THE FIRST HALF -- An older black woman who used to work at the News-Journal came in one day with a close-cropped natural hairdo flecked with gray.
I told her that her hair looked good, because it did. I've always thought short Afros were classy on black women, especially older ones.
America, apparently, does not agree. If my co-worker had been 30 years younger and seeking a corporate job, chances are good she'd have a better shot at landing it if her hair was long and straight.
Or so the women profiled and interviewed in "Good Hair" seem to think, and they don't have to look far to justify their obsession. As Toni Morrison wrote many years ago in "The Bluest Eye:" "Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window signs -- all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured."
"Good Hair," a fascinating, funny and sobering documentary hosted and co-written by Chris Rock, follows the flowing hair -- the white European ideal -- from neighborhood salons to an extravagant competition to hair-cutting rituals in India.
Through it all, we see 4-year-old girls with sodium hydroxide burning their scalp "because you're supposed to." We see men reluctant to talk about their women's hair, or its cost and hands-off status. We see Asian-owned companies reaping most of the hair care profits.
But mostly, we see Rock, in his unique and chatty style, bringing out the humor and humanity of this everyday occurrence. Four Hearts.
THE BETTER HALF -- "Good Hair" opened in larger cities several weeks ago, so I've seen Chris Rock numerous times on TV discussing his new documentary, which he co-wrote and narrates.
On Oprah, some of the black women were already on Rock's case without even seeing the film. They were afraid they were going to be exposed and negatively portrayed about the lengths they go to in altering their natural hair texture.
I'm paraphrasing here, but Rock basically said not to worry. First and foremost, he set out to make an entertaining movie infused with facts but not to humiliate or further divide anyone. I'd say he succeeded.
"Good Hair" runs the gamut from funny and enlightening -- like no swimming or touching a black woman's hair -- to the very serious -- like purchasing $1,000 and up weaves over basic necessities. He's not too harsh or judgmental.
As Rock criss-crosses from L.A. to Atlanta to India and back, and interviews celebrities Nia Long, Ice-T, Eve, Salt N' Pepa, Maya Angelou and Al Sharpton to name a few, we learn just what a big business trying to achieve so-called good hair is.
While showing everything from harsh relaxers that will eat through metal to expensive weaves, Rock explores some of the sociological and psychological reasons behind women and their quest for perfect locks.
As someone who lost her hair for several years to chemo in her early 20s, I certainly know the importance hair can hold. But as Rock surmises, it would be nice if we could all concentrate a little more on what's in our head instead of what's on it. Four Hearts.
Until next time, keep walking down the aisle .¤.¤. Married to the Movies.
I told her that her hair looked good, because it did. I've always thought short Afros were classy on black women, especially older ones.
America, apparently, does not agree. If my co-worker had been 30 years younger and seeking a corporate job, chances are good she'd have a better shot at landing it if her hair was long and straight.
Or so the women profiled and interviewed in "Good Hair" seem to think, and they don't have to look far to justify their obsession. As Toni Morrison wrote many years ago in "The Bluest Eye:" "Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window signs -- all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured."
"Good Hair," a fascinating, funny and sobering documentary hosted and co-written by Chris Rock, follows the flowing hair -- the white European ideal -- from neighborhood salons to an extravagant competition to hair-cutting rituals in India.
Through it all, we see 4-year-old girls with sodium hydroxide burning their scalp "because you're supposed to." We see men reluctant to talk about their women's hair, or its cost and hands-off status. We see Asian-owned companies reaping most of the hair care profits.
But mostly, we see Rock, in his unique and chatty style, bringing out the humor and humanity of this everyday occurrence. Four Hearts.
THE BETTER HALF -- "Good Hair" opened in larger cities several weeks ago, so I've seen Chris Rock numerous times on TV discussing his new documentary, which he co-wrote and narrates.
On Oprah, some of the black women were already on Rock's case without even seeing the film. They were afraid they were going to be exposed and negatively portrayed about the lengths they go to in altering their natural hair texture.
I'm paraphrasing here, but Rock basically said not to worry. First and foremost, he set out to make an entertaining movie infused with facts but not to humiliate or further divide anyone. I'd say he succeeded.
"Good Hair" runs the gamut from funny and enlightening -- like no swimming or touching a black woman's hair -- to the very serious -- like purchasing $1,000 and up weaves over basic necessities. He's not too harsh or judgmental.
As Rock criss-crosses from L.A. to Atlanta to India and back, and interviews celebrities Nia Long, Ice-T, Eve, Salt N' Pepa, Maya Angelou and Al Sharpton to name a few, we learn just what a big business trying to achieve so-called good hair is.
While showing everything from harsh relaxers that will eat through metal to expensive weaves, Rock explores some of the sociological and psychological reasons behind women and their quest for perfect locks.
As someone who lost her hair for several years to chemo in her early 20s, I certainly know the importance hair can hold. But as Rock surmises, it would be nice if we could all concentrate a little more on what's in our head instead of what's on it. Four Hearts.
Until next time, keep walking down the aisle .¤.¤. Married to the Movies.
