Racism with dreadlocks?
General Talk
Well said, Emilio!
Forum Activity for @κύριε-ελέησόν
At night
Dread Maintenance
I would say that's a good thing!
I just let 'em be, no special treatment. I used to sleep with a wool sweater over my pillow but quit because it was white and kept leaving fuzzies in my hair. I personally didn't notice a difference but I'm not the most experienced in locs.Best wishes!
living simply... basic food.
Dreads and Diets
Oh my... Thanks so much for sharing! I will definitely have to try this!
You are not blacker than me!!!! black on black dread disrespect
General Talk
Oh, and by *this hair style* I meant natural dreadlocks... Since you're embracing your natural hair. Even if you're mixed, your hair still has some African texture to it, right? So not only are you breaking the white norm, you're breaking the black norm. You're walking a tough but - I pray - very fulfilling path! Other "clean-cut" dreaded blacks probably just think you've lost your mind going against the grain this way.
Forgive me if I wasn't very clear on more points. I hate typing. It's not my strong suit.All my best...
You are not blacker than me!!!! black on black dread disrespect
General Talk
No force here... You're intelligent and open to considering other suggestions.
Plus it seems you're looking for a reason to be forgiving to your critics. It's hard to forgive someone when you can't see through their perceived malice.I agree completely with your response. Those "clean-cut" twists/locks are still the dreadlocks that are seen to represent black culture but they've been , like you said, altered to fit within what a white-dominated culture would approve of.Those locks require regular salon maintenance, you can use top-of-the-line products on them, they're cookie-cutter uniform, they look crisp and clean, they require money. And lots of it.Let's face it, the more money you have - or look like you have - the better off you are no matter what your skin color.I'm always saddened when I see a beautiful black woman and it's obvious she's had her hair relaxed. Of course, I speak from a privileged white woman status. I've read that it's easy for us to cry, "Why do this to yourself?? Just embrace your natural beauty!!!" without understanding the social and psychological repercussions this woman is afraid to go through. But I just can't help but completely agree with your question, why isn't it seen as beautiful??I see it as an example of modern structural racism. I wish I was more studied on the topic because it's an interesting (albeit unfortunate) phenomenon.That being said... Not only are your locks a symbol of your personal growth but everybody knows this hairstyle is in direct conflict with the modern system's ideals... which would include any inherent racism. It seems we could extrapolate that your locks actually embrace black culture better than the others.It sucks to make your hairstyle into a racial "thing" but you really are bucking the mold. And being part black it really does mean you may have more adversity to face.I'm going to ask a few of my black friends what their take on the matter is. I wonder what would happen if you bring it up to the next critic that comes up to you?? This is such a complex matter. I love discussing things like this - and I'm very thankful you're engaging in this dialogue! - and I'd like to think eventually we will solve the world's problems but until then... Here's just my two cents yet again.
You are not blacker than me!!!! black on black dread disrespect
General Talk
I'm sorry to read this. It's a shame you must bare a burden to sport your hairstyle/lifestyle but what an opportunity to improve yourself. Stay strong and keep on locking. They're coming along and you're growing as a person, this is all that matters!
I'm curious though why it's mostly other blacks who are commenting about your hair? I'm not by any means an expert but here is my long-winded theory as to why this may be.I wonder if it's to do with a glimpse of the structural racism seen in black hairstyle preferences. I've seen articles from black authors lamenting at how women will put toxic straightening chemicals into their hair or spend hours manually straightening it. Men, it seems, are expected to remain clean-cut. Natural hairstyles are probably thought to render a black person undesirable in a white dominated world and therefore are viewed as unwanted by more um... conservative? trendy? African Americans. This mindset unfortunately may have become a part of black culture - aka become a sort of structural racism. As such, I know during the Civil Rights Movement, natural black hair (the Afro in particular) became a symbol of rebellion against this racism.Then again as a white person, I know white people are usually my critics. Whites seem to carry the same criticisms too though: they're dirty, they look unkempt, and I could even go off on a feminism tangent because I've gotten the "you would look so much prettier if you'd take those out" or a variance of... Since some would hold that our culture's value of women is contingent on our looks. :/ A woman isn't desirable in America unless she has culturally relevant aesthetic appeal.The worst criticism I've got was actually from a dear loved one... she commented that I was sporting a "black people" hairstyle and that was unbecoming of a young white woman. I hate to think of her as a racist, it breaks my heart really but...ANYWAY, lol, I digress... The only black person I've had criticize them was an 11yo black boy who I see every Friday and he's too loveable for me to hold it against. We just laughed about it and compared our hairstyles. Sorry to derail your rant but I guess I had a chip of my own to unload... My apologies! I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on what I've said though. And anyone else's too for that matter.:)Just know that there are others out here who support your natural way!Best wishes!
Just one dread
Introduce Yourself
If you want a full head of dreads with virtually no scalp showing, I think it's safe to say it will happen.I can only speak from personal experience but my hair is fine and thin as well - like the width of a US dime when it wasn't locking up in a hair tie - but it's thickening up like crazy. I'm currently about 4.5mos in starting with T&R. The only place I have scalp showing is where my pesky cowlick is!
Try the one dread. It will start changing and you will fall in love. Once you do, there is hope for those of us with super fine/thin hair!Best wishes!
dreadlocks and how they change you
Member Journals and Timelines
Wow. This is touching! I wish you the best as you continue down the path.
Opinions on Birth Control Pills?
Alternative Lifestyles and Subcultures
Imho, hormonal birth control is bad for you. If there's a more localized or chemical-free way of treating your problems (ie: heat packs or working out) that's the best. If I may add what I know...For starts, it thickens the blood which increases your blood pressure and your risk for strokes. This can be found on the insert.Your body also is incapable of utilizing all of the chemicals and you will pass any residual of it through your urine. Supposedly, those hormones are at traceable levels in urban/suburban areas and polluting natural water supplies which is wreaking havoc on the balance of male and female fish and amphibians.Of course, lol, I'm female too and I understand sometimes "heat packs and jogging" can't cure irregular and painful periods. Or symptoms of being post-menopausal. . I had terrible cramps which caused me to have diarrhea and vomiting. There comes a point though where you must weigh the good against the bad. Is your quality of life affected enough that this is necessitated? Are there any alternatives? If so have you tried them and given them enough time to work?I took the pill for about three years. It helped. My body needed time to adjust and now, at 24, I'm mostly regular and the bad cramps are only occasional. I wasn't happy to take the pill but it got me through. Now I exercise and avoid cold anything before and during my period. That helped me.Someone mentioned an IUD. Those would be safer than the pill in that they're not systemic but they have a nasty tendency to end up where they don't belong over time. Like in colons or bladders, etc. This only happens if one dosn't check in regularly with one's healthcare provider though and usually after years of it being there. Bodily tissues (except bone) react to pressure/irritation by breaking down. Blisters are a prime example or bedsores as well. This is what an IUD is, an object that irritates the uterus. That's how they end up elsewhere in the body. Otherwise they're relatively safe. But it's my understanding that they can actually exacerbate cramps and cause heavier menstrual bleeding.Lol, I'm no doctor but there's my perspective. I wish I could give you a more solid answer but this is all I know. Best wishes!
updated by @κύριε-ελέησόν: 07/22/15 11:57:24AM