"Good Hair" Dorm Film Post

On Monday night some classmates and I watched, “Good Hair.” I will be completely honest, being the only bi-racial girl in the group I was really nervous to go see this film and I had my doubts as to how my fellow classmates would react. I am pleased to report that the dorm film experience was informative, friendly, and not at all awkward.

After Chris Rock’s daughter asked him why she didn’t have good hair, Chris took on the journey across the world to gather information on the pressures put on African American women as they strive to get the stereotypical “good hair”. This movie is a funny commentary yet a well-researched study about the true racist attitudes towards African American’s hair and what it has caused. My perspective of this movie was thoroughly influenced by my own ethnicity. I myself have asked my mother why I had to get the type of hair I have instead of her silky blond hair. I am an African- American and Caucasian mix and therefore have incredibly curly hair that comes with similar pressures and insecurities that African American women in this movie face. I was so shocked to watch about the amount of time, energy, money, and pain women got through on a weekly basis to get their hair from its natural “nappy” state to “good” quality, or straight. Women can do this by getting their hair relaxed which is a chemical process that is time-consuming, expensive, painful, and unhealthy for your hair. Processes like this start at the young age of only three years old. Chris Rock also does research on weaves and how very expensive they are and where the hair comes form. The information was simply appalling.

After reading several film reviews I saw how the general public viewed this film. One critique, Jenifer Merrin, stated that according to the film, “People with 'good hair' (i.e. straight hair) get better jobs, are more popular, and have better sex lives. On the flip side, 'Nappy' hair is ugly. 'Nappy' hair is also black.” Statements like this are sad but this is indeed the theme that the movie portrays to its audience. Another reviewer, Jeannette Catsoulis says, “One of the happy consequences of “Good Hair” should be a radical increase in white-women’s empathy for their black sisters.” Being mixed I do know what it is like to be defined by your hair. In this movie good hair is defined as straight hair and the implications of this give into a billion dollar industry. This film certainly opened my eyes and I vow to not be judgmental of African American women’s hair now that I know the severity of what they have to go through in order to avoid judgment.