I wanted to add to the "natural" discussion :(

Maybe it's stupid that I'm starting a whole new thread here, but I just wanted to point out what some others are saying.I can't believe what a big deal is being made out of all of this. It seems totally crazy to me!! We are all here on this website because we have something in common: we love dreadlocks!I myself have thought the term 'natural' has been confusing from day one, just because as some have brought up, nature seems to be a subjective thing. I am of the opinion that anything human made is 'natural' because humans themselves are a naturally occurring phenomenon of this planet.But honestly, why does it matter???? People are unique individuals, and like some people find different learning methods more effective, some people find dread starting methods more effective. Does this mean they are not as genuine or authentic? No... we're all humans. It's all hair.Let me repeat that: it is HAIR.I understand that dreadlocks hold more meaning to some people than others, but the method in which they were created should have no dictation over meaning. I love what my dreads are turning into, and I love the patience that I have acquired in the past seven months because of them. I feel like I am able to express who I am more and I love the feeling of reaching back there and feeling my little dreadies, but here's the deal.... my dreads hold an important role in who I am, but I'm not going to let them define who I am. If for some reason I had to cut them, sure i would be super bummed out and frustrated at all of that time lost... but it's still just hair, and with or without dreads, I am still me.I have personally found it kind of silly how 'natural' methods are pushed on people here, not because I disagree... I like to let my hair do its own thing, but because that person is capable of making their own informed decision. Give them the tools and the info (which this site is awesome at doing), but leave it at that. Don't pressure people.... sometimes people need to find things out on their own, that is how learning occurs. And who knows? maybe crocheting really just works for them, or backcombing or whatever.Bottom line: everyone needs to chill out and come to this community as a place for encouragement and love. No need to point fingers or get angry. We're all people and i think for the most part, people are good.I've learned a lot from this site, but sometimes it does seem like preference is given to people who have undergone certain methods. All of you guys are awesome, and I hope these never-ending arguments can just end... cause I don't even like coming here any more when all the subjects are debates about wax and natural etc..
updated by @bird: 02/14/15 03:51:47AM

Very, Very well said

i have absolutely the same feeling about it here. i like the advice i found here, and its been so helpful to me, but im naturaly very open minded and welcoming person and cant agree with the 'all natural fundamentalism' i feel its being pushed on people here. i mean, its gone so boring with the constant anti wax, anti crochet, anti whatever here..its good give some advice but i feel like some ideas which i realized through my proces i cant present here because they are not kosher, and it shouldnt be like that.whatever whoever believes, its just hair and one can do whatever he wants with it...and learn from it too...and i dont like judging something i ve never tried too..

i agree...... its also hard for some people to to it naturally because, unlike people on theis site who are loving and caring and non judgemantal but most of the world isnt. No matter how much you dont care what people think gettin called dirty and all types of names eventually takes a tole on your soul. I tried to do them naturally but i was getting frustrated because all i was getting is what oly can be described as a hurricane on the back of my head, so i decided to help the process along. i didnt use any wax i just used the tist and rip method and im alot happier with the results and now im going to let nature do the rest. I've leared alot from this website and im verry happy i came across it. i mean a whole community of dreadheads what else can a dread lover ask for...

Might be opening a can of worms here but...I kind of liken it to weight loss. What if you had a site promoting health and nutrition, which included healthy weight and weight loss? People are sharing their thoughts on exercise and eating right and here comes a bunch of people who seem to think that diet pills and gastric by-pass are just as good. Yeah, diet pills and gastric by-pass will get the job done, but at what cost to the person? I have done hair for over 30 years and I know what will be ultimately more damaging to the hair structure and what will not. The Neglect/Natural method for dreading so by far more healthy for the actual hair and it's core structure...everything else begins to create more and more irreversible damage. Backcombing does create damage...absolutely! Crochet hooks? Forget it! Horrible to the hair sctructure. So, although some of you would like us to "just all get along" I will say that there are those who are not about to advocate intentional harmful, damaging methods when there is a better way...and all that better way involves is patience.

I think you are under false impressions. I personally havent ever told anybody how they should or shouldnt "dread" their hair. I think you feel like members here, or elsewhere are "pushing" natural methods because these aforementioned members are acclimated as to what a dreadlock actually is. That being a product of what most would percieve as neglect. I feel this is an accurate statement due to the facts I have retained over the years.Most would agree that dreadlocks take quite awhile to actually become dreaded locks. About a year or so. And, in my expirience the individuals that retain their knotty ropes are indeed the ones who took a "natural" or a moreso minimalistic path to dreaddom. As opposed to the much larger group who chose other methods to, and I quote, "get dreadlocks." These are the people who "get" locks as yet another "expression" themsleves. They get dreads as a hairstyle, or because they think that they look cool. When infact they are only setting themselves up for a letdown. Thereby seemingly making the method chosen "infintely" important.Real dreadlocks are to be grown, not had. Yes, dreads can be a form of outward expression, but not when they are manicured and formed inside what people as a society decide. Dreadlocks are an expression of the soul, when left alone. Dreadlocks are original, when left alone. Dreadlocks are dreadfully locked, when left alone. Because guess what? Thats how the damned things happen. Whether you want to belive it or not. Whether or not you use wax, or "locc accelerator" or sea salt or twigs and berries and dog shit, if dreadlocks do happen, it is because they have been alotted the movement and time to do so.If dreadlocks are allowed to actually mature and become dreadlocks then I believe they become more than just a hairstyle. Having dreadlocks is a lifestyle. They directly or indirectly affect what and when and how you do everything, whether you are aware of it or not. If you dont feel accordingly then I think you havent delt with them long enough.And dude, wake up. What in the hell are forums for if not arguing? Debate is what keeps sites like this alive! Dur de dur dur.

well said panterraand the funny thing isall the arguing had nothing to do with wether 1 methods better then another or if they should or shouldnt use that methodall the arguing canme down to 1 thingpeople whyo didnt go natural wanting to still say they did..huh?if you want to say you went natural go naturalif you didnt go natural dont say you did its that simpleits not 1 os better then the other..its just let natural mean natural nothing elsetheres so much damn confusuon out therewhat the hell iss wrong with the nmame of the method having a specific meanning?do u call your dreads backcombed if you interlocked not backcombed?do you call them product free if you used only lock peppa dread wax and lime and mango gelldo you call them crochetted if theyre dread permed?the entire argument was over every single 1 of you who did not go natural wanting to say you didnobody looks down on you if you didnt no0body careds just dont claim theyre natural if theyre not thats all that way people who dont understand what the term even means can learn somethinghow are u going to tell people they dont need a salon if they dont understand that dreads can form naturally because the only natural dreads they ever see are made in a salon?get it?natural dreads..as a term must have a meanning not be meanninglessly used to mean any old dreads that want to use the termuse the term for the method you chose ..or choose the method that goes with the term you want to useif u want to call your dreads natural go natural if you dont go natural use the term for the dreads u choseand stop arguing about ittheres nothing to argue about..you chose what u chose so embrace it and be proud of it..or..change it..if your not happy saying you backcombed then start over..but stop tryimng to change the language to mean what u want it to mean


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My new book Ban The Taboo Vol 1

I'm not saying that harmful methods should be advocated. I am saying that information should be provided to prevent harm and it should be left at that.... people can make their own decisions and mistakes.

Panterra Caraway said:

Might be opening a can of worms here but...I kind of liken it to weight loss. What if you had a site promoting health and nutrition, which included healthy weight and weight loss? People are sharing their thoughts on exercise and eating right and here comes a bunch of people who seem to think that diet pills and gastric by-pass are just as good. Yeah, diet pills and gastric by-pass will get the job done, but at what cost to the person? I have done hair for over 30 years and I know what will be ultimately more damaging to the hair structure and what will not. The Neglect/Natural method for dreading so by far more healthy for the actual hair and it's core structure...everything else begins to create more and more irreversible damage. Backcombing does create damage...absolutely! Crochet hooks? Forget it! Horrible to the hair sctructure. So, although some of you would like us to "just all get along" I will say that there are those who are not about to advocate intentional harmful, damaging methods when there is a better way...and all that better way involves is patience.

Wow, people are totally misinterpreting what i was trying to get across.lost cause.....I have really enjoyed this site, but it may be time for me to take a break. Thanks to all that have been kind to me, and for all of the friendly advice i have been offered.Good luck, everyone in your journeys.

and thats how it is, no one forces anyone to go a certain way, we give the best info we can in order for them to have nice healthy dreads, and that just so happens to be natural, and for sure anyways that are harmful are looked down apon cause we dont want someone having harm done to their hair,and as far as the discussion.... im with SE on this one, it shouldn't be a argument, just don't claim anything your not, and lets face it, natural dreads are formed on their own naturally, no comb, no hands, and the opinion that anything human made is 'natural' because humans themselves are a naturally occurring phenomenon of this planet. is a joke, im sorry but that's just bsand one last thought, its good to be proud of ones accomplishments, and dreading your hair from nothing, natural dreads, are some thing to be proud of......and their is nothing wrong with wanting to be correctly called that, but who said that you shouldn't also be equally proud of your dreads if ya started them, you shouldn't, they are still dreads, and you should be proud, i see some ppl getting all defensive when ppl start talking about natural dreads being the best way, it is the best cause its the healthiest way, like in their own minds they are being put down cause of the path the chose, your not being put down, but we are going to inform you if your not doing something smart, its up to ones self to act as they please....Read more: I wanted to add to the "natural" discussion - dreadlocks forums http://www.dreadlockssite.com/forum/topics/i-wanted-to-add-to-the-natural?xg_source=activity#ixzz132gKga00 the best place for real dreadlocks no lies no products to buy just truth about healthy dreadsUnder Creative Commons License: Attribution

Bird said:

I'm not saying that harmful methods should be advocated. I am saying that information should be provided to prevent harm and it should be left at that.... people can make their own decisions and mistakes.