Brothers and Sisters, I’m going to need you to break it down for me: why, why, WHY are we STILL endorsing and subsidizing the mega-monopoly that Koreans have on the Black Hair industry?

If you saw the 2009 film Black Hair, then you understand the total domination and blanket nepotism at work in keeping the Korean suppliers and distributors from selling to anyone outside the accepted clientage and blocking out the efforts of Blacks/Africans want to service and employ members of THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES by selling the products WE use on OUR heads in OUR neighborhoods.

According to a recent madamenoire.com article, the filmmaker behind Black Hair, Aron Ranen, the practice started in the 60s and was allowed to flourish (I wasn’t born yet and I’m only speculating, but chances are my people were too preoccupied with STRUGGLING FOR THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS to notice this deplorable practice): “In 1965, the Korean Wig merchants joined together and convinced the Korean government to outlaw the export of raw hair. [This ban] made it so that one can only buy the pre-made wigs and extensions.” In other words, Korean hair could only be manufactured in Korea. “Six months later, the United States government created a ban on any wig that contains hair from China,” effectively putting South Korea in prime position to exploit the market.”

This method has multiplied into nearly 10,000 stores served by four central distributors who routinely discriminate to keep the Blacks who enrich them from enriching THEMSELVES.

What will it take for us to GET UP, STAND UP for what is rightfully ours? Why don’t WE have generations of parents and grandparents teaching the new generation how to build collateral, loan money to and from one another and get the same consideration for retail locations, bankers and suppliers? Why are so many of us so comfortable with keeping others caked up and balling AT OUR EXPENSE?!?

Let’s start with baby steps, if you will:

1. LEARN AND LOVE THE TEXTURE OF YOUR OWN HAIR- Our hair is the most unique and the most intricate on the face of the planet, capable of multiple styling options and able to grow WHEN CARED FOR PROPERLY. When slave masters stole our ancestors from the Motherland, they deprived them of the styling instruments and the time it took to properly adorn and nurture those qualities, forcing them to believe it was either better off straightened or NOTH WORTH THE EFFORT ANYWAY BECAUSE IT WAS INHERENTLY ‘BAD’ HAIR. DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE!!! Get Black hair care books, go to youtube.com for video instructions on styling, product recommendations, etc., and put in the effort. It won’t be easy at first, but IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. Let’s show our sons and daughters how beautiful we truly are and DARE TO WEAR IT NATURALLY. If WE don’t honor the beauty in ourselves and one another, DON’T EXPECT OTHERS TO EITHER.

2. DO IT YOURSELF OR PAY TO GET IT DONE- If you’re all thumbs, have no patience or, like me, have other heads of hair that need your constant attention, stop the next fly sister/brother who’s rocking the look you want and ask for their stylist’s contact info. If they’re sane, they’ll be flattered and give it up, but if they refuse, step to someone else or patronize Black businesses for cards or recommendations.

3. INSIST ON BLACK-OWNED/MANUFACTURED/NATURAL PRODUCTS- If you get a stylist who is on-point about her craft, he/she will be using products that honor and enrich our texture and should either sell them to you or direct you to where they’re purchased. My beautician uses Dudley’s line, Bonner Brothers’, Taliah Waajid’s line and Shea Moisture products, which I also use on myself and my daughters’ because they’re inexpensive, free of needless chemicals and GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY’S WORTH. Don’t fall for the cute Afrocentric phrases or packaging, look for ‘The Proud Lady’ emblem/seal of a shadowed woman’s side profile on the label. Some famous companies just got on the bandwagon to make some extra dough, aren’t you worth the time and expense in choosing a product by a company who’s known and represented our texture FROM THE JUMP?

4. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BUSINESS-MINDED, GET INVOLVED: Insist on patronizing Black-owned establishments and treat them with the same courtesy and respect that you would anyone else: don’t ask for ‘hook-ups,’ haggle like you’re at a flea market or expect special treatment if you’re not already a loyal customer. If someone is rude to you, mention it to whoever’s in charge and give them a chance to correct the problem. We need to support one another as much as possible, and if you’re so inclined to open your own shop, start getting your credit straight, have someone help with a business plan and start small with the intent to build for the long haul. Walk it like you talk it!!!

College is great, but not for everyone, and NO ONE knows our needs and preferences better than us. Becoming a barber/stylist/braider/locktician/weaver is fine, but why not get paid for DISTRIBUTION AND SALES on top of the labor, not to mention employing other African-Americans and enriching our people while you’re at it? Nothing like the present to plant the seeds for change, starting from the head down!!!