damn about appealing atmosphere, competitive price (yeah, I'll buy it from you for more, but there IS a limit), prompt service and progressive marketing (let's do something other than a wack-@ss, fuzzy ad in the local black newspaper, shall we?)-and that's real. Any time I find a black biz doing otherwise, I'm falling over myself trying to support them. Alas, I don't fall over myself often.

That said, Poplife et al, what are you doing to spread this message of unity, besides jumping out of your skin to be caustic on this board?

There is one in Brooklyn across the street from Brooklyn Tech High School. Spike's Joint used to be there. I moved to NJ but it was there a few months ago when I moved.

I spread A message black of unity. Just because I post about ONE TYPE of unity doesn't mean that that's only kind I know or the only kind I lobby for. If you really want to know, for the most part I spread my message in real life, not on a message board.

How do I do it? Anyway I can! I read at black poetry slams, attend/speak at Town Hall meetings, submit articles to the school newspaper, attend black political/social group meetings...the list is endless. I'm always looking for new ways to share my thought and hear other people's (even if I don't like it).

You think I am "jumping out of my skin to be caustic". That's hardly the case. I'm not trying to attack anyone, I'm simply challenging what folks are saying to get a better insight. I could be a little nicer I guess, but hey, when it comes to things like this I'm not nice. I'm hard-nosed and somewhat deaf to kindness. I'm not trying to change anyone here, but I am not going to hold my tongue or sweeten up for anyone either. My posts are worded exactly how I'd say them in real life. Call me militant, judgmental, radical, or whatever. I am what I am...and sometimes I think if we JUDGED our ideals, position in society, thoughts, actions, and beliefs we get a better view of ourselves as a people.

I'm not saying what I am saying in hopes that people will agree with me because I KNOW most people don't. If I wanted people to "Amen" everything I'm saying I'd go somewhere where people think and act exactly like me.

Poplife: You are missing my point. You seem to think you're the only one up in here who lives a concious life. You aren't, and I think the many of us who are very in tune with what's happening/needs to happen on the black cultural, politcal and economic stage resent the fact that you carry yourself as if you are the only pro-black person on this forum.

What exactly did I say that caused you to come to this conclusion?

this is a very interesting topic and i see that i have been using a combination of products. like many of you that posted i use what works for my hair. i am however a little distressed by the back and forth comments that are making a consciousness-raising thread into unnecessary arguments. the message may have come off in a not so positive manner for some, but the bottom line is that we need to be aware of who we are supporting and make conscious choices after receiving the information. its threads like this that make a sista not want to come and visit http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif.

You're feeling me huh darling1? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gifI was thinking that I'd better not even get in on this one. There were to many consequences and reprocussions (sp) http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif This is a forum where we all should agree to disagree even if we feel Soooooo STRONGLY about the topics. This seems to have turned into a personal battle so to speak. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

it's kinda like sugar coated ribbing (pretending to play nice but throwing in pot shots at one another.)

I still have love for yall so can we stop this before it turns into world war 3? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif




[This message has been edited by exquizit (edited January 19, 2001).]

YES! I love this forum but this is thread is getting a little HEATED. I wanted to ask peeps where can I get carrot oil in New Jersey but I got scared. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

Girl, they carry carrot oil in the small african american section in Wal-Mart! I've seen it everywhere these days.......Have you tried Wal-Mart in your area?

ex,

you always have my back girl!!!!!! you need to call me chica!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/tongue.gif.

POSITIVELY AKA and WOMAN OF VIRTUE: your points are well stated and thought out but they are INVALID. The points you make are like two announcers coming into the second half of a game and then start giving analysis as to why one team is winning and the other is losing. Blacks are different than any other minority in this country. They can not be compared on any level. We never grew up in our own country, never educated in our own language, never gained a sense of self-worth in this country, never allowed to be educated, never allowed to develop the entrepreneurial skills to take us past owning juke joints and chicken shacks. To constantly compare us to Chinese, Korean, Cuban and East indian immigrants (the so-called successful ones) is wrong. These people come here with business skills having been educated or owning businesses in their own countries. Only the strong families and cream of the crop are coming. The drunks, drug addicts, non-family oriented ones are back in the slums and villages of their home countries. The majority of the successful Cubans in Miami were the ruling or merchant class in Cuba before they came to Miami. Immigration is set up so that only the economically viable families and communities come here as a whole. They stick together because they are all of the same family and community when they get here. They stick together because of the language barrier. They stick together because they pooled their money together to get here so they are already inter-dependent when they arrive. None of that is similar to our experience here. African -Americans have always had to play catch-up. Immigrants arrive here with the necessary tools for success. All they need is an opportunity. Thats why they are here. I just wish that we would stop bashing ourselves by always comparing ourselves to other people negatively. I know way more successful Black folk than failures. Lets celebrate that for a change. Black America has a top ten GNP. Why are we arguing about the success of some Korean weave place? Just the fact that POPLIFE can rattle off 20 plus Black owned products must mean that there are some successful Black entrepreneurs. I celebrate our success. Damn the negativity!!!

I haven't commented on this topic, but I had to comment on what DoggyStyle said. Brotha, you made a lot of sense! I liked everything you said. Preach on!

tickledpink: I feel you. Sometimes I think Optimum and Luster's are playing we me! My hair laughs at me if I come at it with some Pink Oil. *lol*

My favorite nowadays is Carol's Daughter. (www.carolsdaughter.com)

Their skin/hair products are all organic. They are so popular sometimes it can take a while for them to fill your order because they get overwhelmed. I'm a big fan of their growth promoting shampoo and their hair milk. When I go to NYC I'm going to visit her store and stock up. I too use olive oil once a week to keep my hair happy and you don't have to use o.o. made especially for hair. I used generic o.o. from Safeway and my hair just eats it up. Many things I used to by in the store I found I can make at home and it saves me a lot of money.


Miss. Mocha, I'm glad you don't think I'm some natural psycho trying to "cure" the permed heads of the world. *lol* I just love talking about hair/beauty, and even though I no longer perm, I still like to share old beauty secrets I used when I was chillin' with Dudley's. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif If people don't constantly remind me that I have natural hair then I don't show my militant/judgmental side. Some people just love to point it out like I didn't know. That drives me crazy!

It's good that you can celebrate our success, but I dont because I feel it can be alot more.

Some people are not happy until they have reached their full potential. Others settle for what they've got.



[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited January 20, 2001).]

We are just chatting, I got called on the most and I don't think it is that bad, not to want to come back!! Just because we don't agree does not mean we are not hearing all points made. I don't think POPLIFE was being militant or what have you I just don't like what she has to say, in other words maybe she is saying it wrong (at least wrong to me) ...but I could care less about how HARSH or not she or anyone else is being.

ADDED: she or anyone else

[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited January 20, 2001).]