 Chris Rock traveled to the insides of hair salons, bank accounts, hair styling shows, scientific laboratories, and across the world to the slums of India, where lo and behold lie the most expensive, sought out strands of thick, beautiful, luscious locks of hair.
Following the energetic comic around was the camera of director Jeff Stilsons. Some famous faces featured in the flick include Ice-T, Kerry Washington, Nia Long, Raven Symone, Maya Angelou, and Reverend Al Sharpton. Variety called the film "Fresh, funny, and altogether fascinating. Audiences will wig out," and Vanity Fair claimed Rock was "Hilarious", but along with positive reviews came the negativity that often comes with "old-school journalism" as Rock calls it.
"What's your definition of good hair?" Rock asks. "Something that looks relaxed and nice," answered a customer at one of the salons Rock visits. This is the idea where much of the controversy begins. Due to racism in the past, the traditional outlook of "good hair" for African American ladies has often been straight, bright, and lighter, also known as "white-girl hair".
When Rock started promoting the documentary in May, Tyra decided to dedicate an episode on the Tyra show about the emotionally charged issue that females in the African American society face everyday. She met with black ladies who viewed "good hair" as smooth, silky, long straight hair, but also with some who believed natural hair should be appreciated.
"This issue is generational... My grandmother was like 'We worked so hard so we didn't have to look like that. Why would you want to look like that?' For a lot of older generations, it was not just beauty. It was about your not going to get a job... or find a mate if your hair is not conforming to mainstream society," Ayana Bird, articles editor of Glamour magazine, said.
Clearly, many African Americans believe that it is the younger generations' responsibility to break the mold, but through Rock's documentary people see how much time, energy, and money many women put into getting "good hair" and how hard it would be for girls to break the mold when so much pressure is put on them to have perfectly relaxed locks.
Rock's expose on African American "hair culture" peels open eyes for many other Americans, who never saw how big of an issue this was. So how come the reviews are so divided? Well for one, there was a reason that other Americans did not know about this topic. Many black women did not want to expose their hair secrets.
"You're putting all of our business into the street. Why are you pulling the curtain back?' " Chris-Tia Donaldson , a Chicago lawyer and the author of Thank God I'm Natural- The Ultimate Guide to Caring for and Maintaining Natural Hair, said.
However, Rock stands by his film all the way.
"Secrets will rot the soul," Rock said. "They're good for no one. Unless you're planning a surprise party or something."
Many critics also said that he does not shed light on the fact that thousands of white women spend loads of money and time perfecting their hair as well.
"I've never catered to white people. I did 'Everybody Hates Chris,' the blackest show you'll watch," Rock defended.
Rock created the movie not to make fun of the culture, but just show to shed light on the alarming use of toxic chemicals that women cover their heads in and often toddlers' heads as well.
"The movie is positive. I'm not making fun of anybody. I'm not outing anybody," Rock said rebutting the critics.
Although, "Good Hair" has gotten Rock into some tangled controversy, overall the movie does not intend any harm. It is really just showing Americans an important topic that many other people could not have enlightened audiences in as humorous and thoughtful as Rock accomplishes to do. |
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