People are already buzzing about Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair.”
The film, which opens Oct. 9 in select cities and Oct. 23 nationwide, takes a sometimes humorous look at the many aspects of black women’s hair – from the economics of the black haircare industry to the social, psychological and physical health aspects of haircare choices like weaves and chemical relaxers.
“I liked the film overall. Lots of other people have done films about black women and hair, but Chris Rock will get the kind of audience and wide distribution that many independent film makers never will,” said A’Lelia Bundles, Washington, D.C.
Bundles comes to the film from a unique perspective. She was interviewed for the documentary as the biographer and great-great-granddaughter for black hair care pioneer Madam C.J. Walker. Bundles said there are some things she would have liked to have seen in the film such as the messages sent by mothers and black men as well as in music videos. But she noted it would be impossible to cover everything.
Said Bundles, “At the very least I hope he has held up a mirror that will make our community think about where we are spending our money and why so many of us are not at peace with our natural hair.”
But how much of an impact “Good Hair” will really have is up for debate.
“It made me think about whether relaxing one’s hair with lye is truly
safe over the long haul but to be honest I just got a relaxer today,
so I must not be all that concerned,” said Tandaleya Wilder, who heads her own public relations firm, She Got Game PR Boutique, in Miami Beach, FL.
Lorraine Morris, co-author of “Work It, Girl! The Black Woman’s Guide to Professional Success” said she thinks the scenes juxtaposing a disintegrating aluminum can sitting in relaxer with those of young girls getting relaxers will raise a lot of eyebrows.
“My daughter is eight and has a naturally curly texture to her hair,” said Morris, who wears a relaxer. “I think she’ll be a teenager before I’d even consider any type of chemical treatment for her hair. It was heartbreaking to see the really young girl getting a relaxer (in the documentary).”
Others said they doubted the film would really change the choices people make when it comes to their hair.
“For now, long is in. It will take more than a film. It will take societal change,” said Mary C. Curtis, a journalist based in Charlotte, NC.
Adrienne Samuels, senior editor arts and entertainment for Ebony, said if nothing else, “Good Hair” may get some people to think twice not only about their haircare choices, but about using phrases like “good hair.”
“I think it’s important to understand your own personal choice for the hair that you have,” said Samuels who switches between relaxing her hair and straightening it with a hot comb. “I applaud women who aren’t afraid to use various hair methods as temporary solutions to problems or temporary boosts for special occasions. I feel sorry for those who use such solutions because they are ashamed of being black. “And those people who are ashamed are the ones that I hope this movie reaches.”
- Karyn D. Collins is a New Jersey-based writer.
Goodmorning!
I am so happy Chris Rock did this film, especially with it having a comedic twist! It should make all of us, regardless of race, look at ourselves different. We must know that we are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image, and that no matter what the media, people, our situation says tha we are beautiful in spite of it all!
Thanks God for Chris Rock!
The movie will make a very small impact, but it will take a collective movement to make real change. I think Black Churches, community centers and even grade and highschools as well as Colleges should rally to get private showings along with workshops, and concerts, (kind of like the Afro-punk movement or Dove campaign for beauty). It really is important to be aware and informed. Knowledge is power, power is freedom. Right now so many are enslaved by the status quo. Question ourseleves as to why we do what we do, and why we make the choices we make, and real change can begin to happen in our society.
I am sick and tired of these so-called “societal issues” that demean and denigrate behavior that is inclusive of EVERY woman on earth but focuses primarily on Black women. Our White, Latino, and Asian sisters also chemically relaxed, process, highlight, color, and add extensions and weaves to their hair but their people are not constantly singling them out as if they are psychologically disturbed because they are “enhancing” their natural beauty. I would have been more interested if Mr. Rock had focused his attention on issues that affect men in general and Black Men in particular: marrying their ‘babies’ mothers, staying married to their babies mothers, adultery, homosexuality, financial acumen, etc. Now these topics are societal issues that Mr. Rock should be addressing (if he can)!
Okay, I have to comment again… Chris Rock is on The View right now speaking with the ladies about the documentary. When Barbara Walters asked him point blank, (Not exact quote)”Are Black people doing this to look more white or is it because it is just eaiser to manage the hair with relaxers and weaves and wigs?” (She asked twice by the way. Chris Rock responded vaguely at first) then said, “It is all of the above” He continued on though and seemed to put more weight on the issue that Women as a whole are more concerned with Beauty than any thing else. I think this is a good point. WE WOMEN have our worth measured by our looks and youth. Men are not measured by the same standards. We value our looks even more than being happy! This is a great point, but for Black women in particular, I think it is still an issue of wanting to have the hair that has been celebrated in Media and Advertising and among our own families. Hair that is silky, soft, and not “Nappy”. It is a shame that we still even with this documentary are in denial about that. We do in short want our hair to be more like white people’s. Essentially we want to look more white. Yes Barbara. Whoopi was still not being honest about the issue saying it’s because the hair is hard to manage that we do this. I was shocked by her, Locks and all! She knows that having Locs, though they take an effort to maintain, certainly are not has high maintenance as A relaxer. If anything maybe the upkeep takes just as much upkeep, (I doubt it). Doing twists once ever 4 days in the hair when you wash it and then leaving it alone or taking them out to look curly is not a lot more effort than putting harsh chems in the hair and paying all that money to do it! How, ladies, is getting a relaxer easier to manage than just washing your hair and combing it out into an Afro, wrapping it each night then fluffing it in the morning? It’s not easier. It is a matter of preference! Be honest. I hate the, “Oh, it’s so hard to manage in it’s natural state” excuse. That is BS! You know it is! Again, the question is… WHY is it a matter of preference. DO you just like change and variety or is it pressure to look a certain way. If it is the latter then maybe you should consider yourself a slave and be happy with that or change it.
I have been without a relaxer for 17 years now. First I was braiding, which was the lowest of maintenance, and for the past 10 years or so I have been wearing twists, which I love. Going natural was a decision I came to because relaxing was not working for me. My hair never grew to its full potential, was always a mess regardless of how much time, money and effort I put into it. With the twists, I just go, I roll them on perm rods for shape, oil them with Mimosa Hair Honey and it always looks great. My hair is longer than it has ever been in my entire life (I am 50) and very healthy. this is so much easier for my active life than curling irons, hot combs and touchups. Yes, I am happy and nappy, a matter of choice.
I first received a perm at age 8. At the ime my hair was 18in long, thick and had a natural tight curl. It took my Grannie all day on the weekend to wash,braid,dry and fry my hair. 9yrs ago I decided no more perm for me. I went from a bald fade to long healthy locks that I can do what I want to with when I choose to. No morechemicals, tight braids n extentions. No more 4-10hrs in shop chairs with wet head.Peace!
I think that how a person wears their hair is a personal choice. I think it is sad that many young black females are not given that choice to make. I was given my first relaxer at age 9 or 10 and I had absolutely no say so in the matter, it was entirely my mother’s decision. I believe that many women continue relaxing their hair because it is what they know. I have locs and I was quite surpised by the negative responses I received about my decision from my own family. Now however since my locs have grown past my shoulders they seem to find my hair more acceptable. It is shameful. My teenage niece wanted locs too. In fact she grew her hair out for almost 2 years to get them, but eventually she succumbed to peer pressure and went back to relaxing. It is so sad that we cannot just be who we want to be. Straight, wavy, curly, kinky why can’t we just be and let the next person be.