Forum Activity for @jujube-joanna

Photography Frustration

Introduce Yourself

I started locking my hair a week ago. I was going to just leave it alone and let it do what it wanted, but I have been playing with it. 24/7!! Although I do not like the frizziness on top all that much, that is just how my hair normally is. But I am loving the way my locks are coming along, especially since they are curly. The thing is, since I have dark hair, and am just starting out, it is very frustrating to take photos. While the locks are pretty well defined in certain areas, in pics it just looks like a massive fuzzball. Any advice???

updated by @jujube-joanna: 01/13/15 09:52:55PM

Questions about locing my hair,

Dreadlock Styles and Dread Styling

I did struggle for a LONG time over the idea of locing my hair because I do know some people find it offensive. However, I have discovered that the folks who are really out here in the struggle do not give a damn how I wear my hair!!

I actually made kind of a spur of the moment decision to loc my hair after I saw it locing on its own a few days ago. So, I encouraged it a bit by loosely taking a few of my curls, using t n r method for like an inch or so. I am just impatient I guess LOL.

And as for finding the term dreadlock offensive, that needs a bit of clarification. I do not find it offensive if people refer to their own hair as dreadlocks, however, I am careful about referring to other people as having "dreads" or "dreadlocks" because I do know it was used in the past as a racially derogatory term and while it was reclaimed, as was the N word, I still do not feel it is comfortable for me personally to use it unless the person specifically states so.

As for me, personally, I prefer to use locing, because that is exactly what my hair is doing LOL

the Barrellady said:

What is regular gel to you? Aloe Vera , straight from the plant or 100% pure from a health food store (refrigerated section) is the best thing to use for a special event. Washes right out with no residue left behind. This only lasts a few hours but works perfectly and safely.

In regards to your comment of being a racial justice advocate and finding the term dreadlocks offensive. Words are just words and I am sorry that you and others still find the word offensive when not used in a derogatory way. My hair still looks the same whether I call them locs or dreadlocks, whether I am locing or dreading, I really don't care what they are called. Times change, words change, meanings change, they are not dreadful, they are beautiful, so people can call them what they want. If it sounds funny to you to say you are dreading your hair, then don't say that, we don't want you to feel funny. There are African Americans who think Caucasians should not have locs at all and it is offensive to them, so does that mean that you should not grow them, being a racial justice advocate? Just curious.

I don't grow mine as a statement, a movement, a rebellion, a hairstyle or a fashion trend.

Questions about locing my hair,

Dreadlock Styles and Dread Styling

Interesting perspective. I was speaking to a Jamaican man the other day and he said that the term "dread" locks came from Europeans who proclaimed the natural, loc-ed hair of Africans to be "dreadful". It was also called "dread" locks by people in colonial Jamaica because people with locs were feared.

The term "dreads" or "dreadlocks" were terms reclaimed by Rastafarians, similarly to the way the N-word has been reclaimed by Black Americans.

Anyway, either way... I just seem to notice a difference based more on race than on the type of locs the person has (salon vs. natural)

The other question I was wondering about in the original post is if it is OK to use a regular gel in my hair if it is only for a few hours.

The

Questions about locing my hair,

Dreadlock Styles and Dread Styling

Here are some photos from today.... you can see what I am talking about with the frizziness. This is why I have always used some sort of product in my hair to calm them down a bit.

Questions about locing my hair,

Dreadlock Styles and Dread Styling

I just decided to loc my hair three days ago, or better yet my hair decided to start loc-ing itself and I allowed it to. Now, I am encouraging it by doing a LITTLE bit of twist and rip, but JUST a little! I do not want a lot of parts or a grid pattern, I do not want them to all be uniform. I want them free-form and as natural as possible.

I do have a few questions:

1. I have very dry hair. Can I use coconut oil or hair grease while the locs are developing, or do I need to just let it stay dry and frizzy?? I do not want to impede the loc-ing process. My hair is pretty curly and thick, and I have a whole lot of it.

2. I have an event to go to in a few days and I want to wear my hair down rather than pulled back. Normally I use gel specifically made to maintain curls. Will it be ok if I use this to style my hair if I make sure to wash it out the very next day??

3. I am an Italian female, and i am a racial justice advocate. I have only one of two caucasian friends, and the Black people I am friends with all say "locs" and that "dreads" is offensive. I agree. That is why I use "locs" instead of dreads. I am curious as to why most caucasian people with locs refer to them as dreads, and even call the process dreading instead of loc-ing??? It sounds kind of funny to say I am "dreading" my hair.

updated by @jujube-joanna: 01/13/15 09:52:39PM