Video
Black Hair Documentary
This short documentary explores the social stigma attached to wearing natural hair. Black women and men from various professions were interviewed about how their hair choices impact their jobs. This is a good short documentary that helps to put recent news stories about hair discrimination into the perspective of the people who wear their hair naturally.
Price, Candace. Black Hair Documentary. YouTube, 23 Aug. 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP7NhzvM_Os. Accessed 17 Nov. 2019.
Good Hair
A documentary by comedian Chris Rock which explores the multibillion-dollar black hair industry and the meaning of ‘good hair’ in the black community. It includes a scientific look at the effects of chemical relaxers as well as interviews from celebrities and people from within the hair industry. This documentary would provide someone with a good introduction to the serious topic Black hair politics with humour.
Good Hair. Directed by Jeff Stilson, Chris Rock Productions, 2009.
Nancy’s Workshop
In this short documentary, Montreal salon owner, Nancy Falaise leads a workshop for young girls of colour to learn how to care for and style their hair. Falaise shares her personal journey to embracing her natural hair and provides a supportive environment for the girls to discuss their experiences. This documentary would be good for someone wanting to hear the voices of young people and to gain a basic understanding of natural Black hair care.
Nancy’s Workshop. YouTube, 27 Aug. 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V73gnxcyzIQ. Accessed 16 Nov. 2019.
Our Hair-itage
This documentary focuses on interviews with a variety of women, from a TV news host to a cancer survivor, about their natural hair. The women discuss their hesitation in wearing their natural Black hair to their places of employment as well as the reactions they received, both positive and negative. This documentary would be useful for someone wanting to learn about the politics of Black hair within the workplace.
Macklin, Crystolyn. Our Hair-itage – A Natural Hair Documentary (PBS Version). YouTube, 28 Jun. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvw_PUbt1Fc. Accessed 16 Nov. 2019.
The Politics of Black Women’s Hair Symposium – Morning Session
This symposium focuses on the political, social, and the business aspects of Black women’s hair. It also includes a discussion on the inter-generational attitudes towards natural hair and workplace discrimination. This video would be helpful to someone looking for a more academic perspective.
The Politics of Black Women’s Hair Symposium – Morning Session. YouTube, 11 Mar. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2nxiQGpN0g. Accessed 16 Nov. 2019.