Dreadlocks...why?

Larry_OHF · 12-11-2006, 02:12 PM

Friday I was at a famous hotdog/icecream place on campus and a white guy walks in to inquire about a job. He asked for the manager, who then presented himself, and the applicant began talking to him over the counter where we all could hear. He mentioned briefly that he could work the hours requested, but then his first question that came out in the same breath as his availability was "are my dreads a problem?"

See...those with Dreadlocks are considered "dirty" because supposedly in the past, you could not wash dreads because that would ruin them. Today however, I hear that people have been forced to find a way to "clean" their dreads to be allowed to do many things in society. I do not know what these cleaning steps are, or if they are effective, but today's society still does not accept people with dreadlocks as clean individuals, and does not trust them in respectable positions within the society.

First of all, why would anyone "want" to style their hair in a way that makes them less likely to find a job or walk around without being scoffed at? I mean, the guy is "white". Its not his culture to have dreads.

Second, are dreads "cleaner" today than they have been known to be in the past? What are these cleaning steps that ensures clean hair without ruining the muck that makes up the dreads?

Third, do you think that guy got the job at the resturant? Why or why not? I'll tell you the rest of the story soon.

Link · 12-11-2006, 02:25 PM

I don't care. How's that for an answer

SpiritWarrior · 12-11-2006, 02:49 PM

1. Cuz being cool can sometimes hurt but it don't matter what it costs if you achieve the image you want. Look at the Goth-types. Good lord, who'd wanna apply all that makeup daily? They have more on than most women.

As for it (dreadlocks) being a black thing, it isn't really anymore. You see a fair amount of white people with them now. But I agree, for some reason my immediate impression when I see it on a white person is "dirty" or even "stoner". Not sure why I have that association but I do...

2. I hear they are but amn't sure how much. Apparently you can "bathe" them...

3. I don't think he got it. Why? I don't know.

Chewbacca · 12-11-2006, 03:13 PM

Skin color, religion, and/or culture can have little or nothing do to with why people would do dreads. Dreads are a CLEAN, low-maintence, and natural way to grow hair. You can wash them all you want. Some places even sell special shampoo to help the dreading process.

A common fault is not with those who grow dreads and the myriad reasons why those indivduals might choose so. The fault is with the people who pre-judge them based on their appearance. We all are capable of this and we all do it. How we deal with this trait is what gives us some 'character" or lack there of.

I am happy and proud to work for a retailer who doesn't judge by appearance. On my staff there are several dreads, of both genders and different skin colors

So I hope the guy got the job There are special hair-nets and hats for even the bulkiest dreads, so sanitation should not be a concern for a thoughtful restaraunt employer.

Ladyzekke · 12-11-2006, 03:14 PM

http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cg...;f=34;t=000238

Chewbacca · 12-11-2006, 03:20 PM

I thought I felt a bit of De Ja Vou on this topic, lol.

Variol (Farseer) Elmwood · 12-11-2006, 03:23 PM

..could always get the big mofo hair net!

johnny · 12-11-2006, 03:43 PM

It's part of being young and rebellious i suppose. Same as a mohawk, why anyone would want to walk around looking like a rooster on acid is beyond me. You simply know that you're not going to find a job looking like that, it's sometimes hard enough to get one if you do show up with a "conventional" look, let alone looking like a piece of crap.

It's true about those dreads though, i had a collleage once, a black dude with dreads all the way down to his lower back, and i refused to sit next to him during lunch, because he stank like an otter. They claim it's part of their culture, i say they are just unwashed lazy bums, who would rather spent their last penny on weed instead of shampoo.

Hivetyrant · 12-11-2006, 05:07 PM

I have a friend who has dreadlocks and although, yes, there are cleaning products for it, it just makes them smell worse and does not really help at all.

Q'alooaith · 12-11-2006, 05:42 PM

My thoughts?

You've made a hell of a lot of assumptions, and you are walking towards the fine line of racism.

that's what I think.

12-11-2006, 02:12 PM	#1
Larry_OHF Ironworks Moderator Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Midlands, South Carolina Age: 48 Posts: 14,759	Friday I was at a famous hotdog/icecream place on campus and a white guy walks in to inquire about a job. He asked for the manager, who then presented himself, and the applicant began talking to him over the counter where we all could hear. He mentioned briefly that he could work the hours requested, but then his first question that came out in the same breath as his availability was "are my dreads a problem?" See...those with Dreadlocks are considered "dirty" because supposedly in the past, you could not wash dreads because that would ruin them. Today however, I hear that people have been forced to find a way to "clean" their dreads to be allowed to do many things in society. I do not know what these cleaning steps are, or if they are effective, but today's society still does not accept people with dreadlocks as clean individuals, and does not trust them in respectable positions within the society. First of all, why would anyone "want" to style their hair in a way that makes them less likely to find a job or walk around without being scoffed at? I mean, the guy is "white". Its not his culture to have dreads. Second, are dreads "cleaner" today than they have been known to be in the past? What are these cleaning steps that ensures clean hair without ruining the muck that makes up the dreads? Third, do you think that guy got the job at the resturant? Why or why not? I'll tell you the rest of the story soon. __________________

12-11-2006, 02:25 PM	#2
Link Jack Burton Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: The Netherlands Age: 39 Posts: 5,888	I don't care. How's that for an answer __________________ Rowing is not a sport, it's a way of life Goal: Beijing 2008

12-11-2006, 02:49 PM	#3
SpiritWarrior Jack Burton Join Date: May 31, 2002 Location: Ireland Posts: 5,854	1. Cuz being cool can sometimes hurt but it don't matter what it costs if you achieve the image you want. Look at the Goth-types. Good lord, who'd wanna apply all that makeup daily? They have more on than most women. As for it (dreadlocks) being a black thing, it isn't really anymore. You see a fair amount of white people with them now. But I agree, for some reason my immediate impression when I see it on a white person is "dirty" or even "stoner". Not sure why I have that association but I do... 2. I hear they are but amn't sure how much. Apparently you can "bathe" them... 3. I don't think he got it. Why? I don't know. __________________ Still I feel like a child when I look at the moon, maybe I grew up a little too soon...

12-11-2006, 03:13 PM	#4
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	Skin color, religion, and/or culture can have little or nothing do to with why people would do dreads. Dreads are a CLEAN, low-maintence, and natural way to grow hair. You can wash them all you want. Some places even sell special shampoo to help the dreading process. A common fault is not with those who grow dreads and the myriad reasons why those indivduals might choose so. The fault is with the people who pre-judge them based on their appearance. We all are capable of this and we all do it. How we deal with this trait is what gives us some 'character" or lack there of. I am happy and proud to work for a retailer who doesn't judge by appearance. On my staff there are several dreads, of both genders and different skin colors So I hope the guy got the job There are special hair-nets and hats for even the bulkiest dreads, so sanitation should not be a concern for a thoughtful restaraunt employer. __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

12-11-2006, 03:14 PM	#5
Ladyzekke Ironworks Atomic Moderator Join Date: January 7, 2001 Location: Virginia, U.S.A. Age: 57 Posts: 9,005	http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cg...;f=34;t=000238 __________________ Reality Show Recaps

12-11-2006, 03:20 PM	#6
Chewbacca Zartan Join Date: July 18, 2001 Location: America, On The Beautiful Earth Age: 50 Posts: 5,373	I thought I felt a bit of De Ja Vou on this topic, lol. __________________ Support Local Music and Record Stores! Got Liberty?

12-11-2006, 03:23 PM	#7
Variol (Farseer) Elmwood Jack Burton Join Date: May 16, 2003 Location: Dartmouth, NS Canada Age: 58 Posts: 5,634	..could always get the big mofo hair net! __________________ A MAN WHO WANTS FOR NOTHING HAS INFINITE WEALTH. (me)

12-11-2006, 03:43 PM	#8
johnny 40th Level Warrior Join Date: April 15, 2002 Location: Utrecht The Netherlands Age: 58 Posts: 16,981	It's part of being young and rebellious i suppose. Same as a mohawk, why anyone would want to walk around looking like a rooster on acid is beyond me. You simply know that you're not going to find a job looking like that, it's sometimes hard enough to get one if you do show up with a "conventional" look, let alone looking like a piece of crap. It's true about those dreads though, i had a collleage once, a black dude with dreads all the way down to his lower back, and i refused to sit next to him during lunch, because he stank like an otter. They claim it's part of their culture, i say they are just unwashed lazy bums, who would rather spent their last penny on weed instead of shampoo. __________________

12-11-2006, 05:07 PM	#9
Hivetyrant Jack Burton Join Date: August 24, 2002 Location: Aussie now in the US of A! Age: 37 Posts: 5,403	I have a friend who has dreadlocks and although, yes, there are cleaning products for it, it just makes them smell worse and does not really help at all.

12-11-2006, 05:42 PM	#10
Q'alooaith Emerald Dragon Join Date: December 10, 2003 Location: UK Age: 40 Posts: 961	My thoughts? You've made a hell of a lot of assumptions, and you are walking towards the fine line of racism. that's what I think. __________________ -Jenn

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