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Shame on you MTV UK!
by Keisha Jo
Dear Big Chiefs at MTV UK,
I am writing to express my surprise and anger that you are currently running adverts for Organic Root Stimulator Hair Relaxing systems on your channels. We who have grown up and have faith in your brand as a source of inspiration and individuality cannot believe that you would actively support a product that promotes the exact opposite of what your brand stands for.
I am furious to see these adverts on your channels especially at Christmas when your primary viewers of young adults are home from University and are watching.
Furthermore I am sure you have done your home work so you must know judging from the disclaimer in white which is barely legible that the product you are advertising is dangerous!
*"Warnings:
This product contains calcium hydroxide and guanidine carbonate. Follow enclosed step-by-step instructions, warnings and cautions carefully to avoid skin and scalp irritation, hair loss, hair breakage, and/or eye/ear injury. Do not use this product on an irritated scalp, damaged hair, curly permed hair (ammonium thioglycolate) or hair that has been bleached/frosted or permanently colored, that is breaking, splitting, or otherwise damaged or color lifted with lifting booster, stripped or treated with compound henna or metallic dyes. Do not relax and permanently color hair the same day. Do not use if hair has been treated with natural relaxers, containing metallic salts or ammonium bisulfate, failure to mix activator and base thoroughly may cause scalp irritation, hair damage, and/or hair loss. Apply relaxer only to hair that has been relaxed. If hair has been previously relaxed only apply to new growth. If relaxer causes irritation, immediately rinse the hair and shampoo. If irritation persists, or if hair loss occurs, consult a physician. Keep away from yes. Can cause blindness. If relaxer gets into eyes, rinse immediately and consult a physician. Do not rub eyes. Serious injury may result if the relaxer or activator is ingested. If ingested or internal contact occurs, consult a physician. Do not induce vomiting. For external use only. Keep out of reach of children. "
This relaxer system as are all relaxer systems without exception, can cause lasting damage to eyes, skin and scalp if used incorrectly and sometimes even in the hands of trained professionals lasting damage can still occur. Why would you seek to expose your viewers who trust you to a product of this nature? WHY????
Having experienced first hand for over 16 years the effects and burns that can happen from abusing your hair with chemicals in order to try to achieve a straight hair look, it saddens me to see a brand such as yours actively engage in recruiting more young women who look to you for advice on what is cool and acceptable, using your power to promote this unhealthy approach to haircare.
I have always been proud that living in the UK that we don't see adverts of this nature on our screens and respectfully ask that you reconsider this campaign.
There are thousands if not millions of women who have been brainwashed into thinking that their own natural beauty whether it be body image or hair image is not acceptable and have resorted to having feelings of low self worth because of the powerful and irresponsible excutives who control big media like yourselfs. It is time you get real and take responsibilty and due care of the very public you are selling to and who you need support from in order to gain the revenues you so desperately need because I can only believe the lure of the financial gain was the pull for you on signing off this ridiculous advert.
I implore you to rethink this one.
Regards
Keisha Jo Lawler
Founder of BritishCurlies.co.uk
* Source:
About Keisha Jo
Founder of British Curlies. Keisha Jo had a dream to make a difference in how Curlies saw their Curls and to enable Curlies to embrace the beauty that is Naturally Curly Hair! She firmly believes that given the right products and know how no Curlie should have a bad Hair day ever 
Keisha Jo lives in Berkshire and is happily married.
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Posted By lela7 on 23 December 2009
When I saw this ad, I nearly had a heart attack! I was like….“NOOOO!”
Posted By CurlyConnie on 24 December 2009
Bravo, Keisha Jo!
Posted By aerohead on 02 January 2010
well said keisha!!!
Posted By gonnabekinky on 03 January 2010
I was completely shocked by this ad too, I’ve never seen anything like it!
Good for you Keisha, taking on the big boys. I hope they have the decency to reply.
Posted By Mooford on 07 January 2010
Totally agree with you Keisha Jo!
Posted By MadameK on 12 January 2010
I’m not in the UK, so I’ve never seen the commercial. I even tried to look for it on YouTube. We have that product here in France, but I’ve never seen any advertising.
What exactly is so offensive about it? (I’m almost afraid to ask.) I’m dying to see it now.
Posted By Goldenlady on 19 January 2010
Well said, Keisha Jo! Personally I’ve not seen the ad, but this is one of the (many!) reasons I no longer subscribe to or watch MTV stations.
I think everyone should watch the film “Good Hair” (whatever your thoughts are on the subject matter) There’s an excellent section where Chris Rock and a scientist do an experiment on how the active ingredient in relaxers can EASILY break down a soft-drink can (I felt physically ill when I saw that part!) There is no way this stuff should be sold like sweets, let alone be advertised by a station that influences young and impressionable minds.
Posted By afrochicuk on 23 January 2010
Dear Keisha Jo,
I have seen the advert, but it was not the fact they are trying to influence impressionable minds by running it that bothered me. You see even if the ads were not run, their hair straightening products would still sell.
It bothered me that it provided an impression that the Organic Root Stimulator brand can only be used for one purpose and that is to straighten curly hair, then maintain it AND no mention of the products they sell for naturally curly hair. It would have been a truer representation of this brand if sistahs with naturally curly hair were seen sitting socialising and smiling using their products.
There is also a small part of me that needs to see more brands linked to the black ethnic group on our TV, pity that they only want to tell one side of the story in this case.
Posted By Keisha Jo on 23 January 2010
Hi AFROCHICUK
Yes I agree with you totally it would be lovely to see more positive adverts on our screens showing more ethnic groups. Yes the relaxers will still sell but I have to wonder why they would invest in marketing the product on our telly if the demand was so overwhelming..I am hoping the demand is not as much as it used to be which must be a good thing.
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Posted By curlyhairmich on 23 December 2009
Well said Keisha Jo!