I finally got round to watching Chris Rock's documentary film 'Good Hair' at the weekend, though felt as if I had already seen the majority of it from the various trailers and video discussions I've seen on the web. I thought it was informative and entertaining, but really did lack any proper exploration of natural hair care, braiding, locking etc.
Overall, it left me feeling a tad disturbed by some of the subject matter it explored. In particular, the images of women in India having their heads shaved at the temple as part of a sacrifice, then the hair being sorted in a 'hair factory', sewn onto tracks then sold to the West, left me with a very uncomfortable feeling.
Now, personally, I have issues with second hand or borrowed items as it is, let alone the thought of buying someone else's crowing glory, then proudly palming it off as my own!! I just don't think I could do it. At a push, if it was for some reason to do with hair loss or something along those lines, I would have to go the synthetic route (root!!).
Just the thought of sewing or gluing another person's hair onto my own, in preference to my own, doesn't sit well with me at all. I say, if it grows from your own head, embrace it, love it and work it. Don't hide it with what was intended for someone else! Anyway, that's my personal opinion and I'm sure there are many other points of view. What do you think?
It's been an interesting couple of weeks recently with the change of government and anticipation of what the new administration has in store for the country. Sisterlocks even had a chance meeting with a Minister (see link)!
I know what you mean. Most of my weave-wearing friends would always insist on 'human' hair and I often wondered where it came from and yes it was a bit creepy for me to think that it came from someone else's head but to actually see how it's done and where it comes from didn't make me feel too happy... especially when the daughter of the Indian manufacturer said "No, we have our own hair" in response to Chris' question about whether they would buy black hair. It was almost as if: 'black'people dont have their own hair or have such poor quality hair that they have to wear someone elses... definitely made me sad and uncomfortable. Is this how the world sees us?
ReplyDeleteYou hear what I'm saying Bajan Lily!! It's a bit like collecting someone's nail clippings and deciding to stick them on top of your own! The general sense that black hair is somehow inferior which came from the film, was very, very sad indeed. I mean, if we can't even love ourselves (kinky, wavy or curly roots included), how on earth is anyone else going to?
ReplyDeleteI need good hairs. I have read this blog with great interest.
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