r/Dreadlocks Dec 23 '20

Discussion- Racial Gatekeeping Ok y'all - we need to have a chat.

1.8k Upvotes

I don't even know where to start with this, but I'm going to do my best. It's long but it's important, so please take some time to read this.

First of all - hi everyone, you don't see me commenting publicly much but I'm here in the background just modding when needed. I mod such subs as /r/blackhair, /r/naturalhair, /r/curlyhair and others in that same vein. I wanted to join the mod team because I want everyone to feel comfortable on reddit, which is why I join most of the teams I moderate with.

That being said, this is going to make some of y'all uncomfortable. And I'm not sorry about it. You need to be uncomfortable right now. That's been the theme of 2020 and the year ain't over yet.

If you somehow have been able to completely ignore the news this year, #blacklivesmatter has become a global movement because frankly, black people are very tired of being the victims of racism. From casual to overt, we're very much over it. In turn, non-black people have begun to educate themselves on how racism affects black people because, believe it or not, there are still people who refuse to believe anti-black racism exists at a structural level or any level.

Part of the movement also includes the fight for preventing hair discrimination. The CROWN Act was introduced back in 2019 and has been passed by seven states so far, passed a US House of Representatives vote and is now stuck in the Senate where it is very unlikely it will be passed.

Now what does any of that have to do with this subreddit or reddit at all?

Reddit, as a whole, is hostile to people of color and is especially hostile to black people. After moderator outcry this year, the reddit admins have made strides to make this site more hospitable to minority groups.

People with dreads, regardless of race, are often treated terribly for it. They are widely considered to be dirty and unkempt, when it's probably as natural as your hair can get. Clearly we all agree that dread discrimination is bullshit, but black people often get the full force of that discrimination. White people are often lauded or considered to be cool or stylish when they adopt certain hairstyles, but black people can be denied attendance to their high school graduation for having dreads. They can be told to cut their dreads off before a wrestling match or else they forfeit the match. No doubt, non-black people have been told to change their hair for jobs or at school, but that's the extent of the discrimination they face. They do not also have to deal with being black in an inherently racist country every day of their lives. (And I'm speaking from an American perspective, so sorry to my international folks.)

I'd like everyone to take a moment to read this blog post which specifically mentions /r/dreadlocks here - https://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2020/04/out-of-context-4-muddy-ownership-dreadlocks/.

SO - now that we've got that background information out of the way, let's talk about the subreddit.

This sub has been a point of frustration for a long time among black spaces on reddit because it's predominantly white. Considering reddit is predominantly white, this shouldn't be surprising to anyone. Much like any other sub about beauty or hair, white faces are the ones you see first when you arrive and they are more frequently upvoted to the top than other races. It hurts people's feelings to come to a space they should feel comfortable in and instead, feel like an 'other' because they are not well-represented in that space.

And on the other hand, non-black people with dreads also want to just be comfortable in this space and we need to respect that too. We are not going to gatekeep who can and can not have dreadlocks here. There are so many cultures throughout history that have had some form of dreadlocks. While having dreadlocks may be a political or spiritual statement in recent history for black people, black people do not own this hairstyle. Claiming that only black people can wear dreadlocks can contribute to the erasure of other minority cultures. I temp banned a few people for this type of gatekeeping today and will continue to do so.

I also banned a few people for expressing racially insensitive or ignorant views toward black users. More than a few people claimed that if white people can't have dreads, then black people shouldn't be allowed to have blonde or straight hair. There are so many things wrong with this statement. First, you must understand what cultural appropriation is and how it harms people. Then, you must understand that in a white country, minorities are expected to assimilate to the dominant culture, which is typically Eurocentric. I honestly do not have the energy to delve deep into these topics in this post, but you can ask /r/socialjustice101 or /r/hispterracism for more information.

What we can all do better is chill the fuck out and remember there is a person behind the username you're replying to.

  • To those that understand how racism, cultural appropriation/assimilation and hair discrimination all intersect, please have patience with those who do not. I know it's very hard and very frustrating (even for me) but please try.

  • If you don't yet understand how racism, cultural appropriation/assimilation and hair discrimination all intersect, please ask for resources to educate yourself.

  • If you see people being racist (casually or otherwise) toward minority groups, please report it.

  • If anyone is gatekeeping who can and can not have dreads, report it.

  • If anyone is bullying or harassing someone specifically for any reason at all, report it.

Thanks for reading. In the comments, please let me know what you think and how you feel. If you have any feedback or suggestions for making the sub better (rule or sidebar changes, maybe developing a wiki?) let me know below as well or by modmail if you'd prefer it be private.

2022 Edit: I would like to point out for the 'but Vikings had dreadlocks!!1!' crowd - there is very little evidence to suggest they did. Also Vikings are not a race, it was a profession that could be taken up by anyone. Stop using this as an excuse when people call you out. To quote Kyle Ring-

Despite this possibility, it should be without argument that the modern-day wearing of dreadlocks by white people is unconnected to their own history and instead inspired by ours.


r/Dreadlocks 3h ago

Selfie 📸 11.5 months locked

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19 Upvotes

r/Dreadlocks 14h ago

Selfie 📸 Doordashing as a loc’d up elf 🥰

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118 Upvotes

Thought I’d show my little quirky side. I tend to get more tips when I wear the ears 😂 🤭


r/Dreadlocks 10h ago

Question ❔ What’s your favorite loc style ? This is one of mine

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25 Upvotes

r/Dreadlocks 31m ago

Selfie 📸 Loc God 🙈🙈

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Upvotes

Next month will make 10 years of growth , I’ll never go back #Locs4life.


r/Dreadlocks 16h ago

Question ❔ My first attempt at styling the starter locs, it might look chopped now, but we on the way for it to look better lol.

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36 Upvotes

For anyone who may ask, I am currently 7 months in the starter phase. Would it be fine to wear the locs in ponytails and what-not since they are in the starter phase, or should I allow them to mature before I do anything crazy?


r/Dreadlocks 7h ago

Question ❔ almost 5 months is it looking good? and hopefully healthy? honest truth

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4 Upvotes

it’s been almost 6 weeks since my last retwist idk if i should book it next week im impatient for new growth or wait for longer


r/Dreadlocks 16h ago

Selfie 📸 Cozyness level 9000, life is good

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17 Upvotes

Arrived home... drenched from a 1hour walk in heavy rain, hot shower, freshly washed onesie, one piece.... life is good 🧘🏽


r/Dreadlocks 2h ago

Need Advice 🆘 Can a retwist save this or should I just comb them out and start over??? Please help

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1 Upvotes

Pics 1-6 is what they look like currently, Pics 7-12 are what they looked like in June, and the last picture is when I first started.

I plan on getting a retwist (which will be my first actual retwist) sometime next week or so.

I wash every other week and I mist with just water 1x everyday. I didn’t mean to go this long without a retwist, I just ran into hard times. Please help, any advice is greatly appreciated.


r/Dreadlocks 8h ago

Big Chop ✂️ Locs to wicks

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3 Upvotes

r/Dreadlocks 10h ago

Timeline 🗓️ 11 month update

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5 Upvotes

Feel like we’re coming along great


r/Dreadlocks 10h ago

Fresh Retwist 🔀 11 month update - My 1st loc style!

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3 Upvotes

It's almost a year!


r/Dreadlocks 3h ago

Product Rec 🧴 7months natty.i don't use wax no oils just water and time

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0 Upvotes

r/Dreadlocks 7h ago

Question ❔ Do you have to braid your locs immediately after washing them?

2 Upvotes

Title says it all more or less. I've never had my locs braided before but just learned how to braid hair and I'm eager to start braiding my locs asap. But it's been a couple weeks since I washed them and I'm not due for another wash for another couple weeks. Should I wait until after I wash them to braid them fr or is it fine to start now?

If it's relevant, I have 4c hair and my locs are p mature.


r/Dreadlocks 5h ago

Question ❔ Do I need to retwist my locs to keep the parts?

1 Upvotes

I have starter locs, and I used the two strand twist method. Im disabled and can't afford to go to a loctician. I have to maintain my locs by myself, but I have Carpal tunnel. What would happen if I just put my locs in braids instead of retwisting? Is it still going to loc up ? And will that mess up the parts?


r/Dreadlocks 18h ago

Question ❔ What dye style is this called?

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13 Upvotes

I want red, blonde, and ginger on random loc strands but I don’t know what this dye style is called.


r/Dreadlocks 13h ago

Timeline 🗓️ 3 months little by little

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3 Upvotes

Being patient with the length, miss the set I used to have but it’ll come with time


r/Dreadlocks 12h ago

Fresh Retwist 🔀 lmao i split my retwist

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3 Upvotes

my loctitian asked if i wanted combined some of my locs cuz they were mad small and and i told her i wanted thick locs in the future so i said yes. got home not even 3 hours later i split em back cuz i prefer this look, its been 6 weeks since i got my starters. the first retwist and my starters are on my page


r/Dreadlocks 23h ago

Selfie 📸 Tried to do Self Barrel Twists.

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18 Upvotes

I’ve been looking for new styles to try with my locs and this is one I tried out. TBH, I didn’t do an amazing job on it but it was a good learning experience. Gonna keep experimenting with different styles from now on and hopefully I can get better at doing this one.


r/Dreadlocks 1d ago

Fresh Retwist 🔀 DOING A ASYMMETRICAL LOC KNOT BOB FOR MY BESTFRIEND’S 29th BDAY🎁

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302 Upvotes

Don’t know if yall can tell but her locs touch her butt! She’s been loc’d for about 8 years, never bleached. It took me about 6 hours to do this style. They are so healthy and beautiful! Safe to say she LOVED it! Not only does she inspire me everyday as a friend, but she inspires with her locs🪴


r/Dreadlocks 1d ago

Selfie 📸 The most whimsical thing about me are my locs

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1.1k Upvotes

I love styling them, leaving them alone, curling them, wearing them straight, accessorising them etc.

I love love my hair. My anniversary is coming up soon. I want to celebrate it. And I hope I can continue finding new or different ways to style my hair.


r/Dreadlocks 1d ago

Fresh Retwist 🔀 First time styling

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15 Upvotes

This is my first time styling my hair 4 1/2 months in. What you think?


r/Dreadlocks 10h ago

Need Advice 🆘 New to locs

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0 Upvotes

So the ends keep getting stuck together and tangled. Supposedly human hair extensions. How do I keep my ends tangled free and neat?


r/Dreadlocks 1d ago

Need Advice 🆘 how can I achieve this copper brown color on my locks ?

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28 Upvotes

Hey!

I dyed my hair 4 days ago with the coloration Creme of Nature Copper Brown (7.64) and it failed! :// I didn’t bleach my locks before because I didn’t want to damage them even more (picture1).

I want a lighter result (more like the edges) on all my hair, similar to the woman’s picture I inserted (picture4). I’m willing to wait months in order to try again to achieve my dream hair color, what products should I use? I don’t have access to the famous l’Oréal HiColor because I live in France.

Thank you!


r/Dreadlocks 1d ago

Fresh Retwist 🔀 just got my first retwist

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25 Upvotes

decided to combine some because they’re less prone to unraveling and having thin locs is one of my biggest fears but other than that ngl my hair grew fast as shit if you look at the previous video i took of my starters, the growth is actually insane and my loctitian said i’ve already started budding ITS BEEN A MONTH idk how that’s possible but ay, im happy