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. 25
   Tom Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 10:13 PM

   Hi hows it going guys? I found this stuff pretty interesting from a non – american point of view. Im from Australia, Im 18 yrs old of half irish descent. My other half of my family history is uncertain as my mum was adopted – she has dark skin which could mean anything from southern european (italian) to south pacific island to aboriginal.

   This leads to some interesting questions about my identity – i have experienced racism, not in the way – i am sure – that (it would seem from the conversation) exists in the US.

   However I dont feel that the answer to Racism is counter racism or bickering about whos stealing whos culture. I am sure that all of you guys wear some clothes that are ‘white.’

   The way is through understanding – its cool if we share culture. Why not take it as a compliment taht white people enjoy the beauty of African culture – music – hair styles whatever. If we learn to understand one another and accept differences then maybe we can find some solutions to the problems mentioned above.

   Dont attack the kids who enjoy african culture – attack the distrust and hate and mis understanding between peoples that cause all these problems in the first place.”

   Thanks for your time gang.

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2. 26
   Kiesha Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 10:14 PM

   People should be free to do what they like without being judged because they are not of a certain race or culture. Just because someone gets a tribal tatoo there isn’t an uproar that they aren’t Polynesian or some other culture that has embraced tatoos since the beginning of time. Just beacause someone isn’t of a certain culture doesn”t they don’t have there own spiritual beliefs that just may involve there hair.

   My own beleifs in terms of hair is that it holds your energy and emotions so one day when i had one of those monumental life changing days i decided i wanted to embrace it and hold on to it until i felt i wanted to let it go. This decision had absolutely nothing to do with the color of my skin or where i was raised or where my ancestors may have been raised.

   I would ask people just be tolerant and i’m sure some people just do things to be superficial but before decide to take the time to judge one person in particular maybe you should reconcider and take the time to ask why first.

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3. 27
   The Jassyone Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 10:14 PM

   “Most white peoples” dreads that I”ve seen look horrible. In fact, I hesitate to call them dreads; “slightly organized, mangled hair” is a more accurate description.

   But I don”t hate. It’’s just because most of them don”t have naturally kinky hair. I”ve seen a few nice white dreadheads too. Besides black women have for years gone out of their way to make their hair straight like white peoples”. So when white people do it, I consider it a form of flattery and I encourage them. Just brings the two races closer together and it can”t do any harm. More power to them.”
   –jojo, Tennesee, USA

   09-28-02 “Being a locked sista, i used to get fired up when i see a white person sporting dreads. But then i started to reflect on other issues that we AA’’s have double standards for. Take for instance, (not trying to cause a big problem or anything) the N WORD or the B WORD, for some its alright to call ya” boy or girl my ni@#$ or my b*!@#, but as soon as someone out side of our circle says the same thing, we wanna jump crazy. (which u should let it be known that ur not to be disrespected in anyway shape or form)But look at what AA’s try to mimic from white people.

   So before we start to blowing our top whenever we see a white person with dreads our accepting more of our own culture that some of own don”t have an inkling about our ancestors struggles. we need to and a self relflection and ask is it really that serious? Theer are too many other things that we could be using this energy on.

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