BlackPerspective.net
Discussing the Diaspora as seen through an internal Black lens
Dreaded Beauty
June 8th, 2007
By Ashley Frett
Beauty may have different meanings to some people, and it may vary with culture; but, what does it mean in the black community?
Straight hair, weave, braid extensions are what define beauty in the black community. So, when Miss Jamaica, Zahra Redwood, with long locks comes out as a contestant in such pageants such as Miss Universe, she’s not perceived as beautiful.
Go to yardflex.com for more pictures of the regale beauty.
Why? Because she wears (dread) locks. Dreadlocks can be traced back before Rastafarians in Jamaican. It is known that dreadlocks are dated back to precolonial Africa. Yet, Rastafarians made the hairstyle popular, and what it is today.
Rastafarian- A religious political movement founded based on the teachings of Marcus Garvey.*
They were known to have a “dreadful” appearance, and were worn in rebellion against Euro-centrism.* *
Dreadlocks are becoming more acceptable today, but the more manicured your locks are, the more you will be accepted in society. It’s as if even though we’re natural, we still have that “straight” mentality.
Traditional locks, also known as freeform locks are looked down upon by many, because they have an unkempt look. Also these forms of locks are more stereotyped by people, especially, non lock wearers.
Stereotypes include; dreadlocks wearers not washing their hair, or being dirty; being Marijuana smokers, as well as numerous other stereotypes.
Hence, this is why the term “dreadlocks” offends some people. Some people think dreadlocks carry a negative conotation, when in reality there is nothing “dreadful” about dreadlocks. It’s all in their mind.
This is why the term “Locks” came into play. The idea to change the name probably means something to some people, but regardless they’re still roped like hair, that are still dreadlocks.
You can read more from Ashely at http://www.retrowritingmagazine.blogspot.com” title=”http://www.retrowritingmagazine.blogspot.com\”>http://www.retrowritingmagazine.blogspot.com” target=”_blank”>www.retrowritingmagazine.blogspot.com”>http://www.retrowritingmagazine.blogspot.com Retro Writing Magazine
Websites cited:
*http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/rastafarianism.htm
**http://www.jamaicans.com/culture/rasta/dreadlocks.shtml
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9 Responses to “Dreaded Beauty”
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Yobachi Boswell is creator and publisher of BlackPerspecitve.net. I’m a writer, activist and political watcher based in Nashville, Tennessee. I’ve also been know to do some spoken word and MCing in my day.
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thanks for the link. I said in a post some time ago during the Ngugi saga that having dreadlocks in the US is seen as a subversive act!
Thanks for the heads up on this post. I missed the entire pageant this year; I usually watch the parade of national costumes, if nothing else. I’m really sorry I missed this one; I would have loved to have seen Miss Jamaica rock her locks live.
Thanks for the history about the wearing of the hair in “dreadlocks.”
I wasn’t aware that it was a form of protest against Euro-centrism.
Being I shave my head, I went bald, some look at me odd too. Being “white”, there is a perception that I might be into gangs, drive a Harley and have tattoos not seen. (I don’t on all counts.)
I always learn something at this blog…
Yeah sokari, that’s the way I see it to. That was part of my point in growing them; kind of an outward showing that I will not be internally assimilated.
I missed something here, who said she wasn’t beautiful because of her dreads. She must be perceived as beautiful to have made it as far as Miss Universe, even being from Jamiaca.
I think most cultures perfer the clean look and that’s why cleaner looking dreads are more acceptable. In the corporate world they frown upon beards for that very same reason. Long hair on men is also frowned upon, for the very same reason.
This issue with hair is just as wild as the issue with skin color. Who cares how you wear your hair, and who cares what skin tone you are? I see people who embrace the natural state of their hair, but can’t connect with other blacks on any culture issues. I’ve seen blacks with processed hair, in the front lines of civil rights and black leadership.
I think Indie.Arie says it best, I am not my hair.
Lots of people say that locs are not beautiful. If you haven’t heard that, than you don’t pay attention.
I think that any aware person knows good and well the being natural doesn’t determine whether or not someone is
down with the cause, and neither does this piece say anything like that.
Quote: “Lots of people say that locks are not beautiful. If you haven’t heard that, than you don’t pay attention.”
Apparently through years of oppression and lack of self confidence, the majority of people (all “races” of people, especially people in the African descendant communities around the globe)find that locks (and other natural hair styles) aren’t beautiful… You can look up reports about people getting fired from their jobs (and even more extreme and murderous cases) because the individual decided to go natural, or nappy (wearing dreadlocks, baby locks, twists, cornrows, and Afros).
I guess the world is totally in desperate need of a strong prescription of glasses, for their lack of vision to see that the African people (and descendants) are BEAUTIFUL wearing their real hair. In fact all types of people look better with their original hair texture, hence why they were born with it.
By the way, thanks for writing this post, and stopping by my page. Keep in touch…
Much Love
P.S. I think Miss Jamaica looks beautiful!!!!!!!
“In fact all types of people look better with their original hair texture, hence why they were born with it.”
I very much agree Latoya. I have a particular thing for Sista’s with natural hair.
Just so you know, I didn’t write this piece myself, just published it. But I will continue to check out your spot.