I finally had my turn to see one of the most anticipated Black films this year today: “Good Hair.”
Although I was very excited to see this film, I walked in with an open mind & no real expectations. With that said, I really enjoyed the film as a good piece of edutainment. Actually at one point, it seemed to turn into a mocumentary.
Upon leaving the theater, I posted this on Facebook:
“”Good Hair” was entertaining. Was it deep? No! Will it spark good debates? Not really! Will Black men & women ever abandon their lust for white beauty euphoria? Hell no! But…. I think Rock did a good job though providing good edutainment.”
A couple things that freaked me out in the film were learning about how Indian hair is actually obtained (very disturbing), Derek J’s 4” boots, hearing stories of 2 & 3 year old children getting their hair permed.
Driving home, I figured out that I know entirely too much about Black women’s hair. I actually wish I could un-learn/undo/un-see some of my knowledge & experiences. Call it a cornrow, fried dyed & laid to the side hot mess overload of mass proportions.
If you’ve been reading me for a while or seen my posts on other blogs, you know that I’m always willing to start or jump into a fight/heated discussion on natural vs. chemically/heat processed hair. Well as of lately, I’ve thrown up my hands in this never-ending battle.
I’m married & my woman has “good” Mulatto hair (yes, I did say it! Who gone check me boo?) so I don’t have to worry about weaves, perms, hot combs, running my fingers through her hair without running across a track, snagging a hang nail or getting a ring caught. My daughters rock natural looks & gave up fighting with me on straight looks. It’s a win all the way around for me (for now anyway).
I cannot care or put energy into what other people do with their mops. I’m not fucking them or paying for anything so what difference does my opinion make.
If you want locks; great! If you want to rock a kinky look; great! If you want a perm all down your back; great! If you want to pay hundreds of dollars for hair that an Indian woman shaved off to sacrifice in the name of her religion or had stolen as she slept; great! If you’re dumb enough to think that pressed hair makes you natural: great! Gotta put your hair in the lay-a-way; great! You do you boo!
Wait, let me get back to the movie! Overall, this movie is totally worth seeing even if on a bootleg from the DVD man that visits your salon or barbershop.
So tell me, have you seen it? What are your thoughts? Talk to me!
Photo Above:
Me @ The Detroit Institute of Arts
Taken summer 1992
Hair Styled by Curtis Griffin
Photog: Unknown 🙁
Invisible Woman / November 1, 2009
"I cannot care or put energy into what other people do with their mops. I’m not fucking them or paying for anything so what difference does my opinion make."
for reals! that's why i haven't gone to see it yet.
on another note, in that permalicious picture of you those 4" derek j boots would have been a good look for you….
i keed! lol
bustah / November 1, 2009
have to consider the huge ammounts of money at stake, manufacturing and advertising of hair products
Peajai / November 1, 2009
I saw it with some natural friends yesterday and we all thought it was really funny. I think we all went in knowing it was a comedy and not much more.
One of our friends refused to see it because she thought it would be degrading to black women but I don't think that was the case at all. I think that the way weave hair is obtained and the caustic nature of the ingredients of relaxers will be eye-opening to alot of people.
My only real complaint about the movie is that they didn't feature enough natural haired ladies (although I do LOVE Tracie Thoms and her kinky curls.)
Tafari / November 1, 2009
Invisible Woman – I know you are not going to sit this one out!
And even with my old super perm, I could have not rocked those boots in Detroit. But I know I could have gotten away with some pink gator bots. That's how we do.
Bustah – The economic piece of this story is just crazy. The one point raised, which I found valid was the fact that Black stylist are getting paid, sending kids to college, providing economic freedom etc off those hair hungry clients. So this story can be dissected many ways.
Peijai – I didn't think it was degrading at all. I mean, it is what it is. He told no lies & he was talking to real people getting real opinion.
Tracie Thoms was totally a token natural sister.I guess, at least he had her.
I think my favorite line from the movie was when they were talking about sexy & hair when the guy said that he advises men to keep their hands on the tittles & not touch the hair at all. Now that was classic!
Tafari