Chris Rock's new movie drew a lot of conclusions about black women that just are not true for soooo many of us. The absurdity of Rev. Sharpton criticizing black women for having weaves and perms and men having to pay for them is crazy when he has been putting the "creamy crack" on his hair for decades. If my honey wants to treat me to a trip to the wig store or the hair salon, what's the problem?
These women whose men can't touch their hair during lovemaking are not in real intimate relationships (my opinion) or they want to keep some sort of ridiculous illusion that perpetuate stereotypes that black women are uptight sexually. I know many women (I especially do in my business as an Image Consultant and Women's Ministry Leader for over 1,000 women) who if bold enough to sit in a chair for hours to have it done, or walk into a store and take the time to pick out a wig, don't have any problem with the men they are dating or married to knowing it, touching it, etc.
I have worn wigs and weaves on and off for twenty-five years; exclusively for the last nine. Why? It works for my lifestyle. When you have a wig or weave, swimming, steaming, working out (all those things that Andre Harrell spoke of in the movie) are possible with no hassles. The purpose for me is to be stylish and not have my husband waiting 2 hours after we leave the beach for me to do my hair in order to go to dinner. Although many of the changes we go through seem off the wall, my white friends are no less picky about their hair just maybe in different ways.
As a point of fact, white women were weaving way before it was openly marketed to the black community. Jose Eber, stylist to the stars for over 35 years, has been clipping tracks in his white clients' hair since at least 1976. My white friends marvel at how my own thick, kinky hair holds curls, doesn't need to be washed everyday because of oily buildup. Is the creamy crack that my white sisters use to keep a body wave or curl in theirs, any less harmful than what we use to straighten ours? My white friends and coworkers trip about their hair too, are constantly touching and swinging it, many like a "tick", as if it's some involuntary act. C'mon girls, you know its true. Y'all obsess over the streaks that aren't just in the right places or the curl being too tight. This is not a few, it is a lot. Give me a break Chris! Truth is we're all trippin' about something.
And those idiots in the barber shop! (sorry, I couldn't help myself) What the heck? Bragging about the freedom of sleeping with a white girl because you can touch her hair? What? First of all, could you have interviewed some brothers who spoke real English and not strictly Ebonics? And to add some validity, how about some brothers that we could believe are sleeping with anybody!
I was disappointed that the message of healthy hair, albeit natural, permed, weave, braids or wig, that we feel good about is "good hair". The fact that the opinions of a few limited, shallow or insecure women and some men from the bizarre planet "Clueless" were chosen to speak for the masses, has completely missed the mark. I hosted two sets of friends for this flick and honestly, would love to have Chris Rock write me a refund check with a bonus for sitting through it twice!
I want your opinions ladies, on the movie or how you feel about your hair, comment on my review, whatever. Let it all out, this is the place!
Smooches,
Vanessa
About Me
- ImagiNess
- Washington D.C. Metro, United States
- A vivacious professional with a love for all things "woman". She is committed to each Client's well-being and complete satisfaction. She considers the "extra mile" just a part of the normal journey. Working with Vanessa was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my career. Her advice has paid off many times over. She knows her stuff. - S. Witten, Washington, DC - Elated Client
4 comments:
I viewed the movie and, quite frankly, was very disappointed on different levels. I was astonished at the lack of priority implied among the black sisters in the movie...sitting in a salon in 'da hood getting a $1,000 weave that looked like a bird's nest AND putting a weave on lay-away! WHAT KIND OF FOOLISHNESS IS THAT?! My girls and I spent most of the evening talking (fussing) at the ding dang movie screen! I was also angered by the fact that black hair care is a multi-billion $ business of which we own only a VERY small fraction.
I have been toying with the possibility of going "natural" for a little while, but can't seem to determine if it will take just as much time & money to maintain. (Somebody help me on that one)Just for the record, I think all hair is "good hair" just as long as you take care of it. In my opinion, I think natural hair is a little better...I'm just sayin'...
So, in closing, I think Chris Rock could've saved the money invested in this "movie" and written me a check instead. Although, I must admit, there was some good information shared, if you took the time to glean it from among the foolishness. This could very well have been a made-for-TV documentary.
I say wear the hair that you love on you, that fits your lifestyle, and by all means, have fun experimenting; hair is a natural accessory!
I appreciated the movie because Chris addressed the subject of the hair industry that Black people are pouring into but receiving little of the profits. He addressed the perception of what some little girls and women have about their hair. Chris is a comedian so he took the issues and added humor and controversy. I was personally disturbed at the fact that Black people are not able to get into the Black hair industry like the Asians when we are spending the most money. I guess I can't be mad at them for doing their research. They know how to come into our community, figure out what we like and sell it. The Asians have the hair stores, nails salons, cleaners, and the chicken and fish joint. Since I was disturbed, I decided to work with what I have and take that wig off. Wigs and weaves are very convenient but for me it the principal. There has to be another way for me to be happy with my hairstyle and maintain a busy and healthy lifestyle.
Sista'Worth (love the name by the way), I agree that the $1,000 weave that looks like a birds nest and the layaway was off the chain. No offense, but that lady who was talking about her second weave on layaway, needed that $2,000 desperately for some dental work. I think Chris went out of his way to film the extremes and therefore it further reduces its' legitimacy. The major shame I agree, is that our people are reaping a miniscule amount of profit from products for us that we spend a MAJOR amount of money on.
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