Are locks stigmatized in the natural hair community?

I think some locs are stigmatized. I personally like the smaller sized locs that people get done at the hairdresser or start on their own. If there are parts between each loc I think it looks good.
On the other hand to me “freeform” locs is just another way to say letting your hair loc up because you didn’t comb it. Controversial to say maybe but I just don’t like it

I’m not going to lie,I’m not crazy about free forming just because its not something I find attractive..Its not something I would be comfortable wearing either. Excuse me if thats ignorant, as its my own personal opinion. People are always going to have something negative to say about how we wear our hair its just how it is. I say she do whatever works for her bearing in mind that it will be extremely difficult and to have close supporters around…

I applaud Nev! She is being her true authentic self — and you couldn’t ask for more. I will say however, that sometimes think of locs as “the easy way,” (of seeing results, length etc) but I acknowledge that’s crazy thinking. There is no “easy” or “hard” way of doing things, it’s what you feel comfortable with and what you want out of life. Kudos to you.

I think a lot of naturals feel the need to make sure certain styles are “work-appropriate” because our hair in it’s natural state is already so different. It can be big, wild and crazy, but that doesn’t mean our hair is not done. However others don’t always see things like that, especially if you work in a conservative environment. Although I support any style/form of locs, others in the mainstream definitely see it as an “unkept style.” Not saying it’s RIGHT, but it is what it is… Think about it, when have you ever seen a sista with free form locks… Read more »

I’m rather apathetic when it comes to locks for the most part. Don’t get me wrong, some are very beautiful. I love Goapele’s locks, they’re gorgeous. But for the most part it’s neither here nor there with me. Now please try to understand, the natural hair community isn’t obligated to accept locks any more than they are obligated to accept a twist out as a go-to style. Please remember that it is a hairstyle. I know some natural girls who only do wash and gos, never do bantu knots and sometimes do twist outs. It’s a matter of taste. No one’s grows… Read more »

Hmm… I think they are stigmatized by most people has being dirty, gross and unprofessional on both blacks and whites. I think they are pretty cool has long as they have some upkeep.

I would like to first say that I do have an appreciation for Natural Hair and Natural beauty. But free forming locs, I just can’t always get down with. I’ve seen people with all sorts of loc looks. Short, long, different lengths, different colors etc. Locs can be really diverse. But free forming locs do not always translate well into the mainstream world. Mainstream hair is something that neat, tidy, and clean. A lot of people see free forming locs are something that is unkempt and dirty. And sadly its because a majority of the people I’ve come across who had free… Read more »

I think that there is a stigma against freeformed locs and young locs. There is a so called “ugly” phase with locs in the first year as the locing process starts whether your locs are free formed or cultivated that people are intolerant towards because they think your hair looks unkempt and messy. The budding process is not always pretty and depending on the texture of your hair and how you choose to maintain your locs can make your hair look pretty wild. I think that the appearance of freeformed locs triggers the assumptions that people with locs have neglected,… Read more »

i had locs for almost 6 years. they were neat and smaller (pencil sized or smaller). i retwisted about every 5 or so weeks. people loved my hair!! i wasnt much for doing a bunch of styles but i would wear them up, in a bun and also crinkly from time to time. i got a job at a top corporation with my locs. i’ve been promoted with my locs. i teach at the gym and got that job with locs. i think locs can be accepted by others as long as they are neat, clean and maintained. the freedom… Read more »

Wow…good to see people being honest and sharing their opinions, but I have to admit that I’m a little stung. I hope we all see that some of our ideas about what is “unkempt” or “unclean” come from someone else’s standards. I can’t speak for anyone else, but my hair gets washed SO much more often than it did when it was relaxed or when it was loose and natural, and maybe that’s why I’m so troubled by the perception of locs as dirty. They’re really just matted hair, and yes, you can wash them thoroughly despite that. If you… Read more »

I know what you are going through and I’ve had my locs for going on 9 years now. People are always talking about my hair and saying that it needs to be retwisted or why it looking so untidy! At one point, I began to retwist my hair every 2 weeks, because I work at a law firm, but now, I don’t care do it. I realized that my hair is growing even thicker since I began to wait about 2 months to retouch my locs. I applaud you for this and ask that you continue to grow it naturally.… Read more »

i have read everyones comments, and i just don’t get it. are we not individuals. who says that locs are trying to be mainstream, freeformed or cultivated. that’s the whole point of locs. people loc, i loc, because i love the texture of natural hair. i like the feel of it in my hands. that is why some, including me, freeform. the hair is washed, conditioned and moisturized. everyone wants to know what their hair texture is, but when someone wants to showcase theirs, you are examined and evaluated on whether you have the right to. i combed out my… Read more »

I love freeform locs
When I was freeforming, I had many compliments but also looks..lol
supremedjan did a video on freeform hate and she’s soo right

Are locs stigmatized in the natural hair community? I find that hard to believe, but maybe that’s because they’re extremely popular in the DC Metro area. I absolutely adore locs and am considering transitioning myself. I am West Indian and, having grown up around rastas, I differentiate between locs/locks and dreads. Free-form locs fall into the latter category and I would say I’m a big fan, but I say do you. It’s all about confidence. I saw an asian guy on the metro recently with the most beautiful dreads. He had a very artsy vibe and they fit him perfectly.… Read more »

I think locs are stigmatized. When I first cut my hair people and my friends were like “Whatever you do, just don’t loc it”. People giving me that warning me. I wouldn’t get locs but I think they are veRy beautiful 🙂 O and I agree with what you said Leila “clarity and completion”, so true!

i think when you have it in your life often, it affects your positionality. i have natural hair–always have. free form locks are not for me BUT i have had my own hair, unrefreshed and uncombed for a a while and had people assume it was some kind of locking going on. even though i don’t think it looked that way [always a black american. i am west indian] and they’d be like “i love your locks!” or “i looove women with locks” random dude trying to mack. i just smile, say thanks and keep it moving. kinda funny that… Read more »

I didn’t think they were stigmatized, until I read the comments above and it seems that most who have commented agree that they are. I’m actually quite surprised. To me, locs are so beautiful, and the ultimate in natural hair. For those with 4a or 4b hair, I think it’s our default state (in my opinion). I wore cultured locs for 7 years before BCing about a year ago. Admittedly, the first 18 months were quite difficult, when my hair wouldn’t do what I wanted it to do, but by the third year they had settled in and I would… Read more »

i was excited to see this question as a former lock star who recently chopped her locks off i have had lots of comments about how nice my hair was then and why would i “regress” to wear free forms, fros, twist and go’s etc. i am confused. when i started the locks, folks were concerned since i’d cut off my long healthy relaxed hair to do so. as the locks grew long and gorgeous i was more presentable. its a tier huh? i wanted to feel my texture and learn about my hair. the locks didn’t not allow that. Yes there… Read more »

I do think locs especially free forming locs are not completely accepted in the natural hair community. It sad that we as a race feel the need to tone ourselves down (which we have been doin 4 centuries) so other races wont feel threaten by our strong & different appearances. This shows that even with natural sistahs slave mentality still lives on. Every ethnicity has beauty & is apart of God’s masterpieces. I just wish that instead of looking at our differences as curses & things that need to be fixed/shunned whether that be straighten,lightened or trying to force our natural… Read more »

In typical Nigerian mainstream culture; locs are considered a sign of dirtiness, waywardness, or even madness (also known as “dada”). A person with locs may be considered as someone who is morally depraved, like a drug addict, for instance. It is only nowadays, I would say since the millennium, that locs ‘coming out of the closet’ with major celebrities donning the controversial style (e.g, Dakore & another female singer in Lagbaja’s band). I think sister locs or more deliberately-constructed styles are more socially acceptable than free-form rasta-looking dreds. But confidence is everything. If she rocks her free-form dreds with self-confidence… Read more »

Greetings Sis. Your question, “is there a stigma against locks, even in the natural hair community” honestly made me laugh a little. I say this because, as a woman who has been locked up for nearly 10 years, I can honestly say that I have seen more stigma against non-locked natural beauties than myself with my locks. Some of the most beautiful natural styles can be seen as unprofessional, unkempt, or dirty, but I can honestly say that (besides my own personal insecurity in the beginning about what my boss might think) I’ve never experienced anything besides admiration since I’ve… Read more »

I also have mixed feelings about locs. I have seen BEAUTIFUL, small locs (on both men and women in all phases- from 1 inch long to mid back) and I have seen awful looking, makes-me-start-itching locs. I think it’s all about neatness. If the hair doesn’t look neat, I won’t like it and make no apologies for that. That’s not an ethnic thing. I’ve seen white and asian girls who had unkempt hair- they also made me itch. Locs don’t equal unkempt in my book, but in NYC I’ve certainly seen my fair share of raggedy locs. Here’s my thing,… Read more »

I think locs are stigmatized. People make assumptions about loc wearers. I have been offered marijuana on several occasions, and I do not smoke. I have been called Rastafarian. People stare at me…it’s ridiculous. People think I don’t wash my hair when in fact, I was my hair regularly. People with natural hair sometimes judge me. They ask me “How could you do that to your hair?” Or they think I am just locking my hair to have long hair…or they perceive me as being lazy. Whatever the case, it is sad that I face judgement all around…from those with… Read more »

I smell some hypocrisy here. As natural girls we blow the trumpet saying I can wear my hair how I want and still be beautiful yet we have a young lady here who is doing just that but it’s free form locs so there’s an issue. To be honest this conversation reminds me of the hooplah over whether Zahra Jolie Pitt should wear her hair loose or combed. Honestly who cares, just do what makes you happy

well said M.J.

Frankly, when I first though about free form locks, I didn’t even know what it was (which was yesterday when I saw a video and the person said she was going to start free forming again.) Then I learned what it meant and I was like, ew! I then thought about it while reading the comments and now I’m like, I LOVE IT! But only after being informed. I Think the average person being drenched in euro-centric ideas on how hair is supposed to look is going to be disgusted. But not all.

Thanks for talking about this topic!

Well, I had locks, and did not like them. I tried to feel good about them. I went through the “ugly phase” and I hated them. My hair grows fairly quickly, so they were shoulder length in under 2yrs. Length…was not the problem. I hated my hair. I tried curling them, twisting them, putting them in all kinds of intricate styles, but I still could not stand the look, or the feel of them. Meanwhile, a friend of mine has waist length locks and I adore her hair. The point is, to each his or her own. Freeform locks..are natural… Read more »

Is there even such a thing as “the natural hair community”

what hypocrisy going on here…wow iam amazed by what so called “i am proud of natural hair” people are saying.…really what is wrong with freeform locs? i do not have locs or plan on having them however, i am proud of every black or any other race of women for that matter, who has come to a point where they want to be true to themselves regardless of what people think or mainstream society wants us to thinks…what is the point of natural hair? isn’t it to be free of societies trap of beauty? isn’t coming to a point of… Read more »

@Patricia Grannum, that question really has me thinking. Is there a natural hair “community?” We toss the term around a lot, but does this community really exist. I personally find some naturals to be some of the most judgemental people, supportive only of what fits into their idea of natural beauty. Look at the comments about Halle when she wore her natural or Solange when the pics first came out or about Venus on the forum. Instead of being applauded for being brave enough to be natural in an industry where weaves are king, the “natural community” bombarded the net… Read more »

ugh.. if i see one more person associate an ugly phase with locks im going to f’n scream- no such phase exists…all that aside its ur natural hair. I say ppl should feel free to do what ever the hell they are ever so inclined to do with it W/ out worrying about the backlash from other ppl’s ignorance or non- appreciation of the PERSONAL aesthetic that u decide is a right fit for YOURSELF and YOUR LIFESTYLE. as long as ur hair is clean, whats the prob? yes people are entitled to their personal opinions & we are not… Read more »

No we don’t lose our right. If someone has a hairstyle that isn’t cute, one doesn’t HAVE to like it just because it’s “natural”. My friend is natural but she doesn’t like wearing her hair in an afro,she likes its for others but not for herself. Some people like locs and others don’t. Some like it others but would never get it (that’s me) It’s that individual’s opinion and they’re free to have one. Locs don’t make a person more “true to themselves” versus a person who doesn’t have locs.

The thing is, not everyone is going to like each and every single style out there. That is fact and has nothing to do with having euro-centric mindset either. Seeing the beauty in an individual regardless of what style they wear on their head is all that matters. Also, wear your hair they way YOU want it. It’s bad to constantly seek some type of validation from others, even people in the “natural community” themselves.

I actually don’t like “freeform” locs either (we call them janks or hands here) as they tend to look (at least the ones I’ve seen) messy and unflattering. That’s just a personal thing. I just like locs with a little more method.

It’s one thing to not like/appreciate a certain style. It’s another to make comments, thus making the person who chose that style feel uncomfortable. We’re all entitle to our opinions. We’re not necessarily entitled to share them without being asked.

I think a mess is a mess. Not appreciating natural hair should not stem from texture…that’s been my platform. I like locs, but anything just thrown together — that’s how it looks — can be off-putting.

@MSJAIM — As far as I’m concerned, my whole phase of locks was ugly. You making a statement like that is being just as “judgemental” as those “naturals” who only like a certain kind of hair. The whole term natural really gets my goose, if you ask me. What is “natural?” Is dyed hair still natural? Pressed? Weaved? Wigged? As humans, we are judgemental creatures. Its just the way of the world. So let’s just stop pointing fingers and calling names and being negative. As long as you are pleased with what you’re doing to your hair, at the end of… Read more »

@ The Notorious Z.A.G.,I stand by my statement & Its def your perogative to refer to your hair being loc’ed or your begining stages of loc’n as ugly if u please, but I dont advocate negative self perceptions- thats the rationale behind my statement. Im sure there was nothing ugly about ur hair. Ive been on several hair boards/ blogs & that term & negative way of thinking just perpetuates the whole topic were discussing now. what Ive noticed with some ppl who start locs is they see the end result that they want to acheive, not realizing that like… Read more »

I have quietly followed this blog for a very long time. I’ve never even been interested in posting before now. As a woman who has worn her hair natural for most of her adult life (except for a short 2 month stint) I am just amazed by the comments here. But am I surprised? I can’t say that I am. I have noticed here that there have been many occasions in which lines seem to be drawn and demarkations made about what is natural and what is more authentic natural, etc. This is a huge surprise to me because as far… Read more »

I think there is a stigma, one blog that champions natural hair was like I don’t ‘support relaxers and locs on children because they are permanent’ (What? They aren’t even in the same category!)Locs are gorgeous! Especially the big and beautiful ones (like on the musician Valerie June). As a kid in Lagos(Nigeria), one of my childhood friends had the most gorgeous freeform locs (dada we used to call them) I have ever seen (even to this day), but they were for religion reasons and I was gutted when he chopped them off and then I moved to the UK… Read more »

Anyone regardless of hairstyle can be professional or unprofessional. People are just judging those with freeform locks before knowing them. Yes, Bob Marley had freeform locks and he smoked ganja a lot, but most ppl w/ freeforming locks are just average ppl like everyone else. I currently do a wash n’ go and just wear my afro out, but i’m considering getting locks in may. I’d get regular locks and not freeform ones though. Just my preference. People can prefer any hairstyle they want but why call those with freeformed locks or even regular dreadlocks lazy or dirty. Its not… Read more »

In my opinion, locs cannot truly be considered ‘natural’ unless they are free-form locs. There is nothing natural about the locking process. Manicured locs are twisted into submission to create a neat, easily-digestable style for the masses to accept. I am a natural woman of two years, and I absolutely love free-form locs. Nev, keep doing your thing.

nakias that’s interesing…locs not ‘natural’. do you feel that when someone’s hair is in a two strand twist or cornrowed it’s not natural either? not trying to be confrontational just curious about your logic on manicured locs not being considered natural.

I just don’t like free form locks. I’m sorry. I think it’s because it’s too limiting in style. with more uniform locks you can do more things, IN MY OPINION. Have I seen beautiful free formers? YES. Do I look down on free formers? NO. It’s just me. Sometimes I don’t like high ponytails on certain people with straight hair. Sometimes I don’t like locs on certain men. Sometimes I don’t like afros on certain women. Are they still wonderful people? YES This is just a question of aesthetics for me. I don’t think they are dirty or weird or… Read more »

If you don’t have chemicals in your hair, that’s natural! When did manicured locs become NOT natural?

Sometimes I think blk people find anything to divide us.“If you don’t loc your hair then your NOT TRULY natural.” “If you have manicured locs, then you’re NOT TRULY natural.” Since when did all of this become true?? Even if it is true, why does it matter? Sometimes there are more important things in life than whats on top of someone’s head.

I’ve been natural for 5 years and have come to admire the different hair textures, “types” (i know the term is loaded) and styles that we can achieve. I admire manicured locs modeled by Goapele and Lauryn Hill, as well as sister locks. For me, my preferences are really based on versatility. With loose hair I feel like I have can anything and more that I could do with my relaxed hair (minus the chemical damage) and I feel that those with manicured, somewhat small locs, can accomplish just about all the styles one does with loose natural hair (save… Read more »

Wow so many comments, hope I am not repeating. I don’t think locs are stigmatized in the natuaral community its just one other option amongst many when you decide to go natural. I have worn locs, twists, twa I don’t feel their was any stigma with either one of the styles. However, that said I did try to distance myself from the Rastafari camp when I had my locs. I just was not with the sexist, backwards mentality of some of the Rastafari’s I encountered. Women being treated like second-class citizens, the lambasting of non-naturals, the obssesive facsination with racial… Read more »

My two cents…the rule where I come from in Ghana is that, whatever else in the world you do (or don’t) to your hair, you comb it at least once a day. That’s the standard of presentability. As someone else said regarding Nigeria, unkempt hair is most closely associated with madness. That’s the reason we tend to frown on locs, especially freeform locs which are more visibly uncombed (and uncombed afros). I’ve seen a few musicians and entertainers with cultivated locs, and there are a handful of Rastafarians with freeform locs, but that’s the extent of it.

I think for the most part, locs are still stigmatized — mainly stemming from ignorance about how they are formed (the ever-changing process) and how they are maintained (even if low maintenance, healthy locs still require some maintenance — washing at the very least). Wearing your locs with pride, keeping healthy, and carrying yourself respectably will show ppl that you are more than your hair. But on the other hand, I don’t think that because someone doesn’t like the aesthetic of locs (free-form or other), it means the person is stigmatizing them or the loc-wearer. Simply put, not everyone will like… Read more »

I’ve been locing for 13 years and get compliments on my hair often, especially when it’s due for a wash and twist. Irrespective of culture and hair texture, the adage must still apply; hair looks best when it’s dirty. But early on there were questions. Do you you wash it? Why are you doing that to your hair? Thankfully, my parents took a wait-and-see stance with me and younger my sister, who has loced for 15 years. My late aunt once said, “It just don’t look Christian” which was curious, because neither my sister nor I are Christians. I agree that… Read more »

I feel like the natural hair community is just as diverse as any other community. There are the extreme purists *cough*snobs*cough* who think that to have the extra neatly parted locks and/or extensions is as bad as a lye perm. There are the more casual folks who think anything non-chemically straightened is just fine and all the people that fall in between. I’m personally not a fan of the absolute free-form, where there is no separation of the locks and prefer a more cultivated look.

Hehe!!!

I love kinky hair. I’m talking straight up 4z hair but, personally, free form locks rub me the wrong way. It may be clean but it’s basically matted hair and I find that unattractive on any hair texture or race. Again that’s my personal opinion, so I would never do it. There are lots of things people do with their hair that I don’t like. I don’t judge them for it; I just choose not to copy the look. P.S. I remember when I was a kid on the bus and man with a free form lock tuft of hair on… Read more »

i love all types of natural hair to be honest…and like someone said above it depends on the style and how the person keeps their hair…whether it’s a huge round afro (which i prefer), curly fros, sister locks, freform locks, etc.…natural hair is too diverse to just only like one or two styles lol.…i’m a loose natural and one day i could definitely see myself locking in the future…but anyway…i actually think that locks are more accepted than loose (especially type 4) natural hair and this is why.…to a lot of people including myself, locks almost mimic straight hair, which… Read more »

As a natural hair stylist for over 15 years, I have seen the acceptance’ of our natural hair grow, but as a loc wearer i am feeling a bit forgotten by all the curly hair creme campaigns going on now, there is a stigma of i being ‘unclean’ and for vagrants and the poor. I don’t think we’ve seen then portrayed as classy and sophisticated yet, and though I love the ‘natural’ hair movement going on, I am sorry that sistahs still feel they have to ‘do’ something to there hair when they go natural, I do BC’s almost everyday… Read more »

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I think natural hair is beautiful. It is as god intended it to be & nature has it’s own natural pattern and it is beautiful. Know all you gotta do is smile and the sunshine will be complete!

I am Waaaay late to this commenting to party. But, I want to contribute as a newly loc starter. Yes I do believe there is a stigma attached. I have found from the many questions I have received about loc’s since I’ve started them is that it stems from ignorance about locks. That is within our black community as a whole, as well as the natural hair community. Many loose haired naturals(who do not have close friends or relatives with locks really don’t know much about them.) They believe once you see one loc’d head you’ve seen them all. They… Read more »