Always B Natural: Commentary on Good Hair

A few weeks ago, my husband and I enjoyed the new Chris Rock documentary, "Good Hair", in Times Square with many other women interested in what the funny man's input would be on such a touchy subject. Touchy because the documentary was not about different types of hair from different types of people; it was about the different types of things BLACK women did to their hair in the effort to make it "good hair".

Before I get into how I felt about the movie, just a few thoughts on the theater. First, I was surprised at how many non-black females were interested in this movie. I must admit, I heard about this on Oprah, and A LOT of women (and men) watch Oprah, of all backgrounds. There were not a lot of people in the theater to begin with, but it was a pretty mixed bag. With that said...

... I loved this movie. The insight and story behind this film was amazing. Chris talked to many black women and men, both celebrities and average everyday people. From the working class to students, even to children, Chris wanted every opinion he could get on what black women do for hair care. He got down and dirty with the "perm", the "weave" and "natural" hairstyles and what he found out might shock you.

This is what I found:
We find ways to give ourselves excuses to live by. Excuses that get us through the day, that we give to our co-workers or friends, and even our families. Some women were angry after the release of this film because they thought that he had given away all the black hair secrets- placing black women farther out of reach of the comfortable lives that white women may have. Some women felt it made them closer to other races because they didn't have to hide what they were doing anymore. This movie opened up conversations that need to be had and I loved it.

I admit, black women hide. They... We... Women try to keep up with what they are told is fashionable and they want to be that. Black women do not have long silky hair that flows to the floor because it's not suppose to be. Sorry, but Tyra let us all know, we're wearing weave (not all of us!). A lot of us have beautiful, long and healthy hair. And once you pay for it, it can technically be considered yours. Just wait until you see were all that hair is coming from! Many of us are hiding, but we don't have to. We can come out and yell at the top of our lungs- "I WILL ALWAYS BE NATURAL!!!" This movie got me screaming and talking and ultimately, blogging.

Recently, before all the hoopla about hair and Chris Rock, I choose to cut off most of my chemically straighten hair and opt for a more natural style.





So I practice what I preach.

Was it easy? For me, yeah! But most people don't like drastic. And you don't have to be.

So my motto? Be natural. ALWAYS BE NATURAL! Good hair is what you make of it, what you put into it and what you get out of it. As for Chris, he made a really great and informative documentary. No matter what kind of hair you have, check out it out.

Socal Dispach on The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

In a very intriguing read, Michael Pollan tries to get more personal with what he eats and how food makes it his plate. His premise? Simply follow the origins of a dish from the farm to his plate. And could it be done? Pollan did with his charm and wit.

He gives a long introduction on how we as Omnivores go through the daily troubles of trying to figure out simply what to eat! Unlike others in the animal kingdom (because many forget we are animals too), we can decide on chicken or fish. Or plants. Plus, with all the food available to us in the west, how can we really know what we're getting into?

I really enjoyed this selection and believe it was written very well. We all need to know a little more about what we are eating and paying for. I didn't feel that he gave equal consideration to the vegetarian lifestyle (be gave it a section of a chapter) as he did to the entire section about corn (which was the whole first half of his book); however, he made a lot of really good points and does an excellent job of making you more aware of what's going on in and around your food. This book is a good starting place but don't stop there. Pollan is only one voice of the very complex issues of food production, processing and transportation. He tries to stay objective, but I don't believe he does. And he can't- it's HIS journey into food, and you have his perspective. Occasionally he adds in the thoughts and quotes of others in the food industry, in his efforts to be objective.

Filled with new facts, history and the mindset that all food is created equal, Michael Pollan takes you farther than you ever thought we could go.

4 STARS