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Key Social Issues • Acceptance of Black hair is the key social issue presented. This is mainly from a Black woman's standpoint. Throughout the documentary you can see young Black girl's who have been psychologically trained to think that perms/relaxers should be used by everyone. It is clear that this stigma is very prevalent in the Black community which roots to a bigger problem of self acceptance. Countless people don't deem themselves to have "good hair" due to their more kinky hair texture. For that reason, they've sought out ways to alter their kinky natural hair into a straighter texture. This has been achieved through weaves, chemical relaxers and many heat styling tools. As Al Sharpton said it is "economic exploitation."
Cinematography • The filmmaker used a large variety of images and interviews. Many celebrities such as Maya Angelou, Nia Long, Al Sharpton, Raven Symone, Melissa Ford, Ice- T, Andre Harrell, Meagan Good, Eve, KRS-1, and T-Pain were interviewed sharing their views and experiences with Black hair. The filmmaker also incorporated interviews in local community barbershops and salons in which African Americans shared their hair processes and phobias especially dealing with Black women's hair. They even went so far as to show a scientific demonstration as to what sodium hydroxide (the chemical used in relaxer) can do to aluminum can when dipped in for certain periods of time. It removed all the can's layers. The Bronner Bros hair convention added a very nice touch to the documentary highlighting the pride in African American hairstyles.
Biasis? The filmmaker himself did not deliberately present one side of an issue, however their were a few interviewees who displayed some blatant biases. I took note of this toward the end of the documentary when Chris Rock went to several beauty supply stores and presented them with "African Hair" to see if they would stock or buy it. The Asian owners looked at it in disgust and when asked if their stores carried "Black/African Hair/Weave" they denied. One African American employee even responded by saying that Black hair isn't in or trendy. While sad, I couldn't help but think of how the media has influenced Blacks to believe that their natural hair isn't preferred to be seen. For decades our standard of beauty has been defined by European standards.
Additional Links Lingering Questions Additional Links • After watching the film, I was left wondering why India was the only country they showcased that exports hair. I also wanted to know who were the primary Black owners in the Black hair industry. • http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/oct/25/tangled-issue-g/ • http://madamenoire.com/241716/miss-me-with-the-good-hair-comments-please-embracing-my-hair-on-my-own-terms/ • http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/homestyle/11/04/o.chris.rock.good.hair/ • http://www.treasuredlocks.com/black-hair-care-industry.html • http://columbianewsservice.com/2013/02/americas-booming-market-for-human-hair/
Impact of film • Viewing this documentary Good Hair has impacted my growth as a 21st Century learner and global citizen in many ways. Through the film I was shown the different levels as to which hair resonates with individuals around the world. In India hair is considered a vanity and removing it is an act of sacrifice. That differs greatly with my culture where our hair mainly serves as a circuit for self-esteem. Now I’ll look more into things from a global perspective.
