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Can Chris Rock help me understand my kids' "black hair"?


Chris Rock’s new movie “Good Hair” about African-American women and their hair is on my must-see list. It could provide me insights into my biracial children. They are boys, but I see possibilities. The movie follows Rock as he tries to answer his daughter's question: "Daddy, how come I don't have good hair?"

Rock.hair.jpg

First things first: I’m white, my wife is black. With that context, we can proceed.

My mother-in-law is visiting for two weeks. My wife is away on business and she is helping me care for the boys, ages 2 and 3. Naturally, she’s had lots of questions about the boys’ care – what they eat, wear and need for school. I had answers for everything – except one.

“What should I do with Alexander’s hair?”

Good question.

I searched for some shred of information about caring for his thick curly hair. It is awesome hair, but a total mystery to me. My only curl is a cowlick.

“I think there’s something in the bathroom…”

I stopped.

“OK, look, let me be honest: I leave this issue to the black side of the family.”

My mother-in-law paused, then burst out laughing. Normally, I avoid drawing such a racial dividing line of knowledge. But when it comes to hair, I make an exception. I’ll never forget how angry my wife was when, years ago, I once asked if her new braids were real. Oh boy, wrong thing to say!

Anyway, back to Alexander. Calls were made, some special spray was located and Alexander now spends several minutes each morning having his hair done. I look on, baffled.

As it turns out, there is a growing line of products that address all kinds of curly hair, including “biracial hair.” I even found this detailed website with tips for handling biracial hair.

Chris Rock, help me.

Categories: Matthew Strozier (59)


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About the authors
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby.


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