By Alicia CruzEditor-in-chief
Theblackurbantimes
{Photo courtesy of nj.com}
It's a hair thing and comedian/actor Chris Rock wants you to understand it in his "Good Hair" documentary which proves to be hilarious with an educational/self-love message at it's core.
No one ever comes right out and says, "I want my hair to look like a white person's hair." But that seems to be the general consensus amongst the patrons- that straight, flowing hair is more attractive and acceptable than naturally kinky or nappy hair.
Directed by Jeff Stilson, Rock and his crew go from shop to shop from Harlem to Atlanta to India, where they observe everything from relaxers to hair weaves; a work of art that fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry funded by black people, brown people, tan people and mulattoes with naturally kinky hair all in an effort to achieve the "American Dream:" To have "good" hair.
Early on, we figure the documentary to be a film that blames society at large for driving people to want to "look white in order to be right."
Sure, society, maybe even the media has fueled this fantasy, but the bottom line is, people fuel their own fantasies and misgivings about what looks "right" and it's all about what's in style at the moment.
At one time Afros, cornrows and braids with beads were all the rave (circa 1970's). Then came the Farrah Fawcett-Majors look and then came...well, you get the idea.
It's all about fads. If thirty all-star entertainers began wearing their hair natural and the media raved over it, within months, people across America would revert back to their 70's and early 90's braids craze.
Society doesn't "make" us do anything we don't want to do. None of the hair stylists in any of the featured shops are holding handguns to the heads of the patrons requesting relaxers and weaves. There are no media outlets or reporters standing over these people goading or bullying them into getting these services.
What's driving us are our own desires. Period. That being said, "Good Hair' is still an extraordinary documentary.
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e inspiration for Rock's film was an encounter with his youngest daughter, who tearfully asked him, "Why don't I have good hair, daddy?"
No one ever comes right out and says, "I want my hair to look like a white person's hair." But that seems to be the general consensus amongst the patrons- that straight, flowing hair is more attractive and acceptable than naturally kinky or nappy hair.
Directed by Jeff Stilson, Rock and his crew go from shop to shop from Harlem to Atlanta to India, where they observe everything from relaxers to hair weaves; a work of art that fuels a multi-billion-dollar industry funded by black people, brown people, tan people and mulattoes with naturally kinky hair all in an effort to achieve the "American Dream:" To have "good" hair.
Early on, we figure the documentary to be a film that blames society at large for driving people to want to "look white in order to be right."
Sure, society, maybe even the media has fueled this fantasy, but the bottom line is, people fuel their own fantasies and misgivings about what looks "right" and it's all about what's in style at the moment.
At one time Afros, cornrows and braids with beads were all the rave (circa 1970's). Then came the Farrah Fawcett-Majors look and then came...well, you get the idea.
It's all about fads. If thirty all-star entertainers began wearing their hair natural and the media raved over it, within months, people across America would revert back to their 70's and early 90's braids craze.
Society doesn't "make" us do anything we don't want to do. None of the hair stylists in any of the featured shops are holding handguns to the heads of the patrons requesting relaxers and weaves. There are no media outlets or reporters standing over these people goading or bullying them into getting these services.
What's driving us are our own desires. Period. That being said, "Good Hair' is still an extraordinary documentary.
Th
e inspiration for Rock's film was an encounter with his youngest daughter, who tearfully asked him, "Why don't I have good hair, daddy?" {Photo courtesy of cinematical.com}
The poignant question launched Rock on an international odyssey that opened a wealth of information on the commercial side of the hair industry as well as offering an insight into black self-image that is sure to get your self-introspective thinking juices flowing.
The list of stars Rock interviews are everyone from actress Nia Long to rapper Eve to the Rev. Al Sharpton. And you gotta love Rocks "deft touch" on this sometimes controversial subject. Adept at approaching those delicate topics,
Rock taps men at a Harlem barbershop about how funny some black women are about their hair.The men all offer their views and opinions about woman and their quirky hang-ups about their hair.
Rocks awe over what women spend on hair weaves leads him on a journey... to the source of all this "good hair" all the way to the Hindu temples in India, where women go to participate in a ceremony known as tonsuring. These scenes are amazing!
Rocks awe over what women spend on hair weaves leads him on a journey... to the source of all this "good hair" all the way to the Hindu temples in India, where women go to participate in a ceremony known as tonsuring. These scenes are amazing!
Rock looks on in utter disbelief as these women, all volunteers, willingly have their heads shaved as a form of sacrifice. This ritual is the source of 85 percent of the hair imported into the Unites States for hair weaves.He'd believe it if he saw the price tag attached to Remy hair!
All-in-all, "Good Hair" keeps you engaged and laughing as you venture along Rock's journey into a world few understand yet so many have an opinion on. He remains humorous while being investigative and never teeters along militant over a very touchy subject. This is definitely a must-see film.
All-in-all, "Good Hair" keeps you engaged and laughing as you venture along Rock's journey into a world few understand yet so many have an opinion on. He remains humorous while being investigative and never teeters along militant over a very touchy subject. This is definitely a must-see film.
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