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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Chris Rock: What is “Good Hair”?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At last week’s Sundance Film Festival, actor-comedian Chris Rock got a lot of buzz with a new documentary he produced for HBO Films titled “Good Hair.” Turns out Rock spent some time in Atlanta working on the piece, with the Bonner Bros. hair show being featured prominently.
Rocks says he actually came up with the idea to do the film more than 10 years ago when the hair show coincided with a stand-up tour stop in Atlanta. (The next Bonner Bros. show actually runs next month Feb. 21-24)
In the documentary, Rock explores culturally what “good hair” is and the lengths that black women will go to have it. From weaves to permanent relaxers, black hair products are a multi-billion dollar industry that reaches as far as India, another place Rock visited for the film.
Several celebrities are featured in the piece as well, including activist Al Sharpton, actors Raven-Symone and Nia Long, poet Maya Angelou and rapper Ice T. Rock also spent time visiting hair salons and high schools talking to women about their hair issues.
It’s a conversation that black women have been having amongst themselves for years. The impact that hair has on their lives is enormous. In addition to simply managing it, there are issues of self-esteem (remember India Aire’s song “I am not my Hair”), health (an exercise workout can kill a black woman’s hairdo….) and societal approval (a struggle that Rock says his own daughters also deal with).
What do you think of the comedian’s decision to this documentary? Will he be able to enlighten a broad audience? Also, have you had to have the “what is good hair” conversation with your daughters, friends or co-workers?
