I am not my HAIR!

Nappy, Dirty, Stinky, and disgusting are a few words people used to describe dreadlocks.  Dreadlocks can be classified by many names such as locks, dreads, etc. Society has a negative stigma on dreadlocks; they associate dreadlocks with marijuana, Rastafarianism, Bob Marley, Gangsters, and Crime.  Although many Rasta’s have dreads and smoke marijuana, there are a lot of people with dreads who don’t smoke, and aren’t Rastafarian. I my self has noticed while watching the news if a black criminal is shown they usually have dreads. Sadly many people may parallel the dreadlocks with crime. Rappers like Lil Wayne give dreads a negative depiction, he smokes, drink, swears, and displays disrespect for women.  Many people I have spoken to have honestly said they choose to get dreads because Lil Wayne has them.

But to people who have locks they symbolize many different meanings. They symbolize a commitment to living a natural life style; dreads are the healthiest and naturalist state the hair can be in. It is also a symbol of rejection to mainstream American standards of beauty seen in straight hair. For many African Americans the process to get straight hair requires putting harmful chemicals in their hair called Relaxers.  Relaxers contain Alkaline the chemical found in batteries and Lye. Long term use of these products damage the hair and can cause the hair to fall out. Many people with dreads also believe their dreads contain spiritual energy that connect them with God, shown in Rastafarianism.

In my own life I have contemplated getting dreadlocks for years. I recently decided that I want to lock my hair and get dreadlocks. For the last three years many people in my family have tried to discourage me from getting dreadlocks. They tell me that with dreadlocks, I may have a hard time getting a job because of the negative stigma dreads carry. Even if I have a hard time getting a job because of the dreads, I honestly feel that they don’t deserve me in the long run.  I want dreadlocks because I believe in the spiritual connection with God, and I want to show the world that dreadlocks are beautiful. Society won’t change its view on dreads unless people get them and represent them positively. Although it may seem very optimistic, I want people at the end of the day to judge me on what I have inside my head not on top.