Super thrilled that you've put the time and effort into creating your documentary, GOOD HAIR, which is ostensibly for your two young daughters. Which is to say that it's an investigation into the institutions and cultural trends involved in African American hair, specifically the desire to have "good" or "white" or "non-Black" hair.
I like that you took your investigation beyond the borders of the USA, that you travelled to India and examined the source of the hair in question, which I think makes this documentary another significant chapter in what should be an on-going analysis in pop docs of how community/cultural trends link to lives/economies we often either can't see or don't want to think about. Because, yeah, thinking about beauty beyond the actual package that beauty presents is hard because... beauty is so shiny.
Here's my beef.
I feel like you've gone a bit out of your way to discuss how the trend of Black women desiring Good hair affects not just the women and their pocket book but MEN and their pocket books. I felt like you went to some lengths to pull out that story, to talk to men about the problems that this causes THEM, their wallets/marriages/relationships.
Part of the story here is, from your perspective, clearly, is, hey, is it fair men have to pay for this stuff? I feel, though, that that's a weird bookend to the OTHER story here, the one that's affecting/could affect your kids which is, WHY DOES ANYONE NEED TO SPEND $1000 ON THIS STUFF IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Like, you know, why not take 5 minutes out of your interview with Ice-T to talk a little more to the teenagers who are essentially telling you they don't think they're going to be able to get anywhere in life - in the world, with an afro.
Also, excuse me, but why given how much Ice-T talks about his perm, do you insist on using Prince as an example of a man who gets his hair straightened?
I'm asking and I feel like already know. I mean, I've got a Master's in Women's Studies so. So yeah I kind of feel like I've got the answer on this one.
Tell me if I'm wrong.
It's because your point is about a larger industry as it applies to women's heads, and so talking about Ice T as being just as addicted to the "creamy crack" is weird and it doesn't sit well with another message in this movie, which is about WOMEN and hair. Not a hair/style or aesthetic message that affects more than women.
Although, you know, I think the story about Al Sharpton and James Brown is really interesting. Like, James Brown PICKED OUT Al Sharpton's hairstyle! I think that's pretty interesting, don't you?
Anyway, that's just what's bugging me right now. Food for thought.
xx
mariko