Good Hair, According to Chris Rock
bella | Jan 22, 2009 | Comments 90
Thanks to my friends at Palacinka and Bellasugar, I heard about a hot new documentary that sounds like a must-see for any Afrobella. By Chris Rock? Really?
You heard right — Chris Rock’s documentary, Good Hair, has entered competition at Sundance. It’s getting great reviews, and according to the description, it sounds amazing and inspiring :
“When Chris Rock’s daughter, Lola, came up to him crying and asked, “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?†the bewildered comic committed himself to search the ends of the earth and the depths of black culture to find out who had put that question into his little girl’s head!
Director Jeff Stilson’s camera followed the funnyman, and the result is Good Hair, a wonderfully insightful and entertaining, yet remarkably serious, documentary about African American hair culture.An exposé of comic proportions that only Chris Rock could pull off, Good Hair visits hair salons and styling battles, scientific laboratories, and Indian temples to explore the way black hairstyles impact the activities, pocketbooks, sexual relationships, and self-esteem of black people.”
And…. what conclusions does he draw while investigating the industry and trying to answer his daughter’s sad question of self-esteem?
“What he discovers is that black hair is a big business that doesn’t always benefit the black community and little Lola’s question might well be bigger than his ability to convince her that the stuff on top of her head is nowhere near as important as what is inside.”
Well, well, well. Mr. Rock, I’m gonna need you and your beautiful little Lola to catch up with Afrobella, OK? And I’m gonna put this out there right now — I would love to interview Chris Rock about this film! It sounds like something that’s been long overdue.
Rock and his executive producer Nelson George elaborate on the issue in this AP interview, which reveals what every black woman knows, and what we’ve discussed on this here blog time and time again — that the hair thing goes beyond wanting to achieve Eurocentric ideals of desirability.
““It’s this whole thing about approval. That approval is not simply, `I want white people to love me.’ It’s like, `I need a job. I want to move forward, and if I have a hairstyle that is somewhat intimidating, that’s going to stop me from moving forward,’” said Nelson George, executive producer of “Good Hair.“”
Here’s a video of Rock discussing his film. Makes me want to see it even more!
Does this mean a new career track for Chris Rock? Do you want to see this film? What do you think will happen to terms like “good” and “bad” hair now that we’re in a new era of change?
** adorable photo courtesy of Concrete Loop!
Filed Under: Famous Faces • Hair • Issues
“‘I need a job. I want to move forward, and if I have a hairstyle that is somewhat intimidating, that’s going to stop me from moving forward.’â€
The people who will keep us from moving forward based on hairstyles need to be interviewed for a documentary like this. Black folks have spent more than enough time expressing hair issues to each other. The ones whose beauty standards we’re reacting to can’t continue to get off without explaining their part in this dilemma. Mothers can’t keep blindly passing the insecurities to their daughters either.
I read a discussion on this site over a year ago about co-washing and pre-pooing. I had never heard of these terms before. Since then, I have been using one of the recipes someone shared in the discussion a couple of times a week. My hair is GORGEOUS!!! Its longer, stronger and healthier than it has ever been in my life!
If all black women had this information, the subject of hair would FINALLY be laid to rest. Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with our hair. Its ALL good!
i’m seeing a lot of ‘natural’ wigs and weaves these days. Is there a sea change around the corner? I love love love natural hair its so sexy.
Oh I cant wait to see this film. I love the face that he has looked deeper into why his daughter would ask this question. He is doing the right thing. Giving his daughter all the right info.
dont see how what how her mum wears her hair says anything. Words carry so much more weight. As she grows she may decide to keep her hair natural or whatever she likes.
look forward to seeing the film
I’ll watch the movie to see what it says
but i agree with Trini…hair in hollywood should be examined
My 6 year old daughter just loves her hair:) I make it a point to let her know how beautiful her hair is in it’s natural state.
She has come to me asking me why some of her caucasian classmates hair was longer than hers and I explained to her that everyone’s hair is different. I also showed her (by stretching her hair down her back) that her curly hair grows long too but is just curly:)
I am still laughing at Nikki’s comment. I am going to check out the film and the NP thread.
Thank you Afrobella for always giving us food for thought:)
I definitely want to see this movie. Hopefully, going forward, Chris Rock will continue to promote more positive messages about the black community, whether he’s doing standup comedy or film. I’m curious to see if and how this film will transform his future work.
I won’t be watching it. I refuse to support him.
i think it will be interesting, of course i think we(aa women) are conflicted…even if we do wear our hair “natural” we know that it is not THE standard of beauty in this nation or in the world for that matter, but you know what? that’s okay because every thing we do gets copied in some form or fashion, ie, tans, “perms” injections, pilates for the formation of buttocks…like that’s really and exercise, please, they are trying to toot their booties and be like us.
i think all women are beautiful and black women are some of the most stunning we are a rainbow within a rainbow…from ruby dee to taraji p henson, to jennifer hudson to fantasia, to iman to iman chanel, to sade to jill scott, to phylicia rashad to debbie allen to venus and serena williams…to marion wright edleman to michelle obama, to all you who are reading this! we are beautiful, weaved, permed, press n curl, curly, nappy, straight, braided, bald by force or by choice (keep your heads up cancer fighters/survivors) WE ARE BEAUTIFUL ANY WAY IT GOES!
FROM VOUGE TO SCHOOL PICTURES! BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!
Iagree with Meena and I find it funny that so many people are calling out Malik(?sp) but are forgetting Chris’s role in choosing his wife and likely the women he holds at beautiful…wasn’t Chris the same man that gloated about his money and fame now allowing him to have beautiful women…his wife may be the one saying their daughters will remain natural despite his disapproval…I think this film is image repair
Hating on Rock, It’s called jokes you monkeys!
JJ I don’t get how you can call somebody a racist then refer to us all as monkeys. Your clearly of low intellect and can’t relate or don’t want to. I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that you may not be of African descent and if you are then your a sad spectical. Chris rock’s use of humor only supports the fact that he has issueswhen it comes to black women . People have been using jokes to address tense/tough issues sense forever. Sometimes in good taste and in other cases not so much. His jokes are not to far from what he actually may think and therefore not just jokes or okay. I really just wanted to mention that this is not the first documentary about our hair. I saw one I think it was called Roots and Passage. I met the film director, a black woman, and she informed me that this was what many black female independent filmmakers choose to do their first film about…sort of their right to passage in tv industry. So there are others..but u guys should try to see this one too it was really good.
Amijane brought up a valid point. According to Jj, black people are the only ones with nappy ass hair so apparently it’s not a white thing, or a race based issue. Then why are Asian, Latina, Indian, and even many eastern European women just name a few included in tv ads for hair products or on runways in the same numbers as the average white clone of artificial beauty. Everything is from a white point of view and i dont know if you noticed you are not the only people in the US or the world. Stop forcing your ideals on everyone else. In your head u probably think everything is all inclusive but it’s not. I do wonder if whites catch as much flack about their lip injections, breast implants, and Botox needin’ skin as we do about our hair .
JJ – I deleted your second comment. I really don’t need or appreciate ignorance like that on this blog. And I see that I’m going to have to restate the commenting rules here — some of you appear to be new to Afrobella. We keep our conversation civil, intelligent, and informative around here. Save the cussing for other blogs, alright? Thanks.
I posted an article chris rock did for wall street journal on my blog. I first found out about this movie on nappturality too. I do have interest in this film. I know how I feel about being naturals. I think it will interesting to see what mr. rock realized. if this child were a boy, this of course wouldn’t have been made. also I can’t judge other folk because of me being natural. I would like for people to realize come to the decision themselves. their mind needs to be in the right place.
Whether you like him or not, the film just won the grand jury prize at Sundance and was purchased for a theatrical release.
I am not at all a fan of Rock’s comedy and i feel like most black entertainers he is vehemently more anti black woman than anti white supremacy, but that’s another story.
I think that he did this film for personal reasons. I am sure that since his daughters are finally growing into womanhood, he sees the damage already inflicted upon them despite their rich upbringing. All the money in the world cannot insulate young black girls from seeing that they are not prized, especially amongst men in their own “community”.
I wish this little Rock girls the best of luck. Their dad’s line of “work” and their mother’s obvious insecurity is going to make for one hell of a tell-all book one day.
To Afrobello: I totally agree with you, Black people have spent a lot of time discussing this with each other. I doubt if Rock adds anything new, . When he pitched this I wonder who he named as his target audience. There are a few fantastic short films on youtube by young Black women (and one teenager, can’t remember her name) that are insightful and informative about this very topic, because they are coming from our perspective.
“What he discovers is that black hair is a big business that doesn’t always benefit the black community and little Lola’s question might well be bigger than his ability to convince her that the stuff on top of her head is nowhere near as important as what is inside.â€-YEAH, MANY OF US ALREADY KNEW THAT, CHRIS.
And I’m so glad others have mentioned his despicable comments about Michelle Obama. His tired routine tried to reduce Mrs. Obama to hoodrat level and it was unacceptable to me. It was on the same level as the ugly foxnews comment calling her babymama, but because a Black man said it it’s just a lil jokey joke. The image of Black women in general is so often used as a punchline in so many media outlets nowadays, and then we are catered to for our financial or emotional support. He should have spent his money making a movie about the horrible epidemic of young, frustrated Black men killing each other, my natural hair is not destroying communities.
I wonder what’s next, DL Hughly making a “film” about how Black women can raise their self esteem…
I’ve read on other blogs mean comments about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s adopted daughter Zahara and her hair. I’ve even read once about the Obama’s daughters’ hair. Each time commentators say stuff like “why aint they mama combing that nappy hair?” or suggesting they get a perm or run a hotcomb through it. There are no words to describe the ignorance displyaed in such comments.
Saddest thing about self-hatred is that the so called black haircare industry is mostly run by Asians. How many billions do black women spend a year on their hair? It’ll be a crying shame if we let these Korean salons profit even during times of recession.
I would love to see the movie myself. Since I have been wearing locs over the last 3 years, I get so many mixed reviews. I always keep my hair neat and what not. I feel like the main reason I was demoted on my job was because I decided to wear my hair natural and grow locs.
let me play devil’s advocate…
does a woman with relaxed hair or weave equate to a woman with low self esteem or one having self identity issues?
are you guys saying that someone just can’t straighten their hair just for the mere fact that they like it or believes they can manage it better when its that way.
all of u seem to be on the obama bus ..right?..well are you guys dying inside when michelle takes a day off from cornrowing the girls’ hair and putting that hot comb straight through.
ever thought that they may not see it as an issue, that once those girls have their heads (brains) straight thats all that matters.
i see/understand the whole relevance to self identity esp in young girls but we cant make the same judgement for everyone. we’re so caught deciding whats right and wrong we dont even see we’re creating more divisions.just let ppl live and be who they want to be ..if it means wearing a wig, weave, all straight do..or all punked out..
..we’re supposedly all on the same obama bus that preaches tolerance,right?!
I cosign che’s comments. I myself wear a full weave. I didn’t decide to wear the weave because I woke up one day and decided that I hate myself. I woke up to the diagnosis of Lupis and the reality of hair loss. I am slowly and patiently growing my hair back. I am completely natural and have not permed my hair in 2 years, but to the rest of you, if you encountered me on the street, I would be a self-hating black woman with low self-esteem.
So to all my righteous sistahs out there, sometimes there is more to the story and more to the person than what you see on the surface or adorning their head.
To african/Che
This is not about how black women feel about themselves when they wear weaves or relaxers. This is about little children and their uncanny ability to internalize when they notice physical differences to themselves. While you (African) may be a grounded lady, a young child who is surrounded by images of long straight flowing hair (- on TV, in the streets and on mommy) gets to believe that her hair (and by extension – she) is not good enough. This is not made up or projected stuff. It is scientific.
Like many of the other commentators, I am transtioning because of my daughters. If I do’nt see myself as beautiful in my natural state, what message am I sending to my girls. My girls are 2 and 3 and their concept of self in being determined everyday. I am teaching them to love their hair, stretched, unstretched, braided, twisted or left free.
I will go to see the film when it comes out, but my mind has been made up.
It starts from the home, I will not allow external forces to impose their standards of beauty on my home.
People are not saying that if you perm your hair or straighten hair, you hate yourself. That’s taking this post to the extreme. The same thing is done when I say I don’t agree with homosexuality, now all of a sudden I’m a homophobe.
Anyhow, this should make black women think more. I have friends with YOUNG daughters and they perm their daughter’s hair. I don’t care what the excuse is, I just don’t think that’s good for their psyche. I know a lot of black mother’s that come at their daughters natural hair with a negative approach, because, they don’t feel like doing it. Children pick this up very easily and this definitely affects their self esteem. I think documentaries, ect, need to be made until we get it right. We are far from that…
If you’re interested in watching a film on black hair and participating in a discussion, Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale will have the Floria premiere of the documentary on black hair, My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage, February 7th, 2009, Saturday in honor of Black History Month. It’s free and open to the public.
Here’s further information:
Saturday, February 7
My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage Film and Panel Discussion, 2-4:00 pm
Come to the Carl DeSantis Building, Knight Auditorium for the Florida film premiere and discussion of My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage, the award winning documentary on black hair featuring Kim Fields, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Vivica A. Fox. Connect with the film’s director, Regina Kimbell, fans and a panel of experts for a community discussion on the historical, professional and personal accounts of the black hair journey. Sponsored by the Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center. For further information call 954-262-5477.
[...] And take a minute to check Afrobella’s take. [...]
Thanks for posting this Bella… I’ve been posting in my own blog about this from time to time, and I think it’s a good thing Chris Rock did this. He for one, is doing the right thing by his daughter.
I’m not sure if anyone mentioned this before, but there is a MARVELLOUS documentary available for free on YouTube by Aron Ranen. The link to it is in my blog entry on it:
http://www.thegoddessroom.com/index.php?option=com_wordpress&Itemid=94&p=451
I can’t wait to see this documentary!
I am excited about this documentary. I have now reached the point where I have worn my hair in the natural state longer than in the “unnatural” state. My daughters have always had natural hair and have thick locs. They have never asked about the beauty of their hair. They know it…I always tell them how beautiful they and their hair are..I didn’t think about it until reading this thread. They never flinch and trust me, other kids have tried to test and make comments about their hair, to no affect…They just know.
Im so happy, im crying!
As soon as I heard about this film, I knew it was something that I would want to see. I can’t wait.
[...] his daughter asking about her hair check out the article by afrobella and check out the comments Good Hair, According to Chris Rock | afrobella Think outside of the box…Think in spirit Act as if it were impossible to [...]
I would love to see this movie. I have always and still remain concerned about how beautiful Black women (and men play an important part as well)often deny our true heritage particularly our natural hair and fail to teach our children the beauty in who we are. I am disheartened by young people & even younger children degrading one another if their hair isn’t straight and/or long. I hate to see young children with extensions, a weave or even an added piece like a ponytail. We more than whites tend to place an emphasis looking more Eurocentric than whites do. Even models, singers, celebrities who started out with their natural style have gone straight. I’m all for diversity and I feel we have the most creativity when it comes to our hair but to fixate on just one look is denying who we really are. Wouldn’t it be nice if we were all just ourselves.
Ooooooh my GOD! I have been waiting for this for months! I heard about this first on Oprah and I thought it was an amazing concept. I love the whole good hair/bad hair argument. Chris Rock is fantastic and I know this is gonna be great.
Yes, planning to see it.
Look, in case we do not want to face the sad reality…people still talk about good hair and bad hair among our young people and it is a shame. I work in a middle school and more than half of the girls wear weaves on a regular basis. They do not know any better. They do not like their hair, they do not like themselves. They like people who have hair that less kinky. This type of film can be something to help young black girls and hopefully teach them at an early age, like my parents taught me, there is no such thing as good hair. Hair is hair, that’s it. Be glad if God blessed you with some and if you do have any be glad for that too.
It seems like this good hair/bad hair debate would be dead in our society but unfortunately it is not. This film will not solve the problem but hopefully if you can expose young people to some ideas that make them reconsider how they think about themselves then maybe, it was worth it!
Do you know how I can order this movie to show my little girl and her friends…
This hair is very manageable when you know what to do. If you want to an effective simple routine for this hair type, go to my website, and print out the instructions.
If you want to see an example of well cared for “kinky” hair, google Stephanie Suthers. I’m planning to feature more women like her on my site in the coming months, if they agree to interviews.
Take Care
GOOD HAIR WILL REMAIN AS GOOD HAIR. BAD HAIR HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY INTERFERING WITH CHEMICALS OFCOURSE! SO THESE TWO TERMS REMAIN ACTIVE FOR AS LONG AS WE STILL HAVE RELAXERS AND ALL.
PERSORNALLY I LOVE MY LONG NATURAL HAIR, IT’S SEXY WELL TAKEN CARE OFF BY MY SISTERS IN SOUTH AFRICA, THEY EVEN USE SHAMPOO SPECIALLY MADE FOR MY NATURAL CROWN AT JABU STONE SALON.
I AM SO SEEING THIS MOVIE!
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