There are some websites out there that would describe dreadlocks as a way of life rather than just a type of hairstyle. While I don’t ascribe to this myself, there is definitely certain questions and statements that become a part of your life once you allow the locks into your world. I take a look at some of the worse below.
“Can I Touch Your Hair?”
I have to admit, this was a problem for me before I started letting my hair knot up. Having any kind of “unusual” or non-standard haircut affords you this fantastic question, usually on a night out or at a party where there’s people you’ve never met. I did get it more when I had a large frizzy afro, probably because people inaccurately consider my hair to be dirty, but I still have the odd person approach me with the dreaded question, no pun intended.
“Don’t You Think It’s Wrong To Appropriate Someone Else’s Culture?”
I really don’t want to get into a debate on the idea of cultural appropriation or where I stand on the subject, but I will say that this is how my hair grows. I did not put my dreadlocks in. When I had an afro, it was so knotted it was impossible for me to brush and so I would have to regularly rip bits of my hair apart to get rid of and long strands that were starting to stick together. Eventually I got annoyed, after four years of it, and decided to let it knot up. From there I would just rip them once they’d gathered more hair and occasionally roll them between my hands to pick up any loose hair that made my hair look (more) untidy. I am not appropriating anybody’s culture by merely allowing my hair to grow how it naturally does.
“How Much Did It Cost To Get Your Hair Like That?”
Nothing. Please. See. Above.
“I Just Couldn’t Go Without Washing My Hair.”
It is a complete myth that people with dreadlocks don’t wash their hair. Hair actually locks better when it’s clean, coming together better when dry and without grease. Also, I can categorically say that 95% of the time, my hair does not smell. Like everyone else in the world, there have been times when my hair has smelt, but it’s not a regular occurrence. People with dreadlocks that smell probably haven’t been washing their hair, or have not dried their hair properly which allows mold to grow within one of the tighter parts of the lock.
“You’ll Never Get A Job Looking Like That.”
There’s not much I can say to this really other than, “That’s a shame?” I don’t want to work somewhere that wouldn’t have me, so it’s fine with me really. Beyond health and safety, which means they shouldn’t be taking on other people with long hair that can be tied up, there is literally no reason I couldn’t or shouldn’t work a job because of my hair. if somebody decides they don’t want me because they perceive me as looking unprofessional, than that’s their own problem. I probably saved myself from a long tedious time underneath the oppression of a shit boss.
Do you have dreadlocks or want to grow them in? Still have questions or queries about what life with dreadlocks is like? Let us know in the comments below what you think about the hairstyle.
