What is hair mayonaise? where do I get olive and carrot oil?

Do any black-owned companies sell these?

As an excuse for what? That we have to play catch-up? That like abused women and children, we have developed self-destructive issues as a race that are hard to overcome?. Why must we continue this self examination that always leaves us feeling less than everyone else? There is less Black unemployment, more home ownership, more Black-owned businesses than ever before. Less teenage pregnancy. An expanding Black middle -class. I feel great about being Black. I never compare myself to the least of us. The least part of these "model minorites" are not here for us to reflect upon. Yes we can be more as a race, but then again, we can always be more as individuals. Do you realize that all of this gnashing of teeth about how we compare to others is really the self-hatred that you claim to oppose? It is not just the crabs at the bottom of the barrel that are holding us back. It is also the ones that have made it out who look back in and tell the rest that they are not trying hard enough rather than encouraging them. My last post on this subject, don't want to monopolize your forum.

Original you are silly ... I am over hear LOL, yes I think Black people make those products too!!! It has gotten heated in here, but just as I am THICK headed, I know others are also so I had to let it go, I can't fight an uphill battle at least not over the internet ... everyone is listening, and wants a word edgewise but no one is really understanding the underlying theory. POPLIFE (and others that had her back) I am sorry that I am not Korean or of any other background and I don't support JUST BECAUSE ... Gotta do what works, and I really don't think that is selfish but I have learned a couple of things!! Thanx

There's merit in what you've said. Many black-owned businesses have the same cut-throat capitalistic attitude as those white businesses that daily exploit us. Some of the stuff I've seen FUBU sell(however nice) had a markup rate much higher than that of their white counterparts. They KNOW they would be a profitable business EVEN IF they sold their wares at K-Mart prices; and yet they go straight for our vains when they price their stuff. Many of the black-owned companies do the same thing. I think whenever we shop for anything, we shouldn't do it at a place that don't have our interests at heart; and I would't suggest supporting them. I do, however, think we should try our best to support thoses businesses that do what they can to help the community that keeps them in business. I don't think we should get bent out of shape over such details as what store you bought the products from though. Most black-owned companies are not as resourceful as their white counterparts; and therefore can't provide a long, wide product line. They don't have stores in every community of every state like their publicly-held competition does either. So I think whenever and however we can, we should support our own. I think that was the point Poplife was making, and I agree.

DoggyStyle82 I wanted to write you personally but no email listed so I just wanted to say thank you for saying the words that I could not compose in these three pages.

I never lean on excuses for my failures, and I don't think DoggyStyle82's post intended to come across that way, if so I don't see that as the totality of the message. And why must it be thought of as settling? Oh my I better leave 4 real this time!!

Thanx I'll check it out. I guess Original Ape will too! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

thanks!

I will!!!

I don't necessarily think that comparing our success to the success of others is self hatred. I also don't think that today's generation has that same fire that our parents and grandparents had. They were boycotting buses and stores, facing police dogs, fire hoses, jail time and other indignities. They didn't allow slavery and racism to hold them back. The things that didn't kill them made them stronger. Present generations aren't taking advantage of all the opportunities past generations made for us. Racism is part of the problem, but it's not the whole problem.



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

To Discogoddess, hey your point is being missed, mine is, and others are. Hey I think she's missing her own. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

I agree with Doggystyle82 wholeheartedly. But I would like to know when will we stop using slavery as an excuse for not succeeding. There are more African American college graduates than ever before. Why aren't we realizing our full potential? Is it because we still have the crabs in a barrel syndrome?



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"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on." ~Robert Frost

Doggy Style: everything that you said was TRUE & very well put.

We should Celebrate Our Successes and stop discounting ourselves.

To DoggyStyle82:
I tried to do the message quote thing, but my computer was taking way too long, so I may mess up some of your quotes, but I'll try not to http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif.
When I lived in the Dominican Republic, I took some grad classes on life in the caribbean. During one section, we dealt w/ quality of life for Blacks throughout the diaspora. According to the World Health Organization (I believe these stats' come from 1995-1996, but not 100% sure. I do know they are definitely post 1994.) an international organization that among many other things, places rankings on the quality of life. Now I don't know the methodology used for these rankings, but I do know that this group is internationally recognized and validated for the work that they do. Anyway, according to the article we were reading, the quality of life for whites in amerika was ranked number 6. The quality of life for blacks in america was number 37. the quality of life for Blacks in america was rated as far worse than life for many so-called third world countries. We were ranked 7 above Haiti (not meant to slander Haiti, but understanding that Haiti is a country in economic and political distress). Black women (roughly 6%of the total american population) make up the LARGEST group of new AIDS cases. 52% of Black men in the district of columbia are in some way involved in the criminal justice system (jail time, parole system, etc.). That is slightly more than half of the men in chocolate city.

And we all know that the stat's are growing worse everyday. So in this way, it is unfair to compare us to other groups that come here. However, it is BECAUSE we have all of these things oppressing us that we must TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR OUR ACTIONS. Now if doing the little things, like challenging us to examine where we buy our hair care products will cause people to get their toes stepped on(?!?!?!?) then, what hope do we have of taking control of our destiny? Now, you may rejoice over the high GNP that Black people may hold. And, truly, I think that is great. But let us understand that those numbers are in NO WAY REFLECTIVE of the majority of Black people in this country. Just because a few of us happened to do well for ourselves, is in no way indicative of the collective prosperity. As I, a supposed member of the so called "Talented Tenth" look around at the horrific state of affairs that the remaining 90% of our people are in, I cannot rejoice that a small middle class has made it. So if I inadvertantly (sp?) step on some toes in an effort to liberate my people, then so be it. Liberation is not a comfortable issue. No one likes to do it, but that is life. Someone earlier, I can't remember who, said that the point of this thread, no matter what position one takes, is to challenge our behavior w/ regards to supporting Black businesses. Now,many people felt that they were being personally attacked, and I am sorry that they felt that way (if this does not apply to you, than disregard it). But if asking us to examine something that small, is going to cause hurt feelings and bitterness, then we have a long way to go. No matter how high our GNP, try driving a car that is reflective of your high income status (not you personally) like a Lexus or Caddy through I95 (MD, DC, PA, NJ) and see how quickly you will be pulled over. What does a high GNP matter if police can instantly view you as a common black crook? There is a danger in rejoicing so much over the small successes that we miss the bigger picture.

And by the way, Olive oil worked really well for me when I had a perm and even better now that I'm natural. Plus, here's a recipie for those looking for a natural conditioner: (if your hair falls out, I claim no responsibilty http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif, but I've used this on everyone who comes to me to do their hair and have received only thanks for it)

In 1 gallon of distilled water steep the following herbs:
1.5 TSBP sage
1.5 TSBP rosemary
1.5 TSBP burdock
1.5 TSBP nettle
(you can get the herbs at healthfood stores, they should be purchased in the dried form).
w/o straining the herbs from the water, pour a small amount into a spray bottle for everyday use. Place the rest back into the 1 gallon container and freeze until needed. You can spray this daily or just after washing, whatever works. Be sure to keep the mixture in the fridge, to maintain freshness. This works well on permed heads (great detangler) and on natural heads (picking out an afro w/ the spray is much easier). God Bless.

call a sista out why don't you http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif Doggystlye82 you are absolutely right and i did not mean to insinuate that the black experience in america is "exactly/identical" to other minorities, it is not, your points are well taken and understood. i was merely saying that with the resources we do have it might not be a bad idea to focus more on economic unity within our own communities which "minorities and whites" have done so well at, in that mind set i see nothing invalid http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif we have made great strides individually and as a people and i recognize that, however there is still much that is lacking and i would like to hear even more suggestions on how we can help promote unity and economic prosperity within our own communities. make no mistake as we have seen on this board we will not always agree on the method which is fine, however many whites do not always agree but they do agree that they do not want blacks to hold economic power over them and with that in common they have worked together to make sure that we do not achieve pure equality with them. i think we can all agree that we want the best for our children that alone should bond us and motivate us to take some action even if it means following a method slightly different from your own, unless of course it goes against your belief in God. take care

Much respect for being for capturing everything I have been trying to say so eloquently.

Truly understanding what we as a people have to do to get "out of the bucket" is not a tea and cookies issue. If discussions on hair products can get you upset, what do you do with big issues???

When I was small I used to take riding lesson. When we were in the fields learning how to jump our horses over obstacles (logs, fences, large rocks, etc) my teacher always said the same thing over and over.

"Concentrate on what you see coming towards you. As soon as the horse leaves the ground don't get excited and stop thinking about the next 6 fences you still have to hurtle. If you do that you're sure to loose your balance and fall of the path. You must keep the focus on your tasks until you have done them all. Then celebrate..."

That's the same approach I have towards my people. I can smile for a moment each time I see some of us taking flight, but I can't ignore the fact that we still have many fences to jump. It's easy to get distracted by the positive things...

Recently I brought some college friends home with. When they got to my neighborhood they couldn't believe that such a pretty area was so nice and so BLACK. *lol* When they got to my house they all just stood in the middle of the hallway. When I asked them what was up, one of my friends said that they were afraid to move in fear they'd mess something up.

That's not the first time I have heard such things from black friends of mine. As Woman of Virtue said, how can we truly be excited that a few have made it when so many are still near or below the poverty line?


[This message has been edited by Poplife (edited January 22, 2001).]

I have read several post about the line of products called Carol's Daughter. Can someone please e-mail me or post more info about these products. Are they really good for the hair. My hair is very thick and long. Which products would work the best on my hair type. What would be suggested for more body, health, and managability. I would also like to know which skin products you guys suggest!

Thanks!