Is Black hair Black people’s business? - "Good Hair" Chris Rock documentary

Before I had even seen the trailer of ‘Good Hair’ or even heard the title ‘Good Hair’ I was exited to see it. Anything with Chris Rock in it is bound to be hilarious and that’s exactly what this documentary was. Very informative and educational too, I must add. I discovered more hazardous side effects of relaxing Black hair. Thankfully I haven’t gone through the gruesome ordeal of perming my hair for the last three years. For the ladies out there (and probably gentlemen as well): make sure to cover your nose when using this creamy poison if your lungs are dear to you. Make sure it doesn’t touch your scalp, because IT WILL LEAK through your hair follicles and land on your skull developing gangrene –scientifically proven. And please, please, please… DO NOT use it on young girls –anything under the age of sixteen! Especially little girls are not fond of it and you guessed it! It is very bad for their growing heads and lungs.



Moving on, I also learnt that even baby Indian girls hairs are shaven to make weaves from them, although the length should be between 10” and 14”… Indian women are invited to the cinema to enjoy their hair being cut-off. And if they want to wake up with their long locks, they better cover their heads when sleeping!

Besides from the ridiculous Bronners Brother hair show in the United States Chris Rock briefly mentions the stigma of having natural hair in the Black community. Five permed and one natural graduating college students are asked about the job market and employers’ views on hair. These girls call themselves friends, but one had the audacity to inform her natural friend: “I think your hair is cute and all, but I wouldn’t employ someone wearing a suit with an Afro. It’s a contrast.”
What a bold thing to say, especially concerning your ‘friend’. However, this is only a mild example of what some Black people have to say about those wearing their hair without chemical applications or foreign-grown hair. Unfortunately, Chris did not go deeper into these issues. It would have been good, because daughters have even been disowned by their mothers for going natural.















What shocks me most is that the Black hair industry has little to do with Black people. Once again we are at the other end, spending our salaries, but benefiting other communities. The majority of manufacturing companies of relaxers are White-owned and as we all know, most Black hair shops are owned by Asians. Mr Dudley, one of the mere four Black manufacturers noted that Black people would be naked if they had to take off everything created by other communities. Except for their hair -if Black people are using Dudley’s relaxers, that is… Nevertheless, he makes a good point. Surely we as Blacks should be more in control and owning things that have to do with us, right? This would empower us so much. It works for the Asian community and it’s the only thing the White community has ever known. And if we do, please let it be something that is mentally and physically healthy for both Black people and those of other races. Caribbean and African restaurants for example, are fortunately still Black-owned and everyone can enjoy our food.

Mr Dudley has also been kind enough to look past his fortunes and establish schools and colleges for the Black community. Although his curriculum consists of mainly Black hair craft, it is still a step in the right direction. Upon graduation his students even wear gowns to make them feel proud of themselves. With more Black entrepreneurs like Dudley and even the Bronners Brothers we would definitely own all that is ours and be as successful as other communities.











By Aichel
Adinkra Films

10 November 2009