Good Hair Documentary Featuring Chris Rock
Film Examines Black Women's Obsession with Relaxed, Straight Hair
Oct 23, 2009
Good Hair is a 2009 documentary, made by comedian Chris Rock, which reflects upon the fiscally lucrative, multi-million dollar black hair care industry and the extremes to which many black women will go in efforts to achieve chemically altered, relaxed, and/or straightened hair.
The documentary is heavily tongue-in cheek, with Chris Rock conducting comical, yet sometimes honest and revealing, interviews with pop culture celebrities (Salt-N-Pepa, Ice-T, Eve, Nia Long, Maya Angelou) and private citizens in hair supply shops, and in African American beauty parlors and barber shops throughout the country. Chris Rock even ventures as far as India (the Mecca, so to speak, for hair that is used to create costly weaved hairstyles), all in an entertaining attempt to unearth and provide insight into the rationale behind the near obsession some black women seem to have with obtaining straight, “good hair.”
Good Hair Controversy
The centuries old debate over good hair versus bad hair is deeply rooted in American history. Many believe that slaves and persons of African racial heritage were convinced to esteem themselves as less attractive than Europeans, or not as physically acceptable as white Americans. These negative messages also promoted disparaging attitudes towards natural, African hair.
While there is no innate, structural difference between black (African) hair and caucasian (European) hair, the idealized Western standard of beauty, propagated by a dominant culture, has long rested with the latter. For generations, Americans of African descent have taken great measures to straighten the hair and remove the curly wave pattern so they would be more readily accepted in white society. This was one way of achieving physical assimilation, accomplished by having "good hair".
Sodium Hydroxide Relaxers
Though there are several ways to achieve straight hair (combing the hair with a hot, iron comb, for example), Good Hair primarily explores the chemical process, which involves 'relaxing' the hair by drastically altering the inner layer of the shaft with a topical application of manufactured chemical products called relaxers. These products often contain harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (lye) or the less potent alternative, guanidine hydroxide, to make the hair straight, elongated and smooth.
Chris Rock’s documentary (reportedly inspired by the dismay the comedian/actor's 3 year old daughter expressed at not having good hair) delves into various aspects of this specific hair care phenomena. For instance, Rock contemplates the vast amounts of money black women spend to attain this sought-after relaxed hairstyle, with one hairstylist who provides a lay-away plan for her customers. Rock is also incredulous about the hours upon hours women devote to hair care and style maintenance.
In one eye-opening sequence, Chris Rock wonders why black women would accept the discomfort and risks of scalp burns that could result from the use of sodium hydroxide relaxers, a substance which the films shows as capable of completely disintegrating a soda can.
Chemical-Free, African-Centric Hair
Not all African American women chemically relax their hair, or even seek the straight-look with the assistance of glued on, or sewed on extensions or weaves. Many black women maintain their hair in African ethnic styles such as twists, dreadlocks, corkscrews, cornrows, or in the kinky, naturally tight-curled “afro” look. All these hairstyles are often absent of any extreme, chemical treatment and are considered a reflection of pride in African heritage. Conversely, wearing hair this way is often viewed as a radical statement.
But these women are not the focus of Chris Rock’s film. When he could be exploring the full range of hairstyle choices, and the reasons behind these decisions, the filmmaker is more concerned with having fun in a clownish fascination with black women and their pursuit of good hair through the relaxer and hair weave methods.
Serious Topic For Discussion
Chris Rock misses an excellent opportunity with this film to draw attention to far-reaching questions of historical, political, and social implications:
- Do the majority of black women prefer straight, European hair to their own naturally, kinky hair, or, are they giving in to an unspoken societal mandate?
- Is there an element of unconscious, internalized self-hatred in this choice, or are women of color simply expressing themselves individually?
- From Angela Davis, Erykah Badu, and Whoopie Goldberg to Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, what kind of statements are black women making with each hairdo?
- What compels some African American women, especially those who cannot afford it, to spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on hair?
Instead, the comedian commits too much time making fun about what could be a serious topic for discussion. From allowing viewers get a glimpse into the almost-bizarre world that is the Atlanta “Hair Battle Royal Show,” to joking it up with men in barber shops, Chris Rock’s Good Hair is a film that misses the mark, yet is still worthy of consideration on a whole host of levels.
About the Film
- Title: Good Hair
- Released: October 9, 2009
- Production Company: HBO Films
- Director: Jeff Stilson
- Producers: Chris Rock, Kevin O’Donnell, Nelson George
- Writers: Lance Crouther, Chuck Sklar
- Rated: PG-13
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