I kind of just find this ridiculous that white people should have to educate themselves on black culture before they decide they want dreads. If I wanted to chemically relax my hair (like I have done in the past) & a white person told me ‘well you have to educate yourself on white people & our culture” I’d tell them to get the fuck outta town. Yeah, its cool if they want to educate themselves on the history of dread locks but I mean its a hairstyle, I don’t think its something we should take so seriously.
Agreed. I just left a comment about this on the video, but wanted to share on my blog and prompt further discussion. (expect my own video on this topic really soon) Here’s the thing, dreadlocks do not BELONG to African Americans or Rastafarians. Many cultures have worn locs including the Greeks, Egyptians, Aztecs, Hindus and Jews. Passing judgment on a white person who chooses to wear locs is just as presumptuous as black person with a relaxer telling me I should “take care of my nap” or a Rastifarian telling me I should cover my head out of respect for God. What I do with my hair is my business and vice versa. Also, it has different meaning for everyone. I have seen beautiful locs on people of all backgrounds. And I’ve also seen some “ugly” locs on people of color. If the hair on your head makes you happy, then I’m all good. It isn’t our place to judge anyone else’s hairstyle choice weather they are black, white, Hispanic, Asian, shaved head, mohawked, dreadlocked, wigged, weaved, bleached or whatever.
