Informative Speech On Dread Locks
Dreadlocks, young people, and identity formation
There are many types of hairstyles but, today I would like to introduce a hairstyle known as dreadlocks or locks. This topic is important as it enables us to understand where the dreadlocks came from and why we should grow dreadlocks. Since we are in a digital age, young adults and teenagers need to create the identity, they need freedom of expression, they need to be valued, they want to be smarter, they need success and they need a sense of belonging (Lewis, 17). They want to connect themselves with the things of the modern world such as drugs, peer pressure and more.
Roots and ideologies
When people hear about deadlocks, they think about celebrities, prominent authors, actors, and musicians since they like the Rasta style. To put it clear, dreadlocks emerged during the Rastafari movement when revivalisms wanted to re-claim the ritual life and social and religious norms (Chevannes, 145). The early preaches' beliefs about the identity of God and the racial values were different. The Rastafari challenged the Christian God and they believed that God was a little black man. Thus, the Rastafari and the State developed conflict and in 1938, Rastafarians expressed their anticolonial stance to claim for repatriation and convince people that God was a Black man (Chevannes, 145). Rastafarians who were involved in the movement include Badaman, Taf, Pete, among others. The younger members established an organization known as ‘Warrior'. The organization had characteristics such as the use of ganja (cannabis) and unkempt hair (dreadlocks) to demonstrate the doctrine of their faith (Chevannes, 146).
Dreadlocks in society today
Today, there is a Rastafari movement that is influenced by Jamaicans migration to Canada and Britain. In the African continent, Japan, Europe, and other parts, Reggae music has spread Rastafari. It is also important to understand that Rastafari has captured urban youth and they are trying to form their identity using Rasta symbols such as hair, language, colors and more (Chevannes, 146). In deciding whether to use this hairstyle, it is important to know that dreadlocks are an expression of cultures such as religion, ethnic pride, fashion preference and more. Today, people also wear dreadlocks to symbolize a government rejection, others symbolize spiritual men such as shamans, and others symbolize the Lion of Judah and among other many reasons (Chevannes, 147).
Today, making dreadlocks is easy, unlike traditional methods. Traditionally, dreadlocks were made from unkempt hair or in other words, the hair was not combed and it could form a rope-like shape. Today, there are techniques used by locktician such as dread perming, twist and rip, and others (Yuajah, 1). Due to the higher cost of living, people can make lifestyle adjustment and decide to wax up the hair. It is worth noting that it is important to wear dreads when the hair is short to create dreadlocks ends and allow the lock to grow faster. Dreadlock is the best decision to save money and stay smarter. Dreadlocks are not only affordable but they are also associated with other benefits such as they protect the hairline, they require easy maintenance, they are fashionable, and one saves time and money (Yuajah, 1). Given that people wear dreadlocks for various reason, the principle of dreadlocks is that you should show love, acceptance, righteous, conscious, respect, self-control, and silence. Note that Rastafari has a pledge which says that Rastafari should be proud of themselves and of their country and ethnic background. Rastafarians are not defined by society or other human beings, and they own spiritual awareness (Yuajah, 1). Therefore, if anyone is deciding to become a Rasta, dreadlock the hair, practice cleanliness, love Reggae music, and understand the Jah rules.
Work cited
Chevannes, Barry. Rastafari: Roots and Ideology. Syracuse, N.Y: Syracuse University Press,
Lewis Randolph. Xbox, Hip Hop and Dreadlocks: "Reconnecting the Generations" Lulu. com,
2011
Yuajah, Empress. How to Become a Rasta: Rastafari Religion, Rastafarian Beliefs, and
Rastafarian Overstanding. CreateSpace, 2012. Print.
