Blatant Subliminals

While many of you are watching the new Fox drama entitled Empire. Which some of you see the portrayal of the typical black stereotypes and the Willie Lynch Letter being acted out on prime time television. There is a blatant subliminal message that they are portraying and that many are overlooking. 

What is that message you ask? Well its the message of ALS in African American Men. Why all of a sudden is there this surge in promoting awareness to this disease? Hmmmm I am not sure. But with the numbers showing that ALS mainly affects Caucasian Men with a study that was done from January 1 2009 to December 31, 2011 neurologist submitted 5,914 case reports and 75% were Caucasian (between the ages of 60-69), 11% Hispanic(50-69 in age), 9.3% African American (between the ages of 50-59) and 3.6% Asian (60-69 in age).

(courtesy of http://www.neurologyreviews.com/the-publication/clinical-news-meeting-coverage-and-literature-monitor/article/als-incidence-varies-by-race-and-ethnicity/6e443d620fd37220f3174a9e4632f1c9.html) 

So with such low numbers amongst African american men, it makes me wonder if they are creating awareness of this disease with the Empire Show and the Ice Bucket Challenge because they are secretly increasing the numbers by intentionally infecting black men with the disease. There was a study done that shows that Gulf War Veterans are twice as likely to develop the disease. 

When research is done on a disease researchers have to recreate it in order to figure out how to come up with a cure. I don’t trust the government when it comes to disease control and cures. As we all know that cancer has been in research for years and reportedly there is no cure. Yet the pharmaceutical industries, radiation treatments and dialysis companies are growing rich exponentially from “extending lives" by way of offering feel good for now drugs and services. 

There is an epidemic in America where they like to keep everyone sick so that companies can profit off your illness. With the Food and Drug Administration being one huge conglomerate that pumps unnatural things into our food and water supply to keep Americans in this perpetual cycle of fake food and dirty water which makes people sick and sick people buy prescription drugs. Wake up and see what the government is cooking (bacon is on the menu LOL but so serious). 

Let’s be more conscious of what we consume in our bodies. Stop eating fake foods and stop making these pharmaceutical companies rich. Leave the pharmacy and seek out your nearest farm-acy. Grow your own foods or find a community garden in your area. Open your eyes and realize the real lies in prescription drugs that only mask the pain for a short amount of time and never heals the underlying cause. Consider this a friendly reminder that what you put in your body comes out in your hair skin and nails. Its really simple to be healthy and drug free. 

Zendaya Educates the Masses

Here we go again with yet another ignorant comment about locs in the media by uneducated persons who don't have them.

This is what locs look like when they are "stylish and edgy" (according to rancic)

So apparently Giuliana Rancic thinks that people who wear locs smells like “patchouli oil and weed” and Kelly Osbourne agrees (courtesy of http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/zendaya-wrote-a-powerful-defense-of-her-dreadlocks-after-rac#.cxVAPoVzw). I am curious to know if they actually know anyone or met anyone that has locs. Its quite interesting that the same person could say that Kylie Jenner's locs are "stylish and edgy" out of one side of her mouth then turn around and say negative comments about Zendaya's extremely neat faux locs out of the other side of her mouth (LMAO *gives major side eye*). Although, I am elated that Zendaya had such a powerful and educated response to the backlash of her hairstyle choice.  In her response she noted some well-known people in the media who wear the beautiful mane of locs.  She even gave credit to people, whom I had never heard of before, who also choose to wear locs.  I have a new found respect for Zendaya after such an atrocity of negative comments were made during the E! Network Fashion Police show.

This is what locs look like when they "smell like patchouli oil and weed" (according to rancic)

This is another example of how some people are blind to the fact that different is beautiful. As well as beauty stands out of the crowd and refuses to blend in. Locs have always had negative connotations in society. And I believe that my fellow locstars can change this thought pattern. After being at the Bronner Brothers International Hair Show this weekend in Atlanta. I saw some pretty amazing styles and all kinds of people choosing this loc’d look. 

I believe that locs should be acceptable everywhere, from schools to corporate America to the Entertainment Industry (outside of rap).   Locs are a statement to one’s own identity and to some are apart of their personality. By rocking your locs out loud no matter if they are dreadlocks or locs, neat or frizzy, freshly styled or no maintenance for several weeks, you stand out in a crowd by means of your mane saying I’m different. Locs and dreadlocks are worn by a gamut of people: students, business professionals, entrepreneurs, entertainers and more. As a community of locstars and dreadheads we have to shatter this ill-advised thought process of negativity. We will not be classified as a generation of misfits because we choose to wear our hair outside of the mainstream. We hold our heads up high, walk with pride and we put our best into anything that we do while achieving greatness.  We are not our hair but we are a positive force to be reckoned with! Locstars and Dreadheads unite!

Rancic issues an apology:

Exposing Deception In Natural Hair Products

At first I would say that it is awesome that finally companies are taking notice to the “Natural Hair Trend” that has taken place in the last 20 years. But after realizing that most of these companies are just capitalizing on the influx of people embracing their natural coifs, ingredients are the least of their concerns. From bloggers that advertise national brand products, to packaging/displays utilizing celebrities, to advertisements strategically placed during your favorite television show. The reality is that many companies found in beauty supply stores and on aisles at the big box retailers truly don’t have natural hair in mind when formulating the actual product. 

So the next time you are in a beauty supply store or big box retailer, take a look at the many products that are marketed towards natural hair, turn it around and look at the ingredients. Now compare those ingredients used in products that are just labeled for black hair (specifically relaxed hair)… See any similarities. You do don’t you. Do feel some kind of way? You should, see what these national brands have realized is that taking a product and repackaging it to market towards the natural hair community is a multi billion-dollar market. So why actually try to change the formula of a product that is already doing well, instead they give it a spin off name, create a label and utilize key words found that naturalistas have concerns for. Grrrrreat Marketing, *gives round of  applause* Deceptive little ...*shut your mouth*

After being a part of many blogs and dialogue on social media as well as email/Skype, with other natural women and men, I have found that people like being blindsided. Why you ask? Tuh, most people don’t like spending money on their hair, for quality products or just have been burned by inexperienced stylist. With that being said, most will rather spend money on cheap products that claim to do something and in reality it doesn’t do anything it describes, yet it does cause a ton of other issues.  Combine that with the misuse of multiple products at once, lack of professional care and daily/weekly abuse that one may subject to their crowns to that equals a mess of a disaster.

The damage done has lead to a few of blogsites, magazines, Natural hair specialist and small business products dedicated to dispelling myths in the natural hair world.  Women and men alike are asking the same questions such as “why is my hair dry?”, “Why am I experiencing breakage?”, “How do I get rid of buildup?”, “How do I get my hair to look like the box or this picture?” and “How do I get my hair to hold a style?”

SMH, WELLLLLP… let me help you by answering all those questions with one answer. Try checking your ingredients on your products used in your coifs.

Be wary of products that say “No Wax”, “No Beeswax”, “Does Not Cause Buildup”, “Alcohol Free” and etc. Usually some of those products will contain an alternative to those ingredients. Think of it like reality television… It’s called reality but in most cases its scenes are a skewed reality that is situationally set up and fueled by liquor.  Labeling on national brand low quality products is to suggest the opposite of what it contains and what it does. 

By investing in professional care from time to time and high quality products you can see and feel a difference with your crown. When speaking of professional expert care I mean someone that has a license and seeks education to keep abreast of trends and products. High quality products will have more natural ingredients that you can pronounce with in the first 5-10 ingredients. Don’t get sucked into a pretty label, celebrity endorsements or typical phrases that imply the opposite like the aforementioned and “For Natural Hair and Locs”.  It starts by knowing key ingredients and what they do and how to read in between the lines. It’s really simple to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy

Consultations

Why Consultations Are Important

As a client seeking a stylist you should want to interview a stylist prior to them performing services on you. This is an important key factor, as this will allow you insight into their skill and knowledge level. At the time of a consultation you should seek the following:

1.     Pictures of their work: This will allow you to see their styling abilities and progression photos of their clients.
  

2.     Products used: They should be able to explain to you what products they use and why.

3.     Knowledge of their craft: How well educated are they of the services they provide.

4.     A sense of their work environment: Is it comfortable for you? Is it peaceful, private, and clean?

5.     Obtain a feel of the stylist personality and work ethics: Are they professional, personable, easy going?

By setting up a consultation you will be able to get a better understanding of the stylist providing services. As well as explain what you get for your money. You should feel comfortable in their environment and get all your questions answered. Some clients skip this step and once they get services rendered they are unsatisfied. Going to a stylist that requires a consultation will ensure you that you are satisfied with your hairstyle or maintenance and you are receiving a value for your monies spent. Consultations can range in price from free to upwards of $100.  Sometimes money for consultation can be applied towards services while other stylist charge for their time and knowledge. Either way if you are required to do a consultation usually you will be happy with services and feel much more comfortable with the stylist that will be caring for your tresses. It’s really easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy.

Anthony Mackie disrespects people with dreadlocks

After reading and watching the interview with Anthony Mackie online for The Grio:

http://thegrio.com/2015/01/20/anthony-mackie-selma-oscar-snub-black-white/

My thoughts are as follows:

First of all, basically what you are saying anthony is that black actors and actresses are NOT “damn good performers “ or “the best the industry has to offer”.?  I guess to you a black person would’ve had to create the first movie, produce, direct, act in it, do hair and make up, edit, promote and sale way over budget in order to be considered for an Oscar in your book. Humph… inserts blank stare. I’m just saying, there are way too many talented, best in the industry and damn good black performers that have been snubbed time and time again, when it comes to the Oscars.

Anthony Mackie blank starring at himself

Side note: Honestly I didn’t think that 12 Years a Slave deserved an Oscar. It was not the best acting that I’ve seen. Just a different version/view point of the same old slave story that been told over and over and OVER again. Lupita, I love you lady with your gorgeous dark skin tone and eloquence that surpasses most.  But why did you really get that Oscar… Let me remind you: it was a hand me down just to say “Oh we gave Y’all an Oscar, so shut up with your nagging and take this award for being a concubine of the slave master.” Oh wait isn’t that what Halle Berry won her Oscar for too… being the white man’s concubine.  Hmmmm seems to be a trend her for black female actresses. Let me go even further Hattie McDaniel won an Oscar in 1940 for playing a “Mammy” role in Gone with the Wind. Fast-forward to 2009 and when Mo’Nique wins it for playing a drug addicted, welfare recipient, bad mother, and angry black woman in the movie Precious. Let’s not forget Octavia Spencer in The Help, serving white people and raising their children in their homes.  So it looks to me as most of the wins are for black people playing negative roles. As far as the male actors we are not going to speak on that, too much too little time.

Secondly you said that, “People are just tired of being bombarded with race right now,” Mackie said. “So everybody is shying away from certain topics and certain movies.”  Soooo the movie “Black or White is not a race movie… Hmmm title sure does state otherwise.

Now on to the most blatant lines of self hate.  ““Like my nephew wanted to grow dreadlocks. I’m like fine, I’ll sit you down and I’ll watch The First 48 with you and everybody you see on that show, that’s doing something wrong, they’re black dudes with dreadlocks. So, do you want to be seen as part of the problem or do you want to be an individual?”

“Let’s just say you have locks and you walking down the street. The police pull you over and say you fit the description of somebody.  You start yelling and arguing with the cops. Next thing you know you pressed up against the wall going to jail for something you’re not even involved in just because you look like somebody and you don’t know how to handle yourself,” Mackie said.

Anthony Mackie giving side eye to own comments.

Like really dude, I’m curious to see your response would be the same if you had a niece and she wanted to date a white man. Would you sit her down and have her to watch episodes of COPS, because just about every person on there is a deranged white man on drugs. Crazy right, yeah I know.

The third thing for you to stereotype dreadlocks says to me that you have zero interactions with people that have them.  *In my snooty white voice* I take it all of your friends are white.  *Does snobby fake laugh* TUH, Dude give me a break. I have a well assorted group of clients and most of which work in corporate America, working as high as C level executives and some are well to do self sufficient entrepreneurs. These men and women are law-abiding citizens who not only stand out as an INDIVIDUAL because they don’t conform to the standards of what America sees fit for a black man or woman.  You my friend, blend in and make the white people feel safe when you have a low cut hairstyle for men or a long flowing weave or relaxed hair for women.

The loc stars and dread heads that I know definitely don’t contribute to the problem when they are consistently overcoming barriers, roadblocks and pure hate from those that don’t share the beautiful hue of black. Matter of fact when they excel they stand out and never do they blend in, showing people that you cannot clump “everyone” together. Your comments were just as ignorant as someone saying Every black person receives welfare benefits. Numbers show that most recipients are white.

I get it you are trying to play it safe so you can continue to work, but you fail to realize that you, mr mackie are part of the problem, much more than you know. For you to belittle your own race proves you have no backbone, no love of self and furthermore no respect for our race. I officially revoke your black card and shred it to pieces. Your love of money and self-hate is proving you to be a disgrace to even be called black. Your own mother should spit in your face while your father bops you upside the head. How dare you to even form your lips to say that every black man with dreadlocks is a part of the problem? Or maybe this was a stunt tactic to drive people to go see the movie you play a supporting role in. You boy are no Denzel Washington, Not even a Will Smith, or even a smidgen of Samuel L. Jackson. Get over yourself, most people only know you from your 1 blockbuster hit The Hurt Locker or the movie Notorious.

It’s sad to see when someone makes it to top the feel the need to deprecate the ones that supported him or her from the beginning. I pray that you become conscious and wake up then I can reissue your black card. LOL Understand that you have a platform that can be leveraged in a positive way, yet instead you used it in a negative light. I hope your nephew does grow a set of “dreadlocks” and he will come to me to get them started.  I will sit him down and show him the true king that he is. I will enlighten him on how our ancestors were kings and queens and wore their hair in its natural state. The opportunity to open his mind to see how beautiful, intelligent, creative and unique our people are would be priceless. Teaching a young king to be unlike you would make a world of difference. Meanwhile I'll leave you with this video: 

Post your thoughts or comments below.

Loc Myths Dispelled

5 Misconceptions about Locs

1.     All Locs Stink and are Dirty

Why are people assuming that because you wear your hair loc’d that it must stink and be dirty? Hair will usually smell bad when it’s bogged down with build up; they never dry their hair or sweat lot and never cleanse it. I have come across plenty of naturally straight hair and weaves that sucker punched me in the nostrils by rudely impeding my sense of smell. Like really??? WTH? I know many locstars that cleanse their crowns waaaaay more often than those who don’t have locs. I’ve even have had clients to tell me they were told that their locs always smell nice. 

2.     All Loc wearers are Pro Black (Who and what the heck is a Dread THOT

TUH!!! *Gives side eye* Sooooo just because some people wear locs does not make them conscious black people. I am seeing a trend that locs and dreads are just to immolate celebrities in the media. So unfortunately as I would like to believe that my fellow brother and sisters are wearing locs for a deeper meaning, most are doing it for style purposes. There is an influx DREAD THOTS, DREAD RATCHETS and BAD/BOSS BISHES (I despise these terms, but since they refer to themselves as this why not). What is a “DREAD THOT AND DREAD RATCHET”, you ask? – A girl who wears dreads not locs (because she lets her friend twist them with beeswax or black gel in exchange of a bag of marijuana or a 6 pack or Lime-o-ritas) she embodies all typical traits of a Thot, Ratchet or Bad/Boss Bish. She has a million booty bathroom pics, displays her best assets for all to see, has a ton of followers on social media, will be at the club every week any time of the week, always seeking a “boss”, “hustler”, “baller”, thinks that a boy or female that drives a Charger, Challenger, or Camaro is a catch, and wears two tons of make up. Let’s not forget about the boys that wear dreads (inserts reason for dread not locs from above) He wears them because Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Future, Young Thug and a few others have them. He seeks to be a rapper and thinks that dreads will make him famous. His idol is the dealer in the neighborhood. Also goes to club every week dripping in knock off clothing items and calls himself a boss.

(inserts my side eye here.) Yeaaaaahhhh SMH. 

3.     Locs are the same as Dreads

Ummmm yeah NOPE. Originally dreads are what Rastafarians grow for religious purposes. Dreads is the word used to describe the hair as being dreadful looking.

Dreadlocks - Day 1 #SkyhhSalon

Then you have dreadlocks, which are usually done, on straight to wavy hair textures – Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. Dreadlocks are maintained less often as well as in a totally different way and are more time consuming to start and maintain. Techniques and products used to maintain dreadlocks differ slightly from those of locs.

Locs - Full Color #SkyhhSalon

Locs are cared for usually every 4-8 weeks depending on length and profession of wearer. Most people who wear locs prefer to use natural oils, butters or gels on their crowns. Many Locstars will keep the hair neat and tidy by enlisting the professional care of a loctician while others prefer to maintain on their own.

4.     Locs are limited in styling

LMAO, chile boooo! So when was the last time you’ve seen a weave wearer rock a French Roll and by sophisticated with it? Orrrr when have you seen pipe cleaners or pin curls on a weave and it was beautiful? (I’ll wait, for your response) Ha Haa! So the next time a chic tells me that locs are not versatile in styling options or that locs are too restrictive, I’ll just simply ask: “Straight, wavy, feathered and curly are considered versatile unrestricted styling options?” (Gives blank stare, while awaiting her response) TUH.

5.     Locs have to be cut off if you decide you don’t want them anymore

Locs being combed out

Total myth. With an extreme amount of patience, gallons of conditioner, some assistance of a loved one or friend, several combs and exorbitant amount of time, you can comb out your locs. Yes you read that correctly, I said YOU CAN COMB OUT LOCS. You DO NOT have to cut off your locs if you’ve come to the end of your journey with them.  Now during this process you will experience a ton of shedding and breakage, which is due to combing out matted hair and the hair that would have been shed if hair was not loc’d is now embedded in the core of each individual loc. Keep in mind most people shed 50 -100 strands per day, so multiply that 365 days in a year times the number of years you wore locs. (yuuuup, that’s a lot of hair) This process is not suited for everyone, that’s why you have people that just cut them off and others that will allow new growth to get to a certain length then cut so they will have hair to style after blade-to-blade treatment. 

It amuses me with some of the things people believe or think when it comes to locs. I’m sure you have heard all of this before and you may even have more to add to the list. Please be sure to comment your thoughts and experiences with myths you have heard about locs below in the comment box. As always it’s easy to S.imply K.eep Y.our H.air H.ealthy

Post your myth that you've heard or your thoughts on this topic below.