Friday, September 12, 2008

I am getting some Friction


I haven't spoken to them yet, but the home office called me today. I think it may have something to do with the extension video I put up recently. I have to say that the home office does not endorse extensions on sisterlocks. This is something I have created on my own to fill a need. It was born out a need to repair damaged locks do to excessive hair coloring. I in no way want to dishonor the Sisterlocks system in any way. I repair regular sized locks as a service for those that need it. Over time some locks may thin or even break leaving a need to explore option to save the locs.

I will talk with the home office later and if there is a problem with t, I will have to limit my information about extending locs to cultivated locs exclusively. Tell me what you think.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Salkis-

I saw the sisterlock police comments left on the youtube video you posted. What do I think????? Let's just go with the high road and I'll say that YOU are brilliant to develop this technique to meet the need of the people.

Stay BLESSED!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I viewed the video and I think you gave a disclaimer before you started talking about sisterlock extentions. I would be interested in hearing what happened with the office.

Unknown said...

I saw your video on youtube and thought sisterlock extensions were surprising to hear. From what I've heard around most aren't to thrilled about it. I for one thought it may be a good idea if some of my locks happen to break. I'm only 10 months sisterlocked who knows in the years to come I may need your services. I also enjoy your videos...keep them coming:)

Audrey's Pleasure said...

i think you are right to create a a solution that fills a need. Sisterlocks, braidlocks, traditional locks, whatever...when the locks need help to look better why not help it along?

vixen1003 said...

Greetings Sista Girl,

Let me just tell you….KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! I’ve been checking blogs, websites and so forth for the past few weeks now as I contemplate whether Sisterlocks are going to be the best hair care choice for me. You see I’ve been chemical free for the past 13 years….YES 13 years with out a perm. I did this when my job as a law enforcement officer made trying to maintain permed hair, working out and wearing that darn uniform hat too difficult. So I went to braids and have literally had EVERY type of braid, twist, weave, you could imagine since. The years have worn me thin both emotionally and in the overall condition of my hair. You see my once shoulder length 13”-14” hair is now about 7-8” long, with many spots much shorter (2” to 3”) in others as the trauma of various braid styles haven taken their toll. I’m not ashamed to tell you that I’ve even cut a few of my braids completely off by accident-leaving short stubby patches of hair throughout. But as I prepare to make this much needed transition, I do so under the cruel, glaring eye of those who hold the images of European beauty so near and dear. I’m looking for one choice that will be acceptable and Sisterlocks would appear, at least on the surface, to be that choice.

But what I’ve have heard thus far is disturbing. There indeed seems to be a sort of “Sisterlock Snobbery” growing right along the phenomena of this loc alternative. It suggests that those who may need a little help making this switch via extensions, are being shunned by very people who they are coming to for help. And when I say extensions, I don’t mean the type that would hang to my butt-but ones that would give my hair some sort of consistent look with the long/short hair issue. So I can’t be worried about those who are more concerned with their patents, trademarks and labels, that they have forgotten the real issue-helping black women embrace their unique beauty within a culture that has been shaped European ideals.

I’m getting a little tired of reading blogs that document the “spiritual journey” to natural hair via Sisterlocks that scold those who have legitimate concerns with their hair situation. You see, my friends there are those of us who have been on this natural path for more years than you can imagine-and we’ve fighting with our naps while you were sporting silky straight wraps. As an avid reader I have countless books on this very issue (Hair Matters, Nice Dreads, etc)in my library. I’ve even read some of the contents of the lawsuit surrounding the Sisterlock ™ hair care system and it competitors, so I feel I can rant on this situation-standing upon a soap-box filled with knowledge. And now that I’m up here I want to say “Stop..just stop it! No one can patent a hairstyle! Just imagine if Madame C.J.Walker were able to single-handily stop up others from learning about and later producing the straightening comb-we would still be pressing our hair with forks. Get over it people!

Salkis I’ll be in touch-I think i may be coming to visit you for the final step. But until then keep pushing forward and perfecting! Holla.

Tay Tay aka Vixen from Motown.

Anonymous said...

While I certainly applaud your loving heart in wanting to fill a need, I also see the other perspective. One of the basic premises of Sisterlocks, the reason Dr. Cornwell developed her approach, was to free women from their addiction to relaxers and the need to wear wigs, weaves and extensions. Now by providing artificial extensions for sisterlocks for impatient wearers who want length or who have damaged their natural locks with excessive chemical colors, one could see how the Home Office might feel like you are contributing to a perceived problem with sisters' addiction to artificial enhancements, while at the same time providing a quick fix to a problem that is better cured with education and proper lock care, than yet another coverup. I and many others appreciate everything you do, so please know our support of Salkis Re is unconditional. But this is a sticky issue which has definitely got two dimensions to it. Please keep us advised.

Docs Locs said...

Loc extensions for traditional locs are rather commonplace, but as a sisterlocks consultant you would be held to any agreement to strickly adhere to the process in order to continue to market sisterlocks services.

I would be interested in a post about what the home office says.

Anonymous said...

I find it difficult to understand the problem with sisterlock extensions. It helps women achieve the goal of wearing their natural hair.
This is not a spiritual journey for me, I am quite familiar with both my God and my spirit. I do not need to travel to find either one. I chose this method because it produces smaller, neater, healther locks. Why endure the "plucked chicken" or "baby lock" stage when another option is available?
I applaud all you creative thinkers for your innovation and your persistence. Though I understand Dr. Cromwell's argument, I refuse to relinquish control of MY hair on MY head.

Anonymous said...

I have had medical hair loss,all of my life and as beautiful as sister locks are if you already have 2 inches of hair that your hiding..you sure are gonna have to learn to embrace your 2 inches with sister locks that I am not ready for ..so bring on the extentions!!!until I reach my desired length.

Anonymous said...

I am not knocking extensions for women who are thinning nor those who are impatient with their Sisterlocks journey BUT, you cannot call adding fake hair of any kind to Sisterlocks and call them Sisterlocks extensions. Ms. Salkis, if (and I am sure you are) a woman of integrity please take the "high road" and honor your committment along with that piece of paper you signed on the first day of your Sisterlocks training stating that you will not alter or try to take Sisterlocks out of it's context. Do you remember that??? How soon we forget$$$. If you are going to add fake hair just don't brand them Sisterlocks. How about Ms. Salkis imaginary sislocs or something of the sort. Please know that you are doing those of us who are true Sisterlock Queens and those of us who have confidently embraced our Sisterlocks journey a disservice. Is that why we are bombarded by so many women asking us where we buy our hair? Encourage these women, educate them and let them know that their hair can grow too. Maybe an alternative locking technique can be implied instead of Sisterlocks which are all Natural.

Anonymous said...

I am tickled pink over the extension process. It is very badly needed. Please don't pay attention to all the negativity. People who feel a need for extentsions should have that option. Black hair is very unique and we care for our hair in very versatile manners. We LOVE variety. We need choices whether our hair is locked or not. We must have options. Keep up the good work. You are a pioneer of your time. We need you.

LaDawn Strickland said...

how do you prevent loss of locks and ..how do you style locks to cover loss?

Anonymous said...

KEep in mind there are many faithful SL wearers who now have locs that have broken off and are uneven. Salkis' system would afford these SL wearers the option of having a full and more even head of SL's. THese SL wearers went through the process, started with THEIR own natural hair as the system requires ..but now need some assistance to improve the appearance of their hair. How or why would anyone have an objection to that???

Anonymous said...

Whatever you decide to call them...I think it's great that you're developing a way to help sisters out who want to stay natural and have thinning or breaking locs that may or may not be due to any fault of their own. THere is a sister in PA who specializes in this and alo creates pieces for sisters with alopecia, cancer recovery etc.

Check out her work under Gerrylocks

https://www.impactfolios.com/gerrymayo/page8951.htm

Anonymous said...

Is there anyone in Texas that does the extensions to sisterlocks I am also willing travel to other states but I live in Texas you can e-mail me at: cruzanlucian@gmail.com

Thanks

Anonymous said...

I think what you are doing is absolutely great!! You are actually reaching a group that 'all-natural'sistas have obviously forgotten. I think no one understands what its like to have thinning/bald areas but the ones who have/ are experiencing it.
Having read some of the comments on other blogs against what you are offering, makes me wonder if sisterlocks is a damn cult!!! If these ppl say they are al about sisters embracing their naturalness, they should be willing to aid this transition in whatever form is comfortable for the individual. I am really upset at all the negative flack u are getting over this..

Anyway, u keep doing what your doing, because there are lots of persons who are so grateful for ur insight..

Peace and God bless.

Anonymous said...

I think what you are doing is absolutely great!! You are actually reaching a group that 'all-natural' sistas have obviously forgotten. I think no one understands what it is like to have thinning/bald areas but the ones who have/ are experiencing it. No matter how good the consultant, if a person has damaged areas that are 'exposed' he/she cant fill that in with their own natural hair and it is simply unacceptable to tell someone to walk around looking like an 'accident' until their. "own hair" fills in, just to justify a movement!!! Anyway, im not surprized, just typical of "sistas"-always judging another...

Having read some of the comments on other blogs against what you are offering, makes me wonder if sisterlocks is a damn cult!!! If these ppl say they are all about sisters embracing their naturalness, they should be willing to aid this transition in whatever form is most comfortable for the individual. I am really upset at all the negative 'flack' u are getting over this, and to think u did use a disclaimer...

Anyway, u keep doing what you're doing, because there are lots of persons who are sooooo grateful for ur insight..

Peace and God bless.

Anonymous said...

I think it is absolutely great what you r doing!!! You wouldnt believe the gap u r filling..
I have natural hair and have been to depths and back, and of course i embrace my natural beauty n love to see anyone who does the same, but im not judgemental. How one wears his/her hair is up to them, and that has nothing to do with their "spirituallity" either. I for one can appreciate that the only person who understands thinning/bald spots is the one who has to experience it... Besides, regardless of how "well trained" a consultant is he/she cannot make hair appear where there is none. Also, it is absolutely unacceptable to tell someone with thinning areas/bald spots to strut around like an 'accident' until their "own hair" fills in just to justify a movement!! I mean, who/what are they empowering? However, i shouldnt b surprised, its typical "sista" behaviour to pass judgement on another when they dont understand their plight..
In fact, having been on some other blogs about the topic, you would think sisterlocks is a damn cult!!! How can u present this idea of acceptance of one self then seclude a very important group of persons who r trying 2 make the same journey!!

You know what, you keep doing what you're doing, because im positive there are persons who are totally grateful for what u have done and can now make the big jump..


Peace and God bless

Anonymous said...

How crazy! They have a problem with sisterlock extensions? My advice... ignore them. You already have the skills. If their organiation is that controlling, then you don't need to be apart of it. Yes it probably brings business to say you are a certified sisterlock loctician, but there is way more profit in sisterlock extensions. Also, nobaody has a bproblem when people get braid extensions or other kinds of extensions, so ignore the crazy people who have a problem with loc extensions. You should be able to do them for people who want the, not just people who need repairs. Black people will laways have prejudices against one another, from: skin color, to hair type, to speach, etc. Don't cater to that.

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