I have been personally interested in the area of African American females wearing their natural hair for a while and I have personally transitioned to natural hair from chemically straightened hair. Many African American mothers are interested in cultivating a positive self esteem for their daughters by showing them media and toys that affirm their natural beauty. Dolls are of concern to the community and though dolls have made progress over the years to become more inclusive, the hair is often straight. This makes some sence seeing that most african american women wear their hair straightened however there is a growing resurgance of women wanting to reclaim their natural beauty and want to see it replicated for their daughters. Some women have resorted to trolling or rerooting doll hair in order to replace the factory hair with kinky hair or even dreadlocks. I was thinking about interviewing Black women with an interest or concern for natural hair and their thoughts on dolls and also a woman who has specialized in spinning dreadlocks for dolls.
One issue I have come across is that the woman is sick and can not meet in person so we have been emailing only. I can incorporate our emailed conversations in the video perhaps. So far I am thinking of a mixture of found and original footage. Found footage may be from media that has dealt with black identity as it relates to natural hair (Good Hairmovie, Tyra Banks Show, My nappy Roots, Advertisements) original footage possibly of ladies I may interview or of me attempting to re-root a doll. Here are some of the questions I may ask the re-rooter:
How long have you been in the business of re-rooting/trolling?
What led you to the business?
Can you briefly describe the differences between of re-rooting, trolling and repainting?
What do you feel your work contributes to society? Why is this craft/trade important to you?
What are challenges that get in your way?
What plans do you have to pass the torch if any (since you mentioned you have retired)?
Could you describe your process of making the hair (spinning, dying etc)?
Can you describe the types of hair you have and what effects you get by combining them?
As an African American female who grew up with dolls with nylon hair I was particularly awe stricken by your dolls and dolls that were made by your hair. Did you intentionally create dolls to feel this void or was it more serendipitous?
How does this work make you feel?
How profitable has this business been for you? If you don't do the business for profit primarily, why do you do it?
How does it feel to know that you have personally done what doll makers refuse to do which is to acknowledge the natural beauty of black women?
Where do you normally get your dolls from and why?
For Ladies interested in natural hair dolls i may ask:
Is it important to you that your child plays with a doll with natural hair?
If given the option between a straight haired doll and a natural doll which would you choose?
How much would you be willing to pay for a doll with natural looking hair (dreads etc)?
Have you ever attempted to buy such a doll for your child or someone you know?
Reflect on your own experience with dolls, what would this have meant to you?
