This is a topic which I thought, as a culture, and as cultures infused, and as diversity became more prevalent we kind of put behind us. Guess not. Chris Rock with the awesome documentary Good Hair challenges if we are really over the whole good hair/ bad hair complex and what does it generally mean? He was compelled to do the documentary after his daughter Lola came up to him crying saying “Daddy how come I don’t have good hair?” On Wednesday’s Oprah, Rock sat down to discuss the documentary and break down in a sense what the black community deems as having good hair. I was extremely shocked by the previews of African American actresses in the documentary pretty much worshipping their fake hair and saying it’s something that they can’t live with out. Solange also appeared to discuss how she felt imprisoned by her hair even spening $40,000 to 50,000 a year in maintenance and to address the backlash she received for cutting it all off. She admitted herself to be a victim in a sense, receiving her first chemical relaxer at just 4 year old!!
Recently, veteran top model, and talk show host, Tyra Banks dedicated a full hour of syndication to exposing weaves by showcasing her own natural tresses for the first time publicly.
Shortly after, black actress Joy Bryant penned a sarcastic essay for Essence pretty much shutting down Tyra Banks’ recent crusade against weaves. Here’s a snippet:
National Real Hair Day? I missed that one…In fact, on National Real Hair Day, I was calling Extensions Plus in L.A. to make sure they had enough of the 20” “relaxed roots” texture hair that I love oh so much (and that keeps selling out like crazy!), and making an appointment to get my hair, I mean, my weave, hooked up.So Tyra, while I didn’t take part in your observance, I just want to say: “WOW!” You are such a brave woman for breaking the chains that bound you since your teenage years! What courage that took, for you to expose yourself to millions of people! Such fearlessness!
Oh, how I wish I had the guts to do that. I guess I’m much too much of an insecure, self-loathing Negro for all that self-acceptance foolishness.
I’m glad we got down to solving the mystery of what’s under your lace-front, though. I mean seriously, it was “THE” question that has perplexed the world over. And now we see that there’s a beautiful head of hair underneath it all, hair that was surprisingly relaxed and ready for the world. Whodathunkit?! If I had the same length and fullness of hair that you have, I might take my weave out too.Ha!!!! I’m just playing! Even if I DID have your “real” hair, I’d still be wearing a few tracks or clip-ons up in there.Why?Because I’m straight weave fo life, kid!!!Ima ride ride wit this weave, die die with this weave!!Let me break it down for you:
See, I loooooove taking new hair out of the bag, combing through it with my fingers, holding it up with my two hands, and burying my face in it. Mmmm, mmmm, mmm! Nothing like a new batch of zig-zag curly to get your self esteem out of the dumps!The feeling of getting my hair, I mean, my weave done over. I feel human again. I feel sexy. I feel powerful. It makes me feel…it makes me feel…it makes feel like a natural woman!!!I can be whatever, whoever I want to be with the stroke of a sewing needle…With long brown tresses and a tan, I’m Pocahontas, ’cause I got Indian in my family. With easy waves, I AM bohemian rhapsody goddess personified. And now that I got blond highlights! What!? I know I look like Beyonce! You can’t tell me nothing! Uh oh, uh oh…
And then I looked up from my computer, and caught a glimpse in the mirror of my head minus the long weavy locks. I looked crazy! Awww hell naw! I looked over at the new batch of hair sitting off to the side waiting to join forces with me. Damnit, I’m trapped, I thought to myself. I can’t let it go. I am powerless over it. Just when I think I’m done, it pulls me back in!Now I guess I can get help for my self-loathing addiction.
I can learn to accept myself in my entirety. I can emancipate myself from that which keeps me locked-up. I can embrace the natural state of things.Yup, I can do all of that…But don’t hold your breath!Hi, my name is Joy, and I’m a weave-a-holic.
In light of the documentary, Upscale Magazine is planning a six page beauty spread of real women who possess outstanding characteristics that they find beautiful and empowering, but may otherwise be considered unattractive. Whether it be someone with freckles; a wild, thick, coarse afro; a large nose; skin as dark as onyx, a large derriere; gapped teeth; or legs that stretch for miles, this piece will show how beautiful black women are in a variety of packages, giving a loving nod to every sister who has ever been told that “she is pretty for a black girl. “If you or someone you know may be a fit, please send a photo (a glamour shot would be great!) and include your contact information, including phone number and the city in which you reside to Upscale Magazine, 600 Bronner Brothers Way, Atlanta, Georgia, 30310.
My two cents? Just like fake hair, you can put an extention on it to make it appear one way, but the root of it all will always exist. Regardless which side of the fence you stand on, we can’t deny that there is a real problem. Little Black girls are growing up thinking they’re ugly because they don’t have long silky hair. I remember in first grade taking school pictures, and I absolutely hated mine. Actually, it took me a while to like the way I looked in pictures period. Out of all the celebs who felt compelled to throw in their two cents I wholeheartedly agree with Solange. Joy Bryant, good for you, you’re beautiful, successful, and claim thousands of female and male fans, but does your rant really solve anything? It is time for us as a community to take responsibility and move forward in a new direction by putting forth positive images of self-love. I commend Chris Rock for bringing this issue to the forefront. The fashion industry is still suffering with only 4-5 new Black recognizable faces, and they still don’t get walk in Chanel. Something must be done. “Good Hair” hits theatres nationally October 23rd. Check out the Trailer.
