Chris Rock's "Good Hair"

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

I have mixed feelings. It's not about dirty laundry either. Even if it was U.K based, I would still feel it wasn't something to be embarrassed about. I think the perception that black women are totally weaved up 24/7 is already out there.

My issue is that from the trailer the documentary doesn't seem too balanced. I'll openly admit that I don't think good hair practices and acceptance of afro hair is the rule as opposed to the the exception right now. However, it would be nice if this documentary mentioned something about the growing movement of black women becoming more informed about how to take care of hair, happily natural women etc. I think it's a tall order to expect this film to really get black people talking about why this issue exists and how to eradicate it. It's an even bigger task for this one film to make a positive lasting impact on the black community.

Well, perhaps it will be focused on in the actual documentary. This really reminds me of "Super size me" (look at how much that got people talking!) in that it seems humorous but hopefully will have some good information and serious points.

I would think the trailer would mostly focus on the funny stuff to try and get people to watch it more, just like the super size me trailers. Anyway, I really hope he at least touches on the more serious stuff.

 

[mswoman]

Did you see the acid burn through the pop can???? This will really allow for us to think about what we put on our heads!!!

I hope this will make more people whom are in the movie industry go natural. Just like in the Tyler Perry Movies. I hate seeing those wigs... maybe it's to cover up the mikes. But I say let's continue the natural movement.

Hopefully then our money will go to more things for our community.. I guess I'm just wishful thinking.

 

[LucyK]

It seems funny but I REALLY hope that it mentions that African American women with long, natural (natural as in naturally grown and not store bought) do exist. It would be great if LHCF was mentioned wouldn't it?

 

[BeautifulFlower]

I'll be there front and center. This looks very educational.

 

[twinkletoes17]

I'm going to see it

 

[Rain20]

I dont like that it makes AA women to be so extreme about their hair and by default that other nationalities just wake up and toss their hair into place. Relaxers are no more caustic than curly perms, color, BKT,bleach, or Japanese staightening. Other nationalities use these processes in their hair and its no big deal. In the trailer he shows a relaxer eating through a soda can. Any chemical process has to be done with caution. Why single out AA females? Other nationalities use extensions as well. There are enough stereotypes about AA females and I'm not sure this film really is going to dispel any of the negative stereotypes.

I think the good hair debate is not about hair but is really deeper. Chris Rock may have some issues himself. Maybe he should examine he and his wife's values and what messages they are relaying to their children. We never discussed good and bad hair at home. In fact hair was not a big factor except it needed to be neat clean, conditioned and healthy. My parents always concentrated on helping us develop into balanced individuals with spiritual and moral values, community awareness, and education. Sorry to be so long. I guess I am not really looking forward to this movie.

 

[PinkSkates]

Did you see the acid burn through the pop can???? This will really allow for us to think about what we put on our heads!!!

I hope this will make more people whom are in the movie industry go natural. Just like in the Tyler Perry Movies. I hate seeing those wigs... maybe it's to cover up the mikes. But I say let's continue the natural movement.

Hopefully then our money will go to more things for our community.. I guess I'm just wishful thinking.

ITA with your comments. Then after this movie, we can start a movement and let our little black girls know that...It's okay to show the world your real, kinky, natural hair!

 

[runwaydream]

It seems funny but I REALLY hope that it mentions that African American women with long, natural (natural as in naturally grown and not store bought) do exist. It would be great if LHCF was mentioned wouldn't it?

lol....nah...it wouldnt

 

[sunbubbles]

[/B]

lol....nah...it wouldnt

I kinda agree.................. is that selfish? *sneaks away to the bathroom to moisturize and seal*
I only tell those that are willing to listen, about LHCF. most of my friends are happy in their ignorance, even when Ive tried to direct them here.

When does it come out? I cant watch youtube at work

 

[AvaSpeaks]

It seems funny but I REALLY hope that it mentions that African American women with long, natural (natural as in naturally grown and not store bought) do exist. It would be great if LHCF was mentioned wouldn't it?

Exactly! See that's what I am afraid of. That it doesn't mention this. It's like I think the perception that Black women can't grow their hair long is still believed. Especially if she has natural hair. ESPECIALLY if she's dark skinned.

I'm kinda scared that the perception is we do have long hair, it's because we got a weave. And if we do have long hair that's not a weave, it's relaxed because of course, "natural hair can't grow long"

And here's one more rant. The perception of "good hair". When I was growing up, good hair was that fine hair or hair that was naturally straight or wavy, not like the "nappy" or coarse hair that "most" Black Americans had. Now these ladies are kinda included "hair that's nice and relaxed"?

And when I say nappy, I mean how our people viewed it. hopefully, will this movie cover the full range of hair textures? Textures that are not straight or "nappy" as some people call it? But what about my hair texture? The lady at my job told me I got "good" hair too

 

[blissy]

I watched clips of Tyra's show on YouTube on the same subject matter. It brought tears to my eyes. IMO, hair is an accessory. Natural, permed, colored, weaved or wigged, our hair is "good hair". My concern comes in when young girls consider themselves ugly or less than because of our natural kinks.

The young children on Tyra's show who picked an Afro textured wig as undesirable, or the young girl who felt beautiful as a blonde or the three year old who felt great with her chemically straightened hair, all brought tears to my eyes. Their self esteem was nonexistant. How can we expect these young children to feel equal to their nonethnic peers?

There was a comment above regarding hair practices of our counterparts. Although I agree the products used are just as caustic, their baby girls aren't saddled with this negative self image about their hair.

Perhaps we should stress to our children that we change our hairstyles like our shoes and our Afro textured hair is not to "bad" hair.

I wonder if the Rock family discusses AA hair practices with their young girls.r

 

[veggiegirl314]

I am SO excited about this movie. SO excited.

My boyfriend is white, and I'm bringing him. I hope this movie will be able to explain all of the things about black hair that I've tried so hard (and failed) to convey to my boyfriend.

 

[passion]

So Tired of our business on display. I really hope it's positive. We take enough abuse. :

 

[LaidBak]

Anybody down for regional LHCF viewing parties????

 

[january noir]

I watched the trailer and I think this will be funny and enlightening for everyone.
It's funny to me because I just found out that some family members (cousins) thought I always had "good hair" and my hair is 4b.c.d.e! I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

 

[jennboo]

LOL @ the tralier.

When people know better, they do better, huh? I guess not.

 

[MAMATO]

I dont like that it makes AA women to be so extreme about their hair and by default that other nationalities just wake up and toss their hair into place. Relaxers are no more caustic than curly perms, color, BKT,bleach, or Japanese staightening. Other nationalities use these processes in their hair and its no big deal. In the trailer he shows a relaxer eating through a soda can. Any chemical process has to be done with caution. Why single out AA females? Other nationalities use extensions as well. There are enough stereotypes about AA females and I'm not sure this film really is going to dispel any of the negative stereotypes.

I think the good hair debate is not about hair but is really deeper. Chris Rock may have some issues himself. Maybe he should examine he and his wife's values and what messages they are relaying to their children. We never discussed good and bad hair at home. In fact hair was not a big factor except it needed to be neat clean, conditioned and healthy. My parents always concentrated on helping us develop into balanced individuals with spiritual and moral values, community awareness, and education. Sorry to be so long. I guess I am not really looking forward to this movie.

ITA! I am wondering if he's going to talk about BKT and those toxic fumes... That would be great... I would love to see a BKT plant, the big tubs, the huge fans and all those poor employees suffocating under their masks. Same goes for the other heavy chemical processes as well, I guess.

 

[topnotch1010]

I will be at the theater on opening night!!

 

[DDTexlaxed]

All right ya'll I'm a little nervous about this one. Be clear I am proud of my hair care journey but I think this is really opening the lid tooooooo far. I know it is common knowledge 'Sistahs are serious about their hair" But to let everyone see exactly how serious may be a little to much for some to handle. I can't stand when someone touches my hair now and questions me but Chris Rock is bringing his entire diversified audience with him??? I'm going to see it, can't wait but I'm feeling open & exposed.

Thoughts???

Hopefully this will expose it. It is time for the AA community to learn that they don't have to have strait hair to be considered normal. I wish I had that kind of positive reinforced on me as a young child. If I did, I would not feel like I need a perm or weave to take care of my hair. Hopefully it will educate the AA community that all natural hair is good hair and help us take pride in what is ours.

 

[loved]

Good Hair Preview With Barry Fletcher for DMV ladies

I received this from Barry Fletcher.

You think you've got good hair.... WE'VE GOT "GOOD HAIR"! In a collaborative effort with Comedian and Producer Chris Rock, we are pleased to be a part of the initial previews of the release of the next big hit film, GOOD HAIR! The movie opens nationwide October 9 but Barry Fletcher is gonna give you the hook up! Join us for a preview screening of the movie on Monday, September 28 at 7:30pm or Monday, October 5 at 7:30pm at The Regal Theater in Silver Spring, MD. If you'd like to go to the screening just email us at [email protected] and we'll reserve tickets for you at the box office. Seats are limited - first come, first served. You must arrive on time

!

 

[VirtuousGal]

ITA! I am wondering if he's going to talk about BKT and those toxic fumes... That would be great... I would love to see a BKT plant, the big tubs, the huge fans and all those poor employees suffocating under their masks. Same goes for the other heavy chemical processes as well, I guess.

No he isn't...I got to see an early viewing of it and he didn't really expand on a lot of the issues that I know many of the LHCF ladies would be looking forward too. Main focuses were of course, women choosing to relax their hair and small insights into why they do it, but not a thorough enough examination on the history of relaxers and the complexes and stigmas that come with it.

Also, the weave industry was spoken about in depth and the fact that the hair industry is run by Asian people and Blacks in general have been strong-armed out of an industry that we should be owning, which is outrageous, as well as where a lot of the hair comes from (won't give excessive details, dont want to ruin it for you all) The amount of money some women spend on her was downright outrageous!!

In general, either their were broad strokes over the deeper routed issues, or they weren't addressed at all. But was it a good first effort? Yes! He had a sense that something was askew when it came to Black women and the extreme lengths we go through for acceptable hair, great instinct. If he is committed to this issue, hopefully he's open to exploring topics he neglected the first time around to stimulate meaningful dialogue amongst women of color, and most importantly be conscious of the lessons we teach to our young little sisters, whether verbally, or through subtle implications; We want them developing strong self concepts about their natural selves even before they begin to compare themselves to their peers.

Granted, I felt a little uncomfortable with our business being put out there, but if its a step in the direction of dealing with true issues in our community, it just might be worth it.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

The first line of the trailer made me really sad, he says his daughter came up to him asking him "daddy howcome I don't have "good hair"

I remember seeing Milak Rock on a panel speaking on the issues facing blacks in the country I think it was last years Black in America and she said "my daughter came up to me and said she doesn't like her hair and wishes she had good hair, I told her you have beautiful hair! I always wanted a baby girl with little afro puffs" as she flipped her bsl weave hair to the side. I was like lawd

 

[jamaraa]

I dont like that it makes AA women to be so extreme about their hair and by default that other nationalities just wake up and toss their hair into place. Relaxers are no more caustic than curly perms, color, BKT,bleach, or Japanese staightening. Other nationalities use these processes in their hair and its no big deal. In the trailer he shows a relaxer eating through a soda can. Any chemical process has to be done with caution. Why single out AA females? Other nationalities use extensions as well. There are enough stereotypes about AA females and I'm not sure this film really is going to dispel any of the negative stereotypes.

I think the good hair debate is not about hair but is really deeper. Chris Rock may have some issues himself. Maybe he should examine he and his wife's values and what messages they are relaying to their children. We never discussed good and bad hair at home. In fact hair was not a big factor except it needed to be neat clean, conditioned and healthy. My parents always concentrated on helping us develop into balanced individuals with spiritual and moral values, community awareness, and education. Sorry to be so long. I guess I am not really looking forward to this movie.

Exactly. I'm tired of people trying to act like altering one's hair is only something Blacks do and that it's some how a moral failing of some sort.

 

[jamaraa]

Exactly! See that's what I am afraid of. That it doesn't mention this. It's like I think the perception that Black women can't grow their hair long is still believed. Especially if she has natural hair. ESPECIALLY if she's dark skinned.

I'm kinda scared that the perception is we do have long hair, it's because we got a weave. And if we do have long hair that's not a weave, it's relaxed because of course, "natural hair can't grow long"

Perhaps he doesn't believe it himself, however that doesn't make it not true. I must say that if we're going to question people for not believing that Black women (esp. the dreaded dark skinned ones ) can't grow their natural hair long (one wonders how does one get long relaxed hair w/o natual hair growing...LOL) why is it so important for it to be shown other wise? Why is this being "officially confirmed" so important? This site is proof that people of all shades and textures can grow their hair long, so why the need for validation?

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Exactly. I'm tired of people trying to act like altering one's hair is only something Blacks do and that it's some how a moral failing of some sort.

The fact that other people do something detrimental, shouldn't then make us feel better about it being pervasive in our community.

That's like failing a test and feeling better because your friend failed it too, that's the mentality of mediocrity.

In Asia they get eyelid surgeries to make thier eyes look more western, in Korea the huge thing is getting calf surgeries to make their legs look more like western calfs, in India the big business is skin bleaching, in Iran they're so proud of getting nose jobs they keep the bandage on for months after it has healed like a badge of pride.

Should we look at this mad dash toward being as close to white as can be and say "whew! glad it wasn't just us" shrug and lull ourselves into complacency? Or should we ask ourselves why we try so hard to be anything but ourselves?

Maybe we should question the notion that our hair isn't good enough.

Maybe, just maybe we should challenge the status quo so we could make the next generation never have to deal with feeling inferior when they were blessed with perfect versatile beautiful features.

 

[jamaraa]

The fact that other people do something detrimental, shouldn't then make us feel better about it being pervasive in our community.

That's like failing a test and feeling better because your friend failed it too, that's the mentality of mediocrity.

In Asia they get eyelid surgeries to make thier eyes look more western, in Korea the huge thing is getting calf surgeries to make their legs look more like western calfs, in India the big business is skin bleaching, in Iran they're so proud of getting nose jobs they keep the bandage on for months after it has healed like a badge of pride.

Should we look at this mad dash toward being as close to white as can be and say "whew! glad it wasn't just us" shrug and lull ourselves into complacency? Or should we ask ourselves why we try so hard to be anything but ourselves?

Maybe we should question the notion that our hair isn't good enough.

Maybe, just maybe we should challenge the status quo so we could make the next generation never have to deal with feeling inferior when they were blessed with perfect versatile beautiful features.

Yes maybe we should do all these things, but at the end of the day we must realize that people are going to do what they want for their own reasons. Whether or not you think it's medicore is besides the point. People are often seeking what it is they ain't got. This should be obvious at this point.

Based on what I've read here describing doc, none of what you're talking about it really taking place...a serious questioning as opposed to an expose. Can you HONESTLY say that you think this is what Chris Rock and/or Oprah are about? LOL

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

How is any progress ever gonna be made if you just look at life, shrug and say people are gonna do what they're gonna do?

How would we have gotten our civil rights if people just shrugged and said well people are gonna do what they're gonna do?

How would we have gotten our first black president if we all collectively shrugged and said well people are gonna do what they're gonna do?

That kinda thinking will have little black girls asking why they have bad hair in 2050, that's just not a future I'm willing to accept, sorry.

I'm not looking to Chris Rock, Oprah or anyone else to carry the torch on this topic, I think its up to us.

 

[jamaraa]

How is any progress ever gonna be made if you just look at life, shrug and say people are gonna do what they're gonna do? How would we have hotten our civil rights if people just shrugged and said well people are gonna do what they're gonna do, how would we have gotten our first black president if we all collectively shrugged and sia dwell people are gonna do what they're gonna do regardless.

That kinda thinking willl have little black girls asking why they have bad hair in 2050, that's just not a future I'm willing to accept, sorry.

Progress is made by people making choices...their own. I'm not against discussung any topic for any reason, but I do know the difference between private and public. I also realize that I have no right to think I know better how someone else should live their life. Natural Nazis, IMHO, are no different than any other kind. People have a right to make their own choices about what they do w/ their person. I thought that was the point of Civil Rights....to do what you please about your own person.

If folks worried more about what was IN their head than what was ON it, perhaps the attitudes would change overall. I'm far more concerned about that kid in 2050 not being able to read as well as could than them going on about "good hair".

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

Exactly. I'm tired of people trying to act like altering one's hair is only something Blacks do and that it's some how a moral failing of some sort.

I think AA women get singled out because of the root (no pun intended) of our hair texture alterations.
Other ethnicities generally alter their hair colors and textures because of style. They prefer the aesthetic of straight hair over curly hair, or blonde over red, or whatever. For the most part, women of other ethnicities don't straighten their hair because they are ashamed of their curls, and they don't dye because they are ashamed of their natural color.
But when black women began relaxing their hair, they didn't do it simply because they preferred the look. They did it because they felt that their nappy hair was repulsive and a sign of lower breeding, and they felt that the straighter their hair was, the more beautiful they would be. It came from a place of being ashamed of who they were. And people can say that it was in the past, but I think everyone knows that alot of black women today still feel the same way about their natural texture.
I'm not saying that everyone who relaxes their hair is ashamed of their natural texture. There are more reasons to relax than that. I relax my hair, and I'm certainly not ashamed of my Nigerian self.
But I think that a moral failing occurs when a black woman feels that she has absolutely no choice but to be relaxed or wear a weave, because she hates her natural texture so much. Like, someone started a thread asking what we would do if there were no relaxers or weaves. I asked one of my friends that question, and she said that she would either shave herself bald or die. And I know that she's not the only one in the world who feels like that, and THAT is a big problem.
You really can't compare black women's hair issues to the hair issues of other races, because there's just no comparison.

 

[jamaraa]

I think AA women get singled out because of the root (no pun intended) of our hair texture alterations.
Other ethnicities generally alter their hair colors and textures because of style. They prefer the aesthetic of straight hair over curly hair, or blonde over red, or whatever. For the most part, women of other ethnicities don't straighten their hair because they are ashamed of their curls, and they don't dye because they are ashamed of their natural color.
But when black women began relaxing their hair, they didn't do it simply because they preferred the look. They did it because they felt that their nappy hair was repulsive and a sign of lower breeding, and they felt that the straighter their hair was, the more beautiful they would be. It came from a place of being ashamed of who they were. And people can say that it was in the past, but I think everyone knows that alot of black women today still feel the same way about their natural texture.
I'm not saying that everyone who relaxes their hair is ashamed of their natural texture. There are more reasons to relax than that. I relax my hair, and I'm certainly not ashamed of my Nigerian self.
But I think that a moral failing occurs when a black woman feels that she has absolutely no choice but to be relaxed or wear a weave, because she hates her natural texture so much. Like, someone started a thread asking what we would do if there were no relaxers or weaves. I asked one of my friends that question, and she said that she would either shave herself bald or die. And I know that she's not the only one in the world who feels like that, and THAT is a big problem.
You really can't compare black women's hair issues to the hair issues of other races, because there's just no comparison.

What you've described is not a moral failing but a lack of thinking critically. If someone thinks that have NO CHOICE but to relax their hair, either they are blind or lacking in common sense.