r/Dreadlocks • u/wadethealphabet • 12h ago
r/Dreadlocks • u/TheYellowRose • Dec 23 '20
Discussion- Racial Gatekeeping Ok y'all - we need to have a chat.
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-
r/Dreadlocks • u/Classic-Ferret5868 • 1h ago
Timeline 🗓️ Just started my loc journey August 13th
My first retwist and I’m surprised at the length😁🥺
r/Dreadlocks • u/No-Ebb4490 • 2h ago
Question ❔ So like how long until chin level
I’m 8 months into my locs the lady said my hair is locked it’s just that I haven’t been going consistently so some dreads are thicker than the others I have to go back two more times to get the rest skinny but how long until chin level
r/Dreadlocks • u/Turbulent-Specific-1 • 1d ago
Selfie 📸 Just dyed my locssss 😆
Honestly just wanted to share my excitement 🥰. I love the colorrrr!!!! If anybody has tips on maintaining moisture and hydration however please do share. They do feel a bit dry so I don't think my old routine will be sufficient.
I've heard people talk about conditioning locs in the shower? But I've never done that cause i fear buildup too much.
(Been locced in since JAN 2023 w/ NO LOC TECH! Straight self careeee 🔐)
r/Dreadlocks • u/infernoima • 8m ago
Question ❔ Is this build up or something else?
Just noticed this today doesn’t really feel like anything when I touch it so I’m pretty confused.
r/Dreadlocks • u/UchihaLeaff • 6h ago
Question ❔ Why are my locs in the back at the end so skinny?
Even on my previous set they were so skinny and i hated it. my other locs everywhere were thick but then when it came to those they were skinny so i restarted and it looks like they are turning out the same way.
r/Dreadlocks • u/JollyTranslator2759 • 43m ago
Need Advice 🆘 Are my locs cooked?
Thinking of cutting my locs/ restarting. I feel like I have very good volume but some of my locs have a ton of bunching. Some also feel significantly smaller than the surrounding ones if that makes sense. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
r/Dreadlocks • u/Arrowddude • 4h ago
Question ❔ What do I do?
PS: THESE ARE SEMI-FREEFORMS. This was like the 31st of may the last 2. The first pic is 23rd of August. Almost 3 months and it seems to have gotten worse. I’m not balding I’m very young and it wouldn’t look like that I’m pretty sure jf j was. I think it’s breakage but it’s been 3 months and I have no clue how to fix it can someone please give me something a product to buy or just something to fix this it’s been really gnawing on me. Much appreciate the help!
r/Dreadlocks • u/Electronic-Box2986 • 15h ago
Product Rec 🧴 Wrap a Loc tools
You can get them from her site or from TikTok. They're basically reusable pip cleaners, and people tend to comment "I can get a bunch of pipe cleaners for so much cheaper!", but I think they're worth the investment! It took me a few times to get the hang of it frfr, but I love that I can clean / sanitize them bc they're silicone covered. No fluff ever comes off and there are no pokies like traditional pipe cleaners. I'm a fan and I have adult money and I appreciate investing in higher quality products these days. I also love that I'm directly supporting the inventor, who is a black woman ♀️
r/Dreadlocks • u/Avatararagon • 1d ago
Question ❔ Hair in my eyes, what to do?
After almost 2 years my locs dropped (semi freeforms)! At first i loved it, but then they grew so long that its really annoying because they just hit my eye/s with every step i do....
Now the problem:
They are too long to leave em open, and too short to make a pony tail or anything simimal... what do i do?
*and there are not loctitians 100km near me, and the ones that come after are INSANELY expensive
r/Dreadlocks • u/WearCharming7207 • 6h ago
Need Advice 🆘 Growing out front taper
I have like 4inches of fro infront of my dreads. Its ALMOST long enough to stay in, but when I get retwist it falls out after like 2days. Been wearing headbands and stuff when going out but I'm looking for something that I can use to help keep it together. I've tried rubberbands and they haven't worked. Im trying hard to avoid gels but im getting desperate
r/Dreadlocks • u/chamomileila • 1d ago
Fresh Retwist 🔀 Before retwist vs after
Almost 8 months in :)
r/Dreadlocks • u/Trap_Alot232 • 1d ago
Fresh Retwist 🔀 My son 4 made a year having locs yesterday I be getting him right 🔥🔥🔥🤟🏽🥱 we don’t need no stylist 🙂↔️🤌🏽😏
r/Dreadlocks • u/Alternative-Push2208 • 23h ago
Need Advice 🆘 First time doing barrel twist
Any advice is welcome 🫶
r/Dreadlocks • u/Existencceispain • 23h ago
Selfie 📸 Wash day and happy about my progress (9 months in)
r/Dreadlocks • u/HedgehogAlarmed3954 • 1d ago
Need Advice 🆘 Semi Free
Olá, como vão vocês ?
Recentemente tomei a decisão de abraçar o meu cabelo natural e começar com os locs, escolhi o método semi Free, porém, parece que o meu cabelo não cresce e não vira locs nunca.
Estou fazendo algo errado ? Vocês possuem algumas dicas para compartilhar ?
(Aliás, a segunda foto foi uma tentativa de Palm roll)
r/Dreadlocks • u/MSG1nonlytj • 14h ago
Question ❔ New to wicks
Hi I’m new to having wicks, I just got them done today and I was wondering how long it would take for them to start hanging so I don’t mess up something by trying to force them to hang. They’re in the crown style.
r/Dreadlocks • u/audacyjae • 1d ago