Breaking Common Dreadlock Stereotypes

Having dreadlocks is not always all fun and games. While you may receive plenty of positive compliments, there are many times when other people’s opinions can slap you in the face with sheer negativity. This is due to the fact that many people are uneducated when it comes to dreadlocks, and usually stick to stereotypical characteristics while judging those with dreads. Believing stereotypes is an easy thing to do when there are so many misconceptions about certain topics. Have no fear, by reading my blog weekly, I hope your dreadlock education widens and you are enlightened by new information. My goal is to help you form a more open and accepting mind to something you may view to be strange and unusual, while dumping dreadlock stereotypes in the trash. If you are contemplating dreading your own hair, do not hesitate to comment with questions or concerns that I may not address throughout the course of my blog.

Typical dreadlock stereotypes:

1. If you have dreadlocks, you are definitely a hippie.

Although I can ramble for days on why dreadlocks do not make a person a hippie, I will keep it short. The term hippie is used to describe a specific subculture from the 60’s. To break this down further, Webster’s dictionary defines a subculture as a social group that exhibits characteristic patterns of behavior that sets them apart from others. With that being established, hair does not glue a person to any sort of specific characteristics/behavior. That’s almost like saying that any girl with a high ponytail is or acts like a cheerleader…. Let’s face it, that’s ludicrous.

2. Ew, people with dreadlocks don’t wash their hair… they smell really bad.

This is definitely not true. In fact, dreadlocks actually dread faster the cleaner they are. Natural oils in hair do not help dreads form, so those with dreads are often encouraged to wash their hair as much as they can. It is true that a dread head cannot use shampoo, or conditioner, and dread heads usually train their scalp to reduce oil production. However, I am willing to bet that my hair is probably cleaner than your average woman in her twenties.

3. If you have dreadlocks, you most likely are some sort of musician.

This is a silly stereotype, and I couldn’t tell you where it comes from, but I am asked about this very often. Since I have dreadlocks people assume I am some sort of musical guru. Older people often ask me if I am in a band, but I can assure you, there is no musical power hidden in my matted hair follicles. I CAN play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano, though.

4. Only Rastafarians have dreadlocks.

Although very many Rastafarians dread their hair in a spiritual manner, the hairstyle is not reserved for the Rasta, only. I do have a pretty obsessed connection with my hair… but I would not refer to it as sacred… and I am not Rastafarian by any means.

5. If you want to get rid of your dreads, you have to shave your head!

This is not always true! A huge step to getting dreads is research, and I cannot stress it enough. If you do your dreads the correct way, WITHOUT USING WAX (and I repeat, no wax) you can get rid of dreads. Men typically shave their dreads because it is much easier to cut the knots out then it is to begin the process of de-dreading. De-dreading hair isn’t a 1-2-3 procedure but it can be done with plenty of patience. I have personally witnessed many people, usually women, who have de-dreaded their hair and after only a few weeks of deep conditioning, have the beautiful hair that they started with.

6. If you have dreadlocks, you DEFINITELY smoke marijuana.

This is one of the more annoying labels that come along with having dreadlocks. Many random people at parties, or bars have approached me to answer the question “where’s the weed, man?” and each time they are sorely disappointed and shocked when I reply that I have no idea, because I don’t smoke. Please remember, having a specific hair do does not make you a pothead.

7. Good luck getting a job with those dreadlocks! Nobody’s going to take you seriously in the professional world…

First, I’d like to say that being taken seriously in the professional world has a lot more to do with your overall attitude than your hairstyle. If you’re a go-getter, you’ll be recognized as one. With that being said, it is possible to style dreadlocks. If a professional setting does not call for my dreads being down or I suspect I may be judged before my personality can be met, I can easily fasten an up-do capable of making me look just fine within minutes! The acceptance of dreadlocks in the professional world all depends on the audience. Some workplaces may view dreadlocks as a negative thing, while others view it as a unique, individual characteristic. Those of you reading this may be shocked to know that many professionals that I met through a recent internship with the State Senator of our district complimented my hair on multiple occasions.

If you retain anything from my weekly blog posts, I hope this one sticks out in your memory. Please try and remember that each of these points are merely stereotypes and are no reason to jump to conclusions about ANYONE due to their hairstyle. Come back next week for more dreadlock coverage!

History of Dreadlocks

Now that you all have been introduced to my knots and I, I thought it would be important to share some of the history of dreadlocks. We’ve reached the year of 2013, it is said by many historians that dreadlocks have strayed from their original roots (no pun intended), and become more of a fashion statement than anything else. However,  this is not entirely true.

With the help of research obtained by long-time dreadhead,Vic Dicara, and Dreadlocks.org I have come across some historical information that even I did not know. One of the first appearances of dreadlocks dates back to the Hindu deity Shiva, and his followers in early 2500 BCE.

Followers of many faiths sported dreadlocks to emphasize a disregard for vanity and physical appearance.

Without grooming the hair, dreadlocks were brought into the world. Early examples of dreadlocks are also found in early Egyptian artifacts. Archeologists have uncovered many mummified remains of Ancient Egyptians with dreadlocks.

Dreadlocks are also well known among Rastafarians, Indian sages and yogis who are found in a number of South Asian religions such as Hinduism. The most well-known of these listed is most likely the Rastafarian culture. Rastafarians are Judeo-Christians of the Caribbean Islands who, again, wore dreadlocks as part of the religious lifestyle. Rastafarians believed their dreadlocks to be holy and extremely powerful. One of the most popular Pop Culture references to dreadlocks would be Bob Marley, who grew dreadlocks due to his Rastafarian beliefs, to show his commitment to the Lion of Zion.

According to Dreadlocks.org "like everything else in this material world, they (dreadlocks) are almost devoid of spiritual value"but this is not as true as it seems. Throughout our lives, history has molded the present in both positive and negative ways. The history of dreadlocks has not been lost in vain. Many people today still grow dreadlocks to showcase spiritual belief. This is evident in many dreadlock forums that are bouncing around the Internet.

Although I am not an “eastern holy man” as dreadlocks.org references, and I do not have dreadlocks because I am a diehard Rastafarian, I have dreadlocks that hold a meaning much more important to me than JUST a hair do. It may not be super spiritual, and my dreads are definitely cleaner than your average Rastafarian’s. I have dreadlocks to hold a specific message. I have dreadlocks because Natural is beautiful and I am not afraid to show it. I have dreadlocks because life as we know it has become more and more materialistic. Men and Women are in constant competition with one another to be the best, and to be the prettiest they can be. I have dreadlocks; much like their history, to showcase that personal appearance is not the most important thing in the world. Women do not need 8 pounds of hairspray and clips and combs to be beautiful.  :)

I hope this has answered some questions, I know it has for me.  Stay tuned for next week’s blog!

My Mother's Nightmare

I’ve officially been a ‘Dreadhead’ since 2011, and it has been my favorite life decision thus far! Being able to shave off an hour from my every-morning routine has saved me on so many different levels. Not to mention, in my opinion, my head looks completely rad!!

My mother was not nearly as thrilled about the cosmetic transition as I was. In fact, it took me close to six years just to get her to accept the fact that this is what I wanted to do with myself. Tattoos, piercings, and other body modifications never fazed my mother, whereas many other parents would get chills thinking of their children covered in holes and permanent ink… The first time I told my mom I wanted dreadlocks she looked at me as if I was completely insane “Uh, I don’t think so” was the only response I got.

As years passed, the subject would be brought up randomly and each time Mom had a comment about my “long beautiful hair” and how bad it would look if I dreaded it all up. Finally, I had enough… and this was probably one of the only times I can remember actually rebelling against my mother (we always had a very clear relationship, one full of respect and understanding- and I was often too big of a wimp to break the “rules”).

Mom loved my long curly hair so much she would not let me dread it, so I decided to make a drastic decision. I cut ALL of my hair off, and not into a cute little bob cut either. I had a close friend at the time cut my hair into a female mohawk. It was the most ugly hairstyle I’ve ever worn in my life… but a point had to be proven. My mother made fun of my hair for a good couple of months as it worked through the awkward phase of growing back to a normal length. I hated it, but I wasn’t going to let her know that. She definitely expressed how much she disliked it, though.

It took about two years for my hair to grow back evenly to a nice shoulder’s length, and the entire time it grew, I daydreamed about how awesome it would be to have locks as gnarly as Bob Marley himself (only cleaner). I’d say it was fate the day that I was flipping through the yellow pages looking for a used tire place because, as I opened the book to a random page, an ad for a dread stylist was staring back at me. I immediately called to talk to them. The woman stated that she had “never done Caucasian hair before” but she was willing to give it a shot. I placed the appointment and convinced my little sister to accompany me. It took a total of 6 hours to start my dreads, and I returned home to share with my mom the great news.

As I walked through the door and into the kitchen Mom's jaw dropped. “Oh my God” was all she said, and I laughed and went straight to my room to admire my new 'do in the mirror. My mom dropped one-liners about how she couldn’t believe I did it, and how she “wasn’t thrilled” for a few days. After about a week, my mom simply said, “well, if anyone can pull it off, I guess it’s you”. She’s loved them ever since.