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Maybe everybody hates Chris, but I don't hate him at all. Most of us know Chris Rock for the genius that he is, and the way he intelligently and hilariously describes the world around us. So, you can imagine my dismay when I got a call from Charlamagne Tha God, morning host for 100.3 "The Beat" in Philadelphia, who told me that Chris Rock had some choice words for AOL Black Voices and the criticism he has received for his film, "Good Hair."
Chris seemed to feel that those claiming that the movie bombed at the box office were incorrect, since the film was only released in a few theaters. He even (accurately) explains that saying his film bombed is like "comparing the movie 'He Got Game' to 'Star Wars'." Good point. Here are some other issues that Chris brought up and how some of these issues relate to wealth, power and ownership.
Chris discusses how difficult it is to do shows, commentary and films for a black audience. This is true, given that African American audiences are not as large as non-black and global audiences. In fact, when Ice Cube (my favorite rapper) released "Janky Promoters," one of the statements made by an executive at the studio was that black movies have almost no global sales market. I am not sure if this was a racist fact or not, but it certainly is a fact.
Watch the 'Good Hair' Podcast Now!
Chris' interview (below) was quite intriguing for a number of reasons:
1) He was criticized for saying that Oprah looks like a slave in one of her pictures. He says that he wasn't saying that she looks like a slave (Oprah is one of his wealthy and powerful friends, he wouldn't be that stupid - I learned firsthand about the backlash you can get from criticizing Oprah); he was saying that the picture was so old that it looked like a slave picture.
2) Chris seemed incredibly emotional and highly flustered in the interview. I am not sure if this is an act, but I certainly hope it is. Chris Rock is a vet in the game, and I'd be shocked that he would be so sensitive about criticism for his film. Chris sounds like he needs a hug from his mama. If his mama is not available, he can borrow mine.
3) Chris mentions in film that black men can be portrayed any old way, while people seem very sensitive to any portrayals of black women that are in the least bit critical. I actually agree with Chris when he says that anyone who criticizes his film needs to see it first. Also, being critical of black women is not exactly a popular thing to do - I find it interesting that all the problems of the black family and black relationships mentioned in Essence Magazine tend to be blamed almost entirely on men. The truth is that in a community, it takes two genders to Tango.
4) Chris is a businessman: He mentioned that he would not release a film about black women if black women didn't like it. During survey testing, he claims that 99 out of 100 black women like the film. The lesson here is that most products are not released to the public unless they are fully market tested. Also, the size and scope of the African American market makes room for a small number of films. At the same time, it is my hope that Chris Rock and others will take ownership of the film making process to ensure that more movies are made for black audiences, using appropriate images. Anyone who saw the "ghetto girl" in the cinematic flop "Couples Retreat" knows what I'm talking about.
5) He seems to have a bit of a beef with AOL Black Voices. When asked about critical comments that Chris received in AOL BV, the entertainer went back into "Need-a-hug-from-mama" mode. I have two things to say to Chris: First, AOL Black Voices is PLURAL, implying that there is no one voice, but many who represent a variety of viewpoints. I, for one, think that Chris Rock's work is outstanding, but I don't represent all opinions on this site. Secondly, if Chris has a concern with comments that have been made, he should do what he did today - stand up for himself!
In China, they have a saying, "The fattest pig will always get slaughtered." Chris my man, you're the fat pig - so don't be surprised when the haters come out to turn you into pork chops. But make sure you also remember that everybody doesn't hate Chris, a lot of people think you're pretty cool.
Talk more about How 'Good Hair' Failed on the BV Boards!
Follow BV on Money on Twitter!1) He was criticized for saying that Oprah looks like a slave in one of her pictures. He says that he wasn't saying that she looks like a slave (Oprah is one of his wealthy and powerful friends, he wouldn't be that stupid - I learned firsthand about the backlash you can get from criticizing Oprah); he was saying that the picture was so old that it looked like a slave picture.
2) Chris seemed incredibly emotional and highly flustered in the interview. I am not sure if this is an act, but I certainly hope it is. Chris Rock is a vet in the game, and I'd be shocked that he would be so sensitive about criticism for his film. Chris sounds like he needs a hug from his mama. If his mama is not available, he can borrow mine.
3) Chris mentions in film that black men can be portrayed any old way, while people seem very sensitive to any portrayals of black women that are in the least bit critical. I actually agree with Chris when he says that anyone who criticizes his film needs to see it first. Also, being critical of black women is not exactly a popular thing to do - I find it interesting that all the problems of the black family and black relationships mentioned in Essence Magazine tend to be blamed almost entirely on men. The truth is that in a community, it takes two genders to Tango.
4) Chris is a businessman: He mentioned that he would not release a film about black women if black women didn't like it. During survey testing, he claims that 99 out of 100 black women like the film. The lesson here is that most products are not released to the public unless they are fully market tested. Also, the size and scope of the African American market makes room for a small number of films. At the same time, it is my hope that Chris Rock and others will take ownership of the film making process to ensure that more movies are made for black audiences, using appropriate images. Anyone who saw the "ghetto girl" in the cinematic flop "Couples Retreat" knows what I'm talking about.
5) He seems to have a bit of a beef with AOL Black Voices. When asked about critical comments that Chris received in AOL BV, the entertainer went back into "Need-a-hug-from-mama" mode. I have two things to say to Chris: First, AOL Black Voices is PLURAL, implying that there is no one voice, but many who represent a variety of viewpoints. I, for one, think that Chris Rock's work is outstanding, but I don't represent all opinions on this site. Secondly, if Chris has a concern with comments that have been made, he should do what he did today - stand up for himself!
In China, they have a saying, "The fattest pig will always get slaughtered." Chris my man, you're the fat pig - so don't be surprised when the haters come out to turn you into pork chops. But make sure you also remember that everybody doesn't hate Chris, a lot of people think you're pretty cool.
Talk more about How 'Good Hair' Failed on the BV Boards!
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the forthcoming book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (15)
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By: j, Az on 10/23/2009 10:18PM
I went to see the movie, but I have to say Chris calling AA women high maintenance was not cool..all women spend money on their looks, yes including white women who spend a lot on botox, plastic surgery, tanning salons and hair bleaching etc. It was not necessary to make a joke out of black women and their hair care.
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By: girlking on 10/24/2009 12:28AM
I saw the interview with Oprah and wondered who was his movie
audience. Since it was labeled a mockumentary, I don't need to see a
movie making fun of me. As a black woman, I already know the who,
what, where, how and why of my hair. So who was his audience? It
certainly wasn't Black women. Oprah warned him that Black women
wouldn't appreciate his mockumentary. If he wanted his daughter to
be proud of her hair then maybe he should have talked to her about
how beautiful her hair is and not make fun of the way Black
women take care of their hair. I also saw Chris on The View and he
actually agreed with Barbara Walters that one of the reasons that we
get perms is to be more like white women even though Whoppie said
several times that that is not the case. After all of this I don't
know why he is surprised that Black women didn't support the moving.
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By: girlking on 10/24/2009 6:39PM
I saw the interview with Oprah and wondered who was his movie
audience. Since it was labeled a mockumentary, I don't need to see a
movie making fun of me. As a black woman, I already know the who,
what, where, how and why of my hair. So who was his audience? It
certainly wasn't Black women. Oprah warned him that Black women
wouldn't appreciate his mockumentary. If he wanted his daughter to
be proud of her hair then maybe he should have talked to her about
how beautiful her hair is and not make fun of the way Black
women take care of their hair. I also saw Chris on The View and he
actually agreed with Barbara Walters that one of the reasons that we
get perms is to be more like white women even though Whoppie said
several times that that is not the case. After all of this I don't
know why he is surprised that Black women didn't support the movie.
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By: Kim on 10/24/2009 11:48AM
Mr. Boyce, you sound just like a fool. Being critical about black women and their hair is a Trojan horse. If you feel that black women need to be viewed in a critical manner, then talk about issues such as out of wedlock births or drug addiction. Using their hair to place a spotlight on them makes you and Chris Rock look like fools. Your piece just goes to show AMERICA just how much black men HATE black women. Maybe you and Chris can do a film on how you, him and a plethora of other black men worship the ground that non black women walk on. (Of course you won't do that) Please believe me when I say, you will be next. You will be targeted for the ignorant black man you are. When you continue to step up and assume to be the voice of black America, please know that you do not represent most black women, only the ones who hate the very skin they are in.
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By: Lord Hasan on 10/24/2009 3:17PM
I agreed with almost everything you said, Boyce. I would just caution you on one thing. Critiquing the brother because he demonstrated sensitivity about an issue that he felt strongly about (and I didn't think he was as emotionally "sensitive" as you suggest) is problematic in two ways: first, you feminize being "sensitive" and a "man" when you say things like he "needs a hug from his mommy"(as if Black men aren't already stereotyped enough to be emotionally non-present), and two, your "feminizing" of him then becomes a bad thing. This, in turn, reinvokes a narrow view of Black manhood as being incapable of emotional expression. I heard Chris' interview and I thought he defended himself well, while letting the audience know that he didn't make this documentary haphazardly, but with a lot of personal investment.
-Dr. T. Hasan Johnson
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By: Telldatruth on 10/25/2009 12:34AM
Dr Boyce, I see too many conflicting messages. After Good Hair won Sundance, Chris Rock said it was a documentary, after he realized there's a lot of mad women it became a mockumentary. He has changed his daughter's story 3 times and on The Monique Show he said he was only going to film the Hair Show. One time he talks about the danger of baby perms but it's not a passionate issue for him. Why didn't he mentioned his girls and wife all wear weaves. I think it's all about making money, I don't think he really cares about the issue. He went blank on the Oprah Show when women in the audience confronted him. I wonder if you get it.
Maybe this really is a woman's story to tell. I wish you would have asked him about the lawsuit with Regina Kimbell. Why did he ask her to come in and show her movie and hid the fact he was doing a similar movie. Sorry, but a women's point of view may have helped him with this movie. I saw Good hair, I laughed some, it was just OK. He had an opportunity to really tell a story, but he didn't.
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By: midbluehungry on 10/25/2009 12:15PM
The concept for this movie and the green light for its creation, and distribution was a phenomenally bad idea. The time has passed for this type of GEECHIE garbage. Enough with these "Mansion Dwelling House Niggas" like Chris, coming back down into the city to exploit regular folk with this low-class stereotypical imagery of the Black community.
Yeah Chris, White people own AOL/BlackVoices, just like the White sponsorship of your brain fart Crockumentry. Bet they were doing back flips when you dropped this trash on their carpet. They just love you Chris! You, Tyler and Oprah are their favorite illegimate children. Bunch of shuckin' and jivin' sellouts.
Hey, but what ever makes a Buck right? Hey, after all, you've got an in-house Nanny and a Butler to support.
I know... you could probably get Serena to do some Butt Naked sex romps in your next concept. She's being pimped for cheap too, can't beat that.
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By: Amalas Magic on 10/25/2009 12:24PM
The movie was an opportunity for Chris Rock to make some money at the expense of Black women ... and that's it. It wasn't a balanced view of anything, some examples; contrary to what he presents, 1) most black women are not high maintenance, 2) most women do not spend thousands of dollars for one hair-do, 3) most black women do not perm the hair of a four year old, and 4) most black men are not tripping on trying to run their hands through a black women's hair. They usually try to run their hands over body parts that are rounder and smoother LOL.
The economics of Black money leaving our community and going into other communities is about the only redeeming value of this film. I wouldn't advise anyone to see it just for that reason. Chris Rock spent about 5 seconds on that and he spent waaaay too much time on the Bonner Brothers fashion show. That part of the film would have been better put to use discussing the history of how successful businesses run by black women, in this case, hair salons. And of course he didn't touch on the rise of Black women wearing their hair naturally or natural hair salons.
He could have at least ended the movie by telling his daughter to love her hair in its natural state and that is was good hair as God had given it to her. He claimed he told his daughter its not important what's on top of your head, as what's in your head. How lame! Although, I don't think he really did that. I think he did tell his daughter hher hair was beautiful as it is. I think he just uttered that line to go along with the rest of the crap in the money. Don't waste your time or your money on this film if you're looking for something quality ... it's not a quality flick and its a good laugh ... at black women.
The movie was full of a lot of buffonery and black clowning; may as well had us tap dancing and rolling our eyes.
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By: jill on 10/25/2009 6:01PM
I went to see the film and listened as whites laughed out loud at the portrayal of the issues that black women have with their hair..I feel that Chris Rock like most blacks have developed a self-hatred for themselves and like a lot of black men are taking it out on the black woman. And just for the record black women are the main ones on the blogs defending black men when white women are accuse a black of a crime against them. Chris that his wife and children like and support the film, his daughters are too young to truly understand and if his wife supported the film where was she when he was out promoting the movie..her absence spoke volumes..In my opinion, Chris succeeded in making a mockerey out of black women..I wonder if his white counterpart will make a documentary about white women getting botox at 25, breast implants, butt implants, lip injections, hair extensions and bleaching..I do think so.
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By: Michael Francis on 10/25/2009 8:37PM
I saw the movie and despite its flaws it was good because it has generated some needed discussion regarding the psychological state and brainwashing of many black people. Some bottom lines and questions that need answering:
Many black women have negative feelings about their hair texture.
Though many black women will deny it, many black women who straighten and weave their hair are heavily influenced by the fact that many (brainwashed) black men find straight and straightened hair more attractive than "kinky" hair.
Living in a sexist society many black women, like many other women, have internalized the belief that a woman's worth is determined by her "physical attractiveness". And for many black women to be physically attractive that means one has to have "straight" hair.
Black women not feeling good about their God given physical characteristics is understandable in a racist society and a society where white beauty standards dominate.
How does internalizing white beauty standards and having a negatitive self concept impact, if any, black upliftment?
What do we need to do so that black people (men and women) feel good about themselves?
Most black women straighten their hair someway (perm, curling iron, weave) but most black men don't. Why is that? The answer is instructive.
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