Good Hair, According to Chris Rock
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!
Category: Famous Faces, Hair, Issues
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- links for 2009-01-23 « Afrodescendiente | January 23, 2009
- Links - 2009-01-27 at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture | January 27, 2009
- Chris Rock produces documentary called "Good Hair" - The BN Village | January 31, 2009
I do want to see the film…I’m excited about it. I hope we eventually come to the point that if you have ANY hair, it’s all GOOD hair. We should embrace it all.
I can tell Chris Rock exactly why his daugther asked the question…LOL Because she sees her mama in FULL WEAVE every day…of course she would question her own hair!
Nikki went there…lol
Bella, if you log into NP and check out the Napptural Hair forum, there’s a thread discussing this movie and it includes a post from a woman who recently attended a screening.
I would like to see this movie. I think it is great that Chris did this, so many black women need to see this movie.
I definitely wanna check this out…not that it’s telling me something I don’t already know, all of us Black womyn have been there, on one side of the fence or the other, at some point in our lives…
Good looking out Bella….
@Nikki, funny, funny, & true.
@LBell, I’m gonna check that Nappturality thread out….
Peace.
Wow @ Nikki. LOLOL. I think it’s an interesting concept. I’d be glad to see the film when it comes out.
This is a great effort by Chris Rock, I hope this gets the push it needs so people know about the film.
I believe the the hair thing DOESN’T go beyond wanting to achieve Eurocentric ideals of desirability. We as women want to look our best no matter where we live. But, here in America, we all know what the real deal is. White people run the companies and they control the money. White people are scared of African American being themselves, because this would mean less money and less power for them. Yadda, Yadda, Yadda. We all know what the answer is. Yes, there are different problems and ideologies that stem from the root, however, the ROOT of the problem is still the same. We as black people care too much about what white people think. Period. If any one would try to say the root of the problem does not always to back to that, then I believe they are in deep denial. So I’m interested to see if Chris Rock really explores this from the root and beyond or if he just reveals that he thinks it’s about money now, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Yes, I definitely want to see this film. My own daughter has asked me that question and she’s only 4.
“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!
I agree with the other poster. I hope he started this inquiry with his wife and her breast length weave. I don’t have anything against women who perm or weave but honestly, she is their female role model and if she won’t be seen in public without hair from India on her head then of course the girls are going to think that their own pretty thick hair isn’t presentable or “good.” I will be very disappointed if he doesn’t address this issue.
Whenever the topic of “good hair” would make its way into our household, my daddy would say if its stuck to your head, its good hair. “Stuck” meaning by God, not by glue thread or otherwise, no hating cuz I love a good wig and a head full of braids down to the ankles
I would love to see this film. I feel sad for the little Lola and can only imagine where she got her hair standards from, watching mom? kids at school? TV? Its touching how he took this personal crisis and is using it to try to heal women/girls who deal with this issue.
I really want to see this movie. I know it’s going to be tongue-in-cheek, but the topic is so weighted. I think it’s going to be a good look at the issue.
Thanks for this afrobella…And regarding the ‘new era of change,’ I guess the verdict is still out on how long the Obama daughters can go with natural hair. Fingers crossed.
I was happy to see that Auma Obama (Barack’s sister) rocked locks at the inauguration.
It is truly ashame the way that society has tarnished the true image of beauty: hair & body. Look at this young sista, already caught up in this foolishness.
Okay went to the link of the film…and the little one is getting a perm? I had one at that age too. I hope Chris takes a peek inside a natural hair salon and sees what women do to their hair when it’s not chemically straightened. That may broaden his perspective a little farther.
@ Nikki: I was just about to post on this. Malaak (I think that’s her mother’s name?) was on this panel on CNN a while back talking about little girls’ standards of beauty and she said her daughter asked her why isn’t my hair straight like (mixed-race friend)? Malaak said well your hair is beautiful too. It really turned me off because this woman obviously has no idea how much daughters emulate their mothers at times and look up to them and see them as a standard of beauty to pursue. As Malaak was saying this, she had about, I’d say 4 packs of weave in (this may be a conservative estimate
).
I CANNOT wait to check out this film. I live in Louisiana, and the concept of colorism and “Good Hair” runs deep around here. I know of entire families who will not marry or befriend anyone dark skinned in fear that it would taint the blood line. I will be glad when the concept of good hair and skin color preferences just go away. Good hair is on your head, bad hair is on the floor. Peace bellas.
I would love to see this film. I have a LOT to say about this subject but I don’t have the strength as of yet, being as how I’m trying to work and all that. But Nikki’s comment is hilarious and so on point!
Have any of you confirmed that his wife wears a weave? Or, are you assuming that a black woman can’t possibly have long hair? If it’s the latter, you will need more than this film to make peace with. I have long hair. Is it a crime? Or, will that bring more hate along with my fair complexion?
In addition, I would like to see his film. Hopefully, he adds the aforementioned “hatred” in the film.
I don’t think that anyone says that Chris Rock’s wife can’t possibly have long hair. I think what everybody who has mentioned the weave/non weave thinks is that Mrs. Rock wears her hair long and straight and should not be surprised when her daughter who has beautiful afro puffs wants hair that is, well, long and straight.
Really Chris?
I’m am so tired of the black community analyzing and digesting what the bc considers beauty, “good” hair, colorism, yada, yada, yada.
The folks that should run to see this pretentious movie are those that are rocking the weaves and sitting their 2 and 3 year old kids down slapping that creamy crack in their head.
Side note: And the ones that should be sitting in the front row are the fathers, and brothers of those little girls. They’re the ones instigating and perpetrating the stigmas in the bc!
To be quite honest, I know several black women, fair and not fair, who have long hair. And actually I don’t care if it’s natural or a weave, it’s not my head, and I can certainly admire it if it’s healthy without feeling envy or “hate”. I think the issue for most people on this blog is that it seems some people feel like you HAVE to have long, straight hair in order to be as pretty as possible and without it, well, you’re not as pretty as you could be. Evidently that’s a fact still or his little girl wouldn’t have come to him with that question. I would love to see this movie because of its historical perspective and how the feeling ties into the hair care industry; it seems a lot of research went into it, and I love history. I would be interested as well in seeing a movie about the feeling some Asian women have about their eyes and the eyelid surgery some have undergone. History and how it shapes us still is fascinating to me.
As much as I LOVE Chris Rock (he’s the best comedian ever), I have mixed feelings about this film. Nevertheless I think I still will see it.
First off, it feels like this is a film to educate white people because this is an issue that we are fully aware of as black women. An forgive me for forgetting the name but wasn’t there already a documentary movie made about the black hair industry? I guess I’m skeptical about its purpose. If its to create dialogue, guess what – we already DO that! On Afrobella, hair forums and in beauty salons.
Next I fully agree that he should start by examining his wife’s feelings about her hair and her choice to wear weaves. We don’t need a movie about the hair salons, we need a movie about HOLLYWOOD! Why does Beyonce drape herself in horse-mane? Why does Tyra slap weaves on just about every aspiring model under the auspices of mentorship?
And to Honeybrown1976 -there’s nothing wrong with having long, straight hair. But if you think that women can sew/glue long locks without sisters being able to tell, think again. You can always tell!
So again, this film seems like a good idea but I’m not sure about the point. It will probably be popular at Sundance and enlightening to non-blacks but I’m not so interested in their perceptions of us (unless of course it means more appreciation for natural ladies in the workplace and for God’s sake on television).
I am truly excited for this. I had to have a little chat with my seven-year-old cousin about this subject during Christmas break when she said something to me regarding straight hair vs. nappy/curly/wavy hair that made me want to scream at my aunt for giving her a perm in the first place.
I have nothing against relaxers – I mean, I relax mine because I have a lot of hair and dealing with it takes forever and a day – but she’s *SEVEN*. I was eleven when I got mine and I didn’t even want it because of horror stories I heard. Luckily, I still have healthy, full hair.
That question, “Why don’t I have good hair?” makes me want to cry, though…no little girl should be made to feel like she is inadequate because of some d*mn hair. Even though I was on the opposite end of the spectrum when it came to hair length, trust me, I had to deal with the B.S. too when it came to the poofy, *confused* texture. I just want to hug her!
Oh…I can’t wait to see this. “Good Hair” and Self Esteem: sounds good to me. Thanks Afrobella
nikki ha!
I want to see this film.
I don’t think anything will change regarding good vs bad hair because of Obama’s election.
If the wee michelles didn’t have a white grandmother I wonder if Michelle would have felt pressure to make their hair straighter. Remember the flack over the cornrows?
Had a convo. with a co-worker yesterday about this…
I’m on the fence about this one, as a black woman — and in the “age of Obama” — I think a lot of black comedians really need to re-consider what is/isn’t in good taste now more than ever…
The black community is on the world stage right now, and things can be taken out of context and perceived as “the gospel according to black folks” just b/c one well-known AA person said it…
I am def. interested in seeing the direction he takes with this and will support the project, but am also hoping that it is tastefully done.
I know this may be going off on a tangent, but I think it applies here, too…
Chris Rock did a stand up show were he stated that only three black people lived in his area. Jay-Z, MJB and his family. Which brings me to the conclusion that his children are surrounded by other child who look nothing like them.
I bet you all his children’s friends have long curly or straight hair and are white or have fair skin. It’s hard to look in the mirror and believe that you are beauty when no one around you looks like you.
I can only imagine the questions other kids ask them about their hair or skin. I’m 35 and I still have people ask me odd questions. “Why doesn’t your hair move when the wind blows” or the look of digust when you tell them that black folks usually only wash their hair once a week.
A few years ago a little white boy told me that he liked my hair then he asked “What kind of hair is it?” I died laughing his mother looked like she wanted to crawl under a rock.
It is interesting that practically everyone has stated an interest in seeing the film and their liking of Chris Rock. Well, I remember not too long ago when Chris Rock spoke very disdainfully of black women in interracial relationships. Not to mention he openly insulted our country’s first lady by saying a black women could never be first lady and that it would be a hindrance to Barack Obama in his quest to become President. Why in heavens name would black women run to support the film of such a despicable character? What is more, is it really a wonder why his daughters feel the way they do about their hair? Not only is their mother’s constant wearing of a weave (and trust me, black women know when it is a weave!)an issue, but let us not forget that her father’s outlook on natural haired black women may be influencing this too. I doubt Chris Rock of all black men was remotely interested in a dark skinned natural haired woman at all. Next on their plate is the issue of colorism because as far as I am concerned, his daughters look unapologetically black and are darker skinned than their mother. What does he propose to do then? Another documentary on the issue of colorism that is perpetuated by black men and women? If you ask me, no black women should spend a dime on seeing this film. It is not to educate us about a thing. It is to educate people who have no clue, and that is not black women. In addition, this issue is a very touchy thing that I believe Chris Rock is exploiting his daughter’s sensitive feelings for a profit. It sounds callous, I know. But, then again callous is a far cry from the stuff that comes out of Chris Rocks mouth. I won’t be seeing it at all, and urge others to do the same.
I think the people that are opposed to seeing the film and saying that black women already know about this, are just upset about getting our dirty laundy aired. I think we just don’t want to reiterate the power that white society has over most African
Americans. I believe a lot of us know, and A LOT of us do not know. The movie will be beneficial if it’s done right.
O.k. I tried to make a comment and an error occured. Let me sum it up…
I believe the women that are opposed to seeing the movie because black women already know about this, are disgruntled about letting our dirty laundry out. I think they don’t want to reiterate the power that white society has over most African Americans. I know for a FACT that a lot of black women DO NOT know about our hair and why certain people look at it and feel the way they do about it. This movie will be beneficial is done right.
Ooh wee. I’ll just say this — I hope Chris Rock and the people behind this film read this post. Because you bellas are airing out some issues they need to consider! I appreciate all of you for imparting your knowledge and opinions. Happy Friday!
I’ve seen Malaak a few times on tv. I’d bet my pinky toe she’s weaved up. No doubt. Too much makeup, too…but I digress.
My daughter is the reason I am natural. She has beautiful curly hair, but she didn’t like it ’cause it was different. She wanted it pressed or blown straight…even though black folks always complimented her “good hair” or stupidly asked if she’s “mixed.” Anyway, because mine was permed bone straight, she wanted straight hair. I said to her that my hair was permed because it wasn’t “good” like hers. My own words stung me just like the words I heard as a child. Felt like daggers in my heart.
From that moment on, I never permed again. My pretty child is fabulously curly and I’m deliciously nappy, going on 5 years now. It’s all good.
I would love to see this film. I grew up like Lola asking that question( because it was always compared o my mothers silky hair).Thankfully my mother didnt instill that BS in me about good hair. Now I just dont care and its all about what makes me comfortable.
Have any of you confirmed that his wife wears a weave? Or, are you assuming that a black woman can’t possibly have long hair? If it’s the latter, you will need more than this film to make peace with. I have long hair. Is it a crime? Or, will that bring more hate along with my fair complexion?
In addition, I would like to see his film. Hopefully, he adds the aforementioned “hatred†in the film.
Even if it isn’t weave. It is relaxed. FYI us naturals can have long hair too. My hair when flat ironed is two inches above my waist, right down the middle of my back. Relaxers and fair skin don’t equate to long hair.Being dark brings out hate too. You get hate from all colors of the spectrum within the black community, and lest not forget the history of brown paper bag tests within the black community which benefitted our fair skinned brothers and sisters.
Oh yes, I need to see this AND bring my babies to see it, too.
When my oldest was three, this lil caucaisian girl laughed at her beautiful afro, and it scarred her forever. I only recently got her to embrace her natural hair (she’s 13!) and it was just SAD that her self-esteem was wrapped around her hair.
And of course, it doesn’t help that my side of the family are Afro-Latinos with “Indian” hair… she was such a sad and frustrated little girl because of this and nothing I said or did consoled her.
I’m glad we worked through it, but wonder how many other moms have to go through this, too. Especially moms who are not African-American and have bi-racial babies.
Thank you Afrobella for this article. I want to see this movie already!
good hair is an opinion. there is no epitome of good hair. some people like curly, frizzy or straight. good hair what what you personally think is “good hair”. and unfortunately, it has been drilled into african americans head that “white people hair” or long shiny soft hair is “good hair” and that the sometime extremley frizzy or poofy hair of black people is “bad hair”. this is why we run to the hair salons chemically killing our hair by relaxing it every time we see an inch of frizz growing out or get our weave done every month. i personally feel as though “good hair” is thick manable hair. that is just my opinion. i wish us black women could one day be proud of our roots and heritage and stop killing ourselves to fit in. i love afrocentrics.
I’m really excited about this doc! I’d been hiding behind shoulder-length relaxed hair for 18 years, which I kept long because people would openly tell me that they didn’t think that dark-skinned black girls could grow their hair out. (WHAT?! I know) I thought I was proving a point or something.
I decided to go natural when my 7 year-old daughter started asking me to straighten her hair. She has adorable 3b hair and I am in LOVE with my 4c hair. Can’t keep my fingers out of it! It’s been an incredible journey for us to share and it’s made me more bold and has encouraged my daughter too.
At times, she says that she misses my long hair, but I remind her that I love my hair just the way it is and it’s MUCH healthier in it’s natural state.
I know chris rock can say some fowl things..I didn’t know he said that about our first lady. But at any rate I want to see the film. Maybe his involvement will open up black men’s eyes. I also know that so far everyone of you seem to be labeling this as an African American issue and it is not. All blacks all over the world deal with this..especially the men which i think is the most damaging. I will say that in certain cultures natural styles are more excepted and a few more men may find it desirable…that mental hold is still there as far as hair and colorism. but I’m sure everyone here knows that. Now as far as this being our ‘dirty laundry’ and the aspect of control the white perspective in the bc, I am not afraid of talking about it because that’s what needs to happen. I think it’s a byproduct of racism because of the belief that our hair is inherently inferior and of course it’s horrible when we take on these obsurd beliefs. Mental enslavement is just as horrible as physical. Maybe we are starting to wake up.. to that I say thank God! I hope. Chris Rock evaluate his way of thinking and that it played a role in his spouse choice.
Oh and I think the control of the white perspective in their own culture is damaging as well. There ideal of the blonde bombshell and the whole blonde/blue eyes combo still haunts them, especially when it comes to the beauty ideal. I swear as soon as some of these stars loose weight they run and dye their hair blonde and some use their hair as an excuse to take on the stereotypes of that hair color. Now a days everybody is trying to work and resolve the beauty issues but these are new developments and old habits/ideologies die hard.
Hello bellas & fellas
Does anyone know where I can view this film in the United Kingdom or online?
Many thanks in advance!
You know i think this whole ‘good hair’ debate only applies to women. I don’t ever remember that being said about men’s hair. I also think we can equate it with the beauty industry at large. If we can keep black women insecure about their hair they’ll spend a s**t load of money on products. And boy, don’t we.
I’m not a fan of Chris Rock’s but I’m curious about this film. I think it would be received better if it had been done by a black woman instead of a black comedian who says negative things about black women sometimes.
@ Anita Grant, I think this film is still in competition at the Sundance Film Festival. Here’s the link
http://www.sundancechannel.com/festival/
@mochachoc,
“You know i think this whole ‘good hair’ debate only applies to women. I don’t ever remember that being said about men’s hair.”
I don’t know that the notion only applies to women though. Look at all the texturizer kits for men at the store (S-curl, etc.), I mean even fine ass Denzel gets a texturizer, ya know?
Also, as many of us can attest, too many Black men are brainwashed into thinking that only women with straighter hair types/styles are optimally attractive. And that type of attitude affects us sistahs adversely too.
And I also know from personal experience that men are also affected by this “good” hair drama, cause the last guy I dated (Nigerian Brit) would always lament about his hair being too nappy. He’s an accomplished actor who gets constant validation about his looks, but yet, is so hesitant about letting his hair grow out beyond an inch or two. He’d marvel at my big fro & constantly compliment it, but when I would encourage him to let his own gain a few inches of growth, he had lovely kinks & curl patterns…he told me he was embarassed by his own tight curl pattern, which to me, looked wonderful…since I’ve had my fro, I always envy my natural friends with a kinkier/tighter hair pattern, it makes their fros look so much more dope…at least in my opinion. Mine is so soft, if I don’t twist it up, it just falls all over the place…guess we always want what we can’t have…
Props to Chris Rock for making such a corageous film!
This “good hair”/”nappy hair” s**t pisses me off. It is ignorant, poisonous and hateful propaganda to anatagonise people. ALL HAIR IS GOOD REGARDLESS OF TEXTURE! It’s one thing for white people to mock black people’s hair, but for GENERATIONS OF BLACK FAMILIES to deride kinky hair as undesirable is f***ing sickening. I have ABSOLUTELY NO sympathy for those self-hating, house negro mentality blacks, they are odious, disgusting, racist human beings. If they wanna brag about light skin and “good hair” why don’t they go off and work for a white man in his house just like in the days of slavery??? Apologies for not being politically correct but I just tell it like I see it. These f***s should be SOOOOOOOO lucky that they have the privelidge of living in a free, democratic society like America. If any of these self-loathing black women lived in Afghanistan, they’d forever be wearing a burkha (something no different from a sack) and no-one would care what they look like then since they’d become anonymous.
Black people have no right being upset at Don Imus’ comments when they’re the very ones who denigrate their own people in the most vile, hideous ways imaginable.
I guess the black women who rock their natural, kinky hair can rest east every night knowing that their hair actually belongs to them, as opposed to all them weave wearing b***es-for whom many horses were maimed just so they could glue that s**t into their scalps.
Preach Mandown! There’s a lot of truth in what you said.
As much as I want to see this film, I have hated the fact that Chris has constantly disrespected black women in his comedy! I was sooo upset after watching one of his standup shows, its disgusting and not funny. We get disrespected enough, told were not good enough so we certainly don’t need him adding fuel to fire. Plus he disrespected Michelle Obama of all people! Saying she is more ambitious/power hungry than Barack and she’ll never let him be the man etc. His comments were ridiculous considering that Michelle has been Barack’s backbone from the very beginning, she is a great role model for black women.
After hearing what Chris said I actually hate him now, and I used to love his shows before. Someday he’ll regret his comments when his daughters are crying over some guy who said they werent good enough just because theyre black and female- then he’ll realize how ridiculous he has been.
And I must add that the whole light/dark/good hair thing isnt just an american thing, my family are mostly west african and everytime someone has a baby the first thing they’ll check for is how light the child is, how soft their hair is, is their hair light and brown or is it dark blah blah blah. Its ridiculous. Thus I dont think its a slavery thing, I think black people can often be our biggest enemies.
I really want to see the movie too. To see what conclusions Chris comes to. I hope by the end, Lil’ Lola gets the self-esteem boost she needs.
Quick question, Mandown, I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or serious with the self-righteousness but I’m hoping it’s sarcasm.
Mandown, by all means speak your truth, but please I ask you keep it profanity free. I’m no prude, but I have a big readership of little afrobellas, plus my parents and in-laws read this blog. I’d rather keep this all as PG-13 as possible.
Never before have I done this, but I took the liberty of editing your comment with asterisks, because you added to the discourse. But I typically delete profanity-laden comments.
“‘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.