Talkin' 'Bout Good & Bad Hair

Hey muchachas,
News flash: Tito and Miko Branch, owners of Miss Jessie's curly girl hair products, are teaming up with NaturallyCurly.com to sponsor the first ever 2009 Grow Out Challenge! How much do I LOVE this? From October 5th to March 31st, Miss Jessie’s will award over $3,600 worth of products to the participants who show the most spunk and determination as they embark on the life-changing journey of "transitioning," ie, growing out their perm and embracing their natural hair (lest you thought I was referring to gender reassignment surgery). As many of you know, transitioning starts when you A.) snip off your relaxed ends little by little, or B.) chop off the relaxed hair in one fell swoop (the gangsta option). This is a HUGE deal for most women, so having the support of your curly community is totally empowering! To start the process, register on NaturallyCurly.com, create your first blog post and begin uploading pics of your transition. Each month, four winners will be selected to receive a personal hair prescription and products from Miss Jessie’s valued at approximately $150.00!


Cute, right? And somebody involved is a marketing genius, because the contest coincides with the premiere of Chris Rock's buzzy new documentary, "Good Hair." Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of seeing a screening of the film with my dear friend and Ambermag.com creator, Marcia Cole, as well as a brilliant bunch of girls from the site's blogger network (and after the movie, we had a blowout party at the hottest new black salon in Manhattan, Anjels' Salon, on 37 W. 46th Street. Just so you know, my hair is still looking glossy and sexy and bouncy, SIX DAYS LATER. Ask for Brenda, she's the truth). I wish I could say that I loved the film. I mean, in terms of the business of weaves of relaxers, it was definitely eye-opening. I certainly didn't realize that most black haircare companies are white or Asian-owned. The global implications of the weave trade never really hit me, either (not to give it all away, but most of the hair used for weaves comes from Indian men and women who've chopped off their hair during sacred religious ceremonies--and who have no idea that it's being sold for gazillions). And the commentary for actresses like Lauren London, Megan Good, and Nia Long (WHY doesn't Hollywood come up with great roles for the sexy, smart lady?) was hilarious and truthful and refreshing. But I really wanted Rock to touch on the reasons WHY black women feel the way we do about our hair. You know, the social history of the whole thing. The centuries-old notions about "good" and "bad" hair that are ingrained in us, passed down from our great-great grandmas. That's what's truly interesting to me about the whole debate. But baby steps, I guess.

Definitely see it, though! If for nothing else, to come full circle from the barbed hilarity of the "Good and Bad Hair" scene from School Daze. In any event, I love us...and all of our hair, in every incarnation!
kisses,
Tia