I’ve finally got a chance to see Chris Rocks Good Hair. I know I’m late.

After watching the movie my initial thought was “Good Try”. Come on, its Chris Rock did you expect a doctoral dissertation on the psychological issues black women have with hair. He went for the laughs with a side of facts and pertinent information.
Although it wasn’t an all encompassing analysis of black women and hair. Good Hair did a good job of bringing to light black women’s obsession with their hair and the monetary cost of their psychosis (my thoughts). Chris Rock only describes what good hair is to various people and lets their answers display the craziness.

The most informative part of the movie was when he went to India to see where all this Indian Yaki hair is coming from and how its collected. That was an eye opener how much money is made collecting and selling weave hair. I wish I could get that Indian connect, I would be the legal version of Frank Lukas getting his Heroine straight from Vietnam.
He goes through Perms and Weaves discussing the huge money machine behind both hair choices. In an interview with a chemist he discussed exactly what a relaxer is and its affects on the hair and scalp. No wonder the sisters don’t have edges any longer. (If you know you know if not ask a sister). On of the most telling parts was when he told the chemist (white) what women use to straighten their hair, the chemist was perplexed.

I thought it was interesting that he didn’t discuss women who Hot Comb and Press their hair, a choice that many black women make, which doesn’t need loads of chemicals. Growing up on the east coast I thought all black women permed their hair or had naturals, but since moving to Los Angeles I’ve found that because its so much less humid out here black woman have the option of Hot Combing their hair. Leading to much healthier and longer hair.

Chris Rock spent much too much time at the Bronner Bros. International Hair show in Atlanta and their craziness.
It would of been nice if he would of given a historical and cultural perspective as to why black people in general give such attention to their appearance in general. There was no mention of Madame CJ walker who built her fortune on black hair care products.
The issue with Black’s and their hair is a very deep one that runs to the core of our community. It doesn’t only affect women, black men also have a healthy obsession with their hair. Brothers spend a lot of money on hair cuts, shape ups, perms and curls just like women.
In the end I thank god my wife doesn’t have a weave or a perm.