my name is brett “Fish” anderson and i have dreads.
“Hi, Brett”
or something like that.
it’s been three years now and probably not a lot longer and i am super grateful to my beautiful wife Val [tbV] for setting it up and my good friends, Mike Dreads and Formerly Emo then Dread Kev for putting in the effort and practically working them into my bad-for-dreads-thin-untangly-white-man-hair
but i have loved the experience of having them, probably even more than the actual dreads.
and especially since coming home to South Africa where i am a hero at almost every traffic light where black men are standing, selling things or asking for money…
fist pumps, “Irie man” and requests for, or offers of weed greet me on an almost daily basis and i have loved it – instant community, acceptance and affection – you’re one of us.
i’m not gonna lie, as far as quality of dreads go, i certainly don’t think i’m one of them – not even close – my hair was not designed naturally for dreads and so most other peoples’ look better than mine
but it’s been a vibe
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING
today i went to century city to do some shopping and meet a friend and as i was driving out of the parking lot, as there often is when it’s busy, there was a lady collecting parking tickets and letting people go through
she was a black lady with really stunning braided hair and as i drew up alongside her and gave her a big smile, she looks at me and with a smile asks me, “Can i touch your hair?”
so i reach into the car and whip them over my shoulder to the front so she can get a good feel and say, “Sure!”
she feels them and looks at me and smiles some more, ‘They’re just like ours, mos.”
Day made!
IF THERE WAS GOING TO BE A P.S. TO THIS POST
It was just a great day and moment and i loved it. But if i had to look for a bit of a lesson, as i was driving away i was wondering what the vibe would have been if it had been the other way around race-wise. Because i have heard complaints about some of the stereotypes that exist and from a black perspective the question of, “Can i touch your hair?” as a thing or race or offence or whatever.
This clearly wasn’t that. Curious person asking question, quick exchange, answer given. So easy. And i think often we can look more deeply into things and find racism or stereotyping or whatever, where there is none and make things out of things that are not really there.
And it feels like such a completely fine line, because i think sometimes seemingly innocent questions can contain the ignorance or racism or privilege and do need to be challenged. But sometimes we can err on the politically correct side and just be ridiculous. How do we figure out the difference? By being gracious to those around us and not taking ourselves to seriously, i guess. And being extra cautious around others at times, maybe.
But in the meantime, i am really glad that while i still have my dreads, i got to help a friendly hard-working lady answer a question that had been on her mind.
Irie man, indeed.
Irie (I-rie \I ‘ -ree) is the word in Jamaican Patois that means, “alright”. The term can be used to mean 1: powerful and pleasing; 2: excellent, highest; n 3: the state of feeling great. [wikipedia]
Why have dreadlocks? They are dirty and full of sweat and grime. Surely it is not healthy? Why be something that you are not? Is it for show or to get attention?
I have seen black people with dreadlocks that look cool but it really does not look nice on white people.
This shows your lack of intelligence, Chris. You have some stereotype idea about something and then just spout words without first seeking knowledge – take some time to ask questions first, like ‘Are dreadlocks dirty and full of sweat and grime?’ The answer is no. I have special shampoo that works for dreadlocks which keeps the knots tangled rather than untangling them as normal shampoo does, which means when i wash my hair it is as clean and great-smelling [lemon zest] as yours if you wash it. It is perfectly healthy as it is clean [obviously not all dreads are clean but then not all other hairstyles are either – if you look after them and use the special shampoos and creams then they are totally cream] It is not for show or to get attention, it’s a style thing which i enjoy. As with all styles there are some you dig and some you don’t. It’s perfectly fine that you don’t like them but that doesn’t make them look bad on white people. It just makes you someone who doesn’t like dreads.
Go ask most people, whites and blacks and they will tell you that it doesn’t look cool. It looks sloppy and silly. It looks dirty and even after washing, the heat of the day makes them look greasy and sweaty. Did you know that black rastas laugh at whites who have them?
How do you find employment looking like that? Can you tell me what job you do? Is it a writer? How can you make money out of that?
Did you know that reading negativity like this, Chris, makes a person feel negative?
I hope you enjoy whatever it is that YOU do, even if it is simply trolling.
Have a very merry holiday, or a simply miserable bah humbug, whichever you prefer. From your posts here I’d guess the latter.
Ha ha, owned!
Doesn’t it get hot in the summer sun? If I had a black guy with short hair at an interview or a sloppy looking white guy with dreadlocks, I would hire the black guy – at least I’ll be able to get more BEE points.
Is it your own hair or is it something else sewn into it? It is really bizarre. Like someone who has had a saucer sewn into their lip like those primitive tribes.
It’s my own hair. Goodbye Chris, i feel like you’re just wasting your time here now. Thanks for hanging out. Get to know some black people and forge some real friendships and you might be surprised when all the prejudice and fear you have comes tumbling down.
[…] had a fun encounter concerning my dreads, with a woman at a local car park the other […]
GREAT post! I’m planning dreads for the new year and I appreciate your perspective 🙂
I’m sorry to ask this, well these, but are they comfortable? They look tight, are they? Do you ever get tired of wearing (is that the right word?) them? If you ever want to be rid of them, do you need to shave your head or do you just wash them out? I hope I’m not being insulting asking these questions, I don’t mean to be, I’m asking just out of curiosity. They look good on you.
hey Melissa, no worries, i love answering questions, it’s just when friends like Jim come and call me a dirty unwashed hippy, or was it Chris, that i get a little more defensive… they are typically comfortable if tied up, they are very painful to get put in and a lot of effort to keep in [especially with thin white man hair] and i will probably know the answer to the rest of your questions fairly soon as my wife has been pretty much over them for a year – wanted South Africa to experience me in them a little before i cut them so we will see – the bottoms are not crazy knotted so might be able to save some but might be worth me just taking it all off, although my bald does’t look so great… and i have special dread shampoo so they are a lot cleaner than most people think – shampoo that knots instead of untangles…been a good run though and i have enjoyed the vibe! Thanks for asking,
love brett fish