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

[nikkole]

you sound pretty racial to me. its a hairstyle man! some white people love it, some hate it. some black people love it, some hate it.
whats the big deal?
if your white and want dreads, i say GO AHEAD AND GET THEM. when i was doing research on dreads, i even passed a quote that states that dreads are for anyone and that they can mean whatever you want them to mean weither its for religious purposes or just because you like them and think their trendy

[k]

AS a black American with dreadlocks, I find this entire discussion quie humourous, but frankly a bit sad. Most of these replies reek with ignorance, and I'm not sure if some of you are joking or not. I agree with Scott's post 100%, because wearing your hair in dreadlocks is a lifestyle. It isn't a quick fashion statement, its a commitment, and most of white America feels that wearing your hair in dreadlocks (dreadlocks or locks, not "dreads") is simply a new fad. While I'm certaintly not Rastafarian and don't claim to be, you have to be at a certain point within yourself to say, hey, this is how I'm going to wear my hair, and this is a commitment I'm making. And to this person who posted this:

"A) I think dreadlocks, mowhawks and afros are stupid on anybody regardless of race."

I'm sorry. If you want me to change the way my hair naturally grows, (in an afro) then why don't I go out and buy chemicals then I can straighten it, just so I can look like you! Then maybe I'll buy some bleaching cream becuase I'm not content with myself!
Seriousley though, African-Americans have to deal with their hair everyday to make it acceptable to their white counterparts, and dreadlocks are just one more way that we can manage our hair, in the way that we like it.

[Barkovitch]

White people are free to wear their hair any way they please, and if you don't like it, I suggest you move to China. It's a free country, and you don't have some inherent racial right to anything.

I have a feeling "k" snarls every time he spots a white guy with a black girlfriend.

[Womble]

"I agree with Scott's post 100%, because wearing your hair in dreadlocks is a lifestyle. It isn't a quick fashion statement, its a commitment"

Commitment to what exactly?

[drawzaloto]

And I have a feeling Barkovitch has nothing better to do with his life than log on to Scott's blog and vent about his own meaningless exsistence.

[happyasaLARK!]

people can't be "racial". people are "rascist" not racial. "racial" can be used very rarely to describe a person (at least in the context most people use it for)

"some inherent racial right" - correct!

"you sound pretty racial to me" -
so, so, very wrong.

[Vodie]

Dreads originated in India, dipshit. Its what hair does naturally when left to its own devices. Rastafarians have only been around for what--? 70 years? Dreads have been around for THOUSANDS.

[Andrew]

I think the dreadlocks issue is a clear point where Scott is proving how hypocritical he is. For example, he claims that dreadlocks have been appropriated by white people, which is wrong. Yet, when he throws around music files on this blog, some of them are Hip Hop songs produced by white people, which is CLEARLY an appropriation as white people DID NOT invent, in any way, Hip Hop, whereas dreadlocks were not invented by black people.

[Wendi]

Just some simple questions.
Does this mean black women should not straighten and add extensions to their hair? Are they appropriating Euro-white culture?
When white people have thick curly hair should they straighten it to look like other white people?
The Celts and the Vikings had matted hair, the Rastafarians only popularized it. Apparently people are unaware of this because we are not taught about our white ancestory. Each and every one of us have a different history, yet we are clumped into one big group of "white people". Learn where you come from and you won't be so concerned with defending someone else's culture.
I will agree with "function and culture - never fashion"

[Fiyah]

Dreadlocks carry a very heavy spiritual meaning that is virtually unknown in todays modern society. Now worn as a fashion statement, a political message, or as a rebellion, many people, young and old alike, have no idea what dreadlocks mean spiritually, and they do not know the position they are putting themselves in by having locked hair. Dreadlocks carry the notion of devotion and sacrifice to God according to the spiritual rules. Dread-locks carry a very heavy spiritual bur-den. It is only people that have conscious-ly decided to take a vow of purity and to follow all of the seventy-seven commandments and apply them to all aspects of their lives that should wear dreadlocks. People of any race or gender can wear them, because spirit-ually we are the same, but the one who has dreadlocks must understand the spiritual meaning behind them if they do not want to face negative consequences.

[Iyende]

Let me preface this by saying: I personally think you have way too much time on your hands. When I stumbled upon this blog-tangent-thing of yours I at first was intrigued, now however, I am just bored and sad that I wasted my time reading this. Hair is hair. I think dreadlocks look good on anyone. (just as long as said person maintains and regularly cleans their hair) But, then again that could go for any hairstyle. I used to have dreads and when I met other people with dreads, white included, I would ask them the standard "Oh how long have you had yours" blah blah blah. I have never once in my life took offense to a white person with dreadlocks. I don't see that as a blatant racist action or anything of the sort! Are you white yourself? You seem as if you are trying too hard to appear like you care about pointless trivial things like dreadlocks. Regardless of your race, you need to learn how to be a little less close-minded. You can't make assumptions on every white person who has dreadlocks! You don't know their individual reasons for having their hair. Ease up. Yes, there are some white people who think like "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!" But you are assuming that every single white person with dreadlocks is like that. You have to interact with a person before you can make statements about their personality. When you have done that, you come and tell me.

Now I did in fact read that little article about the mohawks. I am black, and I got a lot of "you think you're white" bullshit when I got my mohawk done. I appreciate the fact that Anen Wolf acknowledged that mohawks did in fact originally belong to people of color. However, again, that article is just another of close-minded assumption. You said that your feelings about dreadlocks are the same for people with mohawks??? WOW. You spend too much time trying to criticize other people instead of trying to better yourself.

I don't get offended by white people with dreads, and I most certainly don't get offended by people with mohawks. On the other hand, I do get offended when naive, bias people, write one-sided articles that prove absolutely no point whatsoever.

[scott]

Iyende, I'm sorry that you feel you wasted your time. But at least you exposed yourself to a differing viewpoint - that can't be all bad?

Hair is not just hair, dreadlocks are not trivial. If you believe that, then you are missing a lot of background and context. Clearly there are more important things in the world, but locks DO have meaning and it is not closed minded, but actually a statement of fact, that for most white people the act of wearing dreadlocks IS cultural appropriation.

I'm not making generalized statements about all white people. I admit there are exceptions, and some commenters have elaborated more on that. Where you quoted me, you left out the next sentence, "while it's certainly not intended maliciously..." I am not saying whites are trying to flaunt their privilege by wearing dreadlocks, but that is in fact an unintended consequence.

And I love how you call an indigenous woman who is rightfully claiming her heritage "close minded", most likely because it makes you uncomfortable being called out on what a "mohawk" really is.

Feel free to call me naive and biased, but my guess is you can go ask any critical race theorist or ethnic studies professor about white people and dreadlocks and you'll get a response similar to mine.

[DMC]

"white people + dreadlocks = cultural appropriation"...LOL, what a nob.

"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"...are you for real?

Peoples of all races wore dreads thousands of years ago. Do you think the earliest people on this earth knew what a comb was? Do you think they had shampoo? I bit this, but here you go anyways...

"Although many people believe that Reggae bands created dreadlocks, Reggae musicians were not the first to wear this hairstyle. Dreadlocks date back to biblical times.

Although there are many different opinions as to when dreadlocks first appeared on human heads, the Bible actually makes reference to dreadlocks. King Tutankhamen is also pictured wearing dreadlocks. It is also known that the Christians wore dreadlocks in their earliest times. Throughout the centuries, many tribal people have worn dreadlocks, including Australian aborigines, New Guinea tribesmen, religious monks and some African tribes.

Dreadlocks were not originally developed in the interests of fashionable hair: To the people that adopted dreadlocks, they had intensive, deep meanings that reached into physical, mental and spiritual realms. Hair-locked styles are often worn as a symbol of personal awakening for the wearer."

[Jessica]

Scott, I'm curious, to only respond to criticism once a month practically? Some others on this blog have made much better points than Ivende, but you wholely choose to ignore them. Why is that? Are you only good at attacking the weak links? What of the fact that you listen to bands who have appropriated black music (white rappers). What of the fact that dreadlocks is much older than you even seem to realize? What of any of this? Do you remain silent on your own blog and let your guests tell you the way the wind blows? Are you that kind of a man?

[scott]

Ooh...question my manhood? I guess that's supposed to get me all riled up, eh? I don't respond to every comment, as I've said before, because I simply don't have the time. My job here is to post, not to cater to the whims of people who wander through and want an explanation for everything.

Many people often raise good points I don't respond to. I can't write two or three essays every day just to make some random person I'll never meet and who will probably never give me any respect anyway, happy.

To address your concerns: music is different from hair, but it can be appropriation and that is a topic that interests me a lot and I hope to post on it at some point. In the mean time, many have discussed it. Cornel West addresses it, for one. I see you can read, go pick up a book.

As for dreadlocks existing before the Rastafarianism, yes, clearly I'm aware of that. I was aware of that before any defensive white person with dreads pointed that out. That has little bearing on the post, however, which discusses the cultural significance of locks now. I also didn't ignore the point, but commented on it earlier somewhere.

Sorry to be curt, but I'm not here to amuse anyone. This is a forum for my ideas and thoughts. The comments are wide open and many good discussions have taken place. There are hundreds of posts on this blog, am I supposed to address every comment that any person who comes along here may have on any one? That's absurd.

[zulu]

Ahhhh....
the confused little white boy, defending everyone else's cause.

[Kim]

I was just doing a liitle search on the topic when I came across this link. I've read all the blog enties, and I agree with Scott. On my website, if you notice the way Black hair coils, you will see the difference in how "dreads" look compared to generally non-curly hair. I also came across a link that defends Scott's postion on appropriation.

http://www.makezine.org/mohawksdreads.htm

I will admit that I am racist, and that I believe what I use to identify myself and my struggle should be mine and mine alone.
I have generally seen quite a few Pigmently Challenged people wearing this style, and I honestly laugh. Just like you laugh at the purple-black woman with the Blond weave and blue contacts.

The reality is that we ALL want to be accepted, and we all have a different understanding of what "beauty" is. If I could wear dreads and still obtain a postion in corporate america, I would. But if it's not accepted, then it becomes a fight between my need to eat, and my need to indentify myself.

Do I think whites should wear dreads. Honestly, I'm against it; but here in America, you can do as you wish. Do my opinions cause you to choose between expressing yourself and having the basics in life? Probably not. But that's just the
reality that some of 'us' still deal with today. Why do you think I don't speak Swahilli, or the language of my people, why do you think chittlins, greens and pigs feet are a staple in some Black homes? Surely not by choice. Today, I eat lobster bisque, but in the past, that was not always the case.

People lay claim to what ever they wish, believe want they want, and since the development of the web, find documents to defend their case. If I say left, you may say right. But the fact remains, people will do want they want, and your choice not to dread is fine. To lose your friendships over your interpretations of how they choose to represent themselves is NOT.

[scott]

Thanks for your comment, Kim. I actually link to that same page in my post.

I think you bring up some good points for consideration. I do want to make clear that I haven't lost any friends cause I disagree with their hair choices. I'm not that extreme in my opinions. :)

[What stupid website this has become]

White people shouldn't wear dreads? Because it's "cultural appropriation"? This from the person who says "country appropriation" (i.e. millions of illegals in the U.S.) is good but haircut theft is bad? You are one sorry dork. Talk about screwed up values. Hey Mr. Peace n' Love, you never did apologize, either, for inciting others to try to kill the old man that accidentally hit those protesters, either.

[Kim]

I have wanted to respond again, but as tastefuly as possible, without offending anyone.
Question: Although both materials would be called fabric, would you admit that there is a difference between wool and silk?

I don't think that it's a fashion faux pas (per se) for a white person to wear 'dreads' as much as it is an insult for society to "claim" possesion of it.
I can't speak for all, but MY peeve with all of this is the fact there are those who insist that the style began with Celts and Vikings, and the like. Why do you insist that silk act like wool?

The term "dreads" came from the white slave owners that saw how our hair matted together during our travels on the ships. The "Dread" locs hadn't been cared for during these trips and would have likely smelled and had all types of "stuff" crawling and living in them. To our sellers, this sight was "dreadful".

Marcus Garvey(founder of the Rastas) wanted people of color to 'return to their roots', and re established this hairstyle as a way to help us identify with those 'roots' (no pun intended). I think that imitation is the most sincerest form of flattery. I wish I could post pictures of 'locs' that are well maintained and still give the look of matted hair.

We don't need your "cultural appropriation" excuses. Just say hay, I like this hairstyle, and it's African. I bet anything that if we were permitted to wear plates in our lips, you'd want that too. And what you call white privilege is really just plain old combination of ignorance and arrogance.

I will live this link, and tell me what you think, do you really think you created this?

http://nsgmag.com/Gallery/album02?page=1

[Kim]

http://www.naani.com/naanifam_soundsoff_on_white_appropriation1a0.htm

http://www.bigdread.com/info.html

Now, put that in your hat a spin.

[becca]

ive had dreads for about for months, and yes i am white. And when i got them i knew the cultural reasons for rastafraians having them. howeve, i want to make you aware that they did not create drealocks. in many of caesars writings, he talks about how the gauls have dreadlocks(yes they were white). also, thousands of years later, king tuts dreads are still perfectly intant, and though their may be depections of him being black, he wasn't, and he certainly wasn't rastafarian. people ahve had dreads for hundreds and thousands of years, and rastafarianism, all considering, is still a new and growing religion. just because they associate with their religion, doesn;t make it only theirs. christains associate god with their religion but that doesnt mean other religions don't as well. you should really think asbout what you say before you say it, perhpas then your comments wouldnt be so uneducated an ignorant.
peace

[Xochiyohua]

Came across your blog URL from one of your emails; interesting!

This one caught my eye because I used to have dreads too, around 9 yrs ago. Lasted with them for only 2 yrs before my head became way too heavy to handle (thick hair), and no I am not rasta. What you express (cultural appropriation) exactly came to mind once I had the pair of scissors in my hands. And when I cut them off, leaving only a 1/2 inch length of hair, I felt so much better, in many ways. Still LOVE reggae tho. Now I look back and figure I may have looked "cool" but achieving a look to ultimately disrespect someone else's spiritual path (whether I realized it or not then) is anything but.

So I'm with ya; and while you're at it, add huipiles to your list of don'ts. A "huipil" is an embroidered blouse indigenous to Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and many other regions across Ixachilan.

[Kim]

To Becca,

I feel sorry for you, really...come visit my site for an eye opening experience. King Tut was black, (negro, what have you) Eygpt's orginal name was Kemet (for the Black ones). I'm aware this could be a very had pill for you to swallow. I did a research for the Celts with "dreads", and in actuality, they were 'braids' covered in mud. You can not make silk into wool, I'm sorry. Ok, let me go here with this...If this hairstyle you claim was orginally yours, why is black hair in it's natural state considered 'ethnic' by salon owners and the like in white america? Why can you go to an ethnic hair salon to get this process done, but you can't go to the mall salon to achive the same affect?
Hmmm, and who is ignorant here?

I don't want to go into the history of 'race' because this site is mainly about the appropriation of a hairstyle. But I tell you Becca, and the rest like you, you are the reason behind all this strife to begin with.

[Kim]

Oh, I a just want to say thank you. Thank you for proving the very point that I stated before....ignorance and arrogance. Statues depicted as Black. The name of a Kindgom that means 'Black Lands/City' and the City itself is in Africa, a Black region....but ther're not Black. (oh boy, pure genius). With your logic...the cats depicted as 'cats' are really dogs...
Yeah, I get it now. You should study the information from "Freeman Institute". It might enlighten you some.
Thank you again for being a prime example for white ignorance.