Chris Rock: Good Hair trailer (2010)

One of the central issues in African American identity is hair, particularly for women. As consumers, we are bombarded with images of women with straight, shiny hair that moves, and we are told that this is "good" and therefore desirable or RIGHT.

As a culture, we repeat, reinforce and internalise these messages over generations until they become truth.

What must be analysed is who decides what is "good"? Where did this message originate and who benefits from making us chase these unrealistic ideals? We must also look at what else is considered "good". Watch an ad break and you will see images of perfection repeated- straight hair, slim, fair skin, narrow facial features.

How does the audience react when their basic genetic make up places them outside this ideal?

In Good Hair, Chris Rock explores the roots of these messages and the extent to which some women will go to obtain "good hair".