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"Dreadlocks" are the Word
It is a type of hairstyle that can be seen almost anywhere, from television, film, and other types of media, as well as in real-life. Well-known authors like Toni Morrison and Alice Walker have them. Actress Whoopi Goldberg has them (and, probably, always will). Grammy award-winning artists such as Lauryn Hill and Lenny Kravitz had them. I must admit I was a bit upset when Lenny cut them because he looked darned sexy with them. But understandably, it was a personal decision. Anyway never mind that…
So what exactly am I going on about?
Dreadlocks, also known as dreads or 'locks, are the name of the game.
Singer Lauryn Hill
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| Rasta with dreads |
It's not just a Rasta Thing
There are some people who still believe that dreadlocks are strictly a Rastafarian custom. Fair enough that 'locks are very much an important aspect of the Rasta religion, in which the growth of the hair symbolises "all of its natural glory to the almighty Jah," the Rastafarian name for God (Rasaites). But one must realise that not everyone with dreadlocks is a Rastafarian, as is not every Rastafarian has dreadlocks, although most Rastas "see them as a sign of a covenant" made with Jah (Rasaites).
'Radicals and Hippies'
If the assumption of being a Rasta is not made, then being a black Radical, politically correct, or if non-black, a 'tree-hugging hippie,' are other forms of assumptions. For example, while I was attending university in America, if a black person, especially a black male, had dreads then the assumption attached to him was that he was automatically of Caribbean descent, or more negatively, regularly smoked or sold cannabis.Cannabis just happens to be a part of the rich, native culture of the Caribbean Islands, as well as dreadlocks. Therefore, with Rastafarian customs blended in with the 'American lifestyle,' this facilitated the stereotype that everyone who has dreads is a Rasta, or smokes weed. But I have realised that these are not just American assumptions, but it is also assumed in other countries like Canada and Britain, to name a couple. They are common stereotypes, but then again, they are not always true.
Young and 'locked
Political or social reasons are other links to dreadlocks on a person, as reasons why they are worn. I can recall a professor, while in university, saying that people thought she was an "anti-white, angry, black militant, or --here we go again-- a drug user." She agreed that dreads could carry such heavy stigmas. "I wasn't taken seriously at times," she once said. However, she refuses to get them cut, for "they represent her value of life."
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Lastly, another reason stereotype is if a non-black person wears dreads, then he or she must be a "hippie," who is lazy, useless, smokes weed or does other drugs all day, and other negative views. An old, university, friend of mine named Bill, who, from during his last year in high school up to his second year in university, had dreads. When he wore them in high school people did not give him much flack. But, it wasn't until he got to university where students and other people alike looked down on him. Fair enough, he did his share of smoking weed, but the negative looks and talk had finally taken a toll on him, leading him to, eventually, cut his 'locks. "They assumed I was this [dirty] druggie, who was beneath them," he said, his voice with a hint of bitterness.
Mainstream
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| The Matrix Twins with Dreads. Photo by Jasin Boland |
Nonetheless, you can see different styles of dreadlocks on different types of people in real-life, and as well as seeing them in some form of media. For example, in the second installment of The Matrix trilogy, The Matrix: Reloaded, there were a pair of twins featured sporting the hairstyle, and with their off-white, leather outfits, and golden-silver shades, they looked pretty awesome. There was even an episode from the popular television programme, The Simpsons which featured a character named "Jesse Grass", a white, teenaged, dreadlocked-sporting environmentalist, who was trying to save trees that were being cut down. Yes, there were a lot of the stereotypes were being inflicted onto this character, but what do you expect? It's The Simpsons, a programme that always executes brilliancy, satirising the American society and its perceptions.
So Why Wear Locks?
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| Adam Duritz from Counting Crows |
Regarding the dreadlocked celebrities that that were previously mentioned, they may have contributed to the decision of wearing the hairstyle, amongst everyday people. For example, the late, great reggae artist, Bob Marley, who was a Rastafarian, and his group, The Wailers, not only established reggae as an important part of the music industry, but he also brought tremendous attention to his signature dreadlocks. Members of rock groups, such as Korn and The Counting Crows, wear them, as well.
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| A dreadlocked John Galliano model for Christian Dior |
But apart from that, as well as possible religious purposes, they are worn for aesthetic and spiritual reasons, of course! As far as it being a form art, there is a flair for the hair being natural, especially if the person has a certain texture to their hair. It can be fashionable, from being coloured, to growing them as dreadlock 'twists,' to decorating them with head-wraps and scarves, etc. Yes, they certainly can have a unique look to them.
And as for spiritual reasons, a person can be associated with culture. With that said, almost every race and culture on Earth has a history of their people wearing dreadlocks. Native Americans, people in African countries, Caribbeans, The Scottish, Mongolians, and so forth. A person's ability to express their individualism through their dreads allows for them to show everyone their strong sense of identity.
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| Whoopi
Goldberg Photo by Steve Granitz. |
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