Good Hair

So over the weekend I took some time out of my busy schedule to go catch a flick. I had been wanting to see Chris Rock's movie Good Hair since I heard that it was coming out. Being a conscious individual I thought that the documentary would shed some light on the industry of African American hair care. I won't ruin the movie for you if you haven't seen it but it is definitely enlightening. Chris Rock took a historical perspective and a cultural context exploring nearly every facet of the business and culture from hair care manufacturing plants to barbershops to Korean-owned hair stores. The notion that majority of black hair care companies and businesses are dominated by Korean and Caucasians is addressed in addition to many other factors where Ujamaa is not practiced.

Before I walked into the theater my mindset of the subject was from a close minded perspective. I thought that weaves, perms, relaxers, and outrageous hairstyles stemmed from women's own personal insecurities and self-esteem issues. In that same sense, I felt that women did not think they were beautiful just as they are in their natural state and may feel the need to explore ways to enhance their natural beauty. After talking to some of my good friends and seeing the movie Good Hair I actually thought differently about the matter. As far women putting harmful chemicals in their hair that could blind you if a tiny drop fell in your eye... I just can't get with that nor understand it. Women go to wild extents to straighten their hair or alter their appearance. Too much of anything is never good and being ostentatious reaps little prosperity. Everyone's perception on the matter is going to be different but at the end of the day it's about how you feel about yourself. Adding hair, tattoos, piercing, make up, or generally altering ones appearance is a personal matter not to be criticized by other people. If you get a chance see the movie. It may be the most informative one you see this year.