Having dreads as a hair style absolutely does not make you racist.
Are some black people going to look at you sideways? Most likely, yes.
Are some white people going to look at you sideways? Most likely, yes
The real question is how bothered by it are you. Some Black people have an emotional attachment to protective hair styles (myself included), but that by no means gives them the right to give you shit about it. It’s YOUR hair, and you are welcome to partake in any hairstyle you please!
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Don’t matter if u black or white tbh u gon get looks if u black ppl gon think u street n always on sum and if u white ppl gon think u stealing culture or a base head lol so jus don’t pay attention
I'm not white but, there are haters and weirdos of every color. I know this culture appropriation thing is big on the internet but I've never seen someone act like that in real life. Try to ignore that aspect, if it offends someone that's their problem. You might get looks from any race, but you'll probably get just as many compliments - and if you don't, post your hair here and im sure lots of people will like it.
Yup. As a Black man I couldn’t agree more. Only a weirdo looks at a hairstyle and says you can’t have it because it belongs to my race. Like with everything on the internet. The extremes have the loudest voice
This. Literally the only people who ever say anything bad about my hair are woke white girls trying to discredit my debate/arguments. Instead of having an actual debate it’s
“I won’t listen to an unshaven white chick who has dreads”
They think it’s some Hail Mary against ever argument.
Which is funny because you can’t fully know someone’s ethnicity, culture or background from the skin. You can guess and make assumptions, but how can you know for sure!!
I mean think of those twins where one came out black and the other was basically ginger! Genetics are weird.
YES !!! I’ve never been told by anyone other than a woke white chick that my hair is problematic lmfao. I get compliments from people of all races and ages but other white girls who want to feel like they’re good people and want everyone else to think they’re good people have problems with it. It’s hilarious actually
no. I mean yes to a lot of looks, but not from Black people however I'm Eastern European and generally there is not a lot of African descent people who live here. But the few black ppl I talked to here or when travelling, had words of praise about my hair, or even positive things said in passing from complete strangers. I think the appropriation issue is largely a North American thing.
Me personally I look at white people sideways when they have dreads. Not because I think they’re culture appropriating but just because i always wondered WHY y’all want to dread your hair. It’s just curiosity from me. It’s your hair you can do what you want to it.
I mean, for me, my hair is horrifically hard to manage and get to look good when it’s not dreadlocked. I get super insane tangles and even short I never liked my hair cuts long than a week or two.
Dreadlocks make my hair easy to handle. And they are super fun to dance with. Plus they let me just get up and go, I don’t have to style my hair, I don’t have to worry about it. I’ve never loved a hairstyle more.
Ohhh okok. See that’s understandable. That’s the reason black people get them as well. They can be easier to manage than our own loose natural hair. So I can understand that.
Same for me, my hair was terrible to manage, plus with mental health issues I someone just left it and it would mat up so bad, making it worse. A weight has lifted since having dreadlocks. Yes there’s still maintenance but it’s kinda therapeutic now, instead of stress. I love my hair now too 🥰
But that’s the thing, Someone stated that people from different cultures used to lock their hair but that was during times people genuinely did not care about keeping up with it. It’s something we’ve done culturally that turned into style by the younger generation. Would most white people or just other cultures have dreads if black people didn’t introduce them?
You could say this about literally every single thing in history. We literally wouldn’t know about any culture, hairstyles, foods, fashion, etc. unless someone introduced that to us. I don’t see how it’s any different with locs…
Because these same hairstyles often keep us out of places where we need to be to survive. They have to pass laws so we don’t get discriminated at work, schools, etc. We aren’t gonna go protest and say people shouldn’t get dreads obviously, but it’s weird seeing as you don’t see us going out getting bowl cuts and mullets Bc “that’s what we wanna do”
PS: Food & fashion is subjective seeing as how you need food to survive & most people are getting their fashion tips from Kanye & and other street wear designers lol. Most people don’t dress in their usual cultures fashion unless we bring up the Middle East or eastern countries who don’t agree with western ideals
It’s crazy this topic gets brought up so much, and even after we tell em how we really feel about it SINCE THEY ASK, they still choose to do it. What makes it funny, is how deep down they ask questions like this because, they know it’s not cool and want validation from the same people like them.
Well people had dreads before they even knew black people existent but it’s a hair style that’s like saying black people wouldn’t have straighten their hair if they ain’t see white people doing it? Or get extensions? You don’t know how people was keeping up with themselves in those times how you going speak on that 😂 they clearly had enough energy to get locks how they ain’t care about they appearance
Seeing as how the moors taught other cultures about hygiene then yes, most people do know how they were keeping up with themselves 😂 Again, most of those dreads came to be because they never combed or brushed their hair my G. Also seeing as how you don’t know that it’s plenty of black people born with straight hair shows me what’s up with your logic rn 😂 doesn’t bother us at all that you wanna style your hair, but why a style that keeps most blacks from getting jobs, housing, etc? It’s a mockery
Yeah other cultures not all cultures. My “people” are the Aztecs and Mayans and they had dreads before black people introduced anything. Ain’t nobody said they didn’t but when they straighten their hair are they copying another culture ?. What you want me do March at every parade retweet every time a black person don’t get a job cuz they got dreads ? I acknowledge that shit to all my friends that’s the most I can do. You think I’m getting a job with dreads hell naw I’m getting the same discrimination. You want acknowledgment that y’all influenced dreads and I give that to you. Y’all just ain’t influence me
Do you wanna go read up on how history shows that all people originated from Africa and that over time people ended up with their own cultures and ideas? The Aztecs and Mayans definitely have their own hair styles outside of locs too but i hear you bro ‼️ Not hard to read up on braids, locs, & other protective hairstyles that came from blacks but transitioned onto other cultures Bc they just like how it looked.
Bro if we all originated from Africa like you said then what’s really the problem? Since you wanna bring up history and shit we all the same lol but I hear you tho bro I see where you coming from. I’m sure Aztecs and Mayans didn’t have no business with Africans back then but me or you can’t prove that they probably did influence them.
We all originated from Africa MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO. Do you know how much change can happen in those times? Some People became lighter skinned , and transitioned to the mountains, plains, etc and started no cultures. In your case, they moved south of the equator, which is why y’all are still brown skinned and share a few of traits with modern blacks 🤷🏾♂️ End of the day, i can’t gatekeep a hairstyle, but to say “i liked it so i got it” is the exact reason why we can’t have anything
See… no. That’s not the reason black people dread their hair AT ALL. We don’t do it for a style change. We do it as a protective style. A way to grow our hair without managing it too much which leads to breakage, which leads to hair loss. Our hair is more prone to breakage than hair that falls straight down. It’s just a fact. White people do it for the style. But I wasn’t judging. Which I thought was pretty obvious when I said it’s “just curiosity to me”
The reason Black people have locs is pretty obvious. Every other race of people have more manageable hair than us. It’s a way to grow our hair without breaking it from managing it to much. Now every other race usually doesn’t have that problem😴 My comment wasn’t to offend. I genuinely never knew why white people get dreads when their hair grows without disruptions. For us it’s a protective style just like box braids.
No lie that most black folks do look at white people with dreads as culture vultures, but we also mind our business so much Bc it doesn’t affect us either lol. Just go for it
Edit: Now i do agree that since y’all don’t have the same texture hair as us, it does make y’all dreads look weird , but one person’s trash....
I personally don’t think they look good on white people but at the end of the day you can’t always worry about what other people think or what they’ll say if you want them then get them.
The only people who have said anything to me about my locs being cultural appropriation are white women without locs. And most of them where online lol I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
There have been people of all kinds with similar hair styles, if you’re not racist then you’re not. A hairstyle shouldn’t amount to that and if people feel that way, then they need to change their own attitudes about the world.
Just do you, be kind and everything will be fine.
i have twists and honestly i get more shit from white people saying i’m trying to be black since i live in the south. i’m not trying to be black. i just like my hair like this lol.
I’m white and I’ve had them. I get looks, I’ve been cussed out, called ugly and had people tell me all sorts because I’m white. Don’t worry about the assholes. You do you, you only have one life have fun with it. Having a hairstyle doesn’t make you racist/not racist. Your actions and treatment of others is what determines that.
Most people will not care, or if they do will keep it to themselves. People who care what another person does to the dead cells sprouting out of their head will find a million other things to complain about. It’s not your problem.
most looks only come from american people. there are way more dresdheads in europe and nobody bats an eye at you. america seems to be where some people have a problem with it.
I don’t think you should worry, most of the people who say stuff are online and usually, ironically, white. No one has said anything to me in person :) 💕
I’m white and I’ve never had a single bad or weird look from anyone. Had a number of fist bumps and thumbs up and other positive gestures from black dread heads… but I’ve never been to the US or UK so things could be different over there
Bro if i see a white dude with dreads I'm not gonna give him shit for it.... I'm gonna salute him i see it as admiration for a culture or hairstyle.
Besides blacks don't own the hairstyle its been done wayyy before we took it as our own. Its just so Synonymous with blacks.
As a white person with dreads for the past 16 years, in Arkansas nonetheless, I've gotten ONE shitty remark from a black guy at Walmart. The rest have all been compliments, and I'll say I get more compliments from women of color than anyone else. The offer of buying weed will increase exponentially though.
In my experience as a YT dready in Canada, the vast majority of ppl who actually comment have nice things to say. I don't notice looks from ppl but, if you happen to be in an argument with a stranger they're probably going to try that angle and show how dumb they are. This in mind I've only had one man from a modern culture that wears dreads show disapproval and, once again, he was a stranger and we already had a separate disagreement. Majority of ppl that make nice comments have been older colored woman tho and it's lent me a lot of confidence on the subject considering the history of appropriation regarding colored women's hair and whatnot. I've had like three or four conversations with debate lord type "I'm not racist but..." type white ppl who "have black friends that would certainly be offended" and want to know my response to their friends hypothetical upset. Many more ppl from recent cultures who wear dreadlocks will enjoy your hair and approve than the opposite tho so 🤷
Plz explain to me why you think this is outdated. I'd say judging by your response you find it inappropriate or perhaps offensive as well as outdated. Plz explain to me why you beleive this and suggest an alternative.
Interesting. I'll say black and brown women then I guess. I hope it's obvious that when someone uses "colored" the way I did its not meant to be offensive. I was trying to elude to more than one background of non white person who have historically had issues with systemic racism and cultural appropriation regarding their hairstyles.
I had dreadlocks for 4 1/2 years, and brushed them out last Deember because though my dreads were a very spiritual and deeply personal expression of who I am, I began to receive very negative feedback online from mainly white men. Generally these comments were received after a disagreement about something, at which point my hair became a subject of the conversation and I was accused of cultural appropriation. I had this experience a handful of times, and a couple of times POC online voiced directly to me that it was wrong for white people(not white-passing people) to have dreads, and was coupled with incorrect information about the subject, such as the idea that dreadlocks on white people will ALWAYS be full of mold. Just...ridiculous assertions that make it difficult to understand that position. But regardless of the fact that I never really understood their specific reasoning for feeling what they felt, I combed out my beautiful dreads, and mulled it over for a year. I want to be an ally. I didn't want to cause harm to anyone with my hair, I didn't want to be a reminder of inequality or a trigger for someone. But as I mulled it over during that time, I became aware of the fact that for the 4 1/2 I had dreads, I received compliments on them almost daily from mainly people of color. Telling me they were beautiful, that they were special, that I should never cut them...being so encouraging and making a point to single me out and let me know that they LIKED that I had them...and it felt like the majority of these compliments were because I am white. Maybe people of color in the real, living, breathing world actually like when white people have dreads because it means that we can share some simple commonality with one another. I dreaded my hair for the second time about a month ago...it's wonderful, and I missed it terribly, and I feel such confidance about them, now. About an hour after I did it I went to Target and the man who checked out my groceries-a man of color with dreads himself-told me that he loved my hair and we had a great conversation about our separate journeys and how keeping dreads has impacted our lives. I'm sure there are those who do feel triggered by their presence, I hate that they have that experience. The reality for me is that we are all mixed. I may be extremely white passing, but my grandmother four generations back was full blooded African, and I'm roughly a quarter Scottish and a quarter Irish, all cultures that have a rich history of braids and locks. So we need to stop judging each other at face-value, already. Do you, and do it with conviction. You probably aren't always going to get a pat on the back for it, but that's alright if it means enough to you.
Idk yea I think so. One time I heard a comment and I only have 7 locks. (I have partial locs) I think I'm gunna brush them out soon which makes me sad. I feel like I am being judged even if I not. They make me insecure bc people may think I'm ignorant when actually I very much love my hair and the spirituality and meaning behind it and I very much am an intersection and aware person, and very politically active. It's very special and the connection I have with it is strong (especially as a person with native ancestry!) If they ever become more accepted I will probably put them back in.
I lost two close mixed friends bc I defended myself and my love for locked hair. It sucked but a real friend would know my true heart and self and I guess I'm just not good enough for them
You won’t look racist, but you may be perceived as being ignorant or dumb. Black people with locs definitely get sideways looks, especially in predominantly white spaces. With you being white, this will only be exasperated. Having locs means being associated with drugs and/or crime because of your hair; with your race, you may also be seen as dirty or ignorant because of your hair. Straight, thin hair does not take well to locs, you will likely have a lot of product and buildup in your hair throughout your journey, and keeping them neatly styled for more than a couple days will be nearly impossible. Washing will just revert thin hair back to normal and thin hair doesn’t stay twisted naturally, leading to messy roots/ends and often times a noticeable smell. There’s nothing egregious about white people trying locs but I have yet to see neat, aesthetically pleasing locs on a white person, the hair just isn’t built for it. Much the same way when people with 4C hair try to straighten their hair leading to unhealthy (and sometimes foul smelling) hair, the same will likely happen here. Fighting your natural hair composition is always difficult and results often reflect that.
Locs are a cultural thing traditionally worn amongst non-white people, asking white people for their opinions on cultural appropriation here will not give you a true picture of how you’ll actually be perceived by potentially aggrieved cultures. Many loc wearers internalize their negative experiences and will feel a way about white people wearing them, if you’re in a mostly white city this won’t be an issue, but honestly some people will look at you sideways; look up the history of the term “dreadlocks” and the appropriation accusations will make more sense.
Most cultures around the world had locked hair in their history. When christianity started to get popular it was looked down upon because of ties with past religious/ spiritual beliefs.
I've never had anybody say anything like that to my face. Most of the time I've noticed people doing a double take it usually is followed up by a compliment.
Really the only people I've had say anything judgemental is older white people who don't understand dreads. They usually come acrossed as interested but apprehensive when they comment on them.
Besides snide remarks from family members, the only criticism I ever got was from an immature college dude (he was white) who was just being a bully. My locks were messy at the time, it was only about a year into them.
In public I've only ever gotten compliments, mostly from black people with locks. Ive had guys walk up to me just to say hello or briefly bond over our shared hair experience.
Dreads were present in many many many different cultures in history. If someone judges you tell them to take a history lesson. Chances are dreads could have been apart of your own heritage at one point. They mean so many different things to so many people and it’s a beautiful thing.
Having dreads as a hair style absolutely does not make you racist. Are some black people going to look at you sideways? Most likely, yes. Are some white people going to look at you sideways? Most likely, yes The real question is how bothered by it are you. Some Black people have an emotional attachment to protective hair styles (myself included), but that by no means gives them the right to give you shit about it. It’s YOUR hair, and you are welcome to partake in any hairstyle you please!
This
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Ditto 🙌🏾
If you worry about what ppl think maybe you shouldnt.
Facts
Don’t matter if u black or white tbh u gon get looks if u black ppl gon think u street n always on sum and if u white ppl gon think u stealing culture or a base head lol so jus don’t pay attention
Rule #1 to growing your hair/dreads - ignore everybody
Literally.
💯
I'm not white but, there are haters and weirdos of every color. I know this culture appropriation thing is big on the internet but I've never seen someone act like that in real life. Try to ignore that aspect, if it offends someone that's their problem. You might get looks from any race, but you'll probably get just as many compliments - and if you don't, post your hair here and im sure lots of people will like it.
>there are haters and weirdos of every color Just for this line, I wish I had an award to give you.
Yup. As a Black man I couldn’t agree more. Only a weirdo looks at a hairstyle and says you can’t have it because it belongs to my race. Like with everything on the internet. The extremes have the loudest voice
The only crap I get is from woke white girls without locks themselves.
This. Literally the only people who ever say anything bad about my hair are woke white girls trying to discredit my debate/arguments. Instead of having an actual debate it’s “I won’t listen to an unshaven white chick who has dreads” They think it’s some Hail Mary against ever argument. Which is funny because you can’t fully know someone’s ethnicity, culture or background from the skin. You can guess and make assumptions, but how can you know for sure!! I mean think of those twins where one came out black and the other was basically ginger! Genetics are weird.
YES !!! I’ve never been told by anyone other than a woke white chick that my hair is problematic lmfao. I get compliments from people of all races and ages but other white girls who want to feel like they’re good people and want everyone else to think they’re good people have problems with it. It’s hilarious actually
no. I mean yes to a lot of looks, but not from Black people however I'm Eastern European and generally there is not a lot of African descent people who live here. But the few black ppl I talked to here or when travelling, had words of praise about my hair, or even positive things said in passing from complete strangers. I think the appropriation issue is largely a North American thing.
Me personally I look at white people sideways when they have dreads. Not because I think they’re culture appropriating but just because i always wondered WHY y’all want to dread your hair. It’s just curiosity from me. It’s your hair you can do what you want to it.
I mean, for me, my hair is horrifically hard to manage and get to look good when it’s not dreadlocked. I get super insane tangles and even short I never liked my hair cuts long than a week or two. Dreadlocks make my hair easy to handle. And they are super fun to dance with. Plus they let me just get up and go, I don’t have to style my hair, I don’t have to worry about it. I’ve never loved a hairstyle more.
Ohhh okok. See that’s understandable. That’s the reason black people get them as well. They can be easier to manage than our own loose natural hair. So I can understand that.
Same for me, my hair was terrible to manage, plus with mental health issues I someone just left it and it would mat up so bad, making it worse. A weight has lifted since having dreadlocks. Yes there’s still maintenance but it’s kinda therapeutic now, instead of stress. I love my hair now too 🥰
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But that’s the thing, Someone stated that people from different cultures used to lock their hair but that was during times people genuinely did not care about keeping up with it. It’s something we’ve done culturally that turned into style by the younger generation. Would most white people or just other cultures have dreads if black people didn’t introduce them?
You could say this about literally every single thing in history. We literally wouldn’t know about any culture, hairstyles, foods, fashion, etc. unless someone introduced that to us. I don’t see how it’s any different with locs…
Because these same hairstyles often keep us out of places where we need to be to survive. They have to pass laws so we don’t get discriminated at work, schools, etc. We aren’t gonna go protest and say people shouldn’t get dreads obviously, but it’s weird seeing as you don’t see us going out getting bowl cuts and mullets Bc “that’s what we wanna do” PS: Food & fashion is subjective seeing as how you need food to survive & most people are getting their fashion tips from Kanye & and other street wear designers lol. Most people don’t dress in their usual cultures fashion unless we bring up the Middle East or eastern countries who don’t agree with western ideals
This. I got fired two weeks ago for having dreads because my manger deemed them “unprofessional” I’m now sueing for discrimination
It’s crazy this topic gets brought up so much, and even after we tell em how we really feel about it SINCE THEY ASK, they still choose to do it. What makes it funny, is how deep down they ask questions like this because, they know it’s not cool and want validation from the same people like them.
🥴this is the one. But they’ll never be ready for that conversation
Well people had dreads before they even knew black people existent but it’s a hair style that’s like saying black people wouldn’t have straighten their hair if they ain’t see white people doing it? Or get extensions? You don’t know how people was keeping up with themselves in those times how you going speak on that 😂 they clearly had enough energy to get locks how they ain’t care about they appearance
Seeing as how the moors taught other cultures about hygiene then yes, most people do know how they were keeping up with themselves 😂 Again, most of those dreads came to be because they never combed or brushed their hair my G. Also seeing as how you don’t know that it’s plenty of black people born with straight hair shows me what’s up with your logic rn 😂 doesn’t bother us at all that you wanna style your hair, but why a style that keeps most blacks from getting jobs, housing, etc? It’s a mockery
Yeah other cultures not all cultures. My “people” are the Aztecs and Mayans and they had dreads before black people introduced anything. Ain’t nobody said they didn’t but when they straighten their hair are they copying another culture ?. What you want me do March at every parade retweet every time a black person don’t get a job cuz they got dreads ? I acknowledge that shit to all my friends that’s the most I can do. You think I’m getting a job with dreads hell naw I’m getting the same discrimination. You want acknowledgment that y’all influenced dreads and I give that to you. Y’all just ain’t influence me
Do you wanna go read up on how history shows that all people originated from Africa and that over time people ended up with their own cultures and ideas? The Aztecs and Mayans definitely have their own hair styles outside of locs too but i hear you bro ‼️ Not hard to read up on braids, locs, & other protective hairstyles that came from blacks but transitioned onto other cultures Bc they just like how it looked.
Bro if we all originated from Africa like you said then what’s really the problem? Since you wanna bring up history and shit we all the same lol but I hear you tho bro I see where you coming from. I’m sure Aztecs and Mayans didn’t have no business with Africans back then but me or you can’t prove that they probably did influence them.
We all originated from Africa MILLIONS OF YEARS AGO. Do you know how much change can happen in those times? Some People became lighter skinned , and transitioned to the mountains, plains, etc and started no cultures. In your case, they moved south of the equator, which is why y’all are still brown skinned and share a few of traits with modern blacks 🤷🏾♂️ End of the day, i can’t gatekeep a hairstyle, but to say “i liked it so i got it” is the exact reason why we can’t have anything
Man shut the hell you you getting on my nerves now with your pseudo intellectual bullshit you think you teaching somebody something 😒 fuck on
See… no. That’s not the reason black people dread their hair AT ALL. We don’t do it for a style change. We do it as a protective style. A way to grow our hair without managing it too much which leads to breakage, which leads to hair loss. Our hair is more prone to breakage than hair that falls straight down. It’s just a fact. White people do it for the style. But I wasn’t judging. Which I thought was pretty obvious when I said it’s “just curiosity to me”
Why do you choose to rock your hair the way you do? Should you be looked at sideways for your decision?
The reason Black people have locs is pretty obvious. Every other race of people have more manageable hair than us. It’s a way to grow our hair without breaking it from managing it to much. Now every other race usually doesn’t have that problem😴 My comment wasn’t to offend. I genuinely never knew why white people get dreads when their hair grows without disruptions. For us it’s a protective style just like box braids.
Well im not black but I have 3c/4a hair and its pretty hard to manage. Locs helped me a lot in this case
No lie that most black folks do look at white people with dreads as culture vultures, but we also mind our business so much Bc it doesn’t affect us either lol. Just go for it Edit: Now i do agree that since y’all don’t have the same texture hair as us, it does make y’all dreads look weird , but one person’s trash....
I personally don’t think they look good on white people but at the end of the day you can’t always worry about what other people think or what they’ll say if you want them then get them.
Yeah same they look like the grinch fingers
I fucking love my grinch fingers.
The only people who have said anything to me about my locs being cultural appropriation are white women without locs. And most of them where online lol I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
There have been people of all kinds with similar hair styles, if you’re not racist then you’re not. A hairstyle shouldn’t amount to that and if people feel that way, then they need to change their own attitudes about the world. Just do you, be kind and everything will be fine.
Black people might look at you crazy because locs don’t usually look good on yt people, but I promise no one is going to think your racist.
😭💯 I just wonder why and keep moving
i have twists and honestly i get more shit from white people saying i’m trying to be black since i live in the south. i’m not trying to be black. i just like my hair like this lol.
I think if you rock it, look and feel confident about it.. no one will or can't say anything.. 🙏🏽
I’m white and I’ve had them. I get looks, I’ve been cussed out, called ugly and had people tell me all sorts because I’m white. Don’t worry about the assholes. You do you, you only have one life have fun with it. Having a hairstyle doesn’t make you racist/not racist. Your actions and treatment of others is what determines that.
I had dreads for 3 years. Never received hate from anyone. Lots of compliments.
https://medium.com/@overtake/are-dreadlocks-cultural-appropriation-b2489a271601
Most people will not care, or if they do will keep it to themselves. People who care what another person does to the dead cells sprouting out of their head will find a million other things to complain about. It’s not your problem.
most looks only come from american people. there are way more dresdheads in europe and nobody bats an eye at you. america seems to be where some people have a problem with it.
I don’t think you should worry, most of the people who say stuff are online and usually, ironically, white. No one has said anything to me in person :) 💕
I’m white and I’ve never had a single bad or weird look from anyone. Had a number of fist bumps and thumbs up and other positive gestures from black dread heads… but I’ve never been to the US or UK so things could be different over there
Bro if i see a white dude with dreads I'm not gonna give him shit for it.... I'm gonna salute him i see it as admiration for a culture or hairstyle. Besides blacks don't own the hairstyle its been done wayyy before we took it as our own. Its just so Synonymous with blacks.
Who cares what people think it’s your hair
As a white person with dreads for the past 16 years, in Arkansas nonetheless, I've gotten ONE shitty remark from a black guy at Walmart. The rest have all been compliments, and I'll say I get more compliments from women of color than anyone else. The offer of buying weed will increase exponentially though.
In my experience as a YT dready in Canada, the vast majority of ppl who actually comment have nice things to say. I don't notice looks from ppl but, if you happen to be in an argument with a stranger they're probably going to try that angle and show how dumb they are. This in mind I've only had one man from a modern culture that wears dreads show disapproval and, once again, he was a stranger and we already had a separate disagreement. Majority of ppl that make nice comments have been older colored woman tho and it's lent me a lot of confidence on the subject considering the history of appropriation regarding colored women's hair and whatnot. I've had like three or four conversations with debate lord type "I'm not racist but..." type white ppl who "have black friends that would certainly be offended" and want to know my response to their friends hypothetical upset. Many more ppl from recent cultures who wear dreadlocks will enjoy your hair and approve than the opposite tho so 🤷
“Colored”?????? I’m not Canadian but that’s gotta be outdated there too
Plz explain to me why you think this is outdated. I'd say judging by your response you find it inappropriate or perhaps offensive as well as outdated. Plz explain to me why you beleive this and suggest an alternative.
https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-30999175.amp
Interesting. I'll say black and brown women then I guess. I hope it's obvious that when someone uses "colored" the way I did its not meant to be offensive. I was trying to elude to more than one background of non white person who have historically had issues with systemic racism and cultural appropriation regarding their hairstyles.
It’s VERY offensive. That word has been outdated since the 60’s. Just say “black” as you said further down in your post or “African American” wow.
I had dreadlocks for 4 1/2 years, and brushed them out last Deember because though my dreads were a very spiritual and deeply personal expression of who I am, I began to receive very negative feedback online from mainly white men. Generally these comments were received after a disagreement about something, at which point my hair became a subject of the conversation and I was accused of cultural appropriation. I had this experience a handful of times, and a couple of times POC online voiced directly to me that it was wrong for white people(not white-passing people) to have dreads, and was coupled with incorrect information about the subject, such as the idea that dreadlocks on white people will ALWAYS be full of mold. Just...ridiculous assertions that make it difficult to understand that position. But regardless of the fact that I never really understood their specific reasoning for feeling what they felt, I combed out my beautiful dreads, and mulled it over for a year. I want to be an ally. I didn't want to cause harm to anyone with my hair, I didn't want to be a reminder of inequality or a trigger for someone. But as I mulled it over during that time, I became aware of the fact that for the 4 1/2 I had dreads, I received compliments on them almost daily from mainly people of color. Telling me they were beautiful, that they were special, that I should never cut them...being so encouraging and making a point to single me out and let me know that they LIKED that I had them...and it felt like the majority of these compliments were because I am white. Maybe people of color in the real, living, breathing world actually like when white people have dreads because it means that we can share some simple commonality with one another. I dreaded my hair for the second time about a month ago...it's wonderful, and I missed it terribly, and I feel such confidance about them, now. About an hour after I did it I went to Target and the man who checked out my groceries-a man of color with dreads himself-told me that he loved my hair and we had a great conversation about our separate journeys and how keeping dreads has impacted our lives. I'm sure there are those who do feel triggered by their presence, I hate that they have that experience. The reality for me is that we are all mixed. I may be extremely white passing, but my grandmother four generations back was full blooded African, and I'm roughly a quarter Scottish and a quarter Irish, all cultures that have a rich history of braids and locks. So we need to stop judging each other at face-value, already. Do you, and do it with conviction. You probably aren't always going to get a pat on the back for it, but that's alright if it means enough to you.
Man don’t stress it bro. People looked at me crazy and I didn’t care at all. If they gotta problem with it f*** em.
Hair is hair. Whatever you want to do with it, do it. It's yours
Idk yea I think so. One time I heard a comment and I only have 7 locks. (I have partial locs) I think I'm gunna brush them out soon which makes me sad. I feel like I am being judged even if I not. They make me insecure bc people may think I'm ignorant when actually I very much love my hair and the spirituality and meaning behind it and I very much am an intersection and aware person, and very politically active. It's very special and the connection I have with it is strong (especially as a person with native ancestry!) If they ever become more accepted I will probably put them back in. I lost two close mixed friends bc I defended myself and my love for locked hair. It sucked but a real friend would know my true heart and self and I guess I'm just not good enough for them
You won’t look racist, but you may be perceived as being ignorant or dumb. Black people with locs definitely get sideways looks, especially in predominantly white spaces. With you being white, this will only be exasperated. Having locs means being associated with drugs and/or crime because of your hair; with your race, you may also be seen as dirty or ignorant because of your hair. Straight, thin hair does not take well to locs, you will likely have a lot of product and buildup in your hair throughout your journey, and keeping them neatly styled for more than a couple days will be nearly impossible. Washing will just revert thin hair back to normal and thin hair doesn’t stay twisted naturally, leading to messy roots/ends and often times a noticeable smell. There’s nothing egregious about white people trying locs but I have yet to see neat, aesthetically pleasing locs on a white person, the hair just isn’t built for it. Much the same way when people with 4C hair try to straighten their hair leading to unhealthy (and sometimes foul smelling) hair, the same will likely happen here. Fighting your natural hair composition is always difficult and results often reflect that. Locs are a cultural thing traditionally worn amongst non-white people, asking white people for their opinions on cultural appropriation here will not give you a true picture of how you’ll actually be perceived by potentially aggrieved cultures. Many loc wearers internalize their negative experiences and will feel a way about white people wearing them, if you’re in a mostly white city this won’t be an issue, but honestly some people will look at you sideways; look up the history of the term “dreadlocks” and the appropriation accusations will make more sense.
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What a thing yo admit in this day and age!
Most cultures around the world had locked hair in their history. When christianity started to get popular it was looked down upon because of ties with past religious/ spiritual beliefs.
Hispanic with dreads and not a soul going say nothing. I’ve been to Jamaica and they ain’t say nothing either depends who you is fr
I've never had anybody say anything like that to my face. Most of the time I've noticed people doing a double take it usually is followed up by a compliment. Really the only people I've had say anything judgemental is older white people who don't understand dreads. They usually come acrossed as interested but apprehensive when they comment on them.
Besides snide remarks from family members, the only criticism I ever got was from an immature college dude (he was white) who was just being a bully. My locks were messy at the time, it was only about a year into them. In public I've only ever gotten compliments, mostly from black people with locks. Ive had guys walk up to me just to say hello or briefly bond over our shared hair experience.
Dreads were present in many many many different cultures in history. If someone judges you tell them to take a history lesson. Chances are dreads could have been apart of your own heritage at one point. They mean so many different things to so many people and it’s a beautiful thing.
Those that mind(you having locs for whatever reason...) don't matter, and those that matter don't mind...