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. 1
   Diane Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 9:53 PM

   In response to the comments made about white people sporting locks, some of us black men and woman are the hyporcrites, because black people have for a long time immitated white hair by using chemicals to make there hair staight, i think that we should relax and allow people to do what they want with their hair, there should be a pole on if black people should relax there hair.

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2. 2
   Cait Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 9:54 PM

   i am about to get my hair locked, and i am white.. my friend goes to a very liberal college in the south, the majority white, and the majority having dreadlocks. i go to festivals all the time in upstate ny and a majority of the white peoples there have dreads too. most that i come in contact with are very spiritual people and dreads to them symbolize something very spirtiual and very sacred. if we could ebolish all this nonsence about blacks and whites, and get down to the fact that we are all human and we all have this hair stuff on our heads and some like to lock it and some dont, then everything wil be gravy.

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3. 3
   Jaime Says:
   February 27th, 2009 at 9:54 PM

   Wow! I cant beleive all the negativity that I see in the poll for people without color having dreadlocks. I feel sorry for anyone that feels so robbed of their culture when they see a pwoc wearing their hair like this. First of all, you need to educate yourself to the other regions of the world where this style of hair is either predominant or was at one point in history. Remember that if this is hairs natural state, that that means ANYONES hair. If someone just does it for fashion reasons, and you dont agree with it, then ignore it and go on with yourselves and your day. I for one, am not into the ”fashion” of dreadlocks, but I also feel like we are lucky to be able to decide how we want our hair. I like being surrounded by people who dont prescribe to what society considers normal. Individuality is beautiful. If you are truly spiritual, none of this will bother you. Be mindful.

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