What can I say about " Good Hair"? I loved the topic and felt it opened up a spring board for some meaningful conversation within the African American community.
Here are some relevant points that I felt were positive:
- It showed the importance of Hair Saloons and Barbershops and their link to the black community- Even Obama knew that if wanted to get the African American vote he would have to frequent barbershops and Salons.
- The film showed the absurdity of Relaxers- ladies (and men) if it can disintegrate a soda can, what do you think it will do to your hair?
- Chris Rock captured the sad and tragic development of Indian Women cutting their hair in a temple so that Indian Remy can be sold in your local Korean beauty store.
- The elaborate Hair show that was ... you just have to see it to believe it.
- The crazy amount of money that some women will pay for fake hair. A $1000.00, you have got to be kidding me.
What the film lacked was:
- A wide representation of Natural women who have made a conscious decision to wear their hair as it grows from their scalp.
- A closer look at the Korean take -over of manufacturing and distribution of black hair care products.
- Why black women want to embrace a Eurocentric standard of beauty, even if it is unattainable.
Anyways, with all that being said, the scene that made me cringe was when the six year old was getting a perm in her hair. Sad, but we do not understand the physical and psycho-social implications that occurs when we neglect our baby girl's hair and opt to perm it to make it "more manageable". In later post, I plan to do a series about what hair is, what products to avoid, basic hair care for your little one, and how to make hair grow, whether relaxed, natural or pressed.
Lastly, my mom (who is always opinionated) was shocked about the money that flows to the Korean merchants, the cost of weaves ( she has never wore a weave) and the Indian women in the temples. Yet, I do not think that my mom fully understands natural hair, as she stated to me after the movie " You should be happy you have good hair and it is not Nappy" OUCH. My mom also said "It looks unprofessional for black men to wear dreds" Double OUCH. Since she feels that way, I plan to invite my brother in Christ to post some pictures of his beautiful locs, and yes, he is a professional man.....
