On locs, who gets to wear them, and other problems
A brief thing because of responses I’ve seen to the white folks shouldn’t have dreadlocks article I and others shared.
Before diving in, read “The History of Dreadlocks” h/t to HoldtSg via FB. [Caveat, it seems this was written for others, not black folks with locs] Also Google search Dreadlocks, Loc maintenance or natural hair care. Look at the results, then come back here.
- Stop saying “It’s just hair!” It’s never been just hair for black women who choose to go natural.
2. Learn the difference between locs, braids, twists, and other natural black hair styles before commenting on whether it’s OK or appropriation.
3. Our hair is political due to connotations associated with our natural hair. White folks with dreads aren’t gonna be treated the same, period.
4. Matting != locs. A lot of what I see white people call locs are just what their hair clumped into due to improper care or mimicking black hair care routines.
5. Most white hair textures simply aren’t made for loc’ing. Even my hair, which is kinky, did not take to loc’ing easily.
6. Locs are not a fucking aesthetic, or look, or fashion choice, I don’t care which trash ass celeb wears fake locs at Coachella this year
So instead of going but I like the look?! Why are you being mean or asking for a 100 plus age dissertation & citations on why this is appropriation, maybe for once listen to black folks when we talk about our hair being cheapened to mere looks for the current season.
When you have people getting job offers rescinded due to having locs, petted by TSA at airports* in case they got the drugs stashed in their hair, you can’t go but it’s just hair.
*I was traveling from Raleigh-Durham recently and had my locs searched by the TSA, even though they were up in a ponytail and there was no way anything was hidden in them.
Tone policing and what about white people will get you a kick in the virtual ass and a block. 😘
