“Combing Through the Roots: The Politics of Hair in Jamaica” is a documentary directed by Kimala Bennett that explores “hair” as a manifestation of anxieties, prejudices, racism and injustice in Jamaica. Various beauty contests are used as a thermometer to gauge what is going on culturally and racially in Jamaica from the late 1940s to the present day. The documentary also looks at the notions of  “good” and “bad” hair that exist in our society and highlights the ways in which these ideas, which date back to the days of slavery, continue to shape our concept of beauty.

The Department of Literatures in English will be hosting a screening of the extended documentary trailer on Tuesday December 9th, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre. There will also be a talkback session with the director immediately following the screening. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.