White People and Dreadlocks: A Problematic Union

I have several white friends who have or had dreadlocks and we've gotten in many arguments about their hair.  I tell them I don't think white people should have dreads and that it's cultural appropriation.  They say they respect and embrace the cultural roots of dreadlocks; that it's appreciation, not appropriation.  As much as I like my friends, they're wrong. 

The only white people who should even in the least be permitted to sport locks are white Rastafarians.  To me, that seems to be a contradiction in terms anyway which I'm not going to deal with here, but since I'm guessing 98% of white people with dreads don't identify as Rastafarian, then it's safe to say that in general white people shouldn't have dreads.  I don't care about your reasons behind it - get some scissors and cut 'em off.  Please. 

Several years ago when I was even more naive than I am now, I seriously considered getting dreadlocks.  I thought it was cool and counterculture-ish (yes, I was trying to assimilate into that counterculture uniform).  I didn't have a full grasp on the significance of dreadlocks, but I figured since I meant well then it was ok.  Luckily, someone wiser than I pulled me aside and informed me that it was a bad idea.  As a result, I still got a curly, poofy mop that at least pisses off no one else but me.

Though it should seem clear enough that white people + dreadlocks = cultural appropriation, a lot of white people don't get it.  (Surprise, surprise!)  The best way I've found to explain it to them is to remind them that they're white.  Dreadlocks are not devoid of meaning.  By a white person wearing them they are taking on or displaying a symbol that is expressive of a racial pride or a stand against oppression or other meaning that does not pertain to white people.  It doesn't matter what meaning a white person gives their own dreadlocks, dreadlocks already come with meanings that do not pertain to, nor belong on, a white person's head.

The bottom line is that white people can cut off their dreads and recover all the privileges that might have been deferred because of their hairstyle.  It doesn't work like that for anyone else.  I feel like dreadlocks to a degree is just a way of flaunting white privilege - you might as well walk around with a sign saying, "Look what I can do!  I can adopt your culture and still have white privilege!  I can cut them off and get even more white privilege!"  While certainly it's not intended that maliciously, I imagine for many people of color that's the message that comes across.

Since we're talking about hair, the same goes for the "Mohawk."  Actually, what inspired me to write this was a short piece I just read about "Mohawks."  Other concise info on dreads and "Mohawks" can be found here. Those of you white folks with dreads or who have friends with dreads, keep this in mind.  It's not an attack on anyone individually; it's just the way things are. 

PS - I'm thinking of starting a "White People and..." section on topics like hip hop, tourism, wealth, privilege, etc.  Any ideas or suggestions?

Comments

[bushmonkey]

i am a white guy with dreads liveing at the "edge of the north" in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan (Canada) there are very few black people here, (aproximately 2% and even less farther north) and i have never seen another person with dreads in PA but i have met about half a dosen in Saskatoon, all of them white and some of them homeless. My dreads started when i was working up north and they were a hairstile of convienience. i usualy wore my hair braided to prevent knots (some people thought i was going indian) i had it in a poneytail for most of a week and when i tryed to take it out it did not want to go so i just started taking chuncks of hair out and finished the job. it took about 2 months for them to start to tighten. since then i have had a few natives ask me how i did my hair and if their hair would work. if you have a problem with us white guys having dreads how about the native population?

P.S. my hair was strait and brown/blond, i have never added wax or any other product to my hair and the dreads have tightened and look good with virtualy no maintanince other than washing 1 to 2 times a week. dont ever let someone tell you that white (strait) hair wont dread

[Kevyn]

Based on the history of dreadlocks, the people who say that people accuse non rastafarian, non spiritual people, of being ignorant racial appropriators, are just as big of bigots as they claim us to be.

One of the most strong urges in all Humans is to feel important. These people have ADOPTED this haristyle into thier culture, and declare that they own it. This ownership gives them self Pride. A significance and Importance in thier life that we all strive for.

Now I am seriously doubting that 100 percent of those people believe they actually own locks, but those who do, are preaching the exact same hate which thier lifestyles reject. It's purely contradictory to thier whole idea of what locks are to them.

[Dominic]

Im considering getting locks. im from england and im half black half white and have seen white people with skin more darkly tanned then my own (im quite pale). I want dreads purely for fashion and absolutely nothing to do with spirtual reasons. am i allowed to get dreadlocks even though im not fully black? btw whenever i see a white person with dreadlocks i always stop them just to steal their money and tell them to quit their cultural appropiation... Actually i just comment on how cool their dreads look. If you are white and thinking of getting dreads i would say go for it, although you probably will get viewed by other white people in a stereotypical (stoner) manner.