I love Blogging.  Not just about hair, but about whatever hot topic comes to mind.  I’ve been an avid Blogger since back before Blogging and “citizen journalism” became as wildly popular as it is now because I like sharing my opinions and various resources.  When I started JB2M, even before I thought to use it as a way to document my own natural journey, I was interested in making the Blog an “information” clearinghouse of sorts because at the time information on transitioning and growing healthy hair and even how to receive support was scattered aimlessly across the Net.  Not only did I want my views and experiences to receive notice, I wanted to help promote some of the other ladies out there on the natural hair Blogging hustle as well which helps to lend a bit of diversity to the community.  This is why I started the Features and Spotlights entries and mention any natural Blogger I dialogue with if our interaction inspires a post.  I’m a natural humanitarian that way… pun intended, I guess. *lol*

With the boom in natural hair popularity taking over all media sources, the amount of natural hair Bloggers has seen an increase in the past couple of years.  Where at one time there were only a handful of Blogs geared towards naps and coils, now a Google search will result in over a million sites, a glorious phenomenon from the perspective of the natural newbie who now has a cornucopia of information to start their journey.  But on the same note, the oversaturation of the natural hair Blogging market creates an air of assumed competitiveness among many Blog creators.  Due to this there are a lot of natural hair Blog owners out here who are adamantly against sharing information unless it comes directly from their Websites, an act which painfully limits viable networking opportunities between “us”.  When I first noticed this was a reality I thought it was just a case of me being paranoid since I was so new to the game and hadn’t proven myself.  Now after close to three years I know that’s not that case at all.

The other week after I did an article highlighting Networked Blogs top 50 natural hair and beauty Blogs, the author of Natural Nina (number six on the list) mentioned that she shared my feelings on the whole non-networking element that exists within the natural hair community.  It felt good to finally know I wasn’t alone in seeing how disconnected many of us are and feeling that it did the community more harm than good.  I’d had several other idealistic conversations with other Blog creators over the years but much to my disappointment nothing ever seemed to change the status quo.  The majority of Bloggers continued to boost their Blogs’ popularity while “ignoring” the efforts of their sister publications.  It was either that or they only aligned themselves with the “high end” Bloggers, leaving the more common type sites to fend for themselves.  Both Nina and I agreed that it was unfortunate that things had to be this way, considering there is more than enough room on the Blogging stage for each of us to get time in the spotlight.  Although each of us are essentially talking about the same things, each of Blog brings a different perspective to the table in order to give natural hair newbies a wide range of options to choose from.  Whereas some of us speak strictly of our own experiences, a few Blogs combine general hair care with make up and fashion while others add a healthy food twist to give insight on how to nourish hair from the inside out.  Some sites focus on commercial products while others offer tips on creating homemade alternatives.  So from that perspective, Nina and I were convinced that the hoarding behaviour that goes on within the natural hair Blogging community does more to hurt than it does to help because it limits the resources available for others wanting to take up the journey.

As I work to spread the word about JB2M and my Examiner column I personally take time to help promote other Blogs as well because I truly believe in sharing the wealth.  Whether it’s a publication I personally follow or a link I happened upon that I found entertaining or enlightening, I either tweet it or share it on my Facebook page so that others can benefit.  Much to my chagrin, however, when it comes to returning the favour very few do so.  Oh there’s a whole lot of sharing trivial affirmations, celebrity gossip and personal #naturalhair blurbs, but on average a lot of my links are passed over like a hitchhiker on Route 666.  Case in point, I sponsored a giveaway a couple of weeks ago that was basically slept on for two weeks straight even though I worked my arse off prompting it. *kanye shrug* I’ve tried to keep a cap on my complaining about this in order not to sound like a whiny baby but… Enough is truly enough.  And I’m not just speaking for myself and my Blog.  I’m speaking for Bloggers like Nina and Krissy over at Addicted to All Things Pretty.  I’m speaking for sites like Chocolate Orchid and Une Autre Naturalle.  I’m speaking for all those little known natural hair spots that help educate just as much as the bigger names in the game.  I’m speaking for those of us who want to see our sisters shine alongside us instead of overshadowing each other because we know we are not in competition with one another.  I’m speaking for those of us who truly believe that the chink in the link between us hurts us all in the long run and are willing help repair it by banding together.

After chatting with Nina at length about this issue, I had the idea to start a coalition of Bloggers who’d like to change the tide and work towards loosing up the promotional reins so we can all have our place in the sun, because we all deserve it.  The aim would be for each member of the coalition to reach out and cross promote other member’s sites just as much as they do their own.  In this way, everyone receives a nod and appreciation for their efforts and, because we know readers are more apt to believe external endorsements, we’d each benefit by having someone else speaking about our Blogs.  So, it’s a win-win on various levels, right?  At the moment the idea is still in its concept stages but already I have Nina and the creators of Savvy Brown Blog, Coils, Kinks and Curls and All Day Natural on board which tickles me pink.  It may take a minute or two to work the format (it may just be a badge sharing network like the Top 100 Sista Site directory… with more interaction between members and without the popularity contest element) but it’s good to know there are other interested in the idea.  More details will be forthcoming as I coordinate things with the other creators and see what works best for us all. 

I’m really excited about this and hope we get a few more Bloggers in on the deal so if you are interested in joining the coalition or receiving updates about the progress simply drop a comment here or contact me via Email at amichelle@journeyback2me.com.

Healthy Hair Wishes,