We’re in week two of our countdown of stories that shaped the images of black women in popular culture. We’ve chosen a dozen stories (the good, the bad and the ridiculous) that captured our attention in 2009. Here’s the story that made our hot list today:
#3: The Creamy Crack Debate (aka “The Politics of Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” originally published October 9, 2009) Read the full story
Chris Rock’s new documentary, “Good Hair,” finally hit theatres nationwide last weekend, so black women across the country are undoubtedly still discussing the politics of hair. I’ve experienced more than 20 years of hair reinventions, from the 14-inch, layered partial weave I sport today to the two big country plaits my Liberian mother braided into my hair when I was in elementary school. On other occasions, my cousin would make square parts all over my head and make single braids out of my very short, very coarse hair. You probably would’ve mistook me for one of Coolio’s children back then, but my childhood hairstyles never became the source of hot-button debate—my hair was never political. But for 4-year-old Zahara Jolie-Pitt, the adopted daughter of Brad and Angelina, her hair has become as political as the debate over healthcare. Read the full story
So Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair” is finally opening today (at least in some places). I saw it a couple of weeks ago at the Urbanworld Film Festival but I wanted to wait until it was about to hit theaters to offer my two cents. In the meantime, every Tom, Dick and Mary wants in on the ‘good hair’ discussion. Before I weigh in on the film I’ll just say this: overall we haven’t exactly been supportive of the documentary genre but Rock may have gone a long way to changing people’s minds. Those promos and radio spots makes you want to see this flick. In my opinion, it’s a must-see because it’s laugh out loud hilarious. But it also makes you think about we’re willing to do to look good. Read the full story
Yesterday, The Hollywood Reporter announced that a couple of well known folks have signed up to be a part of a new movie called “Will You Be My Black Friend?”. Oprah and her Harpo Productions will back the film and it will star Chris Rock. Lionsgate (who was smart enough to get in bed with Tyler Perry early) have already secured the distribution rights. Before you start worrying that Rock might write this himself (which has a 50-50 chance of being good) you should know that the movie will be based on a story written by Devin Friedman in GQ last year. Read the full story
Sisters, we all know that when it comes to our hair, we do not always agree on why we make the choices we do. That’s because for many of us our tightly wound coils (which we wear naturally or chemically alter) can be a political, cultural, historical, or intensely personal matter. And don’t forget that hair can be a fashion statement too. Well, get ready y’all because comedian Chris Rock has decided to put our business out on the street in his new documentary called “Good Hair,”— which is being described as a hilarious examination of the cultural pressures that prod blacks into costly, often painful methods to care for their hair. The film made its debut at the Sundance earlier this month. The audience loved it (but remember the film festival has mostly white attendees so they probably found the whole thing educational). Read the full story
