The Root of It All - Part 2 (A Documentary about Hair)

A short video by Carla Ray Thompson.

Six Black women gather together to talk about their hair.

In this frank, engaging and amusing conversation, they address a number of issues of interest to all of them. The discussion ranges from the mundane - how difficult Black hair is to treat - to the socially relevant: what a particular hairstyle says about their character.

This brief film is an eye-opening window into the world of Black women and the culture of their hair - not only what it means to them but the social, political and personal implications that different styles and colors represent - and how such looks are perceived by others.
(Distributed by National Film Network
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Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• hair
• shortdocumentary
• blackhair
• africanamericanhair
• africanamerican
• black
• goodhair
• badhair

[WorkInProgress13]

This is an interesting discussion. I wish it was longer.

[CarlaRayandTheRide]

@WorkInProgress13 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 

[missmuggledetector]

Personally, I'm white with bone straight hair, and I've always liked African hair. I like the way it looks when it's not straightened, I lvoe the braids whatever. I completely hate conforming to a certain "style" because of your profession/race whatnot.

[CarlaRayandTheRide]

@missmuggledetector Thanks for watching! I also take the "Do You" approach when it comes to hair :)

[haafunimienaikedo]

Ms. Thompson, thank you so much for this documentary. I am half Japanese/half Black and was raised by a Japanese mother in a predominantly white community. My hair journey was not easy. Through trial and error over many years I eventually figured it out . Since then, I had always worn my hair, straight, long, down to my waist; like my mom. You can imagine my shock when, one day, someone said, I thought I was better than them because of my hair! I couldn't understand. I had always hated my hair.

[CarlaRayandTheRide]

@haafunimienaikedo You're welcome. Thanks for viewing. It's never ceases to amaze me the assumptions people make about us based on something so mutable as a hairstyle. 

[combattaskforce]

my god. one group of pretty nice girls with nothing to say. this is not a good start for you girls. the future needs tough woman no humpdy dumpdy stuff.

[tyaV1]

i love that woman's hairstyle! the giant braids one! :)

[angelmiloo]

8:38 Valid point

[likecrunchyness]

Oh wow! I go to Barnard too and I have see the same thing!!