Thread by @FloatnGoats, Planned on keeping my mouth shut on this “white people with dreads” [...]

Planned on keeping my mouth shut on this “white people with dreads” topic but some thing’s need to be discussed.

(A Thread)
I’ve seen a lot of confusion and arguments fueled by confirmation biases stating dreads/Hairstyles are multi cultural and or have no meaning etc...

This is tricky due to the origin of dreads are unknown.Dreads derive from areas of Cambodia,Ethiopia, Egypt, India & they also date back to Nordic and Roman times.All of which is true that said there’s different reasonings for the hairstyles.

As a POC I’ll be covering our story-

Due to not fully knowing the others.
(This overview is not just on dreads)

Dreads and other African hairstyles are linked to many different ties and representations such as; Age (maturity), Wealth, socioeconomic background (hierarchy), Religion & Spirituality, Slavery & -

symbolisms. ie dreads in some cultures represent strength, longevity, honor, loyalty etc.. https://www.afrobizworld.com/the-secret-meaning-of-the-african-cornrows

The Secret Meaning of the African Cornrows

Africans Used To Hide Escape Maps From Slavery In Their Hairstyles

https://www.afrobizworld.com/the-secret-meaning-of-the-african-cornrows

Pg.3 touches a bit on dreads but this shows there’s reasoning behind every style. https://face2faceafrica.com/article/butter-braids-and-dreadlocks-a-look-at-africas-traditional-hairstyles

Butter Braids and Dreadlocks: A look at Africa's traditional hairstyles - Face2Face Africa

Ask any black woman about the kind of relationship she has with her hair, and she may tell you that it’s almost like a romantic affair. From spending long hours at the salon to having it washed and...

https://face2faceafrica.com/article/butter-braids-and-dreadlocks-a-look-at-africas-traditional-hairstyles

And yes dreads are worn for style! That said this is where POC find issues with non-POCs rocking dreads and any other non conservative/native hairstyle.

We’ve been discriminated all our lives from our appearances which includes our hairstyles to the point-

We, The USA + POCs developed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which PROHIBITS unequal opportunities based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Did this act work? Has it been beneficial for ALL POCs & ALL people?

No not quite if at all..

Companies are still refusing to hire POC for various reasons including our hairstyles.

This women was revoked a job due to refusal of removing (cutting) her dreadlocks. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2018/4/18/17242788/chastity-jones-dreadlock-job-discrimination

A black woman lost a job offer because she wouldn’t cut her dreadlocks. Now she wants to go to the...

Chastity Jones’s lawyers argue that racial stereotypes can be evidence of job discrimination.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/2018/4/18/17242788/chastity-jones-dreadlock-job-discrimination

She decided to sue the company. If you wish not to read the entire case, short story is..

She lost the case due to the companies "Grooming Policy”.
This is how they get around not hiring people with non traditional hairstyles/looks. It’s a loophole.

http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/enbanc_cases/14-13482%20rehearing%20order_0.pdf

There’s also restrictions within schools & other social environments preventing access to minorities.

This discrimination problem is so large that The US as of 2018-2019 had to incorporate the "CROWN Act" into our law system. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/publications/blt/2020/05/hair-discrimination/

Is Hair Discrimination Race Discrimination?

Is hair discrimination a new form of race discrimination?[1] Sadly, it is not new, and it is not novel. Minorities have suffered hair discrimination for years. A recent study[2] found that African...

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/business_law/publications/blt/2020/05/hair-discrimination/

CROWN stands for : Create a Respectable & Open Workplace for Natural hair. Ie companies cannot turn someone away for their hair.

Does this work? Again no not really it’s still happening just not labeled as the reason a POC may have been turned down for a job or opportunity.

Now I get there may have been someone more fit for the task I completely understand that argument but let’s not act like discrimination and judging POCs for job placement/etc is a hoax. We get labeled dirty and uneducated solely from the things we wear to our hair styles.

As where non POCs are coined experimental, spiritual, creative, edgy & brave if they’re seen wearing the same items or hairstyle(s).

Can you see the problem now?

With all this said do I believe other races shouldn’t wear certain hairstyles?
Y/N I’d say do so within reason even if I don’t agree with or support the reasonings. But what I see that can come from multi cultural mergers is less mass discrimination in the future & the creation -

Of opportunities for all people, of all races who decide to do things differently (in this case their hair). Just like how tattoos were deemed unprofessional, disgusting, shameful and that people with them were uneducated, lackadaisical, and prone to a dead end, low tier job -

We’ve now broken that stigma to the point where surgeons, law enforcement (it’s still fuck 12), teachers and other essential professionals have tattoos.

Discussions like these need to happen it’s the only way to seize division & promote unity as a whole through understanding -

Now you can agree or disagree that’s not what this thread is about all I am asking is for YOU to drop any biases and initial feelings towards any given controversial topic. Once that happens progressive conversations arise as well as future opportunities for all people.

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