Synopsis: A short informational video, addressing the issue African – American women encompass with the image of their hair.
Statement of Purpose: As a society we are constantly over-flooded with imagery, and what they consider to be beautiful. From designer pumps to Gucci and Channel purses, technology is always projecting these images of what it means to be beautiful; But who really creates these rules? For my project, I chose to create a brief video, concentrating on what it means to be a beautiful black woman.
Jill Scott is a poet and a Soul artist who refrains from putting chemicals in her hair. It is not often that she is in the media, but when she is, her image seems to be humble and wise. She is an example of one who distributes beauty within, and embraces her natural looks.
In the 70's', African Americans were uplifting their natural looks and rebelling against different politicians, and other Caucasions in high powered positions. The Black Panthers was a major part of the Afro epidemic among the black culture in the 70's. Here is photo of the late Michael Jackson sporting his afro, and George W. Bush, being photoshoped with an afro. Although the photo of Bush is meant to be funny, it is also humilating to African American culture.
Since past generations, society has had this notion that straight hair is more beautiful and socially accepted than Corse and curly hair. In response to this belief, several of African American women put chemicals (perm) in their naturally curly hair to make it straighter and more socially acceptable. To deliver my perception on this dilemma, I chose to interview junior Ashley Dowdy, who has recently returned her hair to its natural essence. Her story is intriguing. To watch my video, click on this link, (Back to Natural), or, you can watch it below.
I really like how you presented the topic in your video, combining the found footage with the interview you filmed yourself. I think putting the modern images of what African Americans "should" look like according to the media really helps create the context for the following parts, and the discussion about why Ashley decided to change her hair. The juxtaposition of the very fake world created by the media with the much more realistic, actual person represented by Ashley is really interesting. I overall like how the video is put together a lot.
ReplyDeleteThe intimacy of the footage and the conversational quality made this a powerful piece. It grappled with personal politics on a serious rather than superficial level by calling our attention by reading and critiquing the influence on personal identity of euro-centric and homophobic notions of beauty!
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