A BIG THANK YOU

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who has participated and supported my Dreadlock Project. I have been working on it for a couple of years now and the project is getting better and better because of you.

I wanted to use the everyday dreadlock wearer to show the world how awesome the hairstyle is and the people who choose to wear locs, and you are helping me to accomplish this goal.

I hope to have a representation from every state and country possible. Many of the submissions do not include the state or country you are from. When I am afforded the opportunity I do ask for the state or country to be included in the submission.

This has been a fantastic journey. I am spreading my own wings falling more and more in love with dreads and trusting my instinct in giving a voice to the royal hairstyle.

Once again I say thank you to all who have posted my submission request on your tumblr page and liked or rebloged a post of mine.

The project is always on the verge of completion and then I see a picture that blows me away and I have to ask the now infamous request: "I love your picture. Please consider giving me permission to use your picture in my Dreadlock Project " lol

An Interview With Wesley Blair from Wyoming

Thank you so much Wesley for giving me permission to use you loc story. We each have our very own personal reasons for loving dreadlocks.

My name is Wesley Blair and I seen your post to dreadlocks on Facebook. My hair had been dreaded for the last 7 months and I live in wyoming. The reason I decided to dread my hair was when I finally got tired of my really thick hair making so many knots after I washed it every time. I would spend a good 2 hours combing it out no matter what conditioner I put it in. Now when I wash my hair the knots are welcomed! 

 Dreading my hair has changing my life in the sense that it has taught me to be more patient as my hair is ever changing and continuing to lock. It's helped me embrace who I am even more so by accepting my flaws. Before I dreaded my hair everything had to perfect. Now I realize my dreadlocks, with them always changing, won't look good some day and some days they will. It's helped me accept that everything doesn't need to be perfect. Life goes on.

THIS IS FOR MY GROWN, SEXY, AGED DREADLOCK WEARER

I am in dire need of aged people with graying dreads. Please if you are a person whose locs are turning gray

An Interview With Kenetra Hinkins

To say I love this picture and loc journey would be an understatement. In this interview you will read another story of change. People fear change and doing locs is a MAJOR change, but always worth it to the wearer. This story and the dozens just like it is the reason I am doing this project. I am a loc wearer and seeing the pictures and reading the stories always make me smile. I am actually grateful for meeting all the different loc wearers. I feel like I belong to something. Hopefully, this project when it is completed, will give all of those who participated just as much joy as the locs do.

Now here is another of our beautiful ladies in locs: 

Hello,

I came into contact with you on Tumblr and when I read about this book I knew I had to contribute! My name is Kenetra Nadina Hinkins,19, and I'm from Massachusetts.

 

I started my hair journey about a year ago at the beginning of my freshman year of college. The reason behind my locs is I was in a place of discovering who I was and I made a lot of changes, my hair being the first thing. I have strong West African roots (Cape Verde) and my natural hair is very curly but from relaxers and straightening constantly, I ruined my hair. My family is full of dreadheads and they tried to get me to loc my hair but I didn't think it would look right. So at first I just stopped straightening my hair then my roommate, who has locs, convinced me to try faux locs, I tried them and fell in love. Ever since then, I've been a dreadhead.

I KNOW IT CAN BE SCARY - A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

Set the stage. A strange woman asking for your picture for a dreadlock project. What in the devil is going on? Well, in her mind it is just as she says, letting the people speak. How can the people speak? By going to various places where the people are and tumblr.com is just one of the many places the people this author is looking for.

To understand dreadlocks the writer could do research and find papers written by people who may or may not have worn locs. In, my initial research that is exactly what I found. The miniscule amount written about this particular hairstyle; dare I say life style, was written by people who never even wore an afro. With that in mind, I hit the streets to talk to people who experienced dreadlocks and I tell you if you wear locs you are in good company. I think I have fallen in love with the hairstyle AND the people who wear locs. To say they have a sense of self is an understatement. Loc wearers possess spirit. A spirit calling them back to a time of royalty and harmony. To a time when warriors proved their manhood and women watched with eyes of admiration and inward strength.

Well, I don't want to romanticize this particular way of wearing hair and I don't have to. There is a sexual allure that goes hand in hand with this particular hair style. Just when you think you have seen the fiercest hairstyle - BAM in walks a drink of water for your thirsty eyes.

I must say, learning the history and imagined or not imagined power of dreadlocks has been a mystical journey for me. For all participating in this loc journey I say thank you and know you are a part of something people envy: your hair, your spirit. I could not have imagined four years ago when this idea came to me I would be just as enthralled as I was on day one. I continue to be mesmerized by my fellow loc wearers and prideful to be part of such a community.

I added my pictures to be in solidarity with all of you who have allowed me to be a part of your loc life. The world, once the book is published, will be in awe of your nappy natural tresses. No longer having to wonder about the heritage of this hairstyle, but up close participants of a lineage of warriors who prepared themselves for battle. Some feel we are in battle daily right now with all of the strife in the world. I don't know. That may be the impetus for the resurgence of the hair style. But one thing I do know; We are beautiful and in all shapes, stages, races, and journeys, but we are all beautiful.

The Transformation and Interview of : NAAMAN

HELLO

Ready for an awesome interview?


Name: Naaman Reed
State: Louisiana

1. What was the initial reaction of family, friends, co-workers when you first loc’d your hair?
 Nobody,  and I mean nobody, liked or understood the method I chose. They’re just recently, as it has taken a more mature form, coming around to being believers.

2. Did you notice a boost in confidence once you started wearing dreadlocks?
 Yes, It made me feel unique being one of the only people I knew free forming. 

3. What do you like or dislike about your locs?
 Like: I love the wildness. The different sizes and the power to combine or separate as I please.

Dislike: Drying my hair. It holds water like crazy. Besides that, the only thing I don’t like is that my hair is in my face because I didn’t train it earlier. No big deal though; nothing a hair band can’t fix, right?

4. Do dreadlocks make a person more masculine looking to society? Not in my opinion, no. To me it just means that that particular person has the ability to commit to something; and that is an amazing quality.

THE STAGE ALL BEGINNER LOC WEARERS HATE

There are many people who would love to change their hairstyle to dreadlocks. There is the one big hurdle they have to get over and it is the SEED STAGE

In my work in progress "Don't Dread Dreads: the People Speak" I have divided the process of dreading into three stages:
THE SEED STAGE
THE SPROUT STAGE
THE FRUIT STAGE

It is the seed stage which lasts anywhere from six months to a year for finer straighter hair is the part of the loc journey many quit or just cannot commit to past the six month period.

Hopefully, with encouragement from fellow loc wearers who have taken the time to share, you will be able to begin and complete your transition to locs. HANG IN THERE IT IS WORTH IT.

iamsam258, as you can see, is struggling with the seed stage. But, the willingness to share the journey tells me the right stuff is inside of this brave dreadlock wearer.

Welcome to the family.
"Ugly phase" of my locs lol

The heart speaks through dexyare

The spiritual changes dreadlock wearers talk about is phenomenal. It is one of the reasons I wanted to do this project. Editors told me the book had to be a 'history of' or a 'how to' book which was not what I was trying to capture. i did modify my vision to try to help the project be marketable like the editor discussed with me but I kept the spirit and guts of the project while combining a how to aspect.

And now I am proud to present you dexyare and his revelation we must all have. Thank you for submitting and sharing.

Personal hair and self appreciation.
No more physical insecurities, no more doubt in my confidence. It’s taken me a while to get to know myself, inside and out. I love it all, every flaw and every talent. I can finally accept that this is me and understand to let go.

SCOOOOORRRRREEEEE!!!!!

I can't say how happy I am to have been given permission to use the artistic photo in my project. i hope you all find it as serene as I did. this is from herdreadsrock and that is so true.

What Is A Loc Journey (JloRayne Speaks)

I have permission jlorayne tumblr

Hello my dear dreadlock wearers. I know you recognize this infamous photography studio in everyone's house. Well many loc journeys begin in just this way. A loc journey is keeping a visual or written documentation of the process of growing locs.

Each loc journey is different and original. But there are some similarities too: the waiting is the biggest part of changing to this hairstyle. And even the waiting stories are funny, depressing, liberating, and irritating. the end result though, is a person who has been transformed from the crown of their head to the soles of their feet.

The loc journey includes more than just hair issues. It is a journey of the complete person transforming in body, mind, and spirit. Below is a look at a mother who lives life loving locs. Mrs JloRayne.



I am not where I would like to be at 5 months postpartum. It’s bothering me.

So, it’s time to go hard! Waking up a hour b4 my husband leaves for work to get it in at the gym for an hour. Until I reach my goal. Then I will maintain by going Friday, Sat, Sunday. Which is much easier.

Well let’s see how this goes. I’m starting 2mrw.
 Thank you for sharing your selfie.

Stop Dreadlock Procrastinating - Begin Today

It all begins with the first twist.

I have permission to use this picture by Et-Nic on tumblr.com

Interview with the Queen: Precious

I wear locs because it adds to my beauty :)
Model: Precious
Photographer: Ibrahim Badru
MUA: Samantha Boyce-Kentish
IG: @thelovelyqueenp

Sophia's Meaningful Locs Interview

 

 

Hello,

 

I am Sophia Washington. I stumbled upon your blog this afternoon. I did the interview you posted for a book you have coming out in the fall. I know it's late but I wanted to turn my interview in anyway incase you want to use it for a later project.

 

1. What was the initial reaction/response of family/friends/ co-workers to your hair style choice?

From my family, the collective response was “oh no”.  My baby sister relied with “your hair is going to smell like doo-doo”. I really wasn’t looking for approval; I got them whether my family wanted me to or not. My best friend voiced her concerns and opinions; her reaction was the most positive. I’ve had locs 3 or 4 times since then and every time there was a case for why I shouldn’t but I always do what’s best for me.

2. Are you in a career that is friendly to your hair style choice?

I work for a large software company that prides itself on being diverse. My hairstyle has never come up as an issue. I haven’t seen anyone else with locs yet but with offices all over the globe, I refuse to believe I’m the only one. Given that I had them when I started the position, I’d like to assume that they weren’t a factor in the hiring process.

3. Did you notice a boost in confidence or other personal changes once you decided to wear dreadlocks?

When I went natural in late 2006, I had short hair for the first time ever. When my hair was relaxed it was well past my bra strap. After I went natural and cut my hair, it wasn’t until I got my first set of starter locks that I really felt good about the way I looked. I got more attention from men and I wasn’t mad about that!

Like I said, I’ve had locs several times since then and I’m on what I deemed my final set. I still love my locs and I feel great about the way I look.

4. What do you like or dislike about dreadlocks?

I love that I don’t have to comb for “fix” my hair everyday. It’s nice to just let it be. I don’t like that after they mature and thicken that they take a long time to dry. I’m a busy body so sitting under a dryer for 2 or more hours is not ideal for me.

5. What state are you from and is there a large population of dread wearers there?

I live in Maryland; the Washington Metropolitan Area. There a more people with them than without. That maybe an exaggeration but you can go any where at any time and see someone with locs. It’s a culture and a community here, if you’re not getting support from you family, loc’d bothers and sisters on the street will show you love.

6. Do you believe dreadlocks add to the masculinity of the black male or does it box him in to more stereotypes?

Let’s not pre-judge anybody; a man with locs could work for a fortune 500 company and a guy with a short hair-cut could be sling’n dope. The unfortunate truth is that Black men, by default, are stereotyped but having the right conduct can go a long way. A man who doesn’t want to be mistaken for a thug can easily conduct himself otherwise. And you don’t have to have locs to be masculine.

7. When did you decided to go natural/dreadlock?

I decided to go natural in late 2006. I had a relaxer all my little life up until then and I was beginning to see changes and decided to quick while I was ahead. I had not experience with my natural texture; it was a true learning experience. In early 2007 I went and got starter locs. Unfortunately I don’t have that first set now, I combed them out 9 months later and started a second set and kept those for just over 2 years. And I had another set for about 6 months and a week after for them reinstalled. I know, I was doing way too much! But, there’s a reason behind all those restarts; they were never in vain.

8. Do you view wearing dreadlocks as a larger tie to the African American culture?

9. Is there a generational gap of misunderstanding about the political component associated with the dread wearers of Jamaica?

10. Does it concern you how other ethnic groups view young black men wearing dreadlocks?

My concern isn’t so much with other ethnic groups; my concern is more on other Black people. Let’s address the issues amongst our own people before we try to fix someone else’s views.

11. Are Dreadlocks just another hairstyle or is there a certain responsibility or honor that comes with wearing dreadlocks.

I always caution again using “hairstyle” when describing dreadlocks, generally. They are much more than a style by themselves, they can certainly be styled but the locs themselves, to me, are more meaningful. Every one has different reasons and convictions on why they wear their hair a certain way but for me locs a representation of self. I’m free spirited, creative and outspoken; my hair fits perfectly into that description.

Whether you have locs or not, honor your elders, respect others and handle your responsibilities honestly and responsibly. Locs don’t automatically make me or anyone else more deserving of respect; you get what you put out. Whether you wear them for religious or personal convictions, don’t knock someone else for their choices.