When a determined mother decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence, she must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cosmetology cartel and the state of Mississippi.
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00:00:30Melanie?
00:00:31Melanie?
00:00:32Melanie?
00:00:33Come on now.
00:00:34Melanie?
00:00:35Melanie?
00:00:36Come on.
00:00:37You hear me calling you.
00:00:40Come on now, let's get it over with.
00:00:51You hear me calling you.
00:00:54Come on.
00:00:55Come on, now.
00:00:56Let's get in here.
00:00:59Stop fidgeting, Melanie.
00:01:00But it hurts.
00:01:02I know it does, baby.
00:01:03But when your mama's through with you,
00:01:04you're going to look like a pretty little angel
00:01:07and not like some wooly old lion.
00:01:09Ow.
00:01:10Why?
00:01:11I don't want to be an angel.
00:01:12I'd rather be a lion.
00:01:14Why can't I have my hair like this?
00:01:18Look at this.
00:01:19Look at this.
00:01:20Baby, you can't go nowhere looking like that.
00:01:22Nowhere.
00:01:23Nowhere.
00:01:24Why?
00:01:25Melanie, sit down.
00:01:27She's just free, honey.
00:01:28Look at her.
00:01:29Ooh.
00:01:31Melanie.
00:01:32Why?
00:01:33Sit down.
00:01:34She's just free, ain't she?
00:01:45Ode to my hair.
00:01:48My hair defies gravity.
00:01:51She is rebellious and will never lay down unless she wants to.
00:01:57She is soft as a sponge and brutal as a Brillo pad.
00:02:02She can go from lion down to lion king
00:02:05with just three drops of rain.
00:02:09My hair.
00:02:10Stop there, please.
00:02:13Miss Renshaw, would you tell me what you
00:02:15thought this assignment was?
00:02:18Well, you asked us to explore a part of our personal psyche
00:02:23that we consider to be substantial.
00:02:26That's right.
00:02:27Identifying.
00:02:28And you chose your hair.
00:02:31Hair, Miss Renshaw, perhaps next to toenails,
00:02:36the most superficial and transient aspect of a person.
00:02:39When the hippies grew their hair long in the 70s,
00:02:42they were making a huge social statement.
00:02:45And what statement are you making?
00:02:50Do the assignment over.
00:02:52And this time, dig deeper.
00:02:56Next.
00:02:59Hair is a hallmark of beauty.
00:03:01Whole societies have put great value on hair,
00:03:03from ancient Egyptians to feudal Chinese.
00:03:05And for him to just dismiss me like that?
00:03:08Give me a second.
00:03:09No.
00:03:10Oh, god.
00:03:11I'm so sorry.
00:03:12No harm done.
00:03:14Whoever you were telling off sure had it coming to him.
00:03:16Oh, you heard me?
00:03:17It's kind of hard not to.
00:03:18It's just my professor.
00:03:20He, well, can I ask you something?
00:03:23Go ahead.
00:03:24Is hair a thing to you?
00:03:25Like, not your hair specifically,
00:03:27just hair in general.
00:03:27Like, does it mean anything to you?
00:03:29Or is it like a superficial thing, like a toenail?
00:03:33Well, I don't think I'd like to run my fingers
00:03:36through my lady's toenails.
00:03:38I've got to, I've got to go.
00:03:43He was cute.
00:03:45He was just OK.
00:03:46Well, he was into you.
00:03:47I was talking about running his fingers through your hair.
00:03:49Just stop trying to hook me up.
00:03:51Whatever.
00:03:52What do you think?
00:03:53You going out?
00:03:54No.
00:03:54We're going out to St. Paddy's Day Dance, remember?
00:03:58Uh, yeah, Casey.
00:04:00I've had to make a lot of cultural adjustments
00:04:03since coming to this school.
00:04:05I've had to make a lot of cultural adjustments
00:04:07since coming to this campus.
00:04:09You know, with all the loud music that I can't dance to,
00:04:12and raisins in the potato salad.
00:04:14Hey, but St. Paddy's Day?
00:04:17I'm thinking about how much I don't want to spend tonight
00:04:20saying no to every drunk sophomore who
00:04:23asks me if I'm black Irish.
00:04:26Get dressed.
00:04:26Green for luck, no excuses.
00:04:29So where's your friend?
00:04:32In the hallway.
00:04:33I heard you.
00:04:34What do you mean?
00:04:35I heard you.
00:04:36I'm going to the dance.
00:04:39So where's your friend?
00:04:40Don't be afraid.
00:04:41I'll show my love.
00:04:43Black body and dust.
00:04:46Skulls, white or matte, or blue.
00:04:50Burning lights, burning whites.
00:04:54Hi.
00:04:57You... look stunning.
00:05:00No green for luck.
00:05:04I couldn't feel any luckier.
00:05:06Oh.
00:05:07All I do is the pain
00:05:11That keeps on burning
00:05:17I let you be rain on my name
00:05:24So... how long are you here for?
00:05:29Just one more week.
00:05:31I came for an evangelism conference.
00:05:34You're an evangelist?
00:05:37No.
00:05:38I majored in philosophy and religion, though.
00:05:41So I wanted to see and feel what the evangelists do.
00:05:45How they move people.
00:05:47I want to open my own church someday.
00:05:50In Mississippi.
00:05:51To be closer to my family.
00:05:54That's cool.
00:05:55I work construction to pay my bills.
00:05:59What about you?
00:06:02Well, I'm a psych major.
00:06:06At least I thought I was.
00:06:09I'm not so sure.
00:06:12I'm starting to think maybe there's something else for me.
00:06:17Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin.
00:06:22Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
00:06:27Begin it now.
00:06:29That's beautiful.
00:06:31No, that's good, too.
00:06:34You're beautiful.
00:06:53Mississippi's a huge move.
00:06:55I really hope you're ready for it.
00:06:57I have a Mississippi in my mind that's warm and rich and black and real.
00:07:03Maybe it's where I'm supposed to be.
00:07:28I can't wait to chop it off with your mom and G-mom.
00:07:31Do they play midwest?
00:07:32Seriously, Mel.
00:07:33My mom and G-mom, they're not warm and fuzzy.
00:07:36It takes them a while.
00:07:37They're just outsiders.
00:07:38Well, I'm not an outsider.
00:07:40I'm your wife.
00:07:45Grab that donut out of the trunk for me.
00:07:47The donut is the key.
00:07:48Yeah, I know what a donut is, Kevin.
00:07:50I'm sorry, city girl.
00:07:53Oh!
00:07:54No, no, no!
00:07:55It's fine.
00:07:57Come on, come on.
00:07:58It's just water.
00:07:59It's just mud.
00:08:00Relax.
00:08:01Oh, it's just mud?
00:08:02Yeah.
00:08:03Oh, is that just mud?
00:08:04Is that just mud?
00:08:05Stop!
00:08:08All right, all right, all right.
00:08:09I'm sorry.
00:08:10I'm sorry.
00:08:11Come on.
00:08:15Oh, they're here already.
00:08:17Dee, I told you to move these toys.
00:08:19Don't worry.
00:08:20Go get them.
00:08:22Hi!
00:08:23Lord, what in the world is this?
00:08:27Is that Ty Trax on her shirt?
00:08:29My Betty!
00:08:30G-mom!
00:08:31I've heard so much about you.
00:08:36There's a sink and a towel just inside, T-Link.
00:08:40Come on, sis.
00:08:41I'll show you.
00:08:42Oh, OK.
00:08:43Behave.
00:08:46I'm Dee, Kevin's sister.
00:08:48I'm Dee, Kevin's sister.
00:08:50There's my baby sister.
00:08:52Handsome, tall.
00:08:56Come here.
00:08:59So you met Melanie.
00:09:06I'm sorry, babe.
00:09:09I tried to warn you, but my mom and grandma are not exactly...
00:09:13It's fine.
00:09:15I'm fine.
00:09:16I'm fine.
00:09:20They don't know me.
00:09:23I was wrong to expect more.
00:09:30They just caught me by surprise is all.
00:09:36But I'm not scared of some little old ladies.
00:09:40Oh, my goodness.
00:09:42Here we go.
00:09:47Yeah, just a little more.
00:09:49I'll get it for you.
00:09:50I got it.
00:09:51OK, here you go.
00:09:52A little bit of ham.
00:09:53Oh, no thank you.
00:09:56You don't like to eat?
00:09:57I eat mostly vegetables.
00:10:03OK.
00:10:04You don't eat, Peggy.
00:10:05You just roll around in the mud like that.
00:10:07because you just roll around in the mud like one.
00:10:10G-mom, can I talk to you on the property, please?
00:10:18Oh, Jesus, Jesus.
00:10:20That is not true at all.
00:10:23Not like the way you are.
00:10:24When you're around, G-mom.
00:10:26What are you doing?
00:10:27I'm talking to you.
00:10:28Boy, boy, boy.
00:10:29I'm sorry.
00:10:30I'm sorry.
00:10:31You're not making any sense about all this.
00:10:33I was wondering how long you'd last in there.
00:10:38Welcome to the family.
00:10:40I love my mama and my grandmama.
00:10:43But you couldn't pay me to sit through one of those family
00:10:45dinners again.
00:10:46Mm-mm.
00:10:51That's why I spend so much time in there.
00:10:54Is that where you live?
00:10:56Tch.
00:10:57Ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:10:58You must think we a country show nub.
00:11:02No, baby girl, that is my salon.
00:11:06Oh.
00:11:07You want to look inside?
00:11:11Sorry for the mess.
00:11:21Do you have customers this late?
00:11:23Lizzie works downtown at 7.
00:11:26By the time she's fed her crew and gets the baby to bed,
00:11:30where else is she going to go?
00:11:31Is it just you here?
00:11:33Mm.
00:11:34Today it was.
00:11:36My shampoo girl, Aquanetta, is seven months pregnant.
00:11:39Has to rest her legs every 20 minutes.
00:11:44I am going to have to find me somebody else pretty soon.
00:11:48Hm.
00:11:49Well, I can help.
00:11:53You?
00:11:54Ha, ha, ha, yeah.
00:11:57What you know about hair?
00:11:59Not an awful lot, but I can help you shampoo.
00:12:07I'm sorry again about my ma and G-ma.
00:12:12Hm.
00:12:13I don't know who got cut worse, me or that ham.
00:12:16I love Dee, though.
00:12:18She even gave me a job.
00:12:19Hey, that's great, babe.
00:12:32The movers will be here with our stuff tomorrow.
00:12:35I'll be at the construction site till 6.
00:12:38Have a good first day with Dee.
00:12:40I love you.
00:13:05And some homemade vanilla ice cream.
00:13:13Girl, I am so glad to see you.
00:13:16Netta didn't come in at all.
00:13:18I need you to use that cream wash on Miss Cynthia there,
00:13:21and the rinse in the blue bottle.
00:13:23This is my sister-in-law, Melanie, y'all.
00:13:26She's going to take real good care of you.
00:13:27Hi.
00:13:30Y'all act like y'all can't speak.
00:13:33Hey.
00:13:34Hi.
00:13:37Miss Cynthia, you've been waiting for 30 minutes.
00:13:41Go on over there.
00:13:41OK.
00:13:46Woo.
00:13:47Um.
00:13:48Oh.
00:13:50Well, I like it hot.
00:13:52OK.
00:13:53But not too hot.
00:13:55Like warm, but not too cool.
00:13:57Right.
00:13:58You follow?
00:13:59Yes, ma'am.
00:14:00You got good hands?
00:14:01Um, I'm not.
00:14:03I'm not too sure.
00:14:07Can I get yours?
00:14:09No.
00:14:11Keep this with me.
00:14:12Sure.
00:14:13I'm just going to.
00:14:14I'm going to have to wash.
00:14:17Is that OK?
00:14:19Mm.
00:14:20Come on.
00:14:22Oh.
00:14:25Oh.
00:14:27Mm.
00:14:28I'm just going to.
00:14:30Oh, yes.
00:14:33Oh, that's good.
00:14:34That's good.
00:14:35Oh, yeah.
00:14:36That's good.
00:14:37Right there.
00:14:38Right there.
00:14:39Woo.
00:14:40And you're done.
00:14:42Oh, huh?
00:14:43Yeah.
00:14:44I'm done.
00:14:45Woo hoo.
00:14:45I'm just going to lift you up now.
00:14:47Just you good?
00:14:49Whoa.
00:14:50Girl, I think I'm going to need a cigarette.
00:14:53Ha ha ha ha ha.
00:14:56Ooh, you know you got the hands a lot.
00:15:00Mm, I'm more than all right.
00:15:03So, uh, who's next?
00:15:06Oh, oh, oh.
00:15:07Oh, my god.
00:15:08Yo, yo, I.
00:15:09Ha ha ha ha.
00:15:11I really like working in your shop, D.
00:15:14It's like this feeling comes over me.
00:15:18And my hands just know what to do and how to move.
00:15:23Yeah.
00:15:25When I was touching their hair, it felt like,
00:15:29like I was healing them somehow.
00:15:32Like I could feel all of the tension and worries
00:15:35just slide away.
00:15:37And we really need the money.
00:15:40But I know it's just hair.
00:15:41There is no such thing as just hair
00:15:44where black ladies are concerned.
00:15:47We are all about the hair.
00:15:49What we do to it, what it does to us.
00:15:53Wherever two or more gather, we're talking about hair.
00:15:56That's right.
00:15:57Ha ha ha.
00:16:00Maybe it shouldn't be that way.
00:16:04Well, the way I see it, the first thing people notice
00:16:08about us is that we're black.
00:16:10Mm-hmm.
00:16:11The next thing is how we wear our hair.
00:16:14Then they judge us on that, right?
00:16:16Like as if our hairstyle is going
00:16:19to tell them who we really are.
00:16:21Why do you think so many black women wear wigs, hmm?
00:16:25Trying to fool them off, honey.
00:16:27I never thought of it like that.
00:16:29Why, Betty and G-Mom?
00:16:31Oh, those are wigs?
00:16:32They trying to fool you off, too, honey.
00:16:35They trying.
00:16:35And failing.
00:16:36Ha ha ha.
00:16:38She's so disrespectful.
00:16:40No one ever sees in her.
00:16:43She tried to cook dinner and tried to make some chicken.
00:16:47When I look at the chicken, ain't no skin on it.
00:16:51She brawled it.
00:16:52What?
00:16:53Wait, where was the skin?
00:16:55She threw it out.
00:16:56She what?
00:16:57Oh, well, that's the best part.
00:17:00She's wasteful.
00:17:01Mm-hmm.
00:17:04Oh, look there.
00:17:06Is that Miss Cynthia?
00:17:07Ha ha ha.
00:17:08Hey, hey there, Miss Cynthia.
00:17:10Hey.
00:17:11Good afternoon, ladies.
00:17:12I can't stop and talk, you know?
00:17:14I got to go get a place in line.
00:17:16A line?
00:17:17At Dee Dee's?
00:17:18Oh, yeah.
00:17:19Everybody is fired up about that Melanie.
00:17:22You know, she got good hands.
00:17:25I just might have to buy myself a place in line.
00:17:28I got to go.
00:17:29Bye.
00:17:32She's selling seats.
00:17:39$112?
00:17:40Mm-hmm.
00:17:41Doing what now?
00:17:43Hair.
00:17:44Shampooing hair.
00:17:46I did 16 heads today at $7 a head.
00:17:51Dee makes a killing in that shop.
00:17:53Working there has been a godsend.
00:18:02Hey.
00:18:05Where is everyone?
00:18:06Late day today?
00:18:10No day.
00:18:13Ain't got no water.
00:18:15Is it the bill?
00:18:16No.
00:18:17It's G-mom.
00:18:20This shack technically sits on her land,
00:18:22and she owns the water rights.
00:18:26This morning, she had the county cut me off.
00:18:30Why would she do that?
00:18:31She doesn't want you working here, Melanie.
00:18:36Says I got no water until you gone.
00:18:39Oh.
00:18:45OK.
00:18:47It's OK.
00:18:47It's not OK.
00:18:49G-mom always pulls stunts like this just because
00:18:52she doesn't see.
00:18:56Don't let it hurt your business.
00:19:01Just tell her I'll leave.
00:19:11I'm just going to miss you.
00:19:14Every head in this place is going to miss you.
00:19:23You're my family, Dee, and my friend.
00:19:34Don't let these healing hands go to waste.
00:19:38I won't.
00:19:42I promise.
00:19:48We're really excited to have you starting
00:19:50with us, Mrs. Armstrong.
00:19:52Psychology major, huh?
00:19:54Yeah.
00:19:55But I see you didn't finish college.
00:19:58Dropped out in your senior year?
00:20:00Yeah, I just feel like I wasn't getting anywhere.
00:20:03I really want to make a difference in this world.
00:20:06Well, the world starts coming in here at 5 PM.
00:20:11You'll be working the night shift.
00:20:13Check the ladies in.
00:20:14Get them settled.
00:20:15OK.
00:20:18Make sure everybody gets one food box and one cot set.
00:20:23It's your desk.
00:20:24OK.
00:20:25Oh, a word of advice.
00:20:28All of these women have stories, and you
00:20:31do not have time to hear them.
00:20:34Nobody comes here happy, Armstrong.
00:20:37And their misery will drown you.
00:20:44That's your coffee, for you only.
00:20:47Can't afford to feed the masses.
00:20:50Let's get your paperwork done.
00:20:52Sure.
00:20:57Yeah, it's the graveyard shift, 8 to 6.
00:21:02Pay's not great, but we need the money.
00:21:04And when will I see you?
00:21:06I guess we'll have to get creative.
00:21:08I'm feeling creative right now.
00:21:10Oh, yeah?
00:21:14Wait, right now?
00:21:16Oh, my God.
00:21:18She's going to mess up my hair.
00:21:32That bad?
00:21:36It's terrible, but it's hot.
00:21:39Yeah, that's what I said about my husband.
00:21:47If you're not going to drink it, I will.
00:21:51Uh, yeah.
00:21:54Sure.
00:21:58I miss coffee.
00:22:01I miss a lot of things, but I really
00:22:02miss good coffee, which this ain't.
00:22:06But it's like you said.
00:22:07It's hot.
00:22:11I'm Melanie.
00:22:12Leona.
00:22:14Have you been here long?
00:22:15Not here.
00:22:17I was at Langford and then Wesley before that.
00:22:21Lots of us, we sort of run the circuit until social
00:22:23finds us a place to land.
00:22:26Some of the girls, they go back to wherever they left.
00:22:29Most of us, we can't do that.
00:22:36You have any lotion?
00:22:38They never have any lotion in this place.
00:22:40It's like they never heard of Ashy before.
00:22:43Don't they got lotion in the showers?
00:22:46OK.
00:22:48Ladies, is there any lotion in the showers?
00:22:51No.
00:22:52No.
00:22:53You, no.
00:22:54No lotion in no showers.
00:22:57Now, what they do have, though, is some cheap-ass soap
00:23:02and some paper towels.
00:23:04Paper towels?
00:23:05How are you supposed to dry your hair on paper towels?
00:23:08Your hair?
00:23:10Ain't no real shampoo in this joint anyway.
00:23:12I know that's right.
00:23:13You know, I tried putting that green stuff in my hair.
00:23:16Made it all stick together.
00:23:17Clumped up like dreadlocks.
00:23:19When I pass my reflection in the store window, I say, ooh.
00:23:24Who is that scary, messy woman?
00:23:27That's not me.
00:23:28It can't be me.
00:23:29Oh, no, that's her.
00:23:30Oh, girl.
00:23:35Can I get a freshen up on the coffee?
00:23:38Me too.
00:23:39I feel like if you're doing them, you might as well do me.
00:23:42Please.
00:23:46When I left my house, I was running for my life.
00:23:50I didn't pack nothing.
00:23:53My hair hadn't seen a brush for two months.
00:23:56Wow.
00:23:57Those little brushes they give you?
00:24:00They must be for Barbie doll heads.
00:24:02I just want some grease.
00:24:04Any kind of grease.
00:24:05My hair is so thirsty.
00:24:07Girl, I'm about to sell mine as Brillo pads, OK?
00:24:10Like, shh.
00:24:13When my hair doesn't feel like my hair,
00:24:17I just don't feel like myself.
00:24:20You know?
00:24:21That's why I keep my hat on.
00:24:23But we can still see your kitchen, though.
00:24:26Yeah!
00:24:37Are you sure this is OK?
00:24:39Oh, it's fine.
00:24:40They left for a two-day revival meeting last night.
00:24:43I'm meeting them at the hotel in Jackson.
00:24:46You've got all day and all night.
00:24:49Thank you.
00:24:50Try not to burn it down.
00:24:55Thank you, baby.
00:24:56All right, take care.
00:24:57Bye.
00:24:58Bye!
00:25:04Hey!
00:25:05Hi!
00:25:06Thank you.
00:25:07Hey, how are you doing?
00:25:09What is this?
00:25:10Well, you're going to find out.
00:25:13OK, follow me.
00:25:17Come on, come on, come on.
00:25:20OK.
00:25:22Right this way, ladies.
00:25:23Oh my goodness.
00:25:26Oh, I smell real coffee.
00:25:28Wow.
00:25:29Yeah.
00:25:30A real rush.
00:25:32It's my sister-in-law's.
00:25:33But today, it's ours.
00:25:36Oh!
00:25:37Oh my!
00:25:38I can do shampoo, press and curl, but nothing too fancy.
00:25:41OK?
00:25:42Oh, girl, I know my way around hot coffee.
00:25:44Curl it.
00:25:45OK.
00:25:46You got grease.
00:25:47This is sweet.
00:25:48This coffee, oh.
00:25:50Enjoy, ladies.
00:25:52Yes.
00:25:53Thank you.
00:25:55And Miss Leona, you're first up at the sink.
00:26:00Oh!
00:26:01Right over there.
00:26:02You know, somebody else can go first.
00:26:04Uh-uh, no, girl.
00:26:05Age before beauty.
00:26:07Go ahead.
00:26:08Screw you, chicky.
00:26:09I'm just saying.
00:26:10Just going to put this over you.
00:26:14OK.
00:26:16There.
00:26:18All right.
00:26:24Hey.
00:26:26I'm going to have to take your hat off now.
00:26:28OK?
00:26:30Yeah?
00:26:32All right.
00:26:34It's going to, it's going to take it off.
00:26:38There we go.
00:26:41Oh.
00:26:42I'm sorry.
00:26:43I hope it doesn't smell bad.
00:26:45No, of course not.
00:26:46You're fine.
00:26:47It's fine.
00:26:49Come on.
00:26:51Come on, I got you.
00:26:54Come on.
00:26:55OK.
00:26:57There we go.
00:27:07Miss Leona, are you OK?
00:27:11Did I hurt you?
00:27:12No, it's just, I just haven't been touched in so long.
00:27:19Go ahead, Miss Violet.
00:27:21She'll be fine.
00:27:24How's this girl?
00:27:25She's a healer, Miss Lily.
00:27:27We all going to get a healer.
00:27:32You OK?
00:27:33All right.
00:27:38All right, here we go.
00:27:41Is that OK?
00:27:46Wow.
00:27:49Wow.
00:27:51Look at you.
00:27:54Look at you.
00:28:08God bless you, Miss Nell.
00:28:11You have a gift, truly.
00:28:14You look so beautiful.
00:28:15Thank you.
00:28:16All of you.
00:28:24Kevin.
00:28:28Hey.
00:28:34Kevin.
00:28:35What's wrong?
00:28:36Wake up.
00:28:37What's wrong?
00:28:38You know how you said you want to start your own ministry one
00:28:42day, when the time is right, and you hear God call you?
00:28:47Yeah, that's right.
00:28:50Well, I think, I think I hear God calling me.
00:28:57I think I know my purpose.
00:29:00It's something about hair.
00:29:03God wants you to be a hairdresser?
00:29:05I don't know.
00:29:07Maybe.
00:29:08I can't help feeling like I should do something.
00:29:15I get that.
00:29:17You do?
00:29:19You could start a hair church.
00:29:21Folks could tie their combs and brushes.
00:29:24There's even a special roped off area for folks with jerry curls
00:29:27that don't drip juice on everybody.
00:29:29I'm being serious.
00:29:30OK, OK.
00:29:31OK.
00:29:34Whatever you're being called to do, babe, I support it.
00:29:38Thank you.
00:29:40Just as long as you scratch my head
00:29:43and keep me far away from the weave quiet, OK?
00:29:46All right, yeah, yeah.
00:29:47Scratch your head.
00:29:49What, like this?
00:29:50Stop, stop.
00:29:51Give me a kiss.
00:29:52No.
00:29:53Give me a kiss.
00:29:54No, you don't deserve it.
00:29:55Give me a kiss.
00:29:56Ew.
00:29:57Oh, my.
00:29:58Who's calling this late?
00:30:01Hello?
00:30:05Oh, my God.
00:30:07Oh, that's terrible.
00:30:10I'll be right there.
00:30:12What is it?
00:30:14The pipes burst at the shelter.
00:30:16The whole place is flooded.
00:30:19What are you going to do?
00:30:20Where are you going?
00:30:21Those are my ladies, Cass.
00:30:23I got to be there for them.
00:30:31I'll notify you when we can reopen.
00:30:35You should go dry off.
00:30:37Yeah.
00:30:38Yeah.
00:30:39Good night.
00:30:40Good night.
00:30:46Where's Lydia and Booty?
00:30:48Both of them shipped to other shelters.
00:30:50Just waiting on my plate brother, Garvin.
00:30:52Don't stay with him a while.
00:30:54We all split up now.
00:30:58I know it sucks, right?
00:31:01You see Lydia, though?
00:31:03She gave him hell for making us stand out here in the rain
00:31:05with her hair freshly did.
00:31:07She was mad about that.
00:31:10Didn't have her to move again.
00:31:12I told her, calm down.
00:31:14All her hair got red.
00:31:18I'm sorry.
00:31:20Hey.
00:31:22It's not your fault.
00:31:24Hell, we all had to be princesses for a whole night.
00:31:28All four of us.
00:31:30Couldn't nobody tell us nothing.
00:31:32It's just, you know, water and nature.
00:31:36Not the last word, as always.
00:31:42I think that's it.
00:31:44That's it?
00:31:47Okay.
00:31:49Okay.
00:32:01I'll see you again.
00:32:05I just wish there was something more I could do for them.
00:32:09You were there, baby.
00:32:11That's enough.
00:32:17Freedom hair.
00:32:19What's that?
00:32:21That's what I used to call this
00:32:23when my hair was just
00:32:25itself and wild and free.
00:32:31My grandmother,
00:32:33she let me wear it out like this one weekend
00:32:35when my mom was away.
00:32:39One weekend of freedom in 25 years.
00:32:44Split ends.
00:32:46Breakage.
00:32:48Pain.
00:32:50Relaxer burns and
00:32:52who knows what other kind of damage
00:32:54from more home perms than I can count.
00:32:58And for what, Kevin?
00:33:00Straightness?
00:33:02Why?
00:33:04You're shaking.
00:33:06You're shaking.
00:33:08You're shaking.
00:33:10You're shaking.
00:33:12You're shaking.
00:33:14You want some soup, you say this?
00:33:20You don't want to be sick?
00:33:24All right, all right.
00:33:26I got you, all right.
00:33:28I'm here.
00:33:30Well, folks, it's not the flu.
00:33:32Mrs. Armstrong,
00:33:34you're gonna have a baby.
00:33:38You're pregnant.
00:33:41I'm pregnant?
00:33:43Baby, we're pregnant.
00:33:45Congratulations.
00:33:47Oh, my God.
00:33:49We're pregnant. Oh, my God.
00:33:51So I've got to
00:33:53learn to breathe.
00:33:55Also, here's a sample of the vitamins
00:33:57you'll need. Vitamins?
00:33:59See, our pregnancy
00:34:01takes all of the strength
00:34:03and vitamins out of you.
00:34:05Okay, but excuse me,
00:34:07but your hair
00:34:10is magnificent.
00:34:12Oh, my goodness.
00:34:14I've never seen anything like it.
00:34:16How did you... Where did you?
00:34:18It's a little shop called Bernetta's.
00:34:20I found it passing by
00:34:22in Memphis.
00:34:24She's pretty pricey,
00:34:26but, girl,
00:34:28she can change your life.
00:34:30There's nothing stronger
00:34:32than the brain.
00:34:34I can't believe
00:34:36it took five months to get this appointment.
00:34:38Well, I can't believe we drove to Tennessee
00:34:40to get your hair done.
00:34:42Melanie, right?
00:34:44Yeah.
00:34:46Hello. I'm Bernetta. Hi.
00:34:48Look at you. Come in. Sit down.
00:34:50Okay. And I'm gonna wash your hair myself
00:34:52so I can learn your textures.
00:34:54My textures? Your textures.
00:35:02Let me know if that's too cold or hot.
00:35:04No, it's perfect.
00:35:07Wow.
00:35:11Okay.
00:35:13Is this your first time, Melanie?
00:35:15Yeah, it is.
00:35:17I've... Oh.
00:35:19Thank you.
00:35:21I've never done anything like this before.
00:35:23Do you know what kind of style you like?
00:35:25Oh, I do.
00:35:27I saw this woman
00:35:29and she had, like,
00:35:31100, 200 braids
00:35:33all in her hair,
00:35:36and it just crisscrossed and all the way
00:35:38swept up like a crown.
00:35:40An updo.
00:35:42Is this for a special occasion?
00:35:44Just my life.
00:35:46I'm five months pregnant, though.
00:35:48Oh, I see.
00:35:50Well, let's make the next four months
00:35:52of that journey beautiful, okay?
00:35:54Okay. All right, now.
00:35:56Then let's get started.
00:35:58Here we go.
00:36:00No peeking until we're done.
00:36:02Oh, okay.
00:36:05Close your eyes
00:36:07and relax.
00:36:09Okay.
00:36:35Okay.
00:36:53Melanie.
00:36:55Melanie.
00:36:57Take a look, honey.
00:36:59We're done.
00:37:05Excuse me, miss.
00:37:07That's my...
00:37:09Oh, my God.
00:37:13Oh, my God.
00:37:17Do you like it?
00:37:19I love it.
00:37:21Can I...
00:37:23Can I touch it?
00:37:25You can do anything you want with it.
00:37:27It's indestructible.
00:37:29Oh, oh.
00:37:35Your hair
00:37:37is as beautiful
00:37:39as you are.
00:37:41It's like
00:37:43what's always been inside of you
00:37:45has finally got set free.
00:37:47That's exactly
00:37:49how I feel, Kevin.
00:37:51It's like
00:37:53everything's all coming together.
00:37:55This...
00:37:57This transformation that I feel.
00:37:59It's...
00:38:01It's a healing, Kev.
00:38:03Like, what if...
00:38:05What if every black woman
00:38:07in Mississippi felt this way?
00:38:09Like, when we start
00:38:11feeling good
00:38:13and beautiful and powerful,
00:38:15that's a revolution, Kev.
00:38:17And, God,
00:38:19I just want to...
00:38:21I want to grow you women up.
00:38:23And I'm gonna start
00:38:25by braiding hair.
00:38:27Okay, but
00:38:29you don't know how to braid.
00:38:32Be real.
00:38:34When in your life have you ever braided hair?
00:38:36That's not the point.
00:38:38If I know what I want to do,
00:38:40I can learn how to do it.
00:38:42Melanie.
00:38:44Look, Bernetta told me about a huge hair show
00:38:46coming to Atlanta in a couple of months.
00:38:48They do a class on African hair braiding.
00:38:50I...
00:38:52Look, it's not cheap,
00:38:54but it's an investment.
00:38:56How large an investment?
00:38:58$1,200 plus hotel and travel.
00:39:01$1,200?
00:39:03I'm not asking you for permission or for money.
00:39:05I'm asking for your support.
00:39:15Okay.
00:39:17You have it.
00:39:19βͺ
00:39:21βͺ
00:39:23βͺ
00:39:25βͺ
00:39:27βͺ
00:39:29βͺ
00:39:31βͺ
00:39:33βͺ
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00:39:39βͺ
00:39:41βͺ
00:39:43βͺ
00:39:45βͺ
00:39:48The keys to successful professional micro braiding
00:39:50are patience, precision, and efficiency.
00:39:52Move too fast,
00:39:54and you'll make mistakes
00:39:56that can cost you hours to fix.
00:39:58Move too slowly,
00:40:00and you'll lose customers,
00:40:02money, and time.
00:40:04This is an advanced class,
00:40:06and I'm assuming
00:40:08you all have at least three years
00:40:10of prior braiding experience.
00:40:12Yes?
00:40:14Yes.
00:40:17βͺ
00:40:19βͺ
00:40:21βͺ
00:40:23Today, we're using
00:40:25Caucasian-grade wigs as subjects.
00:40:27Now, the straightness
00:40:29will deliver its own set of problems.
00:40:31Take your parting combs,
00:40:33and let's use the mannequins
00:40:35to begin with a basic feed-in.
00:40:37βͺ
00:40:39βͺ
00:40:41βͺ
00:40:43βͺ
00:40:45βͺ
00:40:47βͺ
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00:41:05βͺ
00:41:07βͺ
00:41:09βͺ
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00:41:14βͺ
00:41:16βͺ
00:41:18βͺ
00:41:20βͺ
00:41:22βͺ
00:41:24You'll never fix this.
00:41:26Take that out and start over.
00:41:28βͺ
00:41:30βͺ
00:41:32βͺ
00:41:34I'm the slowest,
00:41:36dumbest person there.
00:41:38I'm so behind.
00:41:40And tomorrow
00:41:43is gonna be even harder.
00:41:47It's just impossible.
00:41:49Cool.
00:41:51Then let's jump in the car and get out of here
00:41:53before they charge us another day's parking fee.
00:41:55Wait, what?
00:41:57Well, you're saying you just can't do it, right?
00:41:59You didn't know it was gonna be this hard, so let's go.
00:42:01Come on.
00:42:03I hate you.
00:42:05You don't wanna be sure?
00:42:07I love you.
00:42:09You love me now? Yeah.
00:42:12Okay.
00:42:14Thank you.
00:42:16The hair you work on
00:42:18may be heat damaged, broken off,
00:42:20fragile,
00:42:22or chemically stripped.
00:42:24The extension should support
00:42:26the existing hair,
00:42:28not just enhance it.
00:42:30I wanna see three different styles
00:42:32today, people.
00:42:34For three completely different women.
00:42:36Extensions are on the table.
00:42:38You have two hours.
00:42:40Go.
00:43:07Do you understand the assignment?
00:43:10Oh, yes.
00:43:12I just...
00:43:14I just have to get to know them first.
00:43:16Know them?
00:43:18Mm-hmm.
00:43:20Okay. Who are they?
00:43:25This one...
00:43:27is...
00:43:29Leona.
00:43:31She's not fancy,
00:43:33but she...
00:43:35she wants to feel pretty
00:43:37and respected.
00:43:40Let's go. Everyone else, gather around.
00:43:42This one here...
00:43:44this is Lydia.
00:43:46She's all about
00:43:48fashion and glamour,
00:43:50but she's also really smart.
00:43:54And this last one here
00:43:56is Tiny.
00:43:58She's young and wild,
00:44:00but her hair controls her.
00:44:04She wants to control it.
00:44:10Excellent, Melanie.
00:44:12Keep working.
00:44:14The rest of you,
00:44:16if you haven't had a conversation
00:44:18with your client
00:44:20and gotten a better insight
00:44:22into who they are,
00:44:24rip out what you've started
00:44:26and start again.
00:44:28This is about people first,
00:44:30then hair, not the other way around.
00:44:32Let's go.
00:44:34Good job.
00:44:36Thanks.
00:44:41For the baby.
00:44:43Oh.
00:44:47Thank you.
00:44:49You have some nerve
00:44:51coming in here with no skills.
00:44:53Nerves, or...
00:44:55maybe courage.
00:44:57I don't know.
00:45:00I just had to learn.
00:45:02I can't explain it.
00:45:04Melanie, you have a gift.
00:45:06You braid from the heart.
00:45:08And once your speed
00:45:10and your technique
00:45:12is where your heart is,
00:45:14you're going to be unstoppable.
00:45:20Are there any more classes
00:45:22I could take
00:45:24just so I could keep practicing?
00:45:26You're from Mississippi, right?
00:45:29Mm-hmm.
00:45:31Well, Melanie,
00:45:33the cosmetology schools in Mississippi
00:45:35don't even teach braiding.
00:45:37After today,
00:45:39you learn by doing.
00:45:41Braid everything.
00:45:43Get strong.
00:45:45The only limits...
00:45:47Okay.
00:45:49...are the ones you set for yourself.
00:45:53I still can't believe
00:45:55they haven't fixed that hole.
00:45:57We're lucky they fixed the pipes at all.
00:45:59Mm-hmm.
00:46:01How much you charge
00:46:03to do that on a real-life person?
00:46:05I don't really know.
00:46:07I haven't had a customer yet.
00:46:09Girl, what are you waiting for?
00:46:11I'll pay you 40 bucks
00:46:13if you can do something with this.
00:46:15Now, I washed it before,
00:46:17so you ain't got to worry about cooties and that.
00:46:19Girl, don't be silly.
00:46:21Rosemary,
00:46:23I'll braid your hair for free.
00:46:26You just pay for extensions.
00:46:28Sure.
00:46:30What are extensions?
00:46:32Oh.
00:46:34I want to see.
00:46:36I want to see.
00:46:38I can't take it.
00:46:40Okay, okay.
00:46:42You're done. Take a look.
00:46:44A mirror!
00:46:46Who got a mirror? Who got a mirror?
00:46:48There it is!
00:46:50There it is!
00:46:53I'm gonna tell everybody I know about you.
00:46:55You better get ready.
00:46:57You about to blow up.
00:46:59Oh, my God!
00:47:23Okay.
00:47:45Kevin!
00:47:47Kevin!
00:47:50Got it.
00:47:52Perfect.
00:47:57Dee,
00:47:59has anyone got back about...
00:48:01Girl, relax.
00:48:03I told them you'd push all appointments
00:48:05back a couple of weeks.
00:48:07One lady got salty.
00:48:09She said when she dropped her baby,
00:48:11she went back to work the same day.
00:48:13No.
00:48:15I said, this ain't no dang plantation,
00:48:17and you're not kissy.
00:48:19Them nappy heads can wait.
00:48:21Mm-hmm.
00:48:23Melanie,
00:48:25this is your first baby.
00:48:27You need to give yourself time
00:48:29to get your strength back up.
00:48:31My chicken soup
00:48:33should help with that.
00:48:49Is that my new grandbaby?
00:48:53My Betty,
00:48:55I want you to meet
00:48:57Kevin Jr., KJ.
00:48:59There you go.
00:49:01Yes.
00:49:03KJ.
00:49:05Mm-hmm.
00:49:07Oh.
00:49:09Look at you, baby.
00:49:11KJ.
00:49:13Oh.
00:49:19$850.
00:49:21That's more in one day
00:49:23than one week at the shelter.
00:49:25Last weekend, I made $1,500, Kev.
00:49:27But it's hurting you.
00:49:29Your fingers are stiff.
00:49:31Your arms ache.
00:49:33Yeah, but it comes with a job.
00:49:35If I braved full-time,
00:49:37I could probably make enough
00:49:39to cover my half
00:49:41and even rent a little studio to work out of.
00:49:43I don't know.
00:49:45I could go professional.
00:49:48I could do this.
00:49:50I wonder if I'd need a license
00:49:52or something.
00:49:54$30,000?
00:49:56For a license?
00:49:58Miss Clara, that can't be right.
00:50:00What is this?
00:50:02I'm braiding hair, not flying an airplane.
00:50:04Well, let me talk to your supervisor.
00:50:06Hello?
00:50:08What happened?
00:50:10Same person keeps
00:50:12giving me all kinds
00:50:14of ridiculous information.
00:50:17No license costs that much.
00:50:19I'm gonna have to go down there myself.
00:50:21To Jackson? That's 400 miles round trip, baby.
00:50:23Sure you don't want to wait and go?
00:50:25Can I help you drive?
00:50:27Here, let me take the baby.
00:50:29I'll look after KJ.
00:50:31You take care of your business.
00:50:33Thank you, girl.
00:50:35Kev, $30,000.
00:50:37That can't be right.
00:50:39Can it?
00:50:41Oh, no, dear.
00:50:43The license itself is only $10,000.
00:50:45Then you must attend
00:50:47the cosmetology school
00:50:49for 2,000 hours of training.
00:50:51Now, that'll take about a year and a half,
00:50:53and the cost is approximately $20,000.
00:50:55And then upon completion
00:50:57of cosmetology school
00:50:59and payment of all school fees,
00:51:01then your license
00:51:03becomes active.
00:51:05Cosmetology school?
00:51:07Mm-hmm.
00:51:09But I'm braiding hair.
00:51:11I'm an African hair braider.
00:51:14I'm an Irish Catholic, dear,
00:51:16but the rules are the rules.
00:51:18Ma'am,
00:51:20Mississippi cosmetology schools
00:51:22don't even teach hair braiding.
00:51:24I'd be wasting my time and money.
00:51:26It doesn't make sense.
00:51:28It is what it is, dear.
00:51:30So please move on.
00:51:32I will not move on!
00:51:34I will not move on
00:51:36until somebody in this office
00:51:38explains to me why I'm being forced
00:51:40to pay thousands of dollars
00:51:43I asked her to leave!
00:51:45She won't leave!
00:51:47What the hell is a braiding salon?
00:51:49I don't really know.
00:51:51She has been quite vociferous,
00:51:53and I'm afraid that if we don't deal with her,
00:51:55this could escalate into an event.
00:51:57What if she calls the press?
00:51:59What can we tell her
00:52:01to make her go away, huh?
00:52:05What about wigology?
00:52:07Wigology?
00:52:09What is that?
00:52:11If you obtain a wigologist
00:52:13license for yourself,
00:52:15then you can legally open up
00:52:17your shop.
00:52:19Now, you'll have to take a wigologist course,
00:52:21of course, but for a much shorter time,
00:52:23about 400 hours.
00:52:25And the cost will be about
00:52:27$1,000, and then your license
00:52:29will be an additional $300.
00:52:31So $1,300?
00:52:35So where do I take this wigology class?
00:52:37Well, uh,
00:52:40that's on you, dear.
00:52:42You know, she couldn't even
00:52:44tell me one single school
00:52:46that teaches wigology.
00:52:50Before I left Jackson,
00:52:52I called six different schools.
00:52:54Not one of them teach it.
00:52:58How can they offer me
00:53:00a license
00:53:02knowing full well I'll never be
00:53:04able to take the class to qualify
00:53:06for it?
00:53:09It's not even logical.
00:53:13Oh, this is Mississippi, child.
00:53:17There's always something deeper
00:53:19than logic going down.
00:53:23What about that
00:53:25old place up on Boulevard?
00:53:27You check there?
00:53:29Cosmetology school?
00:53:31That's what the sign says.
00:53:33It's a small place, looks kind of funky,
00:53:35but... Are you sure?
00:53:38Okay.
00:53:40Check it out tomorrow.
00:53:46Get this thing off my lot.
00:53:48You can't park here.
00:53:50Let me tell you something.
00:53:52Get it out of here.
00:53:54Get it off my lot.
00:53:56Come on.
00:53:58Break it up. Go.
00:54:00Come on.
00:54:02Don't worry about it.
00:54:04I'll get it together.
00:54:06She's having a rough time.
00:54:10You need to talk about it?
00:54:14Who, you?
00:54:16Yeah.
00:54:18Gus, I'm not just your boss.
00:54:20I'm a black man living in a world
00:54:22just like you.
00:54:26Fuck, man, I'm...
00:54:28I'm having problems at home.
00:54:30I can't think straight,
00:54:32you know?
00:54:35She wants a divorce, but I love her.
00:54:37Mm-hmm.
00:54:39My minister says to work it out,
00:54:41but what does that even mean?
00:54:43Yeah.
00:54:47Why don't we, uh,
00:54:49grab lunch
00:54:51and we can talk about it?
00:54:53Come on.
00:54:55You are coming at a good time.
00:54:57The spring course
00:54:59is just about to get started.
00:55:01I'm just here for the one course, wigology.
00:55:04Wigology?
00:55:06I...
00:55:08I don't teach that class.
00:55:12Wha...
00:55:14Oh, dear.
00:55:16Did I upset you?
00:55:18It's not you.
00:55:20It's...
00:55:22I'm just one person
00:55:24trying to start a business,
00:55:26you know?
00:55:28And I'm trying to do it right.
00:55:30What's the nature of your business, dear?
00:55:34I'm an African hair braider.
00:55:38Oh.
00:55:42Braids like these
00:55:44bring a lot of freedom
00:55:46to women that have forgotten
00:55:48what their...
00:55:50what their real beauty
00:55:52looks like.
00:55:54You run a school
00:55:56dedicated to beauty, right?
00:55:58Well, black women,
00:56:00we...
00:56:04we don't know our own beauty.
00:56:08I can't teach you that class,
00:56:10Mrs. Armstrong.
00:56:12Wigology hasn't
00:56:14been taught in Mississippi or beyond
00:56:16for more than 15 years.
00:56:20What they told you was a lie.
00:56:26Thank you for telling me the truth.
00:56:29I'm so sorry.
00:56:31I...
00:56:41I'm not really
00:56:43good company right now.
00:56:45That's okay.
00:56:47I hate good company.
00:56:55So I talked with
00:56:57three men today,
00:57:00a workman and one of their friends.
00:57:02It looks like they're searching
00:57:04for a new style congregation,
00:57:06one that tells them
00:57:08they can do more than just
00:57:10wait on God.
00:57:12They want to be proactive
00:57:14in their lives.
00:57:16So I told them about you.
00:57:20Me?
00:57:22Kev.
00:57:24I just had a roadblock
00:57:26I can't get past.
00:57:29I'm not exactly your proactive
00:57:31poster child.
00:57:33I told them you were stuck,
00:57:35but to stay tuned,
00:57:37because if anyone knows
00:57:39how to ride shotgun with destiny,
00:57:41Mel, it's you.
00:57:43I've never met a boulder
00:57:45you couldn't smash to pebbles.
00:57:53I'm on the move, Gerda.
00:57:55The moment
00:57:57one definitely commits
00:57:59oneself,
00:58:01all sorts of things begin to happen
00:58:03that would never otherwise
00:58:05have occurred.
00:58:11I never heard that part.
00:58:19Whatever you can do,
00:58:21what dream,
00:58:24you can begin.
00:58:26Begin it now.
00:58:32Thank you for coming.
00:58:34I've done a bit of research.
00:58:36As you know,
00:58:38the Wigology course no longer exists.
00:58:40But the Wigology exam
00:58:42and Wigology license
00:58:44still do.
00:58:46Whoever schemed to get rid of this thing,
00:58:48they did a terrible job.
00:58:50But
00:58:53how can I take an exam
00:58:55if the course doesn't exist?
00:58:57We will use the exam
00:58:59itself as your coursework.
00:59:01You'll have to come at the regular time,
00:59:03six hours a day, five days a week.
00:59:05And the board,
00:59:07they look at anyone who's
00:59:09thinking outside the box as competition.
00:59:11So you can't tell us all what we're doing.
00:59:13But if you're determined to get this license,
00:59:17then I'm going to help you fight to get it.
00:59:23Okay.
00:59:39There you go.
00:59:45Yeah, this looks good.
00:59:53You ladies are now
00:59:55in the presence of a fully licensed Wigologist.
00:59:57Wigologist?
01:00:03Passed with a hundred percent.
01:00:11What?
01:00:17Wait.
01:00:19What do you think?
01:00:22Is this?
01:00:24Is this what?
01:00:26It's your shop.
01:00:28My shop?
01:00:30You got me a shop, baby?
01:00:32Oh my God. How?
01:00:34Saving up.
01:00:36Lots of overtime.
01:00:38There's chairs. Oh my God.
01:00:40I've been fixing it up after work.
01:00:42Wait, what is this?
01:00:44What is this?
01:00:46That chair's just for you. Sit down.
01:00:48For me?
01:00:50Okay.
01:00:52Is it comfy? Yes.
01:00:54So you like it?
01:00:56I love it.
01:00:58You deserve it all.
01:01:02Thank you.
01:01:04And over here,
01:01:06maybe we could put some
01:01:08sofas or chairs.
01:01:10And a coffee maker.
01:01:12Oh, and a sound system.
01:01:14Just a little one.
01:01:16Okay. Oh, Kevin.
01:01:19Come here.
01:01:21Here, feel this.
01:01:23What?
01:01:25This is what
01:01:27a living dream feels like.
01:01:31I want this for you too.
01:01:33In your congregation.
01:01:37Speaking of congregation,
01:01:39I think you have some converts
01:01:41here yourself.
01:01:43Huh? Ladies!
01:01:45Pretty.
01:01:48Oh my goodness.
01:01:50Girl, you're such
01:01:52a good husband.
01:01:54Oh my gosh.
01:01:56Wait, how?
01:01:58How did you do that?
01:02:00Dee helped me.
01:02:02We figured you'd need some support
01:02:04to get started.
01:02:06And we're both on unemployment right now,
01:02:08so we were thinking that by the time it runs out...
01:02:10Yeah, baby.
01:02:12Oh my God!
01:02:14Oh my God.
01:02:16I'm dreaming.
01:02:20Hello? Naturally Speaking Hair Salon.
01:02:22This is Leona speaking.
01:02:28All right.
01:02:30You're done.
01:02:42All right, if your name is on the list,
01:02:45you have an appointment. Just relax.
01:02:47Thank you.
01:02:49All right.
01:02:51You are done.
01:02:53Naturally Speaking Salon, Leona.
01:02:55Is this your first time getting braids?
01:02:57It sure is. Me and my husband
01:02:59are going to the Bahamas,
01:03:01and this time I'm getting my hair wet.
01:03:03Okay.
01:03:05Get your hands off my pad.
01:03:07Get your fingers off my pad.
01:03:11Ma'am, ma'am.
01:03:15You all gonna have a suit.
01:03:17I got you, I got you.
01:03:19I said don't touch my pad!
01:03:21Oh!
01:03:23I just can't.
01:03:27Welcome to Naturally Speaking.
01:03:29I'm Melanie.
01:03:31Now, tell me about
01:03:33who you are.
01:03:37Don't you forget to send us some pictures now.
01:03:39Okay, bye.
01:03:42I cannot believe
01:03:44how busy we were today.
01:03:46Girl.
01:03:48My hands hurt.
01:03:50They hurting?
01:03:52Yes.
01:03:54This will make you feel better.
01:03:56Yes, it will.
01:04:00Soak your fingers in some salt water.
01:04:02Then meet me
01:04:04two hours before opening
01:04:06tomorrow.
01:04:08Ring friends if you want to.
01:04:10But tomorrow
01:04:12class begins.
01:04:24When am I supposed
01:04:26to ask it again?
01:04:28You ask her what she wants.
01:04:36Oh.
01:04:40She said she
01:04:42want the rest of her body.
01:04:48We're here with Melanie Armstrong
01:04:50of Naturally Speaking Salon.
01:04:52Braids
01:04:54are what I call
01:04:56freedom hair.
01:04:58These braids,
01:05:00twists, and micro braids
01:05:02free women up.
01:05:04So, if you want to
01:05:06have some freedom,
01:05:09so they can pay more attention
01:05:11to their lives and not worry about how
01:05:13their hair might restrict them.
01:05:15And what inspired
01:05:17you to do this African style hair braiding?
01:05:19Were you born in Africa?
01:05:25No, no.
01:05:27I was born right here in America.
01:05:29African style braids
01:05:31are much more about who you are
01:05:33than where you're from.
01:05:35Black women in America need to
01:05:38remember their own beauty.
01:05:40My shop exists to celebrate that beauty
01:05:42that all of us have,
01:05:44but that many of us keep hidden.
01:05:46Ah, that's it.
01:05:48Yes, that's it.
01:05:50Oh, she did good.
01:05:52She sure did.
01:05:58I don't think it's the same.
01:06:00Where's that cheap hair?
01:06:02Girl, it's cheap.
01:06:04Welcome to Natural...
01:06:07Oh, she's so lovely.
01:06:09I know.
01:06:11Is this your first night here?
01:06:13Hello.
01:06:15Hey, pretty baby.
01:06:17What you doing?
01:06:19I didn't know you were coming by.
01:06:23I got to have an invitation
01:06:25to see my great-grand.
01:06:27Or to see you
01:06:29and this little shop
01:06:31of yours, for that matter.
01:06:33Come sit down.
01:06:35Oh, no, I'm just fine, thank you.
01:06:37I'm very particular about my hair.
01:06:39Mm-hmm.
01:06:41Gee, Mom,
01:06:43you've worn this wig
01:06:45for a very long time.
01:06:49And underneath it,
01:06:51there's hair
01:06:53that could stand some tenderness.
01:06:57Come sit down.
01:06:59Let me spoil you.
01:07:02Yeah?
01:07:05Okay.
01:07:07All right.
01:07:09All right.
01:07:15I'm just going to...
01:07:17I'm just gonna massage you.
01:07:19Okay?
01:07:35Mm.
01:07:53I used to have long hair.
01:07:57It was long
01:07:59and white.
01:08:01Wow.
01:08:04All the way down to my waist.
01:08:08Oh, that was something to see.
01:08:14It was before I got sick.
01:08:18I just...
01:08:22I just can't wear my hair like this.
01:08:24It's okay.
01:08:26But I don't want braids
01:08:28either, child.
01:08:30Well, braids aren't for everyone, Gee, Mom.
01:08:32But freedom is.
01:08:36And if wearing your piece
01:08:38makes you feel free,
01:08:40then that's exactly what we're gonna do.
01:08:42Let me work on your piece, Gee, Mom.
01:08:44I could restyle it
01:08:46for a softer look
01:08:48or anything.
01:08:50Yeah, that's right, that's right.
01:08:52Ain't no reason for you to keep going around
01:08:54looking like Beatha.
01:08:56Girl.
01:09:02Dude.
01:09:22And my cousin Tanika
01:09:24said she could do it, but she got us looking like
01:09:26we got mops on our heads.
01:09:28And my rehearsal supper's in two hours
01:09:31Okay, Leona, Rosemary,
01:09:33start unbraiding bridesmaids.
01:09:35Lydia, come up here and help me with the brides.
01:09:37I don't know how to do it.
01:09:39Okay, okay.
01:09:41It's gonna look beautiful.
01:09:43You're closed for today.
01:09:45I don't think it matters, ma'am.
01:09:47I need to see your license.
01:09:49Just a second, okay?
01:09:51I'll be right back.
01:09:54Okay.
01:10:00What is this about?
01:10:04Quakeology, huh?
01:10:06Mm-hmm.
01:10:08Is that where this place is?
01:10:10I need to see their licenses, too.
01:10:12What?
01:10:14These ladies are my students.
01:10:16I supervise their every move.
01:10:18They're my trainees.
01:10:20Ma'am, this license doesn't give you the right
01:10:22to train anybody.
01:10:24Now, I'm gonna give you a citation
01:10:26and a fine today,
01:10:28but if I catch you with this again,
01:10:30I'll close you down
01:10:32and may arrest you.
01:10:34On what charge?
01:10:36Making a living?
01:10:44The way these Mississippi laws
01:10:46are written,
01:10:48it's only folks with money who can get a license.
01:10:51It costs less time
01:10:53and less money to get certified
01:10:55as a fireman or a nurse
01:10:57or a sheriff
01:10:59than it does to be a hairdresser.
01:11:01I know.
01:11:03My shop has been flying under the radar for years.
01:11:05But it's on private property
01:11:07and I don't advertise,
01:11:09so I probably don't exist to them.
01:11:11If women like me had to depend
01:11:13on the state of Mississippi
01:11:15to certify us to do what it is we do,
01:11:17we'd all still be sweeping floors
01:11:20working in Miss Anne's kitchen.
01:11:22That's what they want.
01:11:24I don't want to stop learning, though.
01:11:26I could really be good at this.
01:11:28I mean,
01:11:30I could teach you right here at my house,
01:11:32but you can't pray to the shops.
01:11:34But your business is gonna go right to squat
01:11:36if you don't have some help.
01:11:38Damn state of Mississippi strikes again.
01:11:44What if we strike it back?
01:11:46Yeah.
01:11:49Line 35,
01:11:51needs to be approved.
01:11:53Institute for Justice,
01:11:55Dana Brillinger here.
01:11:57Could you please hold a secβ
01:11:59Wait, what?
01:12:01Slow down.
01:12:03Miss, who are you?
01:12:05Uh-huh.
01:12:07What about the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology?
01:12:09Put that on speaker.
01:12:11I am a licensed professional
01:12:13African hair braider
01:12:15and the state of Mississippi
01:12:17is actively interfering with my right to make a living.
01:12:19Are you familiar with the Mississippi State Board
01:12:21of Cosmetology?
01:12:23Oh, we are very familiar with them.
01:12:25Could you tell us everything from the beginning, please?
01:12:27You are not the first people
01:12:29to ever fight back against unfair licensing laws.
01:12:31In our very first case,
01:12:33Pamela Farrell and Talib Din Uqdah,
01:12:35two highly successful
01:12:37salon owners,
01:12:39were fined and threatened with closure
01:12:41for running a natural hair braiding program
01:12:43without a license.
01:12:46They sued the government of Washington, D.C.
01:12:48for violating their constitutional rights.
01:12:50And D.C.
01:12:52wanted to avoid bad press.
01:12:54They just changed the law.
01:12:56So there's precedent. We can win.
01:12:58Well, you have to remember that D.C.
01:13:00is not a state.
01:13:02So the rules are not the same.
01:13:04That's a city with a population of about 700,000
01:13:06and a largely black
01:13:08and sympathetic city council.
01:13:10Mississippi has a population of over
01:13:123 million
01:13:15and a majority full of mostly good old boys
01:13:17who couldn't care less.
01:13:19Which is exactly why, Melanie...
01:13:21Thank you.
01:13:23That's why if you're gonna do this,
01:13:25you have to be sure and you have to be brave.
01:13:27I'm sure.
01:13:29I mean, what choice do I have?
01:13:31Well,
01:13:33you could probably strike a deal
01:13:35with the state,
01:13:37keep quiet in exchange for the reward,
01:13:39leaving you and your trainees alone.
01:13:41This case is about more than just Melanie Armstrong.
01:13:43There are black women everywhere
01:13:45being refused the right to earn an honest living.
01:13:47How could you even say that?
01:13:49Melanie, Melanie, that was a test.
01:13:51If you had said yes to that,
01:13:53I wouldn't have taken your case.
01:13:55And now I'm very excited to.
01:13:57Oh.
01:13:59Okay.
01:14:01Good. I was testing you.
01:14:03Good.
01:14:05Have we both passed?
01:14:07Because that's the kind of passion
01:14:09we're gonna need to win.
01:14:12It's not about hair, you know.
01:14:14It's about money.
01:14:16There are over 100,000
01:14:18licensed cosmetologists
01:14:20in the state of Mississippi.
01:14:22Every single one of them
01:14:24paid $30,000
01:14:26to obtain their license
01:14:28and attend cosmetology school.
01:14:30So you do the math on that
01:14:32and you think about all the new licenses
01:14:34being issued every year.
01:14:36Both the state and the schools
01:14:38have a nice big guaranteed
01:14:41Mm-hmm.
01:14:43And they do not want you
01:14:45to come in and mess that up.
01:14:47Ladies, your opponents
01:14:49have very deep pockets.
01:14:53You know, they're gonna come at you
01:14:55in some pretty creative ways.
01:14:57Lobbyists are gonna attack
01:14:59your reputation,
01:15:01your background, and your credibility.
01:15:03If I win this case,
01:15:05black women
01:15:07will have as much a chance
01:15:09as any white kid with a degree.
01:15:11Hmm.
01:15:13You ever think about
01:15:15what'll happen if you lose?
01:15:17I'm not gonna lose.
01:15:19Good.
01:15:21Then I'll file suit next week.
01:15:23No turning back now.
01:15:25Armstrong versus the state of Mississippi.
01:15:27I like
01:15:29the sound of that.
01:15:31It's got a nice ring to it, doesn't it?
01:15:33How do I pay for this?
01:15:35You don't.
01:15:38IJ is funded by donations.
01:15:40So are we
01:15:42going into the courtroom?
01:15:44No, we're going into the hearing room first.
01:15:46Luckily, the state legislature
01:15:48is worried enough about this going to court
01:15:50that they want to hear us out first.
01:15:52Oh, that's good for us.
01:15:54That is
01:15:56Representative Steve Holland.
01:15:58He's committee chair. He is smart and fair.
01:16:00You're gonna want to get his ear.
01:16:02So in the case of Armstrong
01:16:04versus the state of Mississippi,
01:16:07it's important to understand that my client
01:16:09is filing for injunctive
01:16:11and declaratory relief.
01:16:13She is not seeking money.
01:16:15She is seeking to challenge
01:16:17the constitutionality of the law
01:16:19and moves that that law
01:16:21be changed or struck down.
01:16:23Thank you, Ms. Berliner.
01:16:25But that's a longstanding law.
01:16:27You certainly got a lot of nerve, Mrs. Armstrong.
01:16:29Good. We got their attention.
01:16:37Hey.
01:16:47I've been offered
01:16:49a pastorship.
01:16:51I told them
01:16:53I'd decline until this lawsuit
01:16:55is over.
01:16:57Oh,
01:16:59don't do that, Kev.
01:17:03Take it.
01:17:06Look,
01:17:08if I'm gonna go through this,
01:17:10I need to know you're where
01:17:12you ought to be.
01:17:15Besides, I might need you to
01:17:17whisper to God for me a little.
01:17:25Are you scared now?
01:17:33No.
01:17:35But I think I should.
01:17:40They're calling it hair wars.
01:17:42Local hair braider Melanie Armstrong
01:17:44takes on the state of Mississippi
01:17:46over the right to braid black natural hair.
01:17:48Nearly 100% of hair braiders
01:17:50in Mississippi
01:17:52are black women.
01:17:54So, essentially, the cosmetology board
01:17:56are seeking yet another way
01:17:58to keep black women
01:18:00out of the financial mainstream.
01:18:02However, many lawmakers don't see it
01:18:05that way.
01:18:07Maybe braids and cosmetology
01:18:09are not the same thing,
01:18:11but they're close enough.
01:18:13They both involve hair.
01:18:15Mrs. Armstrong faces an uphill battle
01:18:17to convince the state lawmakers
01:18:19that this longstanding law
01:18:21should be changed.
01:18:24Hey.
01:18:26What are you doing up?
01:18:28What's wrong?
01:18:32We're not strong enough.
01:18:34What do you mean, not strong enough?
01:18:36Why?
01:18:38We're fighting by their rules.
01:18:40Trying to change their laws.
01:18:42We should be bringing a fight to them.
01:18:44The cosmetology board's
01:18:46caving to the negative press.
01:18:48It's the same old thing.
01:18:50It's the same old thing.
01:18:52They're willing to reduce
01:18:54the mandatory hours of instruction
01:18:56from 2,000 down to 600,
01:18:58which will lower the cost
01:19:00of cosmetology tuition
01:19:02from 10,000 to around 5,000.
01:19:04Now, they want to make a deal.
01:19:06No deal.
01:19:10I want us to bring our own bill
01:19:12to the state lawmakers.
01:19:14Something that'll
01:19:16free graders completely.
01:19:18No license should cost more than $25,
01:19:21Every braider should have to pass
01:19:23a basic hygiene and safety test
01:19:25as well as a demonstration of skills.
01:19:27And if you can braid,
01:19:29you can teach braiding.
01:19:31No more wigology, no more cosmetology at all.
01:19:33The art of braiding
01:19:35should be set free.
01:19:37Yes.
01:19:39Yes.
01:19:41Yeah?
01:19:43Yes.
01:19:45It's good, right?
01:19:47It's great.
01:19:50I like her, too.
01:19:52Okay, let's talk strategy, Melanie.
01:19:54You are gonna have to meet with a lot of powerful politicians,
01:19:56shake a lot of hands...
01:19:58You're making a big deal out of nothing.
01:20:00...and change a lot of minds before the hearing.
01:20:02Traffic cops and congressmen
01:20:04both involve law.
01:20:06Do they have the same training,
01:20:08the same licenses?
01:20:10No, you can't.
01:20:20Where are you going?
01:20:22Come out with me.
01:20:24Out?
01:20:26Have you looked at me?
01:20:28And there's tomorrow?
01:20:30No.
01:20:32All the more reason.
01:20:34Just throw on a dress,
01:20:36keep your hair wrapped if you like.
01:20:38But please.
01:20:40What you doing?
01:20:42Kevin.
01:20:44All right, all right.
01:20:46All right.
01:20:48I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming.
01:20:50Lord, I'm coming.
01:20:52You crazy.
01:20:54Cover your eyes.
01:20:56I'm covering them.
01:20:58Don't peek.
01:21:00Kevin, I'm not peeking.
01:21:02All right, just two steps, ready?
01:21:04One, one more.
01:21:06Two.
01:21:08Okay.
01:21:10Can I open them now?
01:21:12Wait.
01:21:14My wife, Melanie Armstrong.
01:21:17Wow.
01:21:21Oh, my God.
01:21:31All right, now everyone take your seats.
01:21:43My wife usually
01:21:46gets the last word,
01:21:48but tonight is my night.
01:21:52A few years ago,
01:21:54my wife came to me
01:21:56and told me she wanted to braid hair.
01:21:58And I told her
01:22:00I thought she was crazy.
01:22:02And she was.
01:22:04At that time,
01:22:06she knew nothing about braiding hair.
01:22:08But the thing about my wife,
01:22:10she never once
01:22:12let the impossible stop her.
01:22:15The improbable to her
01:22:17just indicates a lack of imagination.
01:22:19I once told her
01:22:21she never met a boulder
01:22:23she couldn't smash to pebbles.
01:22:25And I was right.
01:22:27But tomorrow,
01:22:29my wife is meeting more than a boulder.
01:22:33Tomorrow, my wife is coming up
01:22:35against the powerful state of Mississippi.
01:22:37And I ask you all
01:22:39here to share in a prayer
01:22:41of courage and strength for her,
01:22:43because we need her to be whole,
01:22:45to remain unafraid,
01:22:47and carry her undaunted cause
01:22:49straight to the lap of victory.
01:22:51So I ask you all
01:22:53in the name of the Most High
01:22:55to bow your heads,
01:22:57close your eyes,
01:22:59grasp hands,
01:23:01go to your innermost silent place
01:23:03and pray.
01:23:13Will I have to say anything today?
01:23:15You don't have to,
01:23:17and I'll respect your decision if you don't.
01:23:19But...
01:23:21But without your voice,
01:23:23there's just my own.
01:23:25You are this truce, Melanie.
01:23:27I'm just your echo.
01:23:31Okay.
01:23:33Okay.
01:23:35I got it.
01:23:37It'll be great.
01:23:39He's a local cosmetology student.
01:23:42They were ordered to be here
01:23:44or risk failing their course.
01:23:46That seems unfair.
01:23:48Welcome to politics.
01:23:50Fortunately,
01:23:52your supporters are a lot louder
01:23:54and a lot more fierce.
01:23:56Freedom here!
01:23:58Freedom here!
01:24:00Freedom here!
01:24:02Freedom here!
01:24:04Freedom here!
01:24:06Freedom here!
01:24:08Freedom here!
01:24:11Freedom here!
01:24:13Freedom here!
01:24:15Freedom here!
01:24:17Freedom here!
01:24:19Today we will hear testimony
01:24:21regarding proposed bills
01:24:23that would change the laws
01:24:25that apply to African hair braiding
01:24:27in Mississippi.
01:24:29Ms. Berliner,
01:24:31we will first hear from you.
01:24:33Thank you.
01:24:35The current law denies hair braiders
01:24:37like Melanie Armstrong
01:24:39chosen field. The current laws in place with the State Board of Cosmetology make it virtually
01:24:44impossible for hair braiders to be trained, to train others, and to obtain a license truly
01:24:52relevant to the work that they do. The entire system of cosmetology dates back to the early
01:24:591900s. It doesn't make sense anymore. But a lot of people make a lot of money from it.
01:25:07And those people make sure that the rules don't change. They don't care about the lives
01:25:11destroyed when thousands of women cannot work. And you might ask yourself how this could
01:25:17be so. But to answer, you only need to look at Melanie. And then look around you. There
01:25:25is not one person who understands black hair or African micro braiding at a single cosmetology
01:25:32school in the entire state of Mississippi. Not one. Yet it is into this unbending wall
01:25:39of ignorance that Melanie Armstrong and any person who wishes to practice African braiding
01:25:46in the traditional styles is meant to throw themselves. In return for what? Nothing. These
01:25:53archaic laws have to change. And the bill that we are putting before you today for your
01:26:01consideration can fix what's broken immediately.
01:26:05That's right.
01:26:06Thank you.
01:26:07That was poetic and emotional, but it smears smoke and mirrors of the real point of why
01:26:26we're here. You don't keep a clean aesthetic by letting folks run wild. If somebody touches
01:26:33your hair or your skin, they need to be regulated. If anybody touches my hair or my wife's hair,
01:26:41I would want to know that they are clean, licensed, and accountable. We wouldn't want
01:26:48some bum off the street washing our hair now, would we?
01:26:51Mr. Chairman.
01:26:52Mr. Billings, please stick to the point.
01:26:54I think I've made my point.
01:26:56Now, Ms. Berliner, do you have anything further to add?
01:27:00No. Thank you, Senator Holland.
01:27:04I want to talk.
01:27:05My client would like to speak.
01:27:07Okay.
01:27:17My name is Melanie Armstrong. I'm not a lawyer or a politician. I became a braider as a way
01:27:26to touch and heal Black women's souls. I wanted to restore to us a clear and unfiltered vision
01:27:35of our own grace and beauty. I was tired of us only seeing ourselves through a hot comb,
01:27:43fried, and chemically treated lens. We deserve a chance to just be who we are.
01:27:52Braiding can give Black women a leg up in their self-esteem and a footing in the workplace.
01:27:58And it's exactly that financial opportunity that the Cosmetology Board wants to suppress.
01:28:06They don't want to teach hair braiding.
01:28:09They don't want anything to do with us.
01:28:12They just want to take our time and money and give us nothing in return.
01:28:18The bill that I'm urging you to pass will put an end to that.
01:28:22When I first started this journey, I didn't know how to braid.
01:28:27Now...
01:28:39I am the voice of any Black woman in Mississippi or in the world that wants to create this for a living.
01:28:46To the state of Mississippi in general, and to the Mississippi Board of Cosmetology specifically,
01:28:53I say, let my people braid.
01:29:01Thank you.
01:29:08This woman is not who she says she is. She's not even from Mississippi.
01:29:12Melanie Armstrong is a college dropout. She has been cited for employing unregistered workers.
01:29:19She's not even qualified to touch a dog's hair.
01:29:22Mr. Chairman, that...
01:29:23Mr. Billings, your vitriol is disappointing and an embarrassment to this state.
01:29:27The board should be ashamed of itself for allowing these tactics, which are unseemly in any legislative hearing.
01:29:32Now, if you are done, sir, please be seated.
01:29:34Now, hair braiding should have never been an issue to come before this legislative body.
01:29:39It is clearly a cultural art form.
01:29:44And if it can be a means of financial support, too, well, so much the better.
01:29:48Mr. Chairman, please...
01:29:49Mr. Billings, you can inform the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology
01:29:54that I'm not recommending their bill for further regulation moves forward.
01:29:58However, I strongly urge you to pass this bill.
01:30:01However, I strongly advise that Ms. Armstrong's bill to remove hair braiding
01:30:06from any jurisdiction the Cosmetology Board holds now or may ever hold in the future
01:30:11be approved by the State House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor.
01:30:17Yes! Yes!
01:30:19All right!
01:30:25I did it!
01:30:31The sun is coming up again
01:30:40As winds of change are blowing
01:30:45And I know
01:30:49Yes, I know
01:30:53It feels like freedom
01:30:56All right, all right.
01:30:57My hair defies gravity.
01:31:02She's rebellious and will never lay down unless she wants to.
01:31:08She is soft as a sponge
01:31:11And brutal as a Brillo pad
01:31:14She can go from lying down to lying king
01:31:18Three drops of rain
01:31:21My hair takes no prisoners
01:31:24My hair hides infinite secrets
01:31:29Sometimes I feel she is magical
01:31:35And sometimes I feel she is possessed
01:31:39She looks like she could be controlled
01:31:43But she can't
01:31:45Gel, hairspray, goo and prayers are useless
01:31:50She is silent
01:31:52She is silent
01:31:54Except when a flat iron makes her hiss
01:31:58My hair has attitude
01:32:02She is born to be wild
01:32:07Freedom, hair and fire!
01:32:12Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair!
01:32:17Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair! Freedom, hair!
01:32:25I see them coming together
01:32:32And I
01:32:39Said it feels like freedom
01:32:44Are you ready now?
01:32:46Yes, I'm ready now
01:32:49For a change to come
01:32:53Feet don't fail me now
01:32:55Cause I'm ready now
01:32:57To move on
01:33:01Are you ready now?
01:33:03Yes, I'm ready now
01:33:05For a change to come
01:33:09Feet don't fail me now
01:33:11Cause I'm ready now
01:33:12To move on
01:33:17Freedom
01:33:21Freedom
01:33:25Freedom
01:33:30Freedom
01:33:34Freedom
01:33:39Freedom
01:33:44Freedom
01:33:48Freedom
01:34:09Put my feet under cold water
01:34:13Whenever I get home
01:34:16And I tell myself
01:34:18That I did it all better
01:34:20Than I might have done
01:34:22I came up like a paper daughter
01:34:26Falling with the afterthought
01:34:28And the tender mercy
01:34:30That I was after
01:34:32Came hard won
01:34:34Hard won
01:34:35Hard won
01:34:48Oh, I've tried
01:34:52Keeping you in my mind
01:35:00And I've done my time
01:35:03Lying awake at night
01:35:11But oh
01:35:17Those lonely times are done
01:35:23And oh
01:35:28It was hard won
01:35:31Hard won
01:35:36Hard won
01:35:43Found myself in a strange new land
01:35:46Without a hand to hold
01:35:48And I was mad at God
01:35:50For leaving me standing
01:35:52In the bitter sun
01:35:55But I kept hanging on
01:35:58To the very end of my rope
01:36:01When sitting down
01:36:03All right with myself
01:36:05Came hard won
01:36:07Hard won
01:36:21Oh, I've tried
01:36:25Keeping you in my mind
01:36:31And I've done my time
01:36:36Lying awake at night
01:36:43But oh
01:36:50Those lonely times are done
01:36:56And oh
01:37:01It was hard won
01:37:08Hard won
01:37:15I was up on the third street bridge
01:37:18The night you got my letter
01:37:21I was singing out in Virginia
01:37:24When you found someone
01:37:27I had to lay your memory down
01:37:29On the altar of my anger
01:37:32And the peace of mind
01:37:34That I finally found
01:37:36Came hard won
01:37:38Hard won
01:37:52Oh, how I've tried
01:37:56Keeping you in my mind
01:37:59And I've done my time
01:38:04Lying awake at night
01:38:13But oh
01:38:20Those lonely times are done
01:38:25And I know
01:38:28And I know
01:38:34Yeah, I know, I know, I know
01:38:40Yeah, I know
01:38:46It was hard won
01:38:52Hard won
01:38:57Yeah
01:39:27Yeah