i live in berwick louisiana, bottom of the map lol... im the only indian/white looking guy around the area with dreads and ppl stare and ask questions all the time.i like it haha.. i just smile really big and wave, its normal, ppl are just stupid most of the time... ignore it, rock them proudly my friend
updated by @don-d: 07/23/15 05:04:39PM
Dreads & racism
@robert-jaite
14 years ago
6 posts
Unfortunatly you will find that this is not going to end. People will always feel the need to comment on a persons looks, age, race, manners, and anything that makes a person unique. They feel that by putting down your unique attributes that the flaws that they see in themselves will be less noticeable. As an individual who has chosen to embrace that uniqueness, I applaude you. Too often people judge a person by what is different instead of seeing the similarity that we all share.
@dreadlockedlady
14 years ago
39 posts
The bolded below is key. I know it is probably hard because you are in high school but you got to brush it off. If they see that it bothers you, then they will probably continue. If it isn't the dreads, it'll be something else. Are they racist? Based on the info that I am reading here, no. Are they immature high school kids? Yup.
NaturalWomyn said:
NaturalWomyn said:
all in all people it really doesn't matter if you're tall or short, fat or skinny, pale or dark have dreads or straight hair there's always going to be someone who feels the need to comment about it. Ya just gotta let it roll off your back! If you don't allow it to bother you then it will no longer be an issue. Nobody is immune from stupid and sometimes hurtful comments from others. You can't control what people say to you so just embrace it! Learn to love what makes you unique! When I was young (6th grade maybe?) My biggest problem in life was my lips were too big and I was tall. LOL! People pay money for big lips and wear crazy shoes to be taller! So now when anyone say's something to me about my height (5'9") Wow you're tall for a girl I say I know thank you! So if someone says something like oh look white boy with dreads you say yes I am! Thanks for noticing!Be proud and those things shouldn't bother you. Many Blessings My Beautiful Phreaks!!!!
It only bothers me sometimes that society is the way it is, but I do love my hair. I wouldn't enjoy being another clone. Thank you for the advice
dreadlockedlady said:
dreadlockedlady said:
The bolded below is key. I know it is probably hard because you are in high school but you got to brush it off. If they see that it bothers you, then they will probably continue. If it isn't the dreads, it'll be something else. Are they racist? Based on the info that I am reading here, no. Are they immature high school kids? Yup.
NaturalWomyn said:all in all people it really doesn't matter if you're tall or short, fat or skinny, pale or dark have dreads or straight hair there's always going to be someone who feels the need to comment about it. Ya just gotta let it roll off your back! If you don't allow it to bother you then it will no longer be an issue. Nobody is immune from stupid and sometimes hurtful comments from others. You can't control what people say to you so just embrace it! Learn to love what makes you unique! When I was young (6th grade maybe?) My biggest problem in life was my lips were too big and I was tall. LOL! People pay money for big lips and wear crazy shoes to be taller! So now when anyone say's something to me about my height (5'9") Wow you're tall for a girl I say I know thank you! So if someone says something like oh look white boy with dreads you say yes I am! Thanks for noticing!Be proud and those things shouldn't bother you. Many Blessings My Beautiful Phreaks!!!!
@trina-sandress
14 years ago
87 posts
I get strange looks from African Americans and I am African American. I get strange looks and nasty attitude from white people too. In my experience it just has to do with me not looking like a conventional human being.As time goes by more and more people are wearing dreadlocks and going back to what Mother Nature intended. These people who make fun or criticize you are probably wishing that they could be as comfortable as you are to just be yourself.
@gene-thompson
14 years ago
29 posts
ignorance has no color, although some say it has recorded that people of african descent had locks ever since biblical times, ancient celtics and vikings did as well. I can name some african american or african people who have criticize me about my hair. It's a matter of the individual not their color, regardless, you should be proud of your physical appearence and not let anybody make you think otherwise.
This is inspiring thank you.
NaturalWomyn said:
NaturalWomyn said:
all in all people it really doesn't matter if you're tall or short, fat or skinny, pale or dark have dreads or straight hair there's always going to be someone who feels the need to comment about it. Ya just gotta let it roll off your back! If you don't allow it to bother you then it will no longer be an issue. Nobody is immune from stupid and sometimes hurtful comments from others. You can't control what people say to you so just embrace it! Learn to love what makes you unique! When I was young (6th grade maybe?) My biggest problem in life was my lips were too big and I was tall. LOL! People pay money for big lips and wear crazy shoes to be taller! So now when anyone say's something to me about my height (5'9") Wow you're tall for a girl I say I know thank you! So if someone says something like oh look white boy with dreads you say yes I am! Thanks for noticing!Be proud and those things shouldn't bother you. Many Blessings My Beautiful Phreaks!!!!
You said you were in high school, right? I'd just disregard whatever those kids say. A majority of kids in high school are either uninformed, immature, or a combination of the two. I can't vouch for all adults and say they'll act less ignorant, but I can say generally, they're a bit less critical. As they say, kids will be kids. I personally don't take anything high school students say to heart. It's not worth the time or effort. If you have dreads, chances are at some point in your life, you'll receive judgments and criticisms. It's best just to persevere.
@hamdiya-mu
14 years ago
8 posts
Blessed...
Hopefully I can reason alittle with you..first you right about dreads being an ancient style of one wearing their hair.
So yes many cultures embrace this style for various reasons be it cultural, religious or just the way that group wore they hair..no big whup!!
However much as changed and though information is out there many do not seek or research the root of what causes one group to do something especially when we also live in an age of so much misinformation, it is easier to assume then to think or research facts..
Now there is the reality of oppression and racism whether overt or covert in this real world these are real issues. With that being said, though your boyfriend has the moral right to wear his hair anyway he want, there is still much tention about cultural identity especially when one identifies them selves as caucasian who has embraced a cultural "style" that for the most part has been identified as "African" or of people of color, most like you might experience the same vibe if he wore Native American apparal and was walking through a reservation or the like.
Though there has been various people who have conquered and oppressed other people for land, resources,and people unfortunately Caucasians have that history almost exclusively even if it not always true coming from a historial prospective..so in a nutshell.. once again it "appears" that a "white man" has "stole" from another people of culture hair style or what might relate to them.
If one doesn't know any better it is easier to come to that conclusion instead of one looking at him embracing Africa or even his own roots (Irish, Scotts and other European culture of old dreadlocked too) but you don't see pictures of these people..once again mis-education and thus misinformed..thus ignorance.
And yes, adults who don't know act the same way regardless of hue of skin..sad but true.
Hopefully I can reason alittle with you..first you right about dreads being an ancient style of one wearing their hair.
So yes many cultures embrace this style for various reasons be it cultural, religious or just the way that group wore they hair..no big whup!!
However much as changed and though information is out there many do not seek or research the root of what causes one group to do something especially when we also live in an age of so much misinformation, it is easier to assume then to think or research facts..
Now there is the reality of oppression and racism whether overt or covert in this real world these are real issues. With that being said, though your boyfriend has the moral right to wear his hair anyway he want, there is still much tention about cultural identity especially when one identifies them selves as caucasian who has embraced a cultural "style" that for the most part has been identified as "African" or of people of color, most like you might experience the same vibe if he wore Native American apparal and was walking through a reservation or the like.
Though there has been various people who have conquered and oppressed other people for land, resources,and people unfortunately Caucasians have that history almost exclusively even if it not always true coming from a historial prospective..so in a nutshell.. once again it "appears" that a "white man" has "stole" from another people of culture hair style or what might relate to them.
If one doesn't know any better it is easier to come to that conclusion instead of one looking at him embracing Africa or even his own roots (Irish, Scotts and other European culture of old dreadlocked too) but you don't see pictures of these people..once again mis-education and thus misinformed..thus ignorance.
And yes, adults who don't know act the same way regardless of hue of skin..sad but true.