Yuku free message boards

Just to add in a little something, my African parents dislike locs, not because of their aesthetics, but because in many parts of Africa locking the hair is a practice undertaken by only the most religiously pious. My mother, a Ghanian and incredibly liberal woman, actually gave me an ultimatum of sorts when I mentioned the possibility of locking my hair. She insisted that it was not a look that should be flaunted, rather it was a statement of religious uprightness that, at home, is reserved for the traditional priests and healers. In no uncertain terms, she said that if I locked my hair, she'd have a hard time letting me around her house. I was a bit shocked, as my mom again, is a very liberal woman--but it was very enlightening. I would take issue with the idea that, blanketly, "Africans don't like locs becuse they think they're dirty," that might be true for some, but again, to many West Africans at least, locs are a symbol of a depth of spirituality that most people do not possess.

Just my 2 cents.

you know, i love this topic, i have almost gotten beat down by people (on the boards and in person) for stating that locs aren't really an african based style, while they are natural and beautiful, it's really not a hairstyle that embraces your "roots" (well not the african ones they came here on the slave ships, which more often than not were from west africa.)

"Based on African history, cornrows represent the ultimate natural hair style closely followed by threading and then individual braids."

you are so right, the ultimate hairstyle for people of african descent in america, the UK, and canada should be cornrows, but you know that's never going to happen, because in north america, because we got a thing over here, i'm not going to go into it, because i don't want people getting mad at me, lol, ... though it's not a bad thing it's just a thing.

and this is not a slam on people that have locs it's a spiritual style, its a legitimate natural style, but it's not exactly embracing your west african roots style, but everyone is not natural for that reason, some people it's more personal and for personal reasons locs are cool, i like them, but as far as it being an "african" hairstyle i really can't agree with that.

just like people who become muslim, because of the history of oppression of people of african descent within the christian religion without understanding that while christinians enslaved west africa, muslims enslaved eastern africa and are still doing it (ie, Sudan., i actually got a gun pulled on me once by a convert to islam for stating the above comment) i guess people should just understand the reasons behind their acts and the history of them.

First, let me say that when I first went natural several years ago, my decision was based on the idea that eventually I <i>would</i> loc my hair.

However, I really enjoyed the look of having short hair. I was also inspired by young wome I saw during my trip to Ghana. And when my mother and sister also went short and natural I opted to maintain my style out of allegiance.

Well, my mother passed away and my sister went back to the creamy crack, so I decided it was time for this sista to make a change.. <b estination... Loc City. </b> However, during the process of growing and twisting my hair, I absolutelly fell in love with it. The texture, the versatility (from cornrows and puffs to twist-outs and big bad afros) and the fact that I was able to manage it without assistance were all reasons I opted to stay loc free. Additionally, I like the fact that my hair is a link in the range of possibilities we Africans have in natural hair styling .

My fiance's 11 year old daughter has locs. And she often plays in my hair and wonders about here options and limits of styling and expression (my word...not her's ). Now again, I like the look of locs and there is a level of commitment attached to it that is to be admired. It's just not for me.

one question, why?

---

as far as options and versatiliy with locs, are you crazy? j/k but seriously, my girls rocks some serious styles with their locks, up-dos, spiral curls, crimped, simulated "pin-curls", buns, pocahontas braids, cornrows, simulated "afro puffs", ponytails, french braids, french rolls, flat twist . . . i could go on, but you get the point. it's like bubba and his shrimp. . . . and i'm talking locs, not the skinny sisterlocks.

---

Quote:

---

Locs are the "ultimate" hairstyle to you regardless what everyone else says. It took me a while to grow my locs. I had double strand twists and knew when I was ready and ready for a committment that I would start. I knew once I started there was no turning back. My locs represent stability and internal growth within my life. Honestly I do not wear my hair to please any African, African American, African Canadian or whoever for that matter. I really think this is getting carried away with now. You cannot please everyone folks, so you might as well please yourself!

---

check the bolded text.

---

blak.

Quote:

---

Blakgirl wrote:
one question, why?

---

as far as options and versatiliy with locs, are you crazy? j/k but seriously, my girls rocks some serious styles with their locks, up-dos, spiral curls, crimped, simulated "pin-curls", buns, pocahontas braids, cornrows, simulated "afro puffs", ponytails, french braids, french rolls, flat twist . . . i could go on, but you get the point. it's like bubba and his shrimp. . . . and i'm talking locs, not the skinny sisterlocks.

---

For real though. This topic is pathetic to me. Who ever said we needed a heirarchy of nappy hair styles? What is the reason behind that - the ulterior motive?

"Africans" are not a monolithic group. We (black Africans)are varied and diverse in culture and hair texture and trying to box us up into your opinion is shallow and sad.

Peace&God's Grace

Yawnnnnnnnnnnn..yes I did check the "BOLD"

I can see where this is going...down..down..down...

WHATEVER YOU WEAR IS THE "ULTIMATE" HAIRSTYLE FOR YOU..that is everything in a nutsell...


Locs are the "ultimate" hairstyle to you regardless what
everyone else says. It took me a while to grow my locs.
I had double strand twists and knew when I was ready
and ready for a committment that I would start. I knew
once I started there was no turning back. My locs
represent stability and internal growth within my life.
Honestly I do not wear my hair to please any African,
African American, African Canadian or whoever for that
matter. I really think this is getting carried away with
now. You cannot please everyone folks, so you might as well please yourself!

llihappiness wrote:

"i think sometimes we are a little too concerned with the history and the exact time and place of things, like everything has to have a reason and a place and it really doesn't,"

.....Oh, but the beautiful meaning of Sankofa (how can you know where you're going if you don't know of your past) is an important discovery and wake up call....you see God has done HIS JOB with specific reasons behind HIS actions and it is up to US as conscious spiritual beings to not only SEEK, but want to seek by unveiling those reasons behind HIS actions b/c underneath we will find TRUTH....yes, HIS truth, your spiritual interpretation of why thing are the way they are...it's an interesting journey...well at least for me....

....with that said sugar, yes, when we (universal souls) take the energy HE has willingly bestowed in us, you will understand 'why it's necessary to know history, time, place and the reasons behind events, b/c as a result, you will thus have learned the JOY & BEAUTY in knowing who GOD really is.....yes, it's that deep....

....just food for thought, just my opinion....xooxox

...not just the topic itself, but the range of responses to it.

I completely agree with zee regarding Candyrain's attempts to educate us regarding AFRICAN viewpoints to locks. I don't think she meant to be offensive at all.

Let's be honest...many so-called "African-Americans" have a skewed idea of what Africa is/was. The biggest point of contention I see on a (somewhat) regular basis is that all black Africans are basically the same, if not physically, then culturally and philosophically. Nothing could be further from the truth! In fact I recently learned that there are more DNA differences between two native Africans from different parts of the continent than there are between a native European and a native Asian (this speaks to the idea that only a certain subset of humans migrated from Africa to other parts of the world in prehistoric times).

Black folks in the diaspora, in an attempt to "come home" or "get back" to their African roots, come up with all kinds of practices, thought processes, traditions, etc. that some native-born Africans find puzzling if not outright offensive when they're attached to some monolith continent called "Africa." To be fair, some black folks do do their homework...but some don't. I read in Candyrain's comment that those who tie the wearing of locks to this monolithic interpretation of "Africa" (as opposed to specific groups in Africa who lock, such as Masai men, Turkana women, certain religious sects, and the like) simply haven't done their homework.

This tendency, particularly among blacks of diasporan descent, to lump all Africans into a single category/mindset/outlook must be very frustrating for those who are of native African heritage. And while I understand the concepts and values of pan-Africanism, greater sensitivity needs to be shown to individual ethnic groups' practices and beliefs, not just regarding hair, but how they view life in general.

Please understand I don't have a problem with locks at all. In fact, for someone who's very pro-natural, I tend not to associate the state of being natural with the state of one's "blackness" or Afrocentricity. My whole foundation for being natural involves aligning myself towards the same basic philosophy that permits everyone else in the world -- all the straight and wavy and curly heads -- to wear their hair the way God gave it to them without apology. IMHO this seems to be a basic fundamental HUMAN right.

Now...I admit I still have a problem with the word "ultimate" with regards to hairstyles. I agree with those who say that there really is no one hairstyle for every single nappy-headed person on the planet. To be honest my first response to seeing the statement "locks are the ultimate hairstyle" wasn't based on ultimate rejection of the straight-hair standard (as Twistie mentioned) but on the ultimate way to achieve length. I admit I'm surprised and a little pleased that no one else made this connection (or posted it).

Ultimately everybody should do what's best for them without the influence of any kind of outside pressure. If that means locking, so be it. If that means relaxing (assuming you're not doing it for some b.s. reason, like getting a job, keeping a man, etc.), so be it. That's about as far from the "crabs in a barrel" mentality as you can get...given historical perspective, of course.

I happen to be one person who respects the spirituality many lock-wearers attach to locking. But I personally have found that simply going natural has taken me on a journey in which I have gotten a better handle on what a fearful and wondrously made creation I am. I don't see myself locking any time soon because I do want the option to (thermally) straighten when I feel like it. (Haven't felt like it in some time, but hey...you never know...) But, being on this journey, who knows what loctitian waits for me around the corner?