A Reboot Nod to George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum
Black playwrights like George C. Wolfe created stories that would go on to provide the iconography for a black literary cannon and inspire referential television & movies.
The Colored Museum is a collection of vignettes that premiered at Crossroads Theatre in 1986, directed by L. Kenneth Richardson. In a series of 11 “exhibits”, the revue explores and satirizes prominent themes and identities of African-American culture.
One of the 11 exhibits is called “The Hairpiece”. This scene is all about the personalities of t different types of wigs. In this scene, they speak in a duality that brings “the double consciousness” to life. One being a kinky afro, portraying the reality of a life rooted in natural hair qualms and the judgement that follows from a society steeped in racism and classism. The other being a straight long wig that portrays the reality of a life celebrated because the hair matches societies expectations of black women.
In the nostalgic reboot, Hazel, the new fairy god child wishes her hair would come to life and it does. This comedic take on hair that has a personality, much like “The Hairpiece” speaks to the weight our hair carries as black women and the joys of feeling empowered by our hair choices.
As a lover of cartoons, I am grateful for the representation and joy generated by this episode of Fairly Odd Parents A New Wish. Check out my brief commentary below.
