This one is dedicated to Mike.
I don't know if I have an intelligent or logical justification for this one. It may just be a purely visceral reaction. But I can't stand white people with dreads.
The first dreads can be traced back to the Egyptians. Many other cultures have worn dreadlocks, including certain groups within the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu religions.
Of course many people associate dreadlocks with the Rastafari movement. In Jamaica in the 1950's dreadlocks were associated with "Young Black Faith." Some think dreadlocks became popular because of Bob Marley and reggae music. Some wear dreads as a statement of ethnic pride, and some wear them as a rejection of Eurocentricism. Well, at least that is what Wikipedia has to say about it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadlocks).
At some point, dreads became popular among certain white individuals, mostly associated with environmentalism. These people are often called "hippies." Some white non-"hippies" wear dreads for fashion, I suppose, or because it is "punk" or "different." I really don't know.
Again, I reiterate, I'm not sure why it bothers me. But it really does. It just seems that white people have no business wearing dreadlocks. There don't seem to be any legitimate justifications to me, and thus it appears to be another case of white culture usurping the statements of other cultures. I urge someone to change my mind. But until then, white people dreads drive me NUTS.
I don't know if I have an intelligent or logical justification for this one. It may just be a purely visceral reaction. But I can't stand white people with dreads.
The first dreads can be traced back to the Egyptians. Many other cultures have worn dreadlocks, including certain groups within the Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu religions.
Of course many people associate dreadlocks with the Rastafari movement. In Jamaica in the 1950's dreadlocks were associated with "Young Black Faith." Some think dreadlocks became popular because of Bob Marley and reggae music. Some wear dreads as a statement of ethnic pride, and some wear them as a rejection of Eurocentricism. Well, at least that is what Wikipedia has to say about it. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreadlocks).
At some point, dreads became popular among certain white individuals, mostly associated with environmentalism. These people are often called "hippies." Some white non-"hippies" wear dreads for fashion, I suppose, or because it is "punk" or "different." I really don't know.
Again, I reiterate, I'm not sure why it bothers me. But it really does. It just seems that white people have no business wearing dreadlocks. There don't seem to be any legitimate justifications to me, and thus it appears to be another case of white culture usurping the statements of other cultures. I urge someone to change my mind. But until then, white people dreads drive me NUTS.
3 comments:
I completely agree with this post.
As I understand it, when the French colonized certain parts of Africa, the settlers mandated particularized hair-styles: short, clean cut, etc... When various groups of native Africans rebelled (founding their own communities in the hills, and the like) they grew their hair out in protest of the European reign. Their hair grew into dreadlocks, and therefore the style became a symbol of "black rebellion." At least to my understanding.
One of the most disenchanting aspects of humanity are the trustafarians. The rich white dreadlock growers particularly abundant in the western united states. You know who they are, and probably have known one in your lifetime. They like to preach about the negative consequences of capitalism after reading the Cliff's Notes to the Communist Manifesto, while their investment banking parent(s) pay for their private college education and spending money, which they so desperately need in order to purchase the highest quality hemp sandals, and full service gas for their SUVs.
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