Okay, I’m not jumping on the bandwagon about the “Good Hair” discussion. I know your tried of reading, hearing and seeing it. I simply just want to share my opinion of the highlights of the movie.
Yes, Chris Rock is Hilarious. I don’t think anyone will argue that. The whole movie presented a light humorous vantage point on the billion dollar hair industry. This movie shed light on African American woman and their hair as well as the fact that this industry only takes from the people that fuel this vehicle of “oppression” as the Rev. Al Sharpton so tactful put it. One of my favorite lines in the movie “putting on their oppression”.
Okay enough of that. I would like to highlight the courageousness of Shelia Bridges. Shown above. Her story is a simple one. Bridges is an interior designer with alopecia, a disease that cause hair loss. This beautiful woman wears her bald head fearlessly and does not let it define her character or hinder her success.
Big ups to my two Naturalistas featured in Good Hair the documentary, Tracie Thoms and Sarah Jones.
In the movie, there is a scene where Rock is interviewing a group of high school girls. There was one young lady that wore her hair natural. And the other young ladies who either wore weave or relaxed hair unanimously decide that although the natural hair was pretty on the girl, it was not professional in their opinions. This really hurt because these were babies telling their peer, you have to change who you are to meet what is considered acceptable. Not only was what was being said hurtful to hear but to SEE the natural girls facial expressions. What was portrayed in that scene is a very realistic every day situation. If that was your daughter, sister, niece, cousin or friend, what would you say to console her? If you were in that situation how did you encourage yourself?
Great review of the movie. I do agree with what u said. I'm glad u didn't address the ridiculous side show that was the hair dresser style off. Aside from that what struck me was the women who were in the entertainment industry, those who gave interviews and those who were pictured all had weaves or wigs. Perhaps one or two had relaxed hair. But overwhelmingly weaves were it. Those are the women we see on the magazines, in movies, TV. We buy there albums, and grace the hair magazines we thumb thru at the salon. those are our beauty icons and sex symbols, on top of the body image issues shared by all women, we are endlessly bombarded with the message "beauty is weave" a hopelessly unattainable standard to aspire to, and antithetical to who we are as black women. Attached is the understanding that you will never be enough, and so are inferior. "put on the oppresion"
ReplyDeleteNice Blog....Hair is not as simple as it appears on the surface. It not only plays an important role in the appearance of both men and women, but it also create gender identification.
ReplyDeleteHey girl. You know I love your post and thanks for this topic. I have not seen the movie yet, but I plan to do so for I am very curious to all the hoopla. I will say this though, beauty is NOT fake hair....its you doing you and working what you got. I chose to become natural because of me, not because of a standard. I refuse to let anyone try to put me into a box to look the way society wants me to.
ReplyDeleteI plan to teach my kids that they are wonderful individuals, created in God's image. No one can tell them less. Whether they want to be natural, or get the "creamy crack", they are who God made them...period...no questions.
Love this post and I am so glad you weighed in on the subject.
I saw that scene and it made me cringe. How would I console her? I would tell her that I've worn my hair natural since college and I have been in management in hospitality, in production management in theater, and even know hold an amazing job in coordination in the financial industry...all with my twist outs, curly fros and braid outs. And one of the hugest compliments I receive is my level of professionalism in my work ethic, appearance and personality. So what the girls said simply is not the truth for my life and doesn't have to be for her.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I felt so bad for that young lady that I was inspired to do a feature on professional women with natural hair. Natural Hair Rules - thanks for your support! Looking forward to your suggestions on questions.
ReplyDeleteI want to go natural with the BC so badly. My husband is not having it! Not that he's said so, but he makes comments about other women who have natural kinky hair or curly fros. So I stretch my relaxers as long as possible and I wear wigs. Perhaps one day...
ReplyDeleteI felt like I wanted to jump in that scene and start informing the girls that just because hair is natural does not mean you have to rock the fro. Don't get me wrong I love the fro, however there are many professional ways to style your hair for the workplace. I tend to keep my fro kind of tame at work and on the weekends I let loose. I din't like that these girls didn't understand that there is so much you can do with natural hair.
ReplyDeleteI've been telling my eldest daughter for 14 years that she is beautifully and perfectly made by Yah. She wears her hair naturally and although it frustrates her b/c not only is she responsible for maintaining her own hair (which she often does not want to do) she is learning that it is her responsibility to explain to her permed and weaved out peers that not only is she not allowed to process her hair or put euro-textured weaves in her hair, but she also needs to explain why she's 'ok' with that rule. They laugh, make jokes and tell her she looks a mess but I didn't raise no punks! My girl has become a soldier in the fight! She has at least one of her girlfriends trying to convince her mom (??!!) to let her take her weave out! It starts early I think...and with that, you have to lead by example.
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ReplyDeletethat natural girl was ME! I remember girls in the halls and on the bus loudly proclaiming that I need to get a 'perm' and that my hair was nappy. It hurt, but it made me strong. I think it was because i had such supportive family. People need to rally around teens who are doing things that are different from their peers and support them, or they crumble, and suffer for doing so.
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