arose
Junior Dreads
Entangled in the mass of maddness manifesting on my head!
Posts: 126
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Post by arose on Nov 2, 2016 21:38:29 GMT
Hey guys. I know this is a touchy subject. A hairstylist known for creating dreadlocks (for plenty of white people) in my area has had some unfriendly attention lately and someone shared this article, claiming this was part of the reason why: everydayfeminism.com/2015/07/white-people-black-hairstyles/If anyone has a chance to read through it, I'd love to hear some opinions from you guys. I'm rather new to this journey and while I read a bit about this in my research before I started my locks, this is a new perspective for me. I would never want to use my white privilege to my advantage, on purpose anyway... I've just felt that anyone's hair can dread and it is a style work by many different cultures. Have you encountered any issues due to this claim of cultural appropriation?
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Post by lexmercury on Nov 3, 2016 17:59:59 GMT
White people wearing dreadlocks is cultural appropriation.
For the most part, no one will really care or say anything. Most people dealing with racism have bigger issues to worry about. It might make them offended but they usually won't waste time out of their day to take you down a peg.
That being said I'm an asshole that thinks anyone who cares what someone else is doing to their hair is probably not worth spending any time on.
But yeah wearing dreads while white and not giving a fuck is a pretty serious privilege.
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Nov 3, 2016 18:26:51 GMT
Yes, it is a style wore by many cultures past and present, but the author believes that it's the black community that "bears the brunt" of discrimination when wearing their natural hairstyle. It's cool, cutting edge, fashionable, etc. when a member of the white community wears it but "dirty" and "messy" when wore by a member of the black community. I like how the article raises awareness of issues facing the black community and any minority for that matter. What gets me, is that the author assumes and generalizes that one wearing dreadlocks (that is not a member of the black community) is insensitive and wholly unaware to minority issues. To counter, I believe a large section of the white majority understand the issues but will never fully "live it" unless relocating to a place where they become the minority. That's not their fault nor are the past injustices incurred by any minority unless continually perpetuated, intentionally and/or unintentionally. The irony is that Kendall Jenner got the author and the public talking about a black hairstyle, which led to talking about and raising awareness of issues facing the black community but isn't that exactly what the author ultimately wants? Thus, hoping that this elevated awareness leads to real solutions? Cultural appropriation as a label or a "flag", in my opinion, can further divisiveness and this author seems to take that "tone." Honestly, I think if we can freely "wear" other cultures, this will be a gateway to discovery, understanding, and insights of the culture one chooses "put on." Of course, it's not perfect, it won't be unless born into said culture, but to say, "it's not allowed" is denying us the opportunity to share, learn, and hopefully become closer to one another.
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Post by J Welsh on Nov 25, 2016 15:37:11 GMT
So, because I am considered white and I have long natural hair that locked up because I don't brush it, that is cultural appropriation? My hair and self are part of a spiritual experience for myself and God while I am on this Earth. I am not too sure why some people have an issue with what my hair does. Also, some people who do have a problem with it, either don't have locks or think that you have to go to a salon and keep them "twisted" and nice and neat and perfect. To me that is a hair style. What I have is what God gave me for my journey. Peace, love all, and God bless.
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Post by mreliel on Nov 30, 2016 3:12:26 GMT
being half white and half black i dont understand how people cant just let each other live their lives being black isnt a culture, there are so many different cultures among black people i personally think this cultural appropriation thing, especially with dreadlocks, is just another way for people to claim they're oppressed as thats the hip thing at the moment I understand people who's cultures are being disrespected and them being offended by that (ie, people wearing ceremonial dress at like, burning man) but other peoples hair style isnt something to get offended about
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james
Alumni
Posts: 4,022
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Post by james on Nov 30, 2016 7:43:41 GMT
I don't even associate dreadlocks with a culture, (other than new wave 90's traveller type youth). I appreciate that a religious culture of mostly black folk adopted it in the early 20th century and that rejection of 'style' is very much in my heart, and also my respect for that religion. So it really pisses me off if somebody yells Rasta at me as I feel like giving them a religious lecture before pointing out that my my beliefs, if crystallised, fall far more into the pagan Celtic circle than a African/ Jesus based belief system. But people are just idiots. They really are. So it's a waste of breath. Personally I don't see how 'cultural appropriation' is even relevant to dreadlocks if anybody does their homework and feels like a 'world citizen' rather than a person in a social ethnic geographic box. Afro hair dreads really well, so my envious respect is always up front. Maybe cultural appropriation ( I'm starting to hate that bullshit term, we wouldn't have rock without the blues) is more relevant where some of you live amongst others opinions. But it has no place with dreadlocks. Maybe it would if you identified as a Rastafarian, or a Hindu, as they are cultures above religion that one can't simple adopt like an outfit.
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james
Alumni
Posts: 4,022
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Post by james on Nov 30, 2016 10:08:45 GMT
Also ( just to add as this thing really gets my goat), the few actual Rastafarian folk who have natural dreads who I've met ( and I haven't met many) don't give a f**k about cultural appropriation. They respect all cultures that have dreads. Most black people I know are really into their hairstyles and the barbers is their home from home, even if that involves getting dreads, it's salon done, and they are really into having a stylish image. So my hair dreadlocked naturally, I didn't do a thing, so who is copying who? I didn't get a 'hairstyle', it grew on me, it's how I look, I ain't trying to be nobody but me. So fuck off!!!! lol. Bloody cultural appropriation. I must buy some hair shaved off a Hindu ladies head and have that attached to my head at the salon, that's normal right? Duh.
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james
Alumni
Posts: 4,022
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Post by james on Nov 30, 2016 10:22:12 GMT
It is funny how angry it gets me. A bit like those on the other side. I find it really offensive to be be pigeonholed by the concept. I take it as an uneducated insult. I can't help it. Grrrr
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Post by J Welsh on Dec 2, 2016 2:57:22 GMT
Thanks you James. I thought it was just me feeling this way on here. I was reading all these people saying how dumb they are and cultural appropriation, and blah blah blah. Well if you feel like you are then shave your head. My hair is what God gave me and it has locked up naturally the way it was meant to.
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Post by J Welsh on Dec 2, 2016 10:24:03 GMT
being half white and half black i dont understand how people cant just let each other live their lives being black isnt a culture, there are so many different cultures among black people i personally think this cultural appropriation thing, especially with dreadlocks, is just another way for people to claim they're oppressed as thats the hip thing at the moment I understand people who's cultures are being disrespected and them being offended by that (ie, people wearing ceremonial dress at like, burning man) but other peoples hair style isnt something to get offended about Absolutely agree with you! Not sure why there are self hating dread heads on here.
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jxbx
Alumni
The easiest way to dread is to let it go. The hardest way to dread is to let it go.
Posts: 1,093
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Post by jxbx on Dec 2, 2016 15:44:43 GMT
I don't see anyone self-hating.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2016 16:07:00 GMT
I don't see dreads on Caucasians as cultural appropriation. But I think it's wise for those with privilege to be sensitive to people who have had their culture stripped away.
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arose
Junior Dreads
Entangled in the mass of maddness manifesting on my head!
Posts: 126
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Post by arose on Dec 12, 2016 5:59:35 GMT
Wow you guys. I'm so thankful for all the input on this topic! I'm so behind on here, I feel like I never get to sit down and write as much as I want to... I read about all this a little when I first considered starting my dreads, and then decided not to worry about it. I have admired dreads for years, but never thought I could have them because I thought only black people could do it! How silly of me! I think when I read that article, and the author basically said that just by wearing the hairstyle you were insulting the black community.... it made me upset, that a personal choice like this could be so insulting even if its intentions were so innocuous! That's why I wanted to see what all you lovely minds had to say about it, since I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it. I'm totally not self hating, just to clear that up. Just wanting to hear the perspectives from those who have been at it much longer than I have. jxbx you put it so well, saying wearing other's cultures could be a gateway to understanding... I love that idea. I'm all about learning from each other and loving each other. And I think if someone's going to let hair bother them so much, I will leave them to it. I doubt even if I answered their questions it would give them any satisfaction. I think part of what I'm learning with this whole hair process is to disregard the opinions of others unless I ask. This seems super obvious, but it's a difficult one for me, someone who wants everyone to be happy. Not possible. mreliel good perspective, and thank you. Cultures aren't just black and white (hehe see what I did there). And james, I identify with feeling like a citizen of the world. We are all human, and if everyone stopped brushing their hair locks would form! Ha! For myself, I will continue to be considerate to other's cultural practices, and wear my hair however the hell I want.
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alexq
Dread Newbie
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Post by alexq on Feb 4, 2017 22:15:27 GMT
I've been thinking about what to say on this topic for awhile.. As I've always held matted hair/dreadlocks to be HUMAN culture.. This man hit it near the spot. It's lengthy but worth the listen..I love his use of profanity..ahahah but wise words, seriously..
It's a human thing
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Post by fizzypop on Feb 6, 2017 20:12:36 GMT
I acknowledge that black people get treated like crap for their hair and I think that's wrong. I also acknowledge I cannot know what it is like at all, but I can somewhat relate. I have always had really frizzy, somewhat coarse, dry hair. I am of Irish ethnicity and so my hair is just very naturally a mess (not that uncommon among those who are Irish). People have made fun of me my entire life for it. I have had hair dressers treat me like crap for it or tell me my hair is damaged. They had no idea how to care for my hair and told me all sorts of wrong things that ended up doing actual damage to my hair. It was only in the last few years I have finally allowed my hair to be worn naturally. It sucks. I can only imagine it is 100x worse on their end.
My understanding is that dreadlocks that black people form or those with their hair type is somewhat different from the ones that can be formed by more white hair types. I may be wrong there (and correct me if so), but that has been my understanding. So due to that I don't claim dreadlocks and instead embrace my own heritage calling them elflocks which Irish people generally refer to as matted hair. I fully admit my hair is matted and embrace that. I don't wish to add to any cultural issues and I try my best to be aware of my privilege. I would fight tooth and nail for someone to wear their hair anyway they want without being seen as dirty or wrong regardless. All I wish is to embrace my own heritage.
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