OK, it’s officially fall now, so it’s probably about time to look for new winter boyfriends, un-mothball the sweaters, and mourn the passing of the Indian summer. The best way to get over that fast is to consume lots of soup, participate in some cuddling, and spend more time at the movie theater. This week, if you’re dreaming of a vacation, go see “Couples Retreat.” If you’re feeling kinda mod and rebellious, catch “An Education.” And if you’ve been listening to us at all this week, go see “Good Hair.”

Today on “The View,” the ladies discussed “Good Hair,” a documentary by Chris Rock. Whoopi Goldberg made the startling revelation that black women don’t straighten their hair because they want to be white, but because they want manageable hair. “It’s less about the larger culture and more about ‘I don’t want to fuss with my hair,” she said. But that’s only half the story. Nowadays, we realize that beauty can come in different forms, but we can’t ignore the beauty ideals that are presented to us on a daily basis in magazines, TV, and the web. Silky, non-coarse hair is the standard. Whoopi alludes to this but ultimately skirts over it when she says that in beauty school she was taught to do everyone’s hair but black people’s.

Chris Rock‘s “Good Hair” hasn’t even come out yet, and he’s already being sued. Filmmaker Regina Kimbell filed the suit, claiming that the flick infringes on the copyright for her award-winning documentary, “My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage,” which she maybe screened for Chris Rock two years ago. The lawsuit claims that there are major similarities between the two films, including the inspiration (their daughters) and the interviews with medical pros, celebs and comedians. Plus, both filmmakers go to hair relaxer manufacturing plants and touch on India’s involvement in providing hair for weaves. Even the trailers for both films are pretty similar—just compare the “My Nappy Roots” preview above to the “Good Hair” one after the jump. [MSNBC]

Starring Chris Rock, Nia Long, Al Sharpton, Raven-Symoné, and Andre Harrell
Directed by, Jeff Stilson
Written by Lance Crouther, Chris Rock, Chuck Sklar, and Jeff Stilson

Have you ever sat in a gym locker room and wondered why black women don’t wash their hair after an invigorating workout? Or wondered how your black coworker went from straight, long hair to a curly bob overnight? Well, Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” will answer these questions and more as he tries to figure out what exactly constitutes “good hair.”

To straighten or not to straighten is still a heated debate within the black community, as the New York Times article, “Black Hair, Still Tangled in Politics” points out. The topic came up recently when 11-year-old Malia Obama was criticized for wearing her hair in twists while visiting Rome this summer.  She was deemed by some to be unfit to represent America because her hair wasn’t straightened.  Also, Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair” sheds further light on a culture in which “good” straight hair is preferred to “bad” nappy hair, especially when Chris asks a hair store owner: “So my nappy hair isn’t worth anything?”

I’ve had my own trials and tribulations with the “creamy crack,” as chemical straightener is sometimes referred to in the black community, so choosing to leave my hair natural was a decision that came, well, naturally to me. However, the Great Black Hair Debate still weighs heavy on my mind at times because naturally nappy black hair still isn’t widely accepted.

We were really intrigued by “Good Hair,” Chris Rock‘s documentary that explores the idea of “good hair” in black culture, when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Now that the trailer has been released we’re even more excited, because it delves into an aspect of black culture that isn’t often discussed outside the black community—that is unless someone stands to profit by making products for black hair. Although Chris stays true to his comedic roots, “Good Hair” doesn’t appear to be any less insightful or serious. 

Tyra tackled the issue of black women and girls hating their natural hair and examined the lengths they go to straighten it. I found it extremely sad that a six-year-old girl could hate herself so much at such a young age and has already figured out that she doesn’t fit the beauty ideal. I wonder if/when she’ll start hating her skin color, too. The idea that straight, silky hair is better than kinky hair is nothing new in the black community. In fact, Chris Rock’s “Good Hair” documentary examined it, too.

The subject of “good hair” wasn’t given much attention in my family growing up. Hair was as good as you made it and it didn’t matter whether your hair was naturally straight or softly curly. Grooming hair, however, was a big topic and, at times, an all day affair. I remember having my hair straightened with a pressing comb the night before school pictures; and getting it cornrowed in the summer so swimming could be fun rather than a hassle; and I also remember the irreparable damage caused by a monthly relaxer. When I grew out my natural hair I felt so free and empowered. And the first time I felt the wind blowing my short locks I couldn’t help feeling excited. I can mark every major period in my life with the hairstyle I was rocking at the time. Hair for me and probably every black woman on this planet has been a major part of life, which is why I’m excited to see Chris Rock’s “Good Hair,” which just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.