My frustration with the lack of empathy from Black men towards us really hurts me....i dunno how to handle it. I feel like we're invisible in society....its like black men think they're a different race its so weird...why are they so weak minded
immi's snow globe Ikr This pissed me every time when black men like that just think we are overreacting. They should know that some women care about their apearance and us black women which because of society don't have attention on us it's a big issue. I don't even know why they have to bring their mouth into it if they are gonna throw some bullshit! (Sorry if my comment is kinda hard to read I don't usually speak english)
And the fact that they excluded black women from the discussion panel reflects a total disregard from the number one consumer that got them to where they are. Shea moistures primary focus is on money which is why they will never get another red cent from me. They totally ignore black women well let's see if they ignore there profit margin plummet.
SHENA CROWE especially since they have been the one purchasing it and supporting for years but don't forget Carols daughter branched out too and Shea Moisture did sell the brand so in some way it's all about expanding the brand..
You do know where this comes from... The same negative people it always came from these white folks. I grew up when brothas use to write positive songs about us. Today the songs are negative. This is done by design. Gangsta rap was created to destroy and Hip Hop was infiltrated for the same reason. When our men are weak we must be strong!
Beautifully put, Whitney. The only thing that I would add is that if the White women they used had curly/kinky hair, I would not have been offended as much. I worked with a White woman with very wavy/curly/frizzy reddish blond hair. I remember one day she straightened her hair. Her hair in its natural state is bra strap length. Her hair straightened was waist length. I was shocked to hear people (none were Black) making the same comments to her that they do to Black women with Afro textured hair. Some people on my job said, "Oh wow! Your hair looks so much better straightened. Why do you not straighten your hair all the time?!" Others in the pharmacy department said, "I did not realize that your hair was so long," and they reached out to touch it with out asking her permission. I could see how uncomfortable she felt. As a Black woman with Afro textured hair, I totally got how she felt. I heard her explaining to many people that she does not straighten her hair all the time because it takes too long to straighten and takes up so much of her time. She was very polite, but annoyed. She did not owe them an explanation. Now, a White woman like my colleague explaining her story in the campaign would have been totally acceptable to me. However, a blond woman with naturally silky straight hair, tossing it around like I have seen in many shampoo commercials and the comments that she made bothered me. Her hair is the hair texture that is deemed most desirable by Western standards of beauty. I am sure no one looks at her hair with contempt or hurl insults at her because of it. The red hair complaint was not about hair texture. It was about hair color, which is a totally different subject. This was not a campaign for hair color. I so much agree that Black women should have been aloud to voice the reasons why we were offended by the commercial. The White women they chose, definitely, made me feel that SM was minimizing the struggle Black women have with their hair since slavery. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. You speak the truth. God bless you! Happy Mother's Day!
But even a white girl with our hair texture, isn't the same. I think she could learn from the movement, but i don't think a girl like her should be in the commercial either. At the end of the day, they used what BLACK women, and men, go through, and put it on another face (white and biracial women). I bet a white woman with kinky hair would be accepted world wide over a black person with kinky hair, because "hey, at least they aint black".
True! I think that all the women in the commercials for the current Shea Moisture products should have Afro textured hair. I agree, a White woman like my colleague would not have been the best spokes person to speak about "hair hate," but I would have understood why they included her. Shea Moisture should come out with a different product line for Caucasian hair if they want to expand their business to reach consumers who do not have Afro textured hair. The very name, "Shea Moisture" implies that it is for Afro texture hair because our hair requires a lot of moisture to keep it healthy and thriving. SM can feature White women and/or women with naturally straight hair in a new line targeted for their hair needs. To me, it does not matter if that was one commercial out of many for this campaign with 22 influencers. In my opinion, all of the women in the Shea Moisture campaign should have Afro textured hair because SM's formula was made for our unique hair type. Hair hate in the Black community is not just internal. It is external. We experience discrimination because of the texture of our hair. This is a very sensitive subject for Black women. SM should have taken that into consideration. I think that is where they messed up.
Erica Karas lol yep. I rolled my eyes at the white lady with just dirty not done hair. I was like her struggle was a hangover and SM is not the answer. 😂
Erica Karas exactly! that was the first thing that popped into my head. if they were going to use someone white, why not choose someone with curly/coily hair who can actually somewhat relate to the REAL hair issue? makes no sense.
I think the other thing is that for a black woman, the related hair history involves systematic oppression specifically related to OUR hair... White women where never required to wear scarves to cover their kinky hair... White girls in Africa are not being told that they can't come to school with natural hair. 'Hair Hate' isn't just internal for black women it's been external as well... This is why I have to reject hair hate stories from non black women. Being dissatisfied with the look of your hair and being systemically oppressed because of it are two completely different things.
Rebekka Yes at an art museum in NOLA there is a portrait of a woman wearing her hair covered and the caption says it was required by law if you were able to pass for white.
White women have Tresemme, Garnier, Suave, L'Oreal, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Ulta, Dove, Sunsilk, etc and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE are mainstream hair products with almost equal advertisement. So NO I don't care about white women and their hair issues. Not only that, but some of them created a SEPARATE BRAND for BLACK WOMEN and our hair! They didn't alter the main formula in hopes of trying to fit everyone in! They realized how disrespectful that was, even with a consumer base that is majority white women! Shea Moisture has absolutely no excuse. They were greedy and elected officials that had no clue or no concern about who put them where they are.
My problem with it was that when I think about hair hate, I don't think about how you wish your hair was a different color or that you don't know what to do with your hair for the day. I think about how whenever I wear my natural afro, I feel like I'm being judged by random people who know nothing about me. I think about how little girls get made fun of and picked on for their hair. I think about how if I have a job interview, I should do my hair in a certain way. The white women in the commercial have very simple fixes for their "hair hate" while a black woman's options for ours are damaging for our hair but they do it to fit into euro-centric beauty standards or so they don't get bothered or stared at.
Exactly! When I think of hair hatred, I think of the fact that our hair is literally hated, and it's attachment to racism. Black people are the only people that have specific derogatory words regarding our hair. Our hair is always singled out, but when we speak out about it, our issues are watered down because everyone has been singled out for their hair at one point. The difference is, I can't put my hair in a bun to make the comments go away. Our hair is considered inherently bad, so there is nothing we can do besides love our hair to fight this hatred, and teach all black people to love their features.
i had a Black man tell me "comb your hair or let me comb it for you" when i had an afro in Las Vegas. we basically had the same hair texture and everything but he was still put off by a Black woman with a natural fro. my grandma, who still gets her hair relaxed, jokingly called me a "nappy head lil girl" in response to my twists. there are LEVELS to the hair hate Black women experience and it's generational. this love we express for our hair now can break that cycle.
Well said Whitney. What frustrated me is that when Black women were speaking out about this it became about race. No, it's about our story. I am so tired of the Black female voice being diminished. It's as if we are not entitled to an opinion. Thank you for this video. I agree 100%.
One of my biggest issues is that the SM pr and social team is mostly white blonde women and I saw them going on Twitter defending the campaign, retweeting and commenting only on people who agreed. And some of those people were black men, who openly have expressed disdain for black/dark skinned women in previous tweets. Like the way they handled it was so wrong. It was sloppy. As a black woman who feels forced to change my hair just to potentially get a job, or even keep one, and constantly dealing with snarky comments from my white peers, it literally felt like a slap in the face. SM was literally a brand inspired by a black woman (Sofi Tucker, The founder's own grandmother!) and built for us, and I get they want to branch out and be more profitable. But it could have been handled better
babyv2992010 also SM was built by word of mouth by black women. They don't spend much on advertising because their customer base was black women, who did product demos, reviews with their own money and time How demos vids of white women using Shea Moisture do see? The black males who inserted themselves into the conversation are black women haters and hustlers They heard black man losing money and it's the black woman fault They don't use the products, but want tell us what black should buy. If a Shea Moisture product works for you, do what works for not the owner.
babyv2992010 I belong to a black business group on FB and read an article about a man who protrayed himself as the project manager rather than the owner because when people learned that he was the owner, they didn't want to do business. So he removed any traces of his ethnicity from all paraphernalia. He paid a recruiter to find him an all white sales team to move his business along. It made me wonder if those were his reasons too in the beginning when I saw his all white team.
This is THE biggest issue for me. I feel this should be the first thing that is spoken of when these videos are made discussing SM +Naptural85 will you at some point be able to address this?
could be. To make Shea Moisture appealling to a white audience. I read that in foreign markets ,companies are hiring whites faces just to make the potential white customers feel comfortable.
I totally agree. It was very disheartening to see the "conversation" without the voice of the black woman in it. How can you have a meaningful discussion about an issue/problem without acknowledging the people beating the drum who the problem DIRECTLY impacts?? It's like trying to have a steak dinner but telling the cow the matter doesn't concern them. No cow, no (meaningful) dinner. I also agree with what you said about how the black woman is always among the first to stand up for others but where is our reinforcements, our advocates, our champions when we need backing?? Instead we get hushed or told we're "overreacting" or labeled as militant or "white hating", continually having folks attempting to get us to continue to drink the tainted Kool-Aid and ignore their continued propagating of the narrative that seeks to hush our truths. It's so frustrating and infuriating.
Yeah. That one gets me. As if we have no right to be angry. When people try to throw that mess at me, I simply reply: "Yes. And here's why. Your inability or unwillingness to be man/woman/HUMAN enough to acknowledge (let alone handle) the fact that I have a right to that feeling does not negate the fact that I feel that them. I'm woman enough to fully own my negative feelings-- are you man/woman/human enough to stand in whatever your discomfort about that is long enough to have a discussion to make an honest attempt at understanding the "why" behind the anger?" Often times the answer is "no".
I think what was missed here in this video was the fact that black women and some black men were and still are the primary clientele that has enabled sheamoisture to thrive, yet their first national commercial does not include black women? That makes no sense and demonstrates a lack of respect to the clientele that has enabled the company to be able to even afford to do a national campaign of that magnitude.
You can keep your demonic hate to yourself. My point is still valid regardless if it was not their first ad. And it's my understanding that what was PREVIEWED on Facebook will also become or is their national campaign. And no I am not jumping on the bandwagon. I just understand white privilege and its affects (influence). Perhaps you should learn about this as well, so your eyes are opened.
It says something that a large part of the reason your hair is as gorgeous as it is is due to the do it yourself products you make. And your recipes never fail my hair while Shea Moisture products do often. They're lucky to have you on their campaign.
Hey Whitney! Been watching you for years, and although that doesn't mean that I "know" you, I just have to say that I'm so very proud of you and the way you so perfectly expressed yourself in this video, and I'm sure, reflected the sentiment that many of us as black women feel. I admire the fact that, no matter what, you never compromise, and you are courageous enough to always be open, honest and REAL about your thoughts and feelings. Plus, I must tell you that you are my hair GURU!! Lol. So keep up the awesome work, congratulations on your new, little miracle soon to come, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! 😄 God Bless You...☺️
over 9yrs ago I reached out to shea moisture customer service in an effort to request their product distribution rep come to my local supply store to stock their brand. In my conversation with that CSR I realized shea moisture was not a company that wanted to be defined as: for women of color. That rep actually said to me we are not an "ethnic brand" we are an "organic brand" and that is how we wish to be displayed. it was then that I decided not to continue use or stocking them on my store shelves. therefore, when I saw the outrage the commercial caused all I felt was relief that finally my hair community would know the truth. I'm so proud of the stance that's been taken.
As a white woman, I have never been denied a job or sent home from school bc of my hair. Hair hate for us is NOT the same thing. I also noticed that it was a male dominated conversation, which is bs! Black women had every right to be frustrated over this. I also agree with you that we (white women) need to learn more about intersectionailty and the societal issues that led to this being so upsetting to our black sisters. ❤
I personally won't purchasing Shea Moisture anymore because I personally think the way they handle it was atrocious. Simple as that. happy mother's day to all the mommies out there!! 🌷😘
exactly. they market to us, say they're all about uplifting and supporting us. but as soon as they get a little shine (BECAUSE OF US might I add. cause nobody was using or clocking Shea Moisture until Black women on the internet start using and promoting them), they change their formulas to "fit a wider range of audiences", they change their packaging to make it look marketable for everyone and move for the "ethnic hair" shelf at the store to the "natural/eco-friendly" shelf, they included non POC in their campaigns and say "we're moving in a different direction and now we're for everyone" to make more money and eventually they forget us. and then we we get upset because we been there since day 1 for them and they're belittling our narrative I with this foolishness, they issue half assed apologies and try to issue thrown together statements to cover their asses. I'm over it. nothing is going to change they're still going to continue this. they have our money along with the audience they want now. and I'm not doing it anymore. I'm supporting smaller black owned businesses who actually invest back into us and who care for us.
1pimpafro that is exactly why I watch people like Naptural that taught me how to make my own products so I was NEVER a product junkie. My hair flourishes by making my own quick natural products so when any company decides to freak themselves out or change their formulas, I'm never affected ✌🏾. The only thing I buy is conditioner, and cheap condish at that.
Amen! I won't be buying their products either. They're ok building their brand off of our $$, claim to support us and our struggle and then coopt a movement that we have created for ourselves in a world that constantly tries to brainwashing us into hating our hair and features...nah man the disrespect. It make my own products most of the time but Shea moisture was the only brand I'd buy for leave in conditioner etc. Its time we support those who support us and stand for us otherwise it will never change.
I've been SM exclusive user for the past 5 years or more, and I will not be using the products ANYMORE. I know my dollars alone don't mean much, but they mean a lot to me. they won't get another dime from me. Rose water and essential oils work just fine for me. I'm done.
"We're always willing to stand up for others, but no one wants to stand up for us". Sums up the struggle of being a black woman in a world that seems to hate us for simply existing and our uniqueness. This issue highlights the importance and necessity of black sisterhood. I really enjoyed your take on the topic Nap 👌🏾
That girl complaining about red hair was kind of ridiculous to me. I grew up with 4c hair. People would bully me mercilessly about it. Saying I'm nappy and dirty. That I need to get a relaxer and they would cut my hair or put gum in it. They would say its greasy and gross with all the hair oils my mom put in. I finally got a relaxer but I regret it so much that I've transitioned. Texture discrimination is serious and needs to be talked about, having our products branded for 'acceptable' hair types is fueling that discrimination. Having loose curly hair, wavy hair or red hair isn't a market that isn't already targeted with aisles of hair products. But that's just me.
Hi Whitney, I'm a Hispanic viewer with really curly hair and enjoy watching your videos! Your videos have helped me learn to manage my curls. Regarding this issue, I read some of the comments on this video and can understand why there was such an upset with the campaign and how it was handled. You are absolutely correct that they should have allowed black women to speak out and express why they felt the way they felt. Any community would be upset if they were ignored. I think SM missed an opportunity to listen and share a story. We should all be listening to one another and trying to understand each others struggles. Unfortunately, we see this kind stuff all the time. Our education system only tells one side of history and we fail to educate others about their side of the story, whether it be African American, Native American, Hispanic American, Asian American, etc.
We instantly become the angry black women when we voice our concern. I felt very betrayed and at this moment I will not be purchasing from Shea Moisture. Thank you for this video!
Tiara Rivera The formulas for all the products have changed. Why have they changed have been 'debated' on. Some feel that it's because they're using cheaper products, but more (I mean most of the comments that I've seen) feel like they're altering their products to cater towards White/Caucasian hair. That's the concern about the science of the product themselves. As far as the company goes, many Black women feel that they've 'sold out' (hopefully you know what I mean). They merged with a predominately White company and most of their top personnel became White. You should do some research on the company.
To piggy back off of Night Angel it all started with a commercial that Shea Moisture was promoting to expand their product line. In the commercial there were primarily three women one possibly bi-racial and two white women that shared their hair struggles and hair hate stories. The thing that caused the black community to be outrage with the company was the fact that not one of those women represented the black community. As Naptural85 stated the problem with the women telling their story was not the issue the issue was representation. The proper thing to do was to be all inclusive especially when this product was started and made by us. They also call this white washing.
Tiara Rivera Hi Tiara, I don't think I can give the background justic. There are a lot of RUclips video out about it. I wouldn't want to sway your opinion. There are a few news sites that talk about it as well.
I loved your opinion whitney. Ps that is why I feel that black women should not involve themselves in other movements that are not pro black. We are always willing to support others in their plight and give aid but when it comes to us its not the same...
KimADay why not its more than black women who are marginalized Latino, Asian, Muslim. It's not just black women who are marginalized in the beauty community
It is getting to the point that Black women should only support other Black women! At the end of the day, we are all we have! We are the only group that no one else sticks up for. We have to support each other now more than ever!
But, we do not have to fight for them! They do nothing for us, so why do we have to fight for them. Also, one can be Black and Latino and Black and Muslim. We are including Black women throughout the Diaspora, because within the Latino and Muslim communities they are treated like absolute sh*%, too!
ANYONE WHO SAYS PEOPLE OVERREACTED CAN CATCH THIS FADE. The commercial was the smallest of issues, if it was the only issue no one would boycott they would just complain. The issue comes with the reformulation of products rather than the creation of a white centric line. Especially when Shea moisture comes out with a new line every week. I could even accept the reformulation if they had made a clear, open and honest statement saying they changed a few lines. The fact that they not only made the commercial but reformulated their products and chose to hide and lie about it is why I'm taking were taking our beautiful black asses over to cantu.
truth.com slim_adri . The funniest thing about the product formulation on they lied about is I was on their page a month before the commercial and someone ask about the product consistency they said something to the fact nothing changed and different batches might come out different because of the natural ingredients.
plutonash18 now their bottles has always said that consistency may vary due to natural ingredients, but when the jar I had 8 months ago has a completely different ingredient list than the jar I bought to weeks ago and they claimed they hadn't changed anything. They really think we're stupid.
When Shea Moisture came out with a new line, I would search to find it. When Walgreens had their buy one get one free sale, I was there. I had so many products I had to stop buying. Now that my stash is low I wanted to try out products from other women that look like me and I'm loving TGIN. Next month I'm trying Camille Rose. Change can be a good thing so Shea Moisture is making changes and so am I 👍🏾.
I also hated how SM also tried to say they didn't change the formulas when the did. I have the older jbco leave in and the new the ingredients are different the formula changed. To me SM didn't take responsibility for their actions, even when the CEO was on the breakfast club it just didn't work. it goes back to what you said about not involving black women in the conversation
ALRIGHT NOW WHITNEY COME THRU WITH THE TRUTH! I love every single point you made here and I'm glad that YOU in particular made a video in addition to your statement on IG- I'm happy to see you use your influence and your voice to represent black women!
Thank you for making this video Whitney. You clarified a lot of misconceptions about the concerns of black women with this campaign and how our insecurities about our hair are completely different from the hair insecurities of white women. It is a totally different story and history we have with our hair. As black women living in a society with European standards of beauty, we were constantly told that our hair will only be acceptable if it is straight and lengthy. This belief has been with us for generations and is still present today, even in the natural hair movement. How many natural haired black women have made it their goal to have rapunzel length natural hair?? I am not saying it is wrong to desire long hair, however we must examine where that desire is stemming from. So to wrap this essay up lol, Whitney thank you for taking the time do this with all of the things going on in your life. Thank you so very much for not allowing your participation in the campaign itself blind you to understanding our concerns.
if it wasn't for black women and the natural hair journey Shea Moisture wouldn't be so popular!!!!! Don't bite the hand that feeds you. It was a slap in the face
Thank you for such a well thought out perspective. Let me say that as far as hair "hate", Ive never hated my hair. When I grew my hair out natural in 2004 I definitely liked my hair but until I found you on youtube and many others sharing their hair journeys I then truly began to love my hair. I realized how my hair could transform into so many textures and styles thanks to you and others. So I want to say thank you for what you do and it means the world to me!
Hi Whitney! Sometimes, you can't trust anyone to get the job done but yourself. I know you've probably thought about this, but hear me out. You could create your own hair product for black women -- a business that would absolutely flourish with all your media support from black women. You are one of, if not the, main pioneer of this movement toward black women's hair self love, and everyone would love and invest in this idea as well. If money is an issue, try Kickstarter! I am very proud of your involvement thus far! As a black woman getting my MD in 2 years, I would love to not feel like I have to do certain things to my hair just to "fit in" or "look the part" in order to get a job. People say you don't have to do that or you shouldn't wanna be there if you have to do that, but come on! If you wanna work your way up the corporate ladder in the South, sometimes you've gotta do what you gotta do to get where it you wanna go! To imagine a future without this nor black women brainwashed to see their hair as bad is amazing. I would fully support your movement!
Tiffany Pleasent +Naptural85 I agree 110%. I'm actually surprised, tbh, that you haven't ventured down this route yet after becoming such a prominent figure in natural hair wear, care, and styles. Definitely go for this. Like, don't let anything deter you from this idea-- it's brilliant, and you would have SO much support from this community, considering who you are (Naptural85).
Tiffany Pleasent I was thinking about this today. I just watched her pineapple video. It's something that I do often just because I'm to lazy to get up and grab my elastic, and it works so much better without the elastic. The point is that I've been doing it but never saw it as a technique. She has a way of seeing things the way others don't. Same for her videos, she has a way of explaining things in a way that I understand it better. I love her videos, but I think it's time for her to move on. No mater what she wants to do, I would love to see her face representing us in something bigger. Shea moisture was fun but now it's time to move on. She has so much more to offer. I would love see her in a something that has nothing to do with beauty. Her creative skills are amazing she can succeed anywhere.
This is the reason why I will remain a subscriber! I love that you stand firm in your personal opinion, specifically when it comes to the issues that we've all dealt with in each of our individual journeys. Thanks for sharing.
As a 52 year old black women, I have learned in my life that there are benefits non-black women and black men have in us not being able to speak our truth and be heard and respected. The reasons vary and are too detailed and complex to get into, my point is we black women shouldn't beg, cry, or plea in strong defense of our position. Instead we should state our position and then let our dollars do the speaking. I am no longer a Shea Moisture customer and will NOT defend my position to people who don't respect me. I say black women don't discuss this issue anymore, stop buying Shea Moisture products and keep it moving... The reality is these people you are trying to speak to don't give damn about our story and experiences.
I love how you spoke. At first, I was expecting you to defend Shea Moisture because you were involved with them but you just created an empathetic platform for those of us that were very frustrated with this video. I love every point that you spoke on and it you completely addressed how we feel [without the hand clapping lolol]. Thank you :]
The under dog stands when needed because she understands the plight of others having traversed them herself. Thanks for this video because it says everything needed to be heard. If only people just listened... Happy Mom's Day. ❤🙃❤
I almost teared up watching this. Out of everyone I've seen cover the topic I haven't seen someone hit EVERY SINGLE NAIL ON THE HEAD like Whitney. I really appreciated this video, just made affirmed for me that the feelings I have about the SM situation and how black women are treated in general, are not crazy. After a while when you try to keep bringing to light the issues we as black women face, and our feelings in general we often get silenced, hushed, ignored, or told we're angry, dramatic and jealous and after a while it gets to you.Thank you Whitney for talking about the daily black female issues.
First......i wanna say THANK U for bein one of our YT hair guruz who spoke out and understandin how we all feel. I saw only ONE Shea Moisture Ambassador make a vid on it. Dont really kno her, but she let us kno she was one. Sounded like she didnt care... but i wondered where were all da other main onez??? Some of them were a part of da campaign and some werent. But theyve been just makin regular vidz as if nothin is wrong. Idk, im a lil disappointed dat they havent spoken out. Smh... U alwayz keep it real with us and long time subbiez like myself can appreciate dat.
I don't care about S.M. I stopped using them years ago. But I will say this to you Whitney. If you ever decide to create your own hair care line, I would support you wholeheartedly.
White women already have 50m hair products for their hair. The issue is they literally can't stand to see anything made specifically for black hair. It's like everything on the market has to be made for them. The reality is white women have been responsible for every law passed restricting natural hair for black women. Also the historical relationship with hair for black women started when hair was a status symbol in Africa and female slaves were shaved bald to remove their status. Then we had the hair comparisons in slavery. The fact that we are learning to love our hair in its natural state is significant because natural hair is associated with black power and black power is associated with civil rights changes. Black women were the driving force behind that movement, which is why they are being shut down now. White women talking about their hair hate in this context is, frankly, insulting.
I've been watching your videos for YEARS, silently rooting for you because I've just never commented but have definitely been happy about your accomplishments. I was so interested in what you thought about this knowing your affiliation with Shea Moisture, I honestly thought you would come out and say something to 100% support them and kinda downplay the struggle of black women and why we are/were outraged but I was totally wrong and I must say, you definitely stayed true to yourself here and I really respect and appreciate that as well as this video. Your voice in this situation is very important (I believe) and it means a lot. Thank you for telling it exactly how it is for those of us who will not be heard in this discussion.
Whitney! I have all the respect for you and your bravery to address these controversial issues. You bring such a voice of reason to these conversations and your voice is so appreciated. I love you and your work! Continue to do what you're doing. It is greatly appreciated✊🏾
Just to clarify, the narrative of "bad hair" or "hating our hair" wasn't started within the black community. It originated in white slave owners forcing this mentality upon us to hate our own looks. It's about loving ourselves and the struggle against the negative narratives.
YASSS WHIT!! You presented a VERY great argument. Like Im happy that even though you have some attachment to Shea Moisture, you are not letting that brand's (bad attempt of a campaign) tarnish your imagery and YOUR brand. I think this was a great PR move for you also in that you are letting YOUR main audience know that you had no involvement in the creation of that campaign (because you are in some connection with Shea Moisture, some people can believe that you are a "supporter" of them, in a sense that you wont speak up when something is wrong). Also you are using your voice very wisely to magnify our concerns as black women, as you mentioned, was constantly and consistently silenced. Im very glad you made this video!
thank you soooo much for saying what we all were thinking I personally heard a white radio host say basically we need to get over it and I emailed her to let her know that we don't need to get over it and why and she emailed me back with understanding and she apologized. it's not about the race issue in itself it's much deeper thanks for being our voice
This is why I have been a long time subbie and enjoy watching your vlogs. You're not afraid to touch on topics that everyone else may shy away from. "We all have a voice in this world and it needs to be heard". Keep voicing your views and opinions, it matters.
Interesting point of view. I think for SM is just business now when most of us are very much attached to the emotional part of our hair journey and how it affects our daily lives in a positive and negative way too (eg: women not getting work because of their hair even if they ticked all the boxes ). The thing is they release products and new lines every single month why slowly wash down ours to win over non black women? I don't see L'Oréal or panthene doing it. It feels like total disrespect for the people who go them there in a first place. I hope it works out for them because I don't think they'll win back the support or respect of the black consumers they have lost over this.
But even from a business standpoint their expansion didn't make sense. Black women are the number consumer in hair products, so SM was already in a gold mine, but they decided to expand to rocks. You get what i'm saying? Like, they just lost a lot of money from black women, and are about to get easily overlooked by nonblack ppl who have so many options in products. It was a lose-lose situation
byoung4eva1 I totally agree and it makes no sense to me either but it might have been one of the conditions for them to get sundial to invest...And also we live in a very much white supremacy society and everything has to be about white people and/or work around or for them first so their fragility is not ruffled too much.
Very well stated Whitney. Simply put we have great buying power. I do believe our economic power is swept under the rub. Companies realize the buying power we do have, but they'd rather not celebrate our imagery. We for too long have supported many products that doesn't carry our likeness. We are realizing after centuries of abuse and critiquing our beauty, we are saying "Wait, we deserve to be front and center, we are beautiful, we want to see us". Our outrage has nothing to do with hate, but the love we have for ourselves, and we want that reflected through the products we support. Beauty industries make us an afterthought, the sidekick of a campaign, and we thought Shea Moisture finally would know we are leading lady material. Other women of color and none color could benefit from the products I believe, but I feel they began to do what other companies do and not feature or celebrate, our beauty, our stories or consider it important. I use Shea Moisture products and love their soaps, especially the pink one, but I won't support the company, because I do feel a betrayal. I would definitely feel guilty supporting something I felt used the black woman to gain success and we didn't get a chance to enjoy the success.
This reminds me of the dog with a bone story you hear as a child, where the reflection of the bone appears larger so when the dog opens its mouth to reach for the reflection he loses the real bone. Shea moisture dropped their core demographic while trying to cater to And reach out to a totally different audience aka "wider audience " and lost/losing everything once their true intentions for their brand became clearer.
this is the best explanation of this whole situation I've heard. you're right, it's not about excluding other races but protecting the hair narrative we as black women have dealt with for so long. thank you for bringing up the fact that people were quick to label women who were upset as simply angry or jealous of the other. it's annoying and frustrating because it's simply not the case.
The irony of it is that when black women voice their opinion about something having to do with being misrepresented, ignored, tossed aside, disregarded, etc. the response is to disregard and ignore those very opinions by denying they are being disregarded. Thus validating the argument. A wee bit of understanding and respect is not too much to ask for. In my humble opinion.
Thank you Naptural85 for making this video. This is the best video I've seen yet on this issue. You explained it in a way that all people can understand. As a black woman, I appreciate this.
Such a wonderful video on the subject, I really enjoyed your take on the matter! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and being so transparent! And, Happy Mother's Day!!
you are one of the first bloggers on natural hair liked when I first transitioned in 2011. your braifoit technique still is my vacation go to! Thank you for standing up, putting yourself on the line. speak the truth. Whitney come through! Thank you, thank you! Amen
The only people I see saying "I don't see colour, hair is hair" are people with straight or wavy hair. :( Shea Moisture whitewashing their formula and ads is despicable.
I feel like you hit the nail on the head. People who have not gone through what we've been through can sympathize but they don't know. Our opinions are valid, whether we agreed or disagree with the controversy of it all.
I think you are AMAZING!!! I started my hair journey about a year and a half ago, I'm 60 plus years old and you are one of my favorites on you tube!! YYEEESSSS! I'm not proficient in my journey yet but I've come across long way in learning about my hair which is 4-4b. Just wanted you to know that no matter what is going on with "shea moisture " You are phenomenal Black Women! God Bless You and thank you for all you have taught me.
This is why I live for DIY's. You got me hooked on them way back in the days. I did go through my product junkie phase trying to find THAT miracle product, but I learnt acceptance of my hair personality and strive only for healthy hair. Corporations have a bottom line, profit. I accept that which means I also have to accept that I am not their priority. I go with the corporation that represents me, my DIY's with me as the mixologist.
It's unfortunate that a brand can build their fortune off one particular demographic to then side step that same demographic to cater to those who will never see its worth. They could have used their position to uplift and shine a positive light on kinkier textures. I have never even used Shea moisture, never spent a dime on them and I felt hurt watching the Ad campaign. So just imagine those who spent hundreds of dollars 💵 just imagine how they felt.
God bless you for speaking truth to power✊🏿 I just love you and I respect your courage in speaking the truth about this ugly situation despite the fact that you yourself are involved with Shea Moisture. It takes bravery to speak out when it could hurt you financially. I've always respected you and now my respect for you has gone through the roof! I agree with everything you said and am so grateful that you said it. The commercial and their response were deeply hurtful and has completely changed my view of Shea Moisture. I will forever appreciate you for changing my hairlife and now the hair life of my friends and family and I will continue to learn from you and share the things that you teach me. God bless and stay strong my sistah❤️
Exactly!! I am with you totally. As a black woman and while growing up we were always told that straight hair is good hair! Or there was always the stereotype of if your hair wasn't straight you had nappy hair! If some of the younger generation or these men would go back and look at the old afro sheen commercials or soft and beautiful product advertisements from the early 80's then it may allow people to realize where this has stem from! We were never really allowed to embrace our natural hair!
I really like what your thoughts were👍🏽 I think a lot of people underestimated our hair stories and that's where things went array. Love you're message 💕
Whitney. Thank you for this video. I was appalled when I saw the commercial. I agree with everything you said in your video. I felt that people were missing the point on why so many black women were outraged and angry. It's okay to expand your brand and target a different demographic but don't forget about your core consumers. Those people who built SM to what it is now. I reached out to a few influencers who I follow on RUclips asking for feedback for them to do a video. I got no response from anyone. So I appreciate your willingness to come forward and speak on the issue. I think because these influences were involved in the SM commercial they do not want to speak on the matter for fear of messing up their coins. But I feel to ignore the situation and pretend like it never happened is sort of insulting. Thanks again for the video I appreciate your honest input.
Slow clap.... Whitney I'm very proud that you are being true to yourself by sharing your opinion on the matter despite being involved in the campaign. You summarized most black women's issue with this ad very well.
Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the situation.....for me you explained exactly how I and as you said so many Black Women feel/felt about the situation.
I'm so glad you addressed this and the fact that our opinion & input was so disrespectfully dismissed. Jouelzy brought up a good point that there are no Black women included on Shea Moistures team (I.e. marketing, social media exec, etc.) & just maybe this contributed to their tone deafness. I mean our hair has literally be legislated against! miss us with the 'all hair hate is bad' from them.
they said the black man will be losing money due to a black woman's fault I beg to differ, really its that black man will lose his money and not due to black women it will be due to lack of respect for the black woman and being able to hold his own and carry his own just as we carried him to success... as my grandmother use to say never bite the hand that feeds you
I really appreciate the tact and sensitivity you handled this subject with and I agree with just about everything you presented. I just hope that this conversation sheds more light on what black women have gone through with their hair journey but also that everyone's story black or non-black is seen as valid and handled with respect. For so long we've (black women) have wanted brands to be inclusive to us. I personally think it's great that Shea Moisture is making products inclusive to more hair types especially since hair types are so diverse nowadays. At the end of the day they are a line that promotes natural Ingredients and sustainability and that's something a lot more women from all different backgrounds are wanting at a reasonable price. I completely understand the annoyance or "shock" as you put it at the add but not enough to be outraged or boycott the brand. The thing that's more upsetting is like you said once the conversation was started black women ( the main demographic of the brand) were left out 😕
I think you hit the nail exactly on the head with video about this whole Shea Moisture situation Whitney. I hope this educates some people who didn't understand where our feelings about that video was coming from. Thank you!💕
I'm 4:19 mins in and I feel so many things but most of all I'm so happy that you're speaking truth on this. I feel like your speaking my mind! I'm in agreement with every single word! I usually try to see both sides of the argument because everyone's story is different but in this case I felt (as you put it) it's personal to us and it started with us. It's OUR story. Maybe if they went about it (i.e. the ad) differently it would have been received a little better. Idk I'm rambling lol but THANK YOU 😊 legit teared up because you articulated my thoughts and feelings on the subject in a whole so completely.
Their apology was bad and whoever was running their Twitter account is out of touch. Once they agreed with Tariq Nasheed who has a history of badmouthing black women I knew I wouldn't repurchase their products again.
ps. Audio goes out in the middle, sorry about that!! #womp! Also, wishing all the mothers watching a wonderful, relaxing Mother's Day!!! 💗 💗 💗
Naptural85 happy Mother's Day
Naptural85 Happy Mother's Day!!
Naptural85 Happy Mothers Day!
Naptural85 Happy Mother's Day!
@5.08 You hair is giving me all kinds of life right now. Great video.
"Black women just don't care what white women do to their hair"..Lol. best comment yet!
1pimpafro That's right.
right. we truly don't.
My frustration with the lack of empathy from Black men towards us really hurts me....i dunno how to handle it. I feel like we're invisible in society....its like black men think they're a different race its so weird...why are they so weak minded
immi's snow globe exactly, there are white men out there who appreciate black women more than our own men do.
I hear what you are saying. That is unfortunate. I also made a brief video about Shea Moisture. It is a complex issue.
immi's snow globe sad but true
immi's snow globe Ikr This pissed me every time when black men like that just think we are overreacting. They should know that some women care about their apearance and us black women which because of society don't have attention on us it's a big issue. I don't even know why they have to bring their mouth into it if they are gonna throw some bullshit! (Sorry if my comment is kinda hard to read I don't usually speak english)
immi's snow globe simple answer, they want to be accepted. Point! Blank! Period! And it's SAD!
I think you hit the nail on the head. I think black women felt betrayed more than anything.
SHENA CROWE I agree 💯 %
And the fact that they excluded black women from the discussion panel reflects a total disregard from the number one consumer that got them to where they are. Shea moistures primary focus is on money which is why they will never get another red cent from me. They totally ignore black women well let's see if they ignore there profit margin plummet.
SHENA CROWE especially since they have been the one purchasing it and supporting for years but don't forget Carols daughter branched out too and Shea Moisture did sell the brand so in some way it's all about expanding the brand..
jablum77 well said👍🏾
You do know where this comes from... The same negative people it always came from these white folks. I grew up when brothas use to write positive songs about us. Today the songs are negative. This is done by design. Gangsta rap was created to destroy and Hip Hop was infiltrated for the same reason. When our men are weak we must be strong!
Beautifully put, Whitney. The only thing that I would add is that if the White women they used had curly/kinky hair, I would not have been offended as much. I worked with a White woman with very wavy/curly/frizzy reddish blond hair. I remember one day she straightened her hair. Her hair in its natural state is bra strap length. Her hair straightened was waist length. I was shocked to hear people (none were Black) making the same comments to her that they do to Black women with Afro textured hair. Some people on my job said, "Oh wow! Your hair looks so much better straightened. Why do you not straighten your hair all the time?!" Others in the pharmacy department said, "I did not realize that your hair was so long," and they reached out to touch it with out asking her permission. I could see how uncomfortable she felt. As a Black woman with Afro textured hair, I totally got how she felt. I heard her explaining to many people that she does not straighten her hair all the time because it takes too long to straighten and takes up so much of her time. She was very polite, but annoyed. She did not owe them an explanation. Now, a White woman like my colleague explaining her story in the campaign would have been totally acceptable to me. However, a blond woman with naturally silky straight hair, tossing it around like I have seen in many shampoo commercials and the comments that she made bothered me. Her hair is the hair texture that is deemed most desirable by Western standards of beauty. I am sure no one looks at her hair with contempt or hurl insults at her because of it. The red hair complaint was not about hair texture. It was about hair color, which is a totally different subject. This was not a campaign for hair color. I so much agree that Black women should have been aloud to voice the reasons why we were offended by the commercial. The White women they chose, definitely, made me feel that SM was minimizing the struggle Black women have with their hair since slavery.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. You speak the truth. God bless you! Happy Mother's Day!
But even a white girl with our hair texture, isn't the same. I think she could learn from the movement, but i don't think a girl like her should be in the commercial either. At the end of the day, they used what BLACK women, and men, go through, and put it on another face (white and biracial women). I bet a white woman with kinky hair would be accepted world wide over a black person with kinky hair, because "hey, at least they aint black".
True! I think that all the women in the commercials for the current Shea Moisture products should have Afro textured hair. I agree, a White woman like my colleague would not have been the best spokes person to speak about "hair hate," but I would have understood why they included her. Shea Moisture should come out with a different product line for Caucasian hair if they want to expand their business to reach consumers who do not have Afro textured hair. The very name, "Shea Moisture" implies that it is for Afro texture hair because our hair requires a lot of moisture to keep it healthy and thriving. SM can feature White women and/or women with naturally straight hair in a new line targeted for their hair needs. To me, it does not matter if that was one commercial out of many for this campaign with 22 influencers. In my opinion, all of the women in the Shea Moisture campaign should have Afro textured hair because SM's formula was made for our unique hair type. Hair hate in the Black community is not just internal. It is external. We experience discrimination because of the texture of our hair. This is a very sensitive subject for Black women. SM should have taken that into consideration. I think that is where they messed up.
Erica Karas lol yep. I rolled my eyes at the white lady with just dirty not done hair. I was like her struggle was a hangover and SM is not the answer. 😂
Erica Karas exactly! that was the first thing that popped into my head. if they were going to use someone white, why not choose someone with curly/coily hair who can actually somewhat relate to the REAL hair issue? makes no sense.
Natural Lilly LMAO! "sometimes...I just don't know what to do with it" -__-
I think the other thing is that for a black woman, the related hair history involves systematic oppression specifically related to OUR hair... White women where never required to wear scarves to cover their kinky hair... White girls in Africa are not being told that they can't come to school with natural hair. 'Hair Hate' isn't just internal for black women it's been external as well... This is why I have to reject hair hate stories from non black women. Being dissatisfied with the look of your hair and being systemically oppressed because of it are two completely different things.
Tame Bell beautifully said!
Rebekka Yes at an art museum in NOLA there is a portrait of a woman wearing her hair covered and the caption says it was required by law if you were able to pass for white.
Tame Bell I wanted to like your comment 100 times!! So true.
White women have Tresemme, Garnier, Suave, L'Oreal, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Ulta, Dove, Sunsilk, etc and EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE are mainstream hair products with almost equal advertisement. So NO I don't care about white women and their hair issues. Not only that, but some of them created a SEPARATE BRAND for BLACK WOMEN and our hair! They didn't alter the main formula in hopes of trying to fit everyone in! They realized how disrespectful that was, even with a consumer base that is majority white women! Shea Moisture has absolutely no excuse. They were greedy and elected officials that had no clue or no concern about who put them where they are.
intoxicatedbiscuit 👏👏👏👏👏
👏👏👏👏👏
intoxicatedbiscuit amen
intoxicatedbiscuit finally someone gets it! 💯
ALL. OF. THIS. we are always trying to be inclusive when nobody includes us!
My problem with it was that when I think about hair hate, I don't think about how you wish your hair was a different color or that you don't know what to do with your hair for the day. I think about how whenever I wear my natural afro, I feel like I'm being judged by random people who know nothing about me. I think about how little girls get made fun of and picked on for their hair. I think about how if I have a job interview, I should do my hair in a certain way. The white women in the commercial have very simple fixes for their "hair hate" while a black woman's options for ours are damaging for our hair but they do it to fit into euro-centric beauty standards or so they don't get bothered or stared at.
Amen! Exactly!
You stated your issue very well and I agree!
Kelley C The mere comparison is just ridiculous...
Kelley C exactly!!
Exactly! When I think of hair hatred, I think of the fact that our hair is literally hated, and it's attachment to racism. Black people are the only people that have specific derogatory words regarding our hair. Our hair is always singled out, but when we speak out about it, our issues are watered down because everyone has been singled out for their hair at one point. The difference is, I can't put my hair in a bun to make the comments go away. Our hair is considered inherently bad, so there is nothing we can do besides love our hair to fight this hatred, and teach all black people to love their features.
i had a Black man tell me "comb your hair or let me comb it for you" when i had an afro in Las Vegas. we basically had the same hair texture and everything but he was still put off by a Black woman with a natural fro. my grandma, who still gets her hair relaxed, jokingly called me a "nappy head lil girl" in response to my twists. there are LEVELS to the hair hate Black women experience and it's generational. this love we express for our hair now can break that cycle.
Well said Whitney. What frustrated me is that when Black women were speaking out about this it became about race. No, it's about our story. I am so tired of the Black female voice being diminished. It's as if we are not entitled to an opinion. Thank you for this video. I agree 100%.
Exactly, race had nothing to do with this at all! It was about our hair and how it is generally viewed in our society in the most negative light!
One of my biggest issues is that the SM pr and social team is mostly white blonde women and I saw them going on Twitter defending the campaign, retweeting and commenting only on people who agreed. And some of those people were black men, who openly have expressed disdain for black/dark skinned women in previous tweets. Like the way they handled it was so wrong. It was sloppy. As a black woman who feels forced to change my hair just to potentially get a job, or even keep one, and constantly dealing with snarky comments from my white peers, it literally felt like a slap in the face. SM was literally a brand inspired by a black woman (Sofi Tucker, The founder's own grandmother!) and built for us, and I get they want to branch out and be more profitable. But it could have been handled better
babyv2992010 also SM was built by word of mouth by black women. They don't spend much on advertising because their customer base was black women, who did product demos, reviews with their own money and time
How demos vids of white women using Shea Moisture do see? The black males who inserted themselves into the conversation are black women haters and hustlers
They heard black man losing money and it's the black woman fault
They don't use the products, but want tell us what black should buy. If a Shea Moisture product works for you, do what works for not the owner.
_"They heard black man losing money and it's the black woman fault"_
And that was basically it, in a nutshell.
babyv2992010
I belong to a black business group on FB and read an article about a man who protrayed himself as the project manager rather than the owner because when people learned that he was the owner, they didn't want to do business. So he removed any traces of his ethnicity from all paraphernalia. He paid a recruiter to find him an all white sales team to move his business along. It made me wonder if those were his reasons too in the beginning when I saw his all white team.
This is THE biggest issue for me. I feel this should be the first thing that is spoken of when these videos are made discussing SM +Naptural85 will you at some point be able to address this?
could be. To make Shea Moisture appealling to a white audience. I read that in foreign markets ,companies are hiring whites faces just to make the potential white customers feel comfortable.
I totally agree. It was very disheartening to see the "conversation" without the voice of the black woman in it. How can you have a meaningful discussion about an issue/problem without acknowledging the people beating the drum who the problem DIRECTLY impacts?? It's like trying to have a steak dinner but telling the cow the matter doesn't concern them. No cow, no (meaningful) dinner. I also agree with what you said about how the black woman is always among the first to stand up for others but where is our reinforcements, our advocates, our champions when we need backing?? Instead we get hushed or told we're "overreacting" or labeled as militant or "white hating", continually having folks attempting to get us to continue to drink the tainted Kool-Aid and ignore their continued propagating of the narrative that seeks to hush our truths. It's so frustrating and infuriating.
Yeah. That one gets me. As if we have no right to be angry. When people try to throw that mess at me, I simply reply: "Yes. And here's why. Your inability or unwillingness to be man/woman/HUMAN enough to acknowledge (let alone handle) the fact that I have a right to that feeling does not negate the fact that I feel that them. I'm woman enough to fully own my negative feelings-- are you man/woman/human enough to stand in whatever your discomfort about that is long enough to have a discussion to make an honest attempt at understanding the "why" behind the anger?" Often times the answer is "no".
I think what was missed here in this video was the fact that black women and some black men were and still are the primary clientele that has enabled sheamoisture to thrive, yet their first national commercial does not include black women? That makes no sense and demonstrates a lack of respect to the clientele that has enabled the company to be able to even afford to do a national campaign of that magnitude.
Godsgraceish very true
That was not their first national commercial; it was a Facebook ad; you must just be hopping on a bandwagon.
You can keep your demonic hate to yourself. My point is still valid regardless if it was not their first ad. And it's my understanding that what was PREVIEWED on Facebook will also become or is their national campaign. And no I am not jumping on the bandwagon. I just understand white privilege and its affects (influence). Perhaps you should learn about this as well, so your eyes are opened.
It says something that a large part of the reason your hair is as gorgeous as it is is due to the do it yourself products you make. And your recipes never fail my hair while Shea Moisture products do often. They're lucky to have you on their campaign.
Hey Whitney! Been watching you for years, and although that doesn't mean that I "know" you, I just have to say that I'm so very proud of you and the way you so perfectly expressed yourself in this video, and I'm sure, reflected the sentiment that many of us as black women feel. I admire the fact that, no matter what, you never compromise, and you are courageous enough to always be open, honest and REAL about your thoughts and feelings. Plus, I must tell you that you are my hair GURU!! Lol. So keep up the awesome work, congratulations on your new, little miracle soon to come, and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! 😄 God Bless You...☺️
over 9yrs ago I reached out to shea moisture customer service in an effort to request their product distribution rep come to my local supply store to stock their brand. In my conversation with that CSR I realized shea moisture was not a company that wanted to be defined as: for women of color. That rep actually said to me we are not an "ethnic brand" we are an "organic brand" and that is how we wish to be displayed. it was then that I decided not to continue use or stocking them on my store shelves. therefore, when I saw the outrage the commercial caused all I felt was relief that finally my hair community would know the truth. I'm so proud of the stance that's been taken.
As a white woman, I have never been denied a job or sent home from school bc of my hair. Hair hate for us is NOT the same thing. I also noticed that it was a male dominated conversation, which is bs! Black women had every right to be frustrated over this. I also agree with you that we (white women) need to learn more about intersectionailty and the societal issues that led to this being so upsetting to our black sisters. ❤
You look awesome Whitney! Thanks for giving us an honest view and opinion on this subject. I felt the same way
I personally won't purchasing Shea Moisture anymore because I personally think the way they handle it was atrocious. Simple as that. happy mother's day to all the mommies out there!! 🌷😘
exactly. they market to us, say they're all about uplifting and supporting us. but as soon as they get a little shine (BECAUSE OF US might I add. cause nobody was using or clocking Shea Moisture until Black women on the internet start using and promoting them), they change their formulas to "fit a wider range of audiences", they change their packaging to make it look marketable for everyone and move for the "ethnic hair" shelf at the store to the "natural/eco-friendly" shelf, they included non POC in their campaigns and say "we're moving in a different direction and now we're for everyone" to make more money and eventually they forget us. and then we we get upset because we been there since day 1 for them and they're belittling our narrative I with this foolishness, they issue half assed apologies and try to issue thrown together statements to cover their asses. I'm over it. nothing is going to change
they're still going to continue this. they have our money along with the audience they want now. and I'm not doing it anymore. I'm supporting smaller black owned businesses who actually invest back into us and who care for us.
1pimpafro that is exactly why I watch people like Naptural that taught me how to make my own products so I was NEVER a product junkie. My hair flourishes by making my own quick natural products so when any company decides to freak themselves out or change their formulas, I'm never affected ✌🏾. The only thing I buy is conditioner, and cheap condish at that.
1pimpafro apololies I love it
Amen! I won't be buying their products either. They're ok building their brand off of our $$, claim to support us and our struggle and then coopt a movement that we have created for ourselves in a world that constantly tries to brainwashing us into hating our hair and features...nah man the disrespect. It make my own products most of the time but Shea moisture was the only brand I'd buy for leave in conditioner etc. Its time we support those who support us and stand for us otherwise it will never change.
I've been SM exclusive user for the past 5 years or more, and I will not be using the products ANYMORE. I know my dollars alone don't mean much, but they mean a lot to me. they won't get another dime from me. Rose water and essential oils work just fine for me. I'm done.
NEW Video just went Up! #NaturalHair This one was requested by a lot of you guys, so I hope you enjoy my thoughts XO! 💗
"We're always willing to stand up for others, but no one wants to stand up for us". Sums up the struggle of being a black woman in a world that seems to hate us for simply existing and our uniqueness. This issue highlights the importance and necessity of black sisterhood. I really enjoyed your take on the topic Nap 👌🏾
That girl complaining about red hair was kind of ridiculous to me. I grew up with 4c hair. People would bully me mercilessly about it. Saying I'm nappy and dirty. That I need to get a relaxer and they would cut my hair or put gum in it. They would say its greasy and gross with all the hair oils my mom put in. I finally got a relaxer but I regret it so much that I've transitioned. Texture discrimination is serious and needs to be talked about, having our products branded for 'acceptable' hair types is fueling that discrimination. Having loose curly hair, wavy hair or red hair isn't a market that isn't already targeted with aisles of hair products. But that's just me.
well said 👏
Happy Mothers day Whit...you are one of the most humble persons on RUclips!!
Hi Whitney, I'm a Hispanic viewer with really curly hair and enjoy watching your videos! Your videos have helped me learn to manage my curls.
Regarding this issue, I read some of the comments on this video and can understand why there was such an upset with the campaign and how it was handled. You are absolutely correct that they should have allowed black women to speak out and express why they felt the way they felt. Any community would be upset if they were ignored. I think SM missed an opportunity to listen and share a story. We should all be listening to one another and trying to understand each others struggles. Unfortunately, we see this kind stuff all the time. Our education system only tells one side of history and we fail to educate others about their side of the story, whether it be African American, Native American, Hispanic American, Asian American, etc.
Happy Mother's day Whitney! 💗
Thank you Linda!!! 💗 💗 💗
We instantly become the angry black women when we voice our concern. I felt very betrayed and at this moment I will not be purchasing from Shea Moisture. Thank you for this video!
Tamiko Wiley... please tell me what's going on with the product..I never use it, so I don't know what's going on.
Tiara Rivera The formulas for all the products have changed. Why have they changed have been 'debated' on. Some feel that it's because they're using cheaper products, but more (I mean most of the comments that I've seen) feel like they're altering their products to cater towards White/Caucasian hair. That's the concern about the science of the product themselves. As far as the company goes, many Black women feel that they've 'sold out' (hopefully you know what I mean). They merged with a predominately White company and most of their top personnel became White. You should do some research on the company.
To piggy back off of Night Angel it all started with a commercial that Shea Moisture was promoting to expand their product line. In the commercial there were primarily three women one possibly bi-racial and two white women that shared their hair struggles and hair hate stories. The thing that caused the black community to be outrage with the company was the fact that not one of those women represented the black community. As Naptural85 stated the problem with the women telling their story was not the issue the issue was representation. The proper thing to do was to be all inclusive especially when this product was started and made by us. They also call this white washing.
Tiara Rivera Hi Tiara, I don't think I can give the background justic. There are a lot of RUclips video out about it. I wouldn't want to sway your opinion. There are a few news sites that talk about it as well.
Tamiko Wiley right they try to silence us bc we spit hard truths
I loved your opinion whitney. Ps that is why I feel that black women should not involve themselves in other movements that are not pro black. We are always willing to support others in their plight and give aid but when it comes to us its not the same...
KimADay why not its more than black women who are marginalized Latino, Asian, Muslim. It's not just black women who are marginalized in the beauty community
I hear you on this. I loved Whitney's perspective as well.
KimADay it's ignorant comments like this that make people say #alllivesmatter
It is getting to the point that Black women should only support other Black women! At the end of the day, we are all we have! We are the only group that no one else sticks up for. We have to support each other now more than ever!
But, we do not have to fight for them! They do nothing for us, so why do we have to fight for them. Also, one can be Black and Latino and Black and Muslim. We are including Black women throughout the Diaspora, because within the Latino and Muslim communities they are treated like absolute sh*%, too!
Seriously you kept it real and I have all the respect for you.
ANYONE WHO SAYS PEOPLE OVERREACTED CAN CATCH THIS FADE. The commercial was the smallest of issues, if it was the only issue no one would boycott they would just complain. The issue comes with the reformulation of products rather than the creation of a white centric line. Especially when Shea moisture comes out with a new line every week. I could even accept the reformulation if they had made a clear, open and honest statement saying they changed a few lines. The fact that they not only made the commercial but reformulated their products and chose to hide and lie about it is why I'm taking were taking our beautiful black asses over to cantu.
truth.com slim_adri . The funniest thing about the product formulation on they lied about is I was on their page a month before the commercial and someone ask about the product consistency they said something to the fact nothing changed and different batches might come out different because of the natural ingredients.
plutonash18 now their bottles has always said that consistency may vary due to natural ingredients, but when the jar I had 8 months ago has a completely different ingredient list than the jar I bought to weeks ago and they claimed they hadn't changed anything. They really think we're stupid.
When Shea Moisture came out with a new line, I would search to find it. When Walgreens had their buy one get one free sale, I was there. I had so many products I had to stop buying. Now that my stash is low I wanted to try out products from other women that look like me and I'm loving TGIN. Next month I'm trying Camille Rose. Change can be a good thing so Shea Moisture is making changes and so am I 👍🏾.
I also hated how SM also tried to say they didn't change the formulas when the did. I have the older jbco leave in and the new the ingredients are different the formula changed. To me SM didn't take responsibility for their actions, even when the CEO was on the breakfast club it just didn't work. it goes back to what you said about not involving black women in the conversation
Pregnancy looks good on you ❤️️
prettybrownbaby yes!!! She's glowing, just beautiful!
That face is filling up, baby eating very well!
Sounds good on her too. I love hearing pregnant women's voices.. It's the only time I liked mine. Haha!
prettybrownbaby I was just thinking that.
This video is so well put together and you made so many good points Shea moisture needs you on the payroll you go girl
I agree with what you said and I really respect the integrity that you just demonstrated.
For so many years I was ashamed of my hair. I hated it. Now that I understand my hairs needs I'm growing to love it. RUclips helped me with that.
Whitney we love you. this is everything we felt. everything we voiced. thank you for putting it on your platform.
ALRIGHT NOW WHITNEY COME THRU WITH THE TRUTH! I love every single point you made here and I'm glad that YOU in particular made a video in addition to your statement on IG- I'm happy to see you use your influence and your voice to represent black women!
Thank you for making this video Whitney. You clarified a lot of misconceptions about the concerns of black women with this campaign and how our insecurities about our hair are completely different from the hair insecurities of white women. It is a totally different story and history we have with our hair. As black women living in a society with European standards of beauty, we were constantly told that our hair will only be acceptable if it is straight and lengthy. This belief has been with us for generations and is still present today, even in the natural hair movement. How many natural haired black women have made it their goal to have rapunzel length natural hair?? I am not saying it is wrong to desire long hair, however we must examine where that desire is stemming from. So to wrap this essay up lol, Whitney thank you for taking the time do this with all of the things going on in your life. Thank you so very much for not allowing your participation in the campaign itself blind you to understanding our concerns.
if it wasn't for black women and the natural hair journey Shea Moisture wouldn't be so popular!!!!! Don't bite the hand that feeds you. It was a slap in the face
Hi Whitney happy Mother's day! 💜
Hey Sheryl!! Thank you so much!! 💗💗💗
You're welcome!! 💜
Thank you for such a well thought out perspective. Let me say that as far as hair "hate", Ive never hated my hair. When I grew my hair out natural in 2004 I definitely liked my hair but until I found you on youtube and many others sharing their hair journeys I then truly began to love my hair. I realized how my hair could transform into so many textures and styles thanks to you and others. So I want to say thank you for what you do and it means the world to me!
Hi Whitney! Sometimes, you can't trust anyone to get the job done but yourself. I know you've probably thought about this, but hear me out. You could create your own hair product for black women -- a business that would absolutely flourish with all your media support from black women. You are one of, if not the, main pioneer of this movement toward black women's hair self love, and everyone would love and invest in this idea as well. If money is an issue, try Kickstarter! I am very proud of your involvement thus far! As a black woman getting my MD in 2 years, I would love to not feel like I have to do certain things to my hair just to "fit in" or "look the part" in order to get a job. People say you don't have to do that or you shouldn't wanna be there if you have to do that, but come on! If you wanna work your way up the corporate ladder in the South, sometimes you've gotta do what you gotta do to get where it you wanna go! To imagine a future without this nor black women brainwashed to see their hair as bad is amazing. I would fully support your movement!
Tiffany Pleasent +Naptural85 I agree 110%. I'm actually surprised, tbh, that you haven't ventured down this route yet after becoming such a prominent figure in natural hair wear, care, and styles.
Definitely go for this. Like, don't let anything deter you from this idea-- it's brilliant, and you would have SO much support from this community, considering who you are (Naptural85).
Tiffany Pleasent I was thinking about this today. I just watched her pineapple video. It's something that I do often just because I'm to lazy to get up and grab my elastic, and it works so much better without the elastic. The point is that I've been doing it but never saw it as a technique. She has a way of seeing things the way others don't. Same for her videos, she has a way of explaining things in a way that I understand it better. I love her videos, but I think it's time for her to move on. No mater what she wants to do, I would love to see her face representing us in something bigger. Shea moisture was fun but now it's time to move on. She has so much more to offer. I would love see her in a something that has nothing to do with beauty. Her creative skills are amazing she can succeed anywhere.
This is the reason why I will remain a subscriber! I love that you stand firm in your personal opinion, specifically when it comes to the issues that we've all dealt with in each of our individual journeys. Thanks for sharing.
As a 52 year old black women, I have learned in my life that there are benefits non-black women and black men have in us not being able to speak our truth and be heard and respected. The reasons vary and are too detailed and complex to get into, my point is we black women shouldn't beg, cry, or plea in strong defense of our position. Instead we should state our position and then let our dollars do the speaking. I am no longer a Shea Moisture customer and will NOT defend my position to people who don't respect me. I say black women don't discuss this issue anymore, stop buying Shea Moisture products and keep it moving... The reality is these people you are trying to speak to don't give damn about our story and experiences.
This is why you continue to be the GOAT Whitney! I love your platform.
You got to the heart of the issue. I really appreciate your commentary on this.
I love how you spoke. At first, I was expecting you to defend Shea Moisture because you were involved with them but you just created an empathetic platform for those of us that were very frustrated with this video. I love every point that you spoke on and it you completely addressed how we feel [without the hand clapping lolol]. Thank you :]
The under dog stands when needed because she understands the plight of others having traversed them herself. Thanks for this video because it says everything needed to be heard. If only people just listened... Happy Mom's Day. ❤🙃❤
Happy Mother's Day Whitney!!!
Hey Chandra!! Thank you so much!! 💗💗💗
I almost teared up watching this. Out of everyone I've seen cover the topic I haven't seen someone hit EVERY SINGLE NAIL ON THE HEAD like Whitney. I really appreciated this video, just made affirmed for me that the feelings I have about the SM situation and how black women are treated in general, are not crazy. After a while when you try to keep bringing to light the issues we as black women face, and our feelings in general we often get silenced, hushed, ignored, or told we're angry, dramatic and jealous and after a while it gets to you.Thank you Whitney for talking about the daily black female issues.
Thanks for being truthful.
First......i wanna say THANK U for bein one of our YT hair guruz who spoke out and understandin how we all feel. I saw only ONE Shea Moisture Ambassador make a vid on it. Dont really kno her, but she let us kno she was one. Sounded like she didnt care... but i wondered where were all da other main onez??? Some of them were a part of da campaign and some werent. But theyve been just makin regular vidz as if nothin is wrong. Idk, im a lil disappointed dat they havent spoken out. Smh... U alwayz keep it real with us and long time subbiez like myself can appreciate dat.
ily whitney 💗
Naasir Void Your videos are very funny!!
I don't care about S.M. I stopped using them years ago. But I will say this to you Whitney. If you ever decide to create your own hair care line, I would support you wholeheartedly.
White women already have 50m hair products for their hair. The issue is they literally can't stand to see anything made specifically for black hair. It's like everything on the market has to be made for them. The reality is white women have been responsible for every law passed restricting natural hair for black women. Also the historical relationship with hair for black women started when hair was a status symbol in Africa and female slaves were shaved bald to remove their status. Then we had the hair comparisons in slavery. The fact that we are learning to love our hair in its natural state is significant because natural hair is associated with black power and black power is associated with civil rights changes. Black women were the driving force behind that movement, which is why they are being shut down now. White women talking about their hair hate in this context is, frankly, insulting.
I've been watching your videos for YEARS, silently rooting for you because I've just never commented but have definitely been happy about your accomplishments. I was so interested in what you thought about this knowing your affiliation with Shea Moisture, I honestly thought you would come out and say something to 100% support them and kinda downplay the struggle of black women and why we are/were outraged but I was totally wrong and I must say, you definitely stayed true to yourself here and I really respect and appreciate that as well as this video. Your voice in this situation is very important (I believe) and it means a lot. Thank you for telling it exactly how it is for those of us who will not be heard in this discussion.
beautifully, intelligently said. I'm sure you were limited contractually in what you could share and you handled that perfectly. as always, thanks.
Whitney! I have all the respect for you and your bravery to address these controversial issues. You bring such a voice of reason to these conversations and your voice is so appreciated. I love you and your work! Continue to do what you're doing. It is greatly appreciated✊🏾
Just to clarify, the narrative of "bad hair" or "hating our hair" wasn't started within the black community. It originated in white slave owners forcing this mentality upon us to hate our own looks. It's about loving ourselves and the struggle against the negative narratives.
Mylene V. Williams I think that's what she meant, that the narrative was pushed in the black community because of kinky textured hair.
YASSS WHIT!! You presented a VERY great argument. Like Im happy that even though you have some attachment to Shea Moisture, you are not letting that brand's (bad attempt of a campaign) tarnish your imagery and YOUR brand. I think this was a great PR move for you also in that you are letting YOUR main audience know that you had no involvement in the creation of that campaign (because you are in some connection with Shea Moisture, some people can believe that you are a "supporter" of them, in a sense that you wont speak up when something is wrong). Also you are using your voice very wisely to magnify our concerns as black women, as you mentioned, was constantly and consistently silenced. Im very glad you made this video!
thank you soooo much for saying what we all were thinking I personally heard a white radio host say basically we need to get over it and I emailed her to let her know that we don't need to get over it and why and she emailed me back with understanding and she apologized. it's not about the race issue in itself it's much deeper thanks for being our voice
This is why I have been a long time subbie and enjoy watching your vlogs. You're not afraid to touch on topics that everyone else may shy away from. "We all have a voice in this world and it needs to be heard". Keep voicing your views and opinions, it matters.
Interesting point of view. I think for SM is just business now when most of us are very much attached to the emotional part of our hair journey and how it affects our daily lives in a positive and negative way too (eg: women not getting work because of their hair even if they ticked all the boxes ).
The thing is they release products and new lines every single month why slowly wash down ours to win over non black women? I don't see L'Oréal or panthene doing it.
It feels like total disrespect for the people who go them there in a first place. I hope it works out for them because I don't think they'll win back the support or respect of the black consumers they have lost over this.
But even from a business standpoint their expansion didn't make sense. Black women are the number consumer in hair products, so SM was already in a gold mine, but they decided to expand to rocks. You get what i'm saying? Like, they just lost a lot of money from black women, and are about to get easily overlooked by nonblack ppl who have so many options in products. It was a lose-lose situation
byoung4eva1 I totally agree and it makes no sense to me either but it might have been one of the conditions for them to get sundial to invest...And also we live in a very much white supremacy society and everything has to be about white people and/or work around or for them first so their fragility is not ruffled too much.
Very well stated Whitney. Simply put we have great buying power. I do believe our economic power is swept under the rub. Companies realize the buying power we do have, but they'd rather not celebrate our imagery. We for too long have supported many products that doesn't carry our likeness. We are realizing after centuries of abuse and critiquing our beauty, we are saying "Wait, we deserve to be front and center, we are beautiful, we want to see us". Our outrage has nothing to do with hate, but the love we have for ourselves, and we want that reflected through the products we support. Beauty industries make us an afterthought, the sidekick of a campaign, and we thought Shea Moisture finally would know we are leading lady material. Other women of color and none color could benefit from the products I believe, but I feel they began to do what other companies do and not feature or celebrate, our beauty, our stories or consider it important. I use Shea Moisture products and love their soaps, especially the pink one, but I won't support the company, because I do feel a betrayal. I would definitely feel guilty supporting something I felt used the black woman to gain success and we didn't get a chance to enjoy the success.
This reminds me of the dog with a bone story you hear as a child, where the reflection of the bone appears larger so when the dog opens its mouth to reach for the reflection he loses the real bone. Shea moisture dropped their core demographic while trying to cater to And reach out to a totally different audience aka "wider audience " and lost/losing everything once their true intentions for their brand became clearer.
this is the best explanation of this whole situation I've heard. you're right, it's not about excluding other races but protecting the hair narrative we as black women have dealt with for so long.
thank you for bringing up the fact that people were quick to label women who were upset as simply angry or jealous of the other. it's annoying and frustrating because it's simply not the case.
The irony of it is that when black women voice their opinion about something having to do with being misrepresented, ignored, tossed aside, disregarded, etc. the response is to disregard and ignore those very opinions by denying they are being disregarded. Thus validating the argument. A wee bit of understanding and respect is not too much to ask for. In my humble opinion.
Thank you Naptural85 for making this video. This is the best video I've seen yet on this issue. You explained it in a way that all people can understand. As a black woman, I appreciate this.
Such a wonderful video on the subject, I really enjoyed your take on the matter! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and being so transparent! And, Happy Mother's Day!!
you are one of the first bloggers on natural hair liked when I first transitioned in 2011. your braifoit technique still is my vacation go to!
Thank you for standing up, putting yourself on the line. speak the truth. Whitney come through! Thank you, thank you! Amen
The only people I see saying "I don't see colour, hair is hair" are people with straight or wavy hair. :(
Shea Moisture whitewashing their formula and ads is despicable.
I feel like you hit the nail on the head. People who have not gone through what we've been through can sympathize but they don't know. Our opinions are valid, whether we agreed or disagree with the controversy of it all.
I needed to hear this. Thank you Whitney 😊.
I think you are AMAZING!!! I started my hair journey about a year and a half ago, I'm 60 plus years old and you are one of my favorites on you tube!! YYEEESSSS! I'm not proficient in my journey yet but I've come across long way in learning about my hair which is 4-4b. Just wanted you to know that no matter what is going on with "shea moisture " You are phenomenal Black Women! God Bless You and thank you for all you have taught me.
This is why I live for DIY's. You got me hooked on them way back in the days. I did go through my product junkie phase trying to find THAT miracle product, but I learnt acceptance of my hair personality and strive only for healthy hair. Corporations have a bottom line, profit. I accept that which means I also have to accept that I am not their priority. I go with the corporation that represents me, my DIY's with me as the mixologist.
It's unfortunate that a brand can build their fortune off one particular demographic to then side step that same demographic to cater to those who will never see its worth. They could have used their position to uplift and shine a positive light on kinkier textures. I have never even used Shea moisture, never spent a dime on them and I felt hurt watching the Ad campaign. So just imagine those who spent hundreds of dollars 💵 just imagine how they felt.
God bless you for speaking truth to power✊🏿 I just love you and I respect your courage in speaking the truth about this ugly situation despite the fact that you yourself are involved with Shea Moisture. It takes bravery to speak out when it could hurt you financially. I've always respected you and now my respect for you has gone through the roof! I agree with everything you said and am so grateful that you said it. The commercial and their response were deeply hurtful and has completely changed my view of Shea Moisture. I will forever appreciate you for changing my hairlife and now the hair life of my friends and family and I will continue to learn from you and share the things that you teach me. God bless and stay strong my sistah❤️
Exactly!! I am with you totally. As a black woman and while growing up we were always told that straight hair is good hair! Or there was always the stereotype of if your hair wasn't straight you had nappy hair! If some of the younger generation or these men would go back and look at the old afro sheen commercials or soft and beautiful product advertisements from the early 80's then it may allow people to realize where this has stem from! We were never really allowed to embrace our natural hair!
I really like what your thoughts were👍🏽 I think a lot of people underestimated our hair stories and that's where things went array. Love you're message 💕
Happy Mother's Day!!!!🎁❤️️🎂✨
Whitney. Thank you for this video. I was appalled when I saw the commercial. I agree with everything you said in your video. I felt that people were missing the point on why so many black women were outraged and angry. It's okay to expand your brand and target a different demographic but don't forget about your core consumers. Those people who built SM to what it is now. I reached out to a few influencers who I follow on RUclips asking for feedback for them to do a video. I got no response from anyone. So I appreciate your willingness to come forward and speak on the issue. I think because these influences were involved in the SM commercial they do not want to speak on the matter for fear of messing up their coins. But I feel to ignore the situation and pretend like it never happened is sort of insulting. Thanks again for the video I appreciate your honest input.
Such a good point about how black women are the first to defend black men, but we don't necessarily see that happen the other way around. Why?
Somebody's glowing more & more each day. Hope you're having an amazing Mothers Day & getting loads of well deserved rest Whit.
Slow clap.... Whitney I'm very proud that you are being true to yourself by sharing your opinion on the matter despite being involved in the campaign. You summarized most black women's issue with this ad very well.
Happy Mother's Day! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the situation.....for me you explained exactly how I and as you said so many Black Women feel/felt about the situation.
well said... " protecting our story"
Whitney "thank you" isn't enough to express my appreciation for this video. We are blessed to be your sisters
I'm so glad you addressed this and the fact that our opinion & input was so disrespectfully dismissed. Jouelzy brought up a good point that there are no Black women included on Shea Moistures team (I.e. marketing, social media exec, etc.) & just maybe this contributed to their tone deafness. I mean our hair has literally be legislated against! miss us with the 'all hair hate is bad' from them.
Well said Nap💛 I couldn't agree with you more! Thanks for being our voice! Can't wait to see your campaign! 😘💛💛💛
they said the black man will be losing money due to a black woman's fault I beg to differ, really its that black man will lose his money and not due to black women it will be due to lack of respect for the black woman and being able to hold his own and carry his own just as we carried him to success... as my grandmother use to say never bite the hand that feeds you
Thank you for for speaking so thoughtfully and eloquently. You pieced together the feelings of so many woman who felt unheard.
this is the best reaction video I've seen. especially since youre apart of the campaign, you should have been on their marketing team lol
I really appreciate the tact and sensitivity you handled this subject with and I agree with just about everything you presented. I just hope that this conversation sheds more light on what black women have gone through with their hair journey but also that everyone's story black or non-black is seen as valid and handled with respect. For so long we've (black women) have wanted brands to be inclusive to us. I personally think it's great that Shea Moisture is making products inclusive to more hair types especially since hair types are so diverse nowadays. At the end of the day they are a line that promotes natural Ingredients and sustainability and that's something a lot more women from all different backgrounds are wanting at a reasonable price. I completely understand the annoyance or "shock" as you put it at the add but not enough to be outraged or boycott the brand. The thing that's more upsetting is like you said once the conversation was started black women ( the main demographic of the brand) were left out 😕
Happy Mother's day Whit!
Thank you Michelle's Daughter! 💗💗💗
I think you hit the nail exactly on the head with video about this whole Shea Moisture situation Whitney. I hope this educates some people who didn't understand where our feelings about that video was coming from. Thank you!💕
Happy Mother's Day ❤️
XOXO!! Thank you Alexis!!! 💗💗💗
I'm 4:19 mins in and I feel so many things but most of all I'm so happy that you're speaking truth on this. I feel like your speaking my mind! I'm in agreement with every single word! I usually try to see both sides of the argument because everyone's story is different but in this case I felt (as you put it) it's personal to us and it started with us. It's OUR story. Maybe if they went about it (i.e. the ad) differently it would have been received a little better. Idk I'm rambling lol but THANK YOU 😊 legit teared up because you articulated my thoughts and feelings on the subject in a whole so completely.
Happy Mother's Day 💛💛💛
I love your take on the situation. I even got a little emotional😢. Thx for having seat at the table and sharing your thoughts sis!! ❤️❤️
Their apology was bad and whoever was running their Twitter account is out of touch. Once they agreed with Tariq Nasheed who has a history of badmouthing black women I knew I wouldn't repurchase their products again.
You articulated everything I felt about this situation! Well done. Thank you for speaking on it