Just over a month ago, I shared a YouTube video that revealed the so-called Secret to Long Hair (read the original post here). It was a good-natured, fun-loving infomercial spoof that went viral in the natural hair world. The concept was put together by Franchesca Ramsey (aka YouTuber chescaleigh, of Sh*t White Girls Say to Black Girls fame). She invited some of her YouTube/blogger friends to participate and have a little fun. That was the plan, anyway.
Well, true to chescaleigh form, the video has been receiving some negative criticism.
The following is a sampling of some of the complaints made about the video:
- insensitivity to the struggle of of others to grow their hair
- lack of diversity in terms of skin tone/hair texture
- too many “mixed” chicks and not enough “blackness”
- locs are not considered “natural”
- arrogance and condescending
SMH. Really? I mean, REALLY? Locs are not natural? And when will the shade of black stop mattering?
I think the message intended was totally lost on some viewers.
For those of you hiding under a rock who haven’t see the video, here it is again:
The ladies featured in the video recently sat down with Celebrity SoundOff’s Maureen Aladin to discuss natural hair, their personal journies, and the contraversy surrounding the spoof. The interview is in four parts, with parts two and three being the most focused on the video. I think they did a great job addressing the issues. Check that out here:
CSO Secret to Long Natural Hair – Part 1 |
CSO Secret to Long Natural Hair – Part 2 |
CSO Secret to Long Natural Hair – Part 3 |
CSO Secret to Long Natural Hair – Part 4 |
You can read more on the topic from Cipriana of Urban Bush Babes here, or from chescaleigh in an interview with Afrobella here.
Were you offended by the parady? What did you like or not like about it? Did watching the interview change your opinion?