No, Beyonce’s hair is not real! A review of the new movie, Good Hair
by Lena Benson on December 17, 2009 in Culture
Chris Rock’s Michael Moore-like documentary on the black hair industry in America is more than something to laugh at. Sure, the previews highlight the over-the-top hair shows one might find in the dirty South (where I lovingly call home) and the witty one-liners he cracks in neighborhood barbershops, but Rock’s film also reveals as side of the Black hair debate that is more than skin deep (pun intended).
First off, this movie is educational and policy relevant. Rock does his research by pointing out that black hair is a $9 billion per year industry. Who gets this money? The movie digs deep to reveal a form of domestic exploitation as very few black-owned hair care companies are still in existence. Though many of the faces you see providing salon services are black, by far most manufactures and salon/retail store owners are white and Asian. These are the same owners that Rock interviews and hears them unapologetically state that consumers want smooth, “natural looking” hair; not coarse, curly hair from Africa. My question is, “where did they get this definition of ‘natural looking’”? Women, black and white alike, would agree that it takes more work than you think to get straight, trend-conforming hair.
Rock also enlightens us in Good Hair by candidly addressing the mysterious realm of hair care for black and multi-ethnic women. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of watching the “makeover” episode of America’s Next Top Model, Rock welcomes you to the wonderful world of weaves, extensions, the plethora of hair styling products, and most importantly, the relaxer (aka “creamy crack”). Through the testimonies of style icon, Nia Long; political leader and activist, Al Sharpton; and multifaceted entertainer, Raven Symone; we learn how absurdly expensive and addictive (literally) hair care can be, the danger associated with putting your body in contact with Sodium hydroxide or Ammonium thioglycolate (the chemicals found in relaxers), and the pressure that even 3-years olds face to alter their appearance for the sake of having “good hair.”
Now we know. Chances are every African or African-American woman you see on TV and in the movies has endured the burn of a chemical relaxer or multiple hours in a chair to sew in fake hair. “Why don’t they just sport their hair in its natural state?” you ask. Even the panel of black, female high school seniors interviewed in the film disclosed that they feel natural black hair or dreadlocks are a huge disadvantage when interviewing for a job or interacting with majority society.
So if I can’t grow it and must buy it, where does this “good hair” come from? If it is not synthetic or from the mane of a horse (yes, many weaves are) then chances are it is from India. Countless Indians make pilgrimages to temples every year and sacrifice their locks in return for blessings or to give thanks for recent fortune. Shaving their hair off is meant to be a symbol of rejecting vanity. It seems pretty ironic then that most of this hair is then sold to make wigs and weaves that cost upwards of $1,000 in the US.
So in conclusion, Good Hair is worth seeing regardless of your gender or grooming habits. And the next time you wonder why Condoleezza Rice doesn’t care enough about her appearance to work with Beyonce’s or Oprah’s stylist, realize that the answer is simple: she has better things to spend money on than a $1,000+ wig.
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LMAO at the weak attempt at a clever tie in by putting Beyonce in the title and the closing statement. Weak review for a decent documentary.
For the record, Condi doesn’t share Beys stylist because Condi could spend her entire fortune on hair and it wouldn’t make up for the gap…hair is o Lu hair, it’s not the stuff miracles are made of.