Why A Book About Dread Locks? and why you should participate

“Dreads make you look dirty.” “They look like they stink.” “I can’t believe you like that n----- hairstyle.” “No one will ever hire you with your hair like that.”  Welcome to my world; the world of dreads. Dreads tend to evoke strong emotions. Either you love them or you hate them.

Don’t Dread, Dreads is a manuscript about an African American man's/woman’s journey to wearing their hair in dreads. The reader is introduced to the SEED PHASE of the journey: this is the time period when a person contemplates wearing dreads and the negative responses she/he receives from family and friends about the hairstyle. The next leg of the journey is the SPROUT PHASE: this is when she/he jumps in, cuts off all of their permed hair (if they are not already natural) and twists their hair on their own or uses the aid of a professional. This phase parallels the awkward stage of early puberty when self consciousness is rampant. Finally, she/he reaches the FRUIT PHASE: this is when she/he falls in love with their dreads and notices they have changed into a freer, more confident person. She/he also notices how people now love their shoulder length locks, dreaded mowhawk, creative coils, and all of the other awsome lock choices.

PICTURES TELL THE STORY OF THE BEAUTY OF LOCKS

WORDS SHARE THE PASSION AND PERSONALITY OF LOCKS

The manuscript contains interviews and pictures of everyday people and their journey to dreads.

Individuals explain why they chose the hairstyle and how going natural has changed them. Dread myths are debunked and there are a few hair care tips offered. The manuscript sprinkles the history and symbolism of dreads throughout its pages.

I believe Don’t Dread, Dreads is a timely book as the phenomena of natural hair sweeps the Western culture. The conversation about hair sparked by Chris Rock’s movie Good Hair, wages and rages on. My manuscript continues the dialogue. I am an ideal candidate to write this book, because I wore dreads when dreads were not cool. This is a work for those curious about dreads, for those contemplating dreads, wearers or dreads, and those who don’t understand or can’t stand dreads.