Is my mic on??? Okay, good! So I was on Facebook -scrollin' like I usually do and up comes this constant conversation about Shea Moisture and the immediate call to action: STOP BUYING THEIR PRODUCTS! I have purchased Shea Moisture and I do have some products that I am currently using so of course I said, "What happened?" - if you haven't seen the video, check it out.
Me personally I am not so much "mad" about the commercial I was questioning who is in charge of the brand. I am slightly perplexed at my fellow Queens + Kings who are calling for a CANCELLATION of Shea Moisture products. Shea Moisture is a product that is geared to provide a full body service to people that is natural, organic, sulfate free & paraben free = MOISTURE (we all need moisture). As I continued on my search for answers I was impressed to learned that 10% of their earnings support women-led businesses that support communities that supply ingredients for their products & The Sofi Tucker Foundation, the founder of the product. They also recently launched a "Give Back" campaign, in support of their mission as well.
I said all that to ask those of you considering banning and or bashing this product, "Seriously?" So the ad doesn't support your idea of where this business should go, I agree- I was like, "Okkkaay what's going on Shea?" - my first thought, maybe they are trying to expand their market to more consumers ($$$$). I even heard the argument that black women are the reason for their success and they could also be their reason for a Shea Moisture Shut Down-wow!!! More importantly as a small business owner of Wrapologie, there is nothing greater than feedback-be that good or constructive. I think that now is the time for constructive feedback and also for us as a people to stop attacking businesses publicly, especially black businesses "airing dirty laundry" because they didn't move according to our standards but have a constructive conversation, addressing our concerns with love and compassion. Shea Moisture missed the mark, okay, but are we forcing them to close the doors after ONE wrong ad campaign??? This is the same company you LOVED 72 hours ago, overdosed on Jamaican Black Castor Oil- annnddd you still drink Pepsi!? No mercy, no second chance, no forgiveness? Have you ever owned a business and made a mistake that would cost you everything excluding all of the community services that are not only helping enhance lives in the United States but also abroad? #I'llwait!? Well, due to all of the backlash Shea Moisture immediately released an apology and a new video.
For some of you this makes everything better and for many others, you will continue to troll on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and SnapChat- editing a thesis of how you ain't neva eva buying that product, how does that help? Especially when you give chance after chance to other businesses and corporations. Listen, I LOVE being a natural black woman, one who will take all of my coins out of my Ethiopian coin purse that I purchased with my subscription from Ujamaa Box to support a cause/product/movement. I am not on the fence with this arugment #atall I was not angry but I did/do question their motives. HOWEVER, I am not giving up on their mission, I will continue to support and I will ask others to do so as well. They have apologized for consciously/subliminally pissing off it's biggest group of consumers, now we watch and see what happens next. In the meantime there are so many other brands that you can support (if that makes you feel better), but bashing and banning a business- created by one of our own, that gives back to the community, sounds like crabs in a barrel #sorrynotsorry. WE need to stop this raging hate and "shut down" spirit that we have for our own and have dialogue, some of the comments left on Shea Moisture's social sites are ridiculous people!!
In light, moving forward- everyone makes mistakes! This mistake, shouldn't cost them their business or our support- more so, table a necessary-much needed conversation. As always, thanks for ending your work week with me!
