Support "Pelo Malo" at a theatre near you

The acknowledgement that natural hair is beautiful isn't just a battle being waged in these here United States - it's also a battle being fought around the world. The issue of natural hair and how it so often intersects with race, class and gender is the subject of "Pelo Malo" (bad hair).

The  movie profiles a nine-year-old Venezuelan boy's efforts to straighten his curly hair for school pictures. The movie is now being shown in:

• Santa Fe, Argentina
• Mexico City, Mexico
• San Diego
• Miami
• Houston
• Madrid, Spain
• Rome, Italy
• Torino, Italy
• Vancouver, Canada

It's more than just about curly hair.

It's an important story that needs to be told -- this time by Venezuelan director Mariana Rondón,  through the eyes of a 9-year-old boy as he seeks to loosen his curls to look more like his idol, Justin Bieber. The boy's father is Black and his mother, who is light skinned, isn't having it and worries that he may be gay.

Yes, the movie is about more than just hair straightening; it's about what is deemed beautiful or socially acceptable -- and how those intertwine with many other issues.

Blacks in the U.S. aren't the only ones fighting the curly hair "fight."

It's an international issue -- and the struggle is real, especially among our brothers and sisters in the Caribbean and Latin America, who may not have access to the same products or support that we do in the U.S.

The movie has already won several awards, including a top prize at the San Sebastian Film Festival, as it seeks to expose racism, colorism and hair prejudice among Venezuelans.

"Good" Hair

No, this is not THAT type of blog.

This has nothing to do with our hair's texture, straightness, thickness or curl pattern; it has everything to do with how we feel about our hair style.

I'm talking about "good" hair -- you know, those days when you KNOW you're hair is on point. Can't nobody tell you nothin' about your hair. That fro is laying just right. Your twist out is bangin'! Your curls are hella defined. The hair Gods have looked down and blessed you!

This is my definition of "good" hair -- not how straight, fine or curly your hair texture is.

Good hair day (twist and curl on damp hair with glycerine, Dax and cupacau butter, and put in an updo)
Can't tell me NOTHIN!

You Better WORK! Work badge picture, but this is the best twist out I've had EVER!
(Twist and curl on previously flat ironed, damp hair with glycerine and Dax.)  HOLLA! Weird smile, but love the hair!

"Bad" Hair
Now, "bad" hair, in my book, are those bad hair days. You look the mirror and go, "REALLY!" Your wash and go is ... meh! You got hella shrinkage -- and you don't like it! Your twist out is looking a frizzed out HOT mess!

Your fro is shaped like sideshow Bob. Your usual hair tools, go-to products and your hair are just not cooperating. Can't do nothing right with your hair to save your life and you don't have that hair swag. Good and bad hair days are highly subjective, we can be super picky, and those are the days when it feels good to get a compliment.

But let's keep it real: There are days that you look in the mirror and wanna throw a wig or hat on top of it. Rain, fog or humidity = higher probability of bad hair day. My hair has to be put up, or it's going to be a frizzy mess. 

I'm OK with some frizz. But all over? Girl, BYE!

Here are some of my bad hair days:

WTH was I thinking? So NOT the business. I have no idea how I got this style, but I never want to see it again!

A FAILED twist and curl + rain. Shrinkage like a mug!

Let's redefine the terms "good" and "bad" hair, to mean less about our individual hair's texture, density and curl pattern and more about our hair style or good and bad hair days. A style can be changed -- our texture can't, without heat and chemicals, of course.

And let's keep chasing those "good" hair days.