I see what you mean...sort of.

But I, for one, am glad that major chain stores are carrying African American products. I think that kind of diversity is great. Think of it...30, 40 years ago, that kind of stuff wasn't so readily available.

I think the reason that they "segregate" them is just to put all of the ethnic products together so they're easier to find. It wouldn't make very much sense to have every brand of shampoo on one shelf and every conditioner on another, would it? Stores tend to put like products together.

A lot of mainstream brands now make product lines that cater to a specific race or hair type. Pantene, for example, makes Relaxed And Natural for women (or men) of colour, and Extra Liso for coarse Hispanic hair. And it's right in the Pantene section next to all of the other lines.
    If people of ethnic variety can pick up these products in the mainstream or "white" sections, then it shouldn't look that odd for a white gal to reach for a bottle of natural oil from the ethnic section.

Share & share alike. It's all good. 

I have been given very strange looks when I stand in the hair product aisle and I'm reading the labels of the products that have been labeled for african-american.  Once an african-american offered to assist me in finding a product "for my friend".  I had to laugh and then told them I was look for myself.  The look on her face was one of shock.  I then explained that with long hair it becomes very dry and brittle, a similar trait to african-american hair, so I was looking for a moisturizing treatment.  The lady was still in shock and was not able to assist me.  She just walked away shaking her head.

I think it's just easier to locate stuff when they're sectioned off, whether they're "ethnic sections" or not. This may be a minority opinion, but I don't think there is any "conspiracy" out there in the beauty market. Business is catering to the demand for short "characteristically-caucasian-American" hair, which feeds off what's on the market, which caters to the demand, etc etc... and now no one knows where it really started. It's festered.

Interesting story, BB... many people are still shocked to learn about long hair.

I'm all for the oil section! I mean things are hard to find anyway in the caucasian section...how much worse can it get? Thanks for your replies guys. But I didn't exactly mean it like a conspiracy...mor elike a way of making money off of women. Encrouraging the short haired cycle. Which I feel most fashion media and beaty products do.