White People with Dreadlocks

This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series White People Dreads

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White People Dreads

• White People with Dreadlocks

THIS ARTICLE IS A REPRINT OF AN ARTICLE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NAANI.COM IN 2002. WE’VE DECIDED TO REVIVE THE DEBATE TO SEE HOW MUCH WE AND VISITORS HAVE GROWN…HOPEFULLY.

I remember back in college that every now and then I’d spot a (dread)locked head on campus. The irony was that none of them belonged to my African-American peers. I didn’t know what to think when I saw a White person with dreadlocks. At the time, I didn’t fully understand their historical significance myself so I thought, “Who am I to judge?”

white people with dreadlocks

Obviously these people were brave enough to embrace a traditionally African style that even some Blacks have difficulty accepting, so why hate?

When I started researching (dread)locks and natural hair on the web, most of the sites I stumbled upon catered to a White audience. I thought dreadlocking African hair was a trial but after reviewing some of these sites, it seemed White people take locking to a whole notha level.

I’ve seen sites that not only recommend using vats of beeswax, but also toothpaste, glue…honey???? On top of that, some boast the ability to lock one’s hair in a matter of just a few weeks which anyone with locked hair knows is a joke.

So it got me thinking and I decided to pose a few questions. What do you think of White people with dreadlocks? Is it a lifestyle or hairstyle for them? Are they ever truly dreadlocked?

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67 Responses to “White People with Dreadlocks”

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1. 7
   pierced sistah Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 9:59 PM

   I have to agree with Sharon’s comment. Most of the dismay over White folks with dreds is due to the seemingly ‘Pier 1′ (an American chain store that specializes in selling pseudo-Third-World products like furniture, foods, spices, home accesories, etc.) attitude towards non-White cultures. Whites” co-optation of Third World cultural aspects like hairstyle and dress usually have little to do with any appreciation or deep understanding of the overall culture. It’s usually a diversion, a form of self-entertainment at most. It’’s reminiscent of Whites who like and aim to copy the “cool” aspects of Black style while wanting absolutely nothing to do with the less desirable aspects of Black existence in the Diaspora(as Sharon listed in her post) that helped bring forth that coolness.

   I’d much rather see Whites actively working to dismantle White supremacy and White skin privilege (notice I said ACTIVELY. Not calling Black folks the n-word to their faces is no longer cutting it in the bettering race relations territory) than co-opting an aspect of Third World culture while continuing to engage in the former and consuming the latter with a spoon.

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2. 8
   ayana Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 10:01 PM

   In regard to white people with dreadlocks: Recently after seeing several white teens in a store, walking very proudly with what appeared to be unkept locks, I began questioning my initital reaction to this. At first I felt like this was insult to “our locked styles”. It was very obvious that they were not getting professional help with their locks.

   For a brief moment I got “pissed”. Then I thought about how long I had assimalated, and tried to copy so many things about them(whites), even down to the “Farrah Fawcett” hair style. If we all think about the things that we do or have done to copy the styles and ways of white people, I don”t think we would be as cruel in our opinions of them trying to copy the naptural styles.

   Most see the beauty in our naptural hair, the beautiful melanin in our skin, and our cultural style but few are willing to admit it. Perhaps when these teens approach the age of having to find a job, they will no longer emnbrace this style.

   What is more pathetic is the attitude of our people toward naptural hair. We seem to be embarassed at just seeing another sis-star or brother with naptural hair and ask questions that reflect their feelings. I don”t mind answering questions about naptural hair if the individual is seeking to become informed on the hair style, but it is offensive whent the questions become a “putdown” of my personal decision to loc my hair.

   My readings have revealed that locked hair has been apart of various cultures beyond just African(the birthplace); locked styles were included in the countries of India, Greece as well as other cultures in Asia and the Pacific Islands. Although the texture of the hair may have been different, styles included sprials, tresses, ringlets , roped styles, etc.

   With this new understanding and knowlege I will continue to embrace my true beauty and heritage knowing that others may see this,and know that the “Creator” designed me stating “This is good.”

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3. 9
   Amie Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 10:01 PM

   It is so easy to get angry and say that whites are trying to “copy” blacks by dreading their hair, and it is also deeply embedded for afro-americans to feel stolen from because that is what history dictates. But, if you want to research the history of dreadlocks, you need to go a little further than a couple of hair product sites that do cater to a white audience. The reason for the sites is what propels everyone- money. These people are tryin to make a buck and what’’s wrong with that? And it takes a lot of products and work to dread white people’’s hair, so good for these people for capitalizing on a trend – That is the American way.

   I believe that you failed in your research, naani. If you had looked you would have found out that in numerous places in the Bible it states to let the long locks grow (www.blackmind.com/Phiya/NattyDred.html) And I don”t think they were just addressing Africans. I”m not even a Biblical person, so I continue to look further. The Ancient Indo-Aryan race (from West India) actually have the oldest word translated into “locks” which dates back to 2500 B.C. It is believed that this word “jaTai” comes from the Dravidians who invaded India in about 3000 B.C. (the oldest written hitory in the world) So you see (I hope) that locks are not an African cultural statement, but a widely embraced tradition for 5000 yrs!! So before you go getting all angry, DO THE RESEARCH!!

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