Dreadlocks Myths and Rumors
http://fromgrandmaskitchen.com/Natural-Hair-Beauty/articles/3836/1/Dreadlocks-Myths-and-Rumors/Page1.html
naanis naturals
naanis naturals is a hand-crafted, natural and organic beauty care line. Articles from http://naani.com are reprinted with permission and featured on FGK. Order select naani's naturals products from http://shopgrandmaskitchen.com
By naanis naturals
Published on 01/20/2009
Dreadlocks are dirty, nasty & smelly? People who have dreadlocks never shampoo their hair? All Dreadheads smoke marijuana? Dreadlocks have bugs, lint and all types of critters trapped in them? In this section, we dispel the rumors and give you the facts when we...De-Myth-ify Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks are dirty, nasty & smelly? People who have dreadlocks never shampoo their hair? All Dreadheads smoke marijuana? Dreadlocks have bugs, lint and all types of critters trapped in them? In this section, we dispel the rumors and give you the facts when we...De-Myth-ify DreadlocksCuring Dreadlocks Myths
We now know that the history of dreadlocks is full of deep spirituality, conviction, defiance and pride, but despite the fact that dreadlocks represent one of the oldest and most universal of all hair styles, there are many negative urban legends and myths surrounding their process of growth, maintenance and appearance. Unfortunately, few people have been willing to address these rumors head on and instead have chosen to educate through positive affirmation.
Although this site is about uplifting the world’s perception of dreadlocks through understanding, proper care and instruction, before we can tackle how to care for them, we must uncover how dreadlocks fell from their position of reverence in ancient societies to its present-day existence where it teeters in the realm of taboo.
Dreadlocks Can’t Be Shampooed
Ask virtually anyone, of any color or background and they’ll tell you that in order to grow dreadlocks, you can’t shampoo your hair. This is perhaps the most popular and offensive of all dreadlocks myths as people who’ve never even been in the real-life presence of the hair style often hold this belief to be true. Because negative myths often have more legs than reality, dismantling the perception that dreadlocks can’t be shampooed is difficult and unfortunately what makes the task even more daunting is that there are bits of truth in this lie.
The unkempt nature of traditional dreadlocks probably lead many in the modern-day to believe that their appearance is as much the result of not using combs and brushes as it is from not shampooing one’s hair. What gives the myth credence is that for decades, due to a lack of education, instruction or presence of dreadlocks, there are indeed individuals who refrained from washing their hair for several months. In essence, the myth took root in popular culture and individuals who considered dreadlocks grabbed hold to it, refrained from washing their hair and thus perpetuated the myth. This willingness of some members in the dreadlocks community to adopt the myth is what makes it difficult to fully eradicate.
The story of African hair is indicative of how locks which were once revered in religious institutions throughout the world, are now seen as dreadful by many in mainstream society. It’s amazing to think that racist institutions in Jamaica were able to transform this styles role in history and present day with one word, dread. Thus today, dreadlocks or locks now face the same plight as African hair as any and everything is done to make the style objectionable including telling people that by choosing this style, you’re in-effect choosing to live in filth.
Although this site is about uplifting the world’s perception of dreadlocks through understanding, proper care and instruction, before we can tackle how to care for them, we must uncover how dreadlocks fell from their position of reverence in ancient societies to its present-day existence where it teeters in the realm of taboo.
Dreadlocks Can’t Be Shampooed
Ask virtually anyone, of any color or background and they’ll tell you that in order to grow dreadlocks, you can’t shampoo your hair. This is perhaps the most popular and offensive of all dreadlocks myths as people who’ve never even been in the real-life presence of the hair style often hold this belief to be true. Because negative myths often have more legs than reality, dismantling the perception that dreadlocks can’t be shampooed is difficult and unfortunately what makes the task even more daunting is that there are bits of truth in this lie.
The unkempt nature of traditional dreadlocks probably lead many in the modern-day to believe that their appearance is as much the result of not using combs and brushes as it is from not shampooing one’s hair. What gives the myth credence is that for decades, due to a lack of education, instruction or presence of dreadlocks, there are indeed individuals who refrained from washing their hair for several months. In essence, the myth took root in popular culture and individuals who considered dreadlocks grabbed hold to it, refrained from washing their hair and thus perpetuated the myth. This willingness of some members in the dreadlocks community to adopt the myth is what makes it difficult to fully eradicate.The truth is, dreadlocks are not filthy and dirty, but some people who grow locks are ignorant of their care and do indeed engage in filthy practices. For most people, the idea that water can not touch your scalp is immediately a deal breaker. For others, adhering to the rumor and sticking with a practice of filth is evidence of a misguided conviction. Simply put, being able to endure one’s own filth for several months is not indicative of fortitude. If anything, it demonstrates how easily negative and objectionable beliefs can be willingly and openly adopted by society. Although it may seem impossible, the history of African hair provides yet another example of how negative hair propaganda can easily overcome rational thought.
For hundreds of years, African slaves throughout the Diaspora were told that natural African hair was ugly, nappy, kinky and inferior to straight, long, Caucasoid hair types. As Malcolm X penned in his autobiography, the slaves who worked in the field were subjected to the hardest physical labor while the house slaves, who were often the biracial products of rape, performed indoor tasks and duties that although still objectionable, were preferred to long days of laboring in the sun. As a result of these differences in treatment, slaves began to understand that looking more like the oppressor garnered privilege whereas appearing as God intended left you far more susceptible to the whip.
Where one may not readily change skin color, African slaves began to develop techniques to change the appearance of their unique, African hair. Gradually they began using fat from animals to smooth and slick hair backward. What makes animal fat-only methods and hair dressings ineffective is that you often have to use large amounts of them in order to achieve the desired look. That look is easily compromised by hours of working in the sun. The fat would melt and eventually run its way down the face and body. Soon, enterprising African slave descendants developed alternate methods to achieve the straight hair look with the most famous of them being Madame C. J. Walker.
The Guinness Book of World Records touts Madame Walker as America’s first female self-made millionaire; a feat that was seemingly impossible by a woman, let alone a Black woman in the early 20th century. With her invention of the straightening or hot-comb, Madame Walker gave Blacks a means to mimic naturally straight hair without changing African hairs’ chemical structure. Eventually however, the hot-comb was replaced by a chemical substance that unlike heat, breaks down hairs’ chemical bonds and achieved the solution that had for so long evaded African slaves, hair that is permanently straight.
Lye, a chemical that literally eats away at flesh and is often used in shallow burials to help decompose corpses, also helps straighten African hair. Today lye appears in many relaxer products and is marketed to Black women and children alike and is the predominant method of styling hair in Black communities throughout the world. Many Black women who refuse to consider wearing their hair naturally have adopted the perceptions of colonial slave masters. These women believe that the do not have what is often referred to as “good hair (hair that is naturally straight or semi-curly),” that their hair is “too nappy” or in a more pointed fashion, they feel they have “nigga hair.”
What makes the study of African hair perception so important is that a negative belief has the ability to overtake a positive reality to the point where the lines of truth and lie mutually coexist. Modern-day Blacks who believe natural African hair to be objectionable ignore or are ignorant of African-history prior to slavery. Even those who acknowledge that African hair wasn’t regarded as foul until Blacks became oppressed by White colonial powers, still refuse to wear their hair naturally.
The story of African hair is indicative of how locks which were once revered in religious institutions throughout the world, are now seen as dreadful by many in mainstream society. It’s amazing to think that racist institutions in Jamaica were able to transform this styles role in history and present day with one word, dread. Thus today, dreadlocks or locks now face the same plight as African hair as any and everything is done to make the style objectionable including telling people that by choosing this style, you’re in-effect choosing to live in filth.So now we know the harsh reality. Yes, some people who have dreadlocks do not shampoo their hair for months but this practice is outside the norm. If you’ve been considering dreadlocks, it’s important to draw the line between dreadlocks reality and dreadlocks myth. Yes, you can choose to refrain from shampooing but in doing so, you’ve made that choice, dreadlocks didn’t make it for you.
If you’re still worried that shampooing will keep you from achieving locks or have friends who tell you that shampooing is not possible, ask yourself, if the myth were true, would the overall journey be worth the lack of hygiene? There are many misguided people who engage in filthy dreadlocks care practices who try to convince themselves and others that although their hair has not touched water for months, that it does not smell and is clean. The reality is, it does smell and it’s not clean. If you choose to believe the myths and practice them, do so on your own accord but know that you’re furthering the negative image of locks and proving oppressive forces right.
At naani we will discuss how to properly shampoo locks. We will help you understand that although some methods may indeed be helped by abstaining from water for a brief period that there are many methods that allow for shampooing on a regular or daily basis. Dreadlocks are clean, if you want them to be. Dreadlocks are dirty if you have a mindset tainted by oppressive colonial garbage.
If you’re still worried that shampooing will keep you from achieving locks or have friends who tell you that shampooing is not possible, ask yourself, if the myth were true, would the overall journey be worth the lack of hygiene? There are many misguided people who engage in filthy dreadlocks care practices who try to convince themselves and others that although their hair has not touched water for months, that it does not smell and is clean. The reality is, it does smell and it’s not clean. If you choose to believe the myths and practice them, do so on your own accord but know that you’re furthering the negative image of locks and proving oppressive forces right.
At naani we will discuss how to properly shampoo locks. We will help you understand that although some methods may indeed be helped by abstaining from water for a brief period that there are many methods that allow for shampooing on a regular or daily basis. Dreadlocks are clean, if you want them to be. Dreadlocks are dirty if you have a mindset tainted by oppressive colonial garbage.
Bob Marley Myth
"Bob Marley Died Because Critters were in His Dreads and Burrowed into His Brain."
Yeah I know, laughable right. But believe it or not, there are folks out there that honestly believe Bob Marley's death was the result of fleas, spiders and other critters that became burrowed into his dreads.
I'm not sure how this myth started. Maybe it's because the general public has the overall impression that dreadlocks are dirty. That people with dreadlocks never wash their hair. And unfortunately, there are those dreadheads out there who do in fact live up to the myths. But do they apply to THE LEGEND? Is there any truth to the rumor?
HELL NO! Below we've compiled a few excerpts regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Bob Marley. Aside from the critter rumor, the smoking of marijuana has also been hailed as a cause of his death. It's time to refute the rumors and offer up some truth.
Here's the true story...
On a European tour in 1977, Marley & the Wailers played an informal soccer game (his other passion) against a team of French journalists. In the process, Marley injured his foot. Treatment revealed cancerous cells, but he refused surgery. In 1980, again on tour, Marley collapsed while jogging in New York's Central Park. The cancer had spread to his brain, lungs and liver, and he died eight months later.
Source: http://launch.yahoo.com/artist/artistFocus.asp?artistID=1017031
In 1977, doctors diagnosed Marley with skin cancer. The singer had developed melanoma in the big toe of his right foot after neglecting an old soccer injury....<text cut> By 1980, the cancer which showed no signs of remission, had begun to spread throughout Marley's body...<text cut> After doctors told the singer that there was nothing more that they could do for him, Marley planned to return to his birthplace. The singer however never made it. He became so ill that he was forced to check into a Miami hospital en route.
Source: http://www.bob-marley-posters.com/death.html
While Marley was being treated for a foot injury in 1977, doctors discovered cancerous cells in his toe. Refusing to have surgery because of his Rasta beliefs, Marley continued to tour throughout the next several years. In 1980, Marley collapsed while jogging in New York’s Central Park. By that time, the cancer had spread throughout his lungs and brain. Over the next eight months, he underwent radiation therapy and holistic treatments, but his health continued to deteriorate. In April 1981, an ailing Marley was awarded the prestigious Order of Merit by the Jamaican government. Marley died in a Miami hospital, on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36.
Source: http://www.killer-essays.com/Music/mxe286.shtml
Later, in May of the same year, Bob found out that he had cancer in his toe. Doctors recommended that he have the toe removed, but Bob refused since this was against his Rastafarian beliefs. In July, the rest of the Exodus tour was canceled. <text cut> In 1980, Marley fell gravely ill. The cancer in his toe had spread upwards through his body and had infected his liver, stomach and brain. In September, Bob nearly fainted during a concert in New York City. The next day he collapsed while jogging through a park and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors revealed that the tumor in his brain had greatly enlarged and that Bob had less than a month to live. <text cut> Bob then went to Miami where he was baptized at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on November 4. Five days later, in a last attempt to save his life, Bob flew to a controversial treatment center in Germany with Rita. Three months later on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died at the young age of 36.
Source: http://dede.essortment.com/biographyofbob_reiq.htm
Yeah I know, laughable right. But believe it or not, there are folks out there that honestly believe Bob Marley's death was the result of fleas, spiders and other critters that became burrowed into his dreads.
I'm not sure how this myth started. Maybe it's because the general public has the overall impression that dreadlocks are dirty. That people with dreadlocks never wash their hair. And unfortunately, there are those dreadheads out there who do in fact live up to the myths. But do they apply to THE LEGEND? Is there any truth to the rumor?
HELL NO! Below we've compiled a few excerpts regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Bob Marley. Aside from the critter rumor, the smoking of marijuana has also been hailed as a cause of his death. It's time to refute the rumors and offer up some truth.Here's the true story...
On a European tour in 1977, Marley & the Wailers played an informal soccer game (his other passion) against a team of French journalists. In the process, Marley injured his foot. Treatment revealed cancerous cells, but he refused surgery. In 1980, again on tour, Marley collapsed while jogging in New York's Central Park. The cancer had spread to his brain, lungs and liver, and he died eight months later.
Source: http://launch.yahoo.com/artist/artistFocus.asp?artistID=1017031
In 1977, doctors diagnosed Marley with skin cancer. The singer had developed melanoma in the big toe of his right foot after neglecting an old soccer injury....<text cut> By 1980, the cancer which showed no signs of remission, had begun to spread throughout Marley's body...<text cut> After doctors told the singer that there was nothing more that they could do for him, Marley planned to return to his birthplace. The singer however never made it. He became so ill that he was forced to check into a Miami hospital en route.
Source: http://www.bob-marley-posters.com/death.html
While Marley was being treated for a foot injury in 1977, doctors discovered cancerous cells in his toe. Refusing to have surgery because of his Rasta beliefs, Marley continued to tour throughout the next several years. In 1980, Marley collapsed while jogging in New York’s Central Park. By that time, the cancer had spread throughout his lungs and brain. Over the next eight months, he underwent radiation therapy and holistic treatments, but his health continued to deteriorate. In April 1981, an ailing Marley was awarded the prestigious Order of Merit by the Jamaican government. Marley died in a Miami hospital, on May 11, 1981, at the age of 36.
Source: http://www.killer-essays.com/Music/mxe286.shtml
Later, in May of the same year, Bob found out that he had cancer in his toe. Doctors recommended that he have the toe removed, but Bob refused since this was against his Rastafarian beliefs. In July, the rest of the Exodus tour was canceled. <text cut> In 1980, Marley fell gravely ill. The cancer in his toe had spread upwards through his body and had infected his liver, stomach and brain. In September, Bob nearly fainted during a concert in New York City. The next day he collapsed while jogging through a park and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors revealed that the tumor in his brain had greatly enlarged and that Bob had less than a month to live. <text cut> Bob then went to Miami where he was baptized at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on November 4. Five days later, in a last attempt to save his life, Bob flew to a controversial treatment center in Germany with Rita. Three months later on May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died at the young age of 36.
Source: http://dede.essortment.com/biographyofbob_reiq.htm
Dreadlocks are Bug-Ridden
naani's naturals member question:
"I have had my hair in dreadlocks for a year, but my brother has had his for eight. Recently my grandmother said something to me that made me think...Damn, if she thinks that about me what are her assumptions about my brother? She asked me the other day if I had lice in my locks.
I couldn't even talk for a few seconds. Usually I let my grandmother by with some of the things she says because she is oldschool and the matriarch (at 93) of our family but this time I had to set her straight.
I explained to her that I wash my hair just like everybody else while my mother just laughed in the background. I also reminded her that she had spent almost a month at my house (maybe she forgot..she is old) earlier this year and I knew she knew better.
She said she just didn't understand how I could keep my hair clean if I didn't comb it. I told her to just pretend I had thick strings of hair, but I still treat them the same minus the comb. All of this time she must have been thinking that my brother was just pure nastiness." --MzNiceGirl, Virginia, USA
Wow! Before I begin, I had the pleasure of meeting MzNiceGirl on a trip to an office supply store. We're originally from the same town and although there's a pretty large black population, dreadlocks and natural heads aren't in abundance.
So when I saw this Sista with locks, I timidly walked over and handed her my naani.com business card. You never know what people will do when you hand them stuff :-)
She looked at it and said something to the effect of, "Oh, I go to this site all the time." Well of course I beamed. I know the internet connects folks but I'd never before had the pleasure of meeting one of the naaniFAM in person.
MzNiceGirl's locks just turned a year old so give the sista a *soul clap* for continuing to persevere in her journey. Now onto the topic at hand...
The most common misconception about lice is that they only effect those with dirty hair. But in fact, lice are not discriminatory and are just as comfortable on a clean head as they are a dirty one. So the overall condition of your hair does not make you more susceptible to being a louse host. These are parasitic critters who love warm, moist environments and feed off of your scalp. Because they can't live outside of these conditions more than 24 hours, so overall they really don't care whose head they rest on, just as long as they find a home.
You can probably spot a child with lice more quickly than an adult. Us grown folks know that it's not a good idea to scratch your head too vigorously, for too long in public. Kids on the other hand, when it itches, scratch it, if there's something up it, pick it. Either way, the bites from a louse cause the scalp to itch. The itching causes bacteria to be released which in turn cause the infected area to become inflamed.
To make a long story short, lice are not something that are attributable to dirty hair. Clean, dirty, it don't matter. Lice like to be able to be free to move about and prefer hair of shorter lengths. If you have lice, although it may take a few months to be aware of their presence, you will know when you have them because the itchies will result from something other than dry scalp or dandruff.
So, although they're not an impossibility, the very nature of dreadlocks decreases the chances that lice would survive on a dread host. More insulting is the idea that one could cohabitate with these critters for the lifetime of your locks and bippity bop around all day with no worries. I mean hell, what are we, Super Dread Folk who don't flinch when bit by blood sucking vermin?
Here's some basic info on lice...
How Lice Spread:
"Their [lice] presence does not connote a lack of hygiene or sanitation practiced by their host. Head lice are mainly acquired by direct head-to-head contact with an infested person's hair, but may infrequently be transferred with shared combs, hats and other hair accessories. They may also remain on bedding or upholstered furniture for a brief period. <text cut> Lice and their eggs are unable to burrow into the scalp." Click here for source info
Lice and Black Folk:
"African Americans are reported to have a much lower incidence of head lice than Caucasians, Hispanics, or Asian Americans. Pediatric Dermatology cites various studies that suggest the incidence among African American schoolchildren is less than half of one percent, while the incidence among their non-black schoolmates is usually more than ten percent.
Even though African Americans may be less susceptible to infestations, this should not, of course, be grounds for complacency; African Americans can and do get head lice."
"I have had my hair in dreadlocks for a year, but my brother has had his for eight. Recently my grandmother said something to me that made me think...Damn, if she thinks that about me what are her assumptions about my brother? She asked me the other day if I had lice in my locks.
I couldn't even talk for a few seconds. Usually I let my grandmother by with some of the things she says because she is oldschool and the matriarch (at 93) of our family but this time I had to set her straight.
I explained to her that I wash my hair just like everybody else while my mother just laughed in the background. I also reminded her that she had spent almost a month at my house (maybe she forgot..she is old) earlier this year and I knew she knew better.
She said she just didn't understand how I could keep my hair clean if I didn't comb it. I told her to just pretend I had thick strings of hair, but I still treat them the same minus the comb. All of this time she must have been thinking that my brother was just pure nastiness." --MzNiceGirl, Virginia, USA
Wow! Before I begin, I had the pleasure of meeting MzNiceGirl on a trip to an office supply store. We're originally from the same town and although there's a pretty large black population, dreadlocks and natural heads aren't in abundance.
So when I saw this Sista with locks, I timidly walked over and handed her my naani.com business card. You never know what people will do when you hand them stuff :-)
She looked at it and said something to the effect of, "Oh, I go to this site all the time." Well of course I beamed. I know the internet connects folks but I'd never before had the pleasure of meeting one of the naaniFAM in person.
MzNiceGirl's locks just turned a year old so give the sista a *soul clap* for continuing to persevere in her journey. Now onto the topic at hand...
The most common misconception about lice is that they only effect those with dirty hair. But in fact, lice are not discriminatory and are just as comfortable on a clean head as they are a dirty one. So the overall condition of your hair does not make you more susceptible to being a louse host. These are parasitic critters who love warm, moist environments and feed off of your scalp. Because they can't live outside of these conditions more than 24 hours, so overall they really don't care whose head they rest on, just as long as they find a home.
You can probably spot a child with lice more quickly than an adult. Us grown folks know that it's not a good idea to scratch your head too vigorously, for too long in public. Kids on the other hand, when it itches, scratch it, if there's something up it, pick it. Either way, the bites from a louse cause the scalp to itch. The itching causes bacteria to be released which in turn cause the infected area to become inflamed.
To make a long story short, lice are not something that are attributable to dirty hair. Clean, dirty, it don't matter. Lice like to be able to be free to move about and prefer hair of shorter lengths. If you have lice, although it may take a few months to be aware of their presence, you will know when you have them because the itchies will result from something other than dry scalp or dandruff.
So, although they're not an impossibility, the very nature of dreadlocks decreases the chances that lice would survive on a dread host. More insulting is the idea that one could cohabitate with these critters for the lifetime of your locks and bippity bop around all day with no worries. I mean hell, what are we, Super Dread Folk who don't flinch when bit by blood sucking vermin?
Here's some basic info on lice...
How Lice Spread:
"Their [lice] presence does not connote a lack of hygiene or sanitation practiced by their host. Head lice are mainly acquired by direct head-to-head contact with an infested person's hair, but may infrequently be transferred with shared combs, hats and other hair accessories. They may also remain on bedding or upholstered furniture for a brief period. <text cut> Lice and their eggs are unable to burrow into the scalp." Click here for source info
Lice and Black Folk:
"African Americans are reported to have a much lower incidence of head lice than Caucasians, Hispanics, or Asian Americans. Pediatric Dermatology cites various studies that suggest the incidence among African American schoolchildren is less than half of one percent, while the incidence among their non-black schoolmates is usually more than ten percent.
Even though African Americans may be less susceptible to infestations, this should not, of course, be grounds for complacency; African Americans can and do get head lice."
People with dreadlocks smoke marijuana
Since dreadlocks in this current day are united with Rastafarians, it would stand to reason why people easily jump to such a conclusion. But not all people with dreadlocks are Rastas and frankly, the majority of dreadheads know little or nothing about Rastafarianism to begin with so to even make a direct association between the two is not only presumptuous, it's false.
Despite this fact, employers, administrators, police, judges...who believe this stereotype to be true, use it as a justification for discriminating against those with dreadlocks.
In some cases it doesn't matter how manicured your dreadlocks are or what your socio-economic status is, for some people the mere presence of dreadlocks means...
Now let's be real. I'm sure if you have dreadlocks or friends with dreadlocks, you know at least one person who does smoke herb. Then again, chances are you know plenty of people without dreadlocks who smoke Mary Jane. Regardless, does that one dreadhead represent the majority? Are the rumors true? Do people with dreadlocks smoke herb?
THE TRUTH: Yes and no. Some do, some don't. There are a few knuckleheads who grew their dreads for the sole purpose of accentuating their "herbalist" lifestyle. Pretty ridiculous when you consider it because they only serve to perpetuate the stereotype. People with this mindset obviously want the world to form opinions of them based on their outward appearance and that's another reason why this myth will never die.
But for the rest of us, smokers and non-smokers, we'd probably continue our behavior (whatever that maybe) with or without dreadlocks. So no, not all dreadheads smoke herb. Some of us won't even touch the stuff. It's illegal ya know :-!
Despite this fact, employers, administrators, police, judges...who believe this stereotype to be true, use it as a justification for discriminating against those with dreadlocks.
In some cases it doesn't matter how manicured your dreadlocks are or what your socio-economic status is, for some people the mere presence of dreadlocks means...
- you smoke herb
- you have a disregard for the law and authority
- you have your head in the clouds
- you're not dependable
- and the list goes on...
Now let's be real. I'm sure if you have dreadlocks or friends with dreadlocks, you know at least one person who does smoke herb. Then again, chances are you know plenty of people without dreadlocks who smoke Mary Jane. Regardless, does that one dreadhead represent the majority? Are the rumors true? Do people with dreadlocks smoke herb?THE TRUTH: Yes and no. Some do, some don't. There are a few knuckleheads who grew their dreads for the sole purpose of accentuating their "herbalist" lifestyle. Pretty ridiculous when you consider it because they only serve to perpetuate the stereotype. People with this mindset obviously want the world to form opinions of them based on their outward appearance and that's another reason why this myth will never die.
But for the rest of us, smokers and non-smokers, we'd probably continue our behavior (whatever that maybe) with or without dreadlocks. So no, not all dreadheads smoke herb. Some of us won't even touch the stuff. It's illegal ya know :-!
Dreadlocks are a Man's Hair Style
Many people feel that dreadlocks are a man's style. That short, natural cuts are also best suited for men. The stereotype has been that black women who sport dreads or short naturals fall into one or more of the following categories...
- Feminist (hostile)
- Lesbian (femme v. butch)
- Overweight (depressed)
- Darkskinned (to some, black isn't beautiful)
- Not concerned with her appearance (lazy or not that attractive to begin with)
- Won't get a man (or doesn't want one-see Lesbian)
- and the list goes on...
I remember when Tracy Chapman and Whoopi Goldberg began their careers.
Regardless of their individual sexual preferences, the treatment they received
as women, as black women, as dark-skinned women, as natural, dreadlocked women
was deplorable.
Even to this day despite years of success, they still catch flack from the general public. Whether it be the depth of their skin tone or the non-conformist images they project, these are two women are not always viewed under the standards that "Black is Beautiful."
Maybe they were/are unpopular due to their skin tone? I mean there are those who still operate under the light is right standard. Maybe it was their dress? Whoopi can be seen wearing eccentric clothing and Tracy, well, she's pretty laid back...t-shirt and jeans.
Overall however, I think it's their hair style choice. Whoopi will always be that "nappyhead gal" from Color Purple and who can erase that image Tracy strumming on a guitar while singing Fast Car? Was she a boy or girl? Women don't wear their hair that short and there's just gotta be something wrong with one who does.
Either way, I think these two women are pioneers in the dreadlock and natural hair movement. Long before Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, they were weathering the storm and backlash that future generations no longer have to endure (well at least not as much).
They challenged the notion that a woman isn't a woman unless she's wearing a dress, make-up, light-skinned and grinning all the time. That are perceptions of what make a woman are shallow and don't take into consideration the woman herself.
So naaniFAM, what do you see when you look at a Tracy Chapman or Whoopi Goldberg? Do you get the same joy in viewing their photos as you would out of say...Lauryn Hill? Do photos of Tracy's dreads make you cringe whereas the photos of Lauryn's make you smile?
Whatever your feelings, ask yourself "why?" Why is it that even to this day, many black women won't consider dreadlocks or natural hair out of fear that people will make inferences about their sexuality as a result? Are dreadlocks truly unfeminine? Is skin-tone and hair style choice indicative of sexuality? What are your opinions of Tracy, Whoopi and Lauryn? How do they compare to one another in your view? And finally, is "unfeminine" even a word????
Dreadlocks are Ugly
naani's naturals member comment
"I'm a preme lockhead and just wanted to commend you on the site... BUT I do wonder why you call beautiful locks DREADS?? They are in fact no way dreadful - as stated by the white settlers upon receiving our first of many stolen/bamboozled ancestors onto slave ships to this white supremist, imperialistic country (-bell hooks). The BIGGEST myth I thought I'd heard was that just because one chooses to lock they become better informed about their choice, i.e. do some history, and spread the word. No disrespect sis - the word DREADLOCK just really strikes a nerve with me.
Peace & Blessings to you and yours, much love 2 u for the struggle of consciousness/knowledge is one we all endure as people of color..." --LOVE...Mia, Virginia
Greetings Mia, I feel ya and thanks for the compliments :o)
On a logistical note, we use the "term" dreadlocks as an internet search tool. Let's face it, if you want to find out information on "locks," you'd be searching through hits all day on yahoo or google to find a relevant site.
On a personal note, I too have misgivings about the term "dreadlocks." For much of the website I initially tried to use the term "locks" to refer to this particular style...but again, it makes naani.com all the more difficult to find when searching the web.
As time has passed however, I've learned not to take as much offense to the word as I used too. As with "nappy" and "kinky"...even with the term "nigga," many of us have taken charge of them in efforts to turn what once was negative, into something positive.
True, it hasn't worked in every case. True, we may not always agree on how to move forward, but maybe in taking back our locks, we'll begin to recognize that the "dread" in dreadlocks resides in the fact that they are still considered taboo in the mainstream world.
So or me, the dread is not the oppressor looking from the outside in. The dread is the oppressors themselves. The dread of having to deal with the ignorance of others. The dread of having to wonder if a choice in hair style will effect your job and well being. The dread of having to exclaim..."YES!...I DO WASH MY FREAKIN' HAIR NOW BACK UP OFF ME!"
I guess now I see the term "dreadlocks" as less of a negative thing and more of a steadfast proclamation:
"Yeah, I did it...I dreadlocked my hair! They're beautiful! They're flowing! They're cute as hell and they're ALL mine! So now what???"
"I'm a preme lockhead and just wanted to commend you on the site... BUT I do wonder why you call beautiful locks DREADS?? They are in fact no way dreadful - as stated by the white settlers upon receiving our first of many stolen/bamboozled ancestors onto slave ships to this white supremist, imperialistic country (-bell hooks). The BIGGEST myth I thought I'd heard was that just because one chooses to lock they become better informed about their choice, i.e. do some history, and spread the word. No disrespect sis - the word DREADLOCK just really strikes a nerve with me.
Peace & Blessings to you and yours, much love 2 u for the struggle of consciousness/knowledge is one we all endure as people of color..." --LOVE...Mia, Virginia
Greetings Mia, I feel ya and thanks for the compliments :o)
On a logistical note, we use the "term" dreadlocks as an internet search tool. Let's face it, if you want to find out information on "locks," you'd be searching through hits all day on yahoo or google to find a relevant site.
On a personal note, I too have misgivings about the term "dreadlocks." For much of the website I initially tried to use the term "locks" to refer to this particular style...but again, it makes naani.com all the more difficult to find when searching the web.As time has passed however, I've learned not to take as much offense to the word as I used too. As with "nappy" and "kinky"...even with the term "nigga," many of us have taken charge of them in efforts to turn what once was negative, into something positive.
True, it hasn't worked in every case. True, we may not always agree on how to move forward, but maybe in taking back our locks, we'll begin to recognize that the "dread" in dreadlocks resides in the fact that they are still considered taboo in the mainstream world.
So or me, the dread is not the oppressor looking from the outside in. The dread is the oppressors themselves. The dread of having to deal with the ignorance of others. The dread of having to wonder if a choice in hair style will effect your job and well being. The dread of having to exclaim..."YES!...I DO WASH MY FREAKIN' HAIR NOW BACK UP OFF ME!"
I guess now I see the term "dreadlocks" as less of a negative thing and more of a steadfast proclamation:
"Yeah, I did it...I dreadlocked my hair! They're beautiful! They're flowing! They're cute as hell and they're ALL mine! So now what???"
Loctician Contribution to Dreadlocks Myths and Rumors
Greetings Fam!,
If you've ever gone to a salon and had a dreadlocks consultation, you're bound to have run into a stylist that said or did something that either made you rethink growing dreadlocks or at least rethink allowing that particular individual the opportunity to cultivate them.
About two years before I actually decided to grow dreadlocks, I went to a salon to see what the process entailed. I was so apprehensive that I made my older brother go with me. After all, there weren't many people in my area with dreadlocks (at least I didn't know any at the time) so I had no clue how the process worked.
So there we are sitting in the "lobby" area of the salon. Luckily, they had a few photo albums of clients for me to parouse through. Unfortunately, very few of those photos depicted people with dreadlocks. This particular salon specialized in braids and natural hair and I just assumed they'd be able to do dreadlocks right?
After about 15-20 minutes, someone finally came over to me and asked what I wanted. I told the lady I was interested in dreadlocks.
This woman, who seemed a little preoccupied...as in bothered, eyeballs my hair which was styled in an afro and says, "Your hair is too soft."
I was a bit taken aback and protested. I mean was she actually telling me that I can't do something??? She don't know me! Shoot...
So I told her that my hair wasn't as soft as it looked and even invited her to touch it. I mean maybe it was just the products I was using but too soft to dreadlock? I knew white folks in college with dreads and my hair was too soft?
She eventually touched my hair and said that she could start my dreadlocks for me but they'd just unravel and wouldn't look the way I wanted them to in the end. Translation, "if you lock your hair it will look a *HOT mess*."
I left that salon defeated. I literally didn't consider dreadlocks for the next two years. I'm glad I waited because chances are if I had tried to dreadlock sooner, I wouldn't have developed such a profound appreciation for my natural hair.
Either way, today I have gorgeous locks. I've been growing them for well over four years. They're healthy, they're happy, they're full and they're far from a mess.
Remembering this negative experience made me wonder if others had dreadlocks initiation woes. It made me wonder what types of things are being told to dreadlock hopefuls by questionable "locticians?"
If you've ever gone to a salon and had a dreadlocks consultation, you're bound to have run into a stylist that said or did something that either made you rethink growing dreadlocks or at least rethink allowing that particular individual the opportunity to cultivate them.
About two years before I actually decided to grow dreadlocks, I went to a salon to see what the process entailed. I was so apprehensive that I made my older brother go with me. After all, there weren't many people in my area with dreadlocks (at least I didn't know any at the time) so I had no clue how the process worked.
So there we are sitting in the "lobby" area of the salon. Luckily, they had a few photo albums of clients for me to parouse through. Unfortunately, very few of those photos depicted people with dreadlocks. This particular salon specialized in braids and natural hair and I just assumed they'd be able to do dreadlocks right?
After about 15-20 minutes, someone finally came over to me and asked what I wanted. I told the lady I was interested in dreadlocks.
This woman, who seemed a little preoccupied...as in bothered, eyeballs my hair which was styled in an afro and says, "Your hair is too soft."
I was a bit taken aback and protested. I mean was she actually telling me that I can't do something??? She don't know me! Shoot...So I told her that my hair wasn't as soft as it looked and even invited her to touch it. I mean maybe it was just the products I was using but too soft to dreadlock? I knew white folks in college with dreads and my hair was too soft?
She eventually touched my hair and said that she could start my dreadlocks for me but they'd just unravel and wouldn't look the way I wanted them to in the end. Translation, "if you lock your hair it will look a *HOT mess*."
I left that salon defeated. I literally didn't consider dreadlocks for the next two years. I'm glad I waited because chances are if I had tried to dreadlock sooner, I wouldn't have developed such a profound appreciation for my natural hair.
Either way, today I have gorgeous locks. I've been growing them for well over four years. They're healthy, they're happy, they're full and they're far from a mess.
Remembering this negative experience made me wonder if others had dreadlocks initiation woes. It made me wonder what types of things are being told to dreadlock hopefuls by questionable "locticians?"