It seems like everyone has figured out if you want lots of media attention you’ve got to say or do something ridiculous, even Pastors. We can assume that’s why a Waco, Texas preacher would instruct women of his congregation not to wear weaves.
According to Pastor A.J. Aamir of Resurrecting Faith it goes deeper than making a fashion statement.
“Our black women are getting weaves trying to be something and someone they are not. Be real with yourself is all I’m saying.”
He went on to say that he doesn’t want his members focused on what’s on their heads…but rather what’s IN their heads. “I lead a church where our members are struggling financially. I mean really struggling. Yet, a 26-year-old mother in my church has a $300 weave on her head. NO. I will not be quiet about this.”
So, Pastor, why not counsel that single mom in private to express your concerns or simply do a sermon about becoming financially disciplined?
Because if he had not made such a controversial statement he wouldn’t be in the news, trending on Twitter or the topic of my blog.
Like it or not, if you want to compete for the attention of the masses, the old-fashioned way just isn’t enough anymore.
Erykah Badu stripped naked in public to promote her new music, Al Roker risked his dignity to sell his new book, Russell Simmons allowed a Harriet Tubman Sex parody to post on his All Def Digital comedy channel and Rolling Stone Magazine put a glamor shot of the Boston Bomber on its cover.
Our attention spans are shorter, we have access to more information than we’ve ever had before and people want it quick and dirty. I don’t know if Pastor Aamir was smart or lucky or a little of both. But by saying something outlandish about black women and hair weaves he is getting his bigger message out to millions which is really about setting priorities in our spending and making sure we’re not investing too much in our outer appearances and ignoring the importance of nurturing our souls.
We can tweet and post Facebook comments all we want about the Pastor said, but unless we’re members of his church what he say doesn’t impact us a bit. Yet people are expressing their opinions and some healthy debate has stemmed from the pastor’s words.
The old saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”
What do you think? Where is the line when it comes to marketing a person, product or message?
