@@GuntherDaGreat Hey Gunther, I just wanted to enlighten you about the term dreadlocks the term was definitely used by colonial masters to dehumanize black enslaved Americans and their descendants. Unfortunately racism reinforced it deeply the southern states in America. I’m African specifically Congolese from the heart of Africa. I decided to loc my hair as a symbol and devotion to being a part of a Pan-Africanist movement. When I visited Jamaican in 2020 I had the pleasure to speak to many Rastafarians while visiting Bob Marley’s home. My research was to find out what was so special about Locing one’s hair and to find out why Rastafarianism was so popular in JA? Locing your hair represents your crown and how majestic black people are in general. No one in this planet can loc their hair beautifully more than black descendants.The locing process on its own is a spiritual symbol and those who just place them on their hair without really taking the time to research appears as appropriators of the black culture. Locing is more than just butting or the physical process that takes one’s hair to harden with overtime. Locing gets one literally connected to their higher-self.Most people who are not spiritually inclined don’t understand that words hold power and by removing the word dreadful infront locs is basically us departing from mental slavery. I’m not sure if you ever had a friend who was Rastafarian or Pan-Africanist ,but they would advise you that it’s away of life and not a religion. The way I like to put it for most Americans becoming “Rasta means that your trying to get deeply Rooted back to your origins.” I hope my finding in Jamaica helps to assist you in your loc journey to your Roots!
Thank you for this video. I actually like the term “Dreadlocks “ and honestly find it quite annoying that people feel the need to constantly say that is a negative term or disrespectful. Also, that shot at the end, GREAT, the B roll was absolutely great
Personally I don’t like the term dreadlocs but I have no issue with people referring to their own as such, but please don’t call mine dreads. Nothing about my locs are dreadful
@@SureYoureRight if you watched the video you would've seen when he said dreadful used to mean "inspiring awe or reverence." Like dread as in "fear" like "God-fearing"?
I have dreads my guy. It's the cultural of "correctness" and everyone swears they're so knowledgeable about anything. I appreciate the time and energy you took to ACTUALLY be informed and informed people.
I’ve always called mine “dreads”. I never really bought into that whole narrative of the word “dread” being used as a negative reference to locks. Even if I had, I wouldn’t take it upon myself to tell another person what they should or shouldn’t say.
That's you sir and it was created as a degrotorty term whether you accept the facts or not I do have a problem with folks trying to make it seem like the term is okay and that history didnt happen
thank you for this video. I get so many people telling me to stop calling them dreads.. or dreadlocks. Obviously I don’t see my hair as dreadful or something to be feared. I just want to call them what I want to call them. At the end of the day I love my hair.
There many terms used to describe our hair. I was raised in the Caribbean st. Lucia to be exact. The terms used was natty dread, dreadlocks, dreads and sometimes ropes. But whatever you call it what you want. it's your hair and your journey.
That’s what I’m saying. My family is Jamaican and I grew up calling them dreads, dread (for the person), dreadlocks, knotty dread or locs since I’m a first gen US.
I live in South Africa and people who have and talk about them call them dreadlocks. No one calls them locks. People need to relax. My pops grew his dreads for 16 years (started it when I was born) and I'm growing mine🅿️. Sad to see that @Actaverse is combing his out🤧😭
Im south african too and I've never had anyway say I have locs . It's always "die dread" or dreadlocks so I don't see who or why anyone is offended by the term dreadlocks
We more of this information out there. People who say locs have never even checked the definition of the term to begin with. Saying "there is nothing dreadful about my hair" is one of the most ignorant things I have heard in this hair community. No one not a single evidence in history of a white person saying "dreadful hair" if they did, it would have in reference of every black hair style. Knowledge is power. We need more of this to end this unnecessary debate. Dreadlocks is a term of power. It's history is our history. Beautiful. Thanks Ganther.
I'm black, I receive mostly complements on my DREADLOCKS. I see white people on platforms being called dreadful for their hair, that exact word, dreadful. So hypocritical. Most of these people seem to be black and even other white people coming from America or the UK, very sensitive countries. I've seen white people face more hate and racism for their dreads than I ever will. Don't even get me started on the fact some people say "yt" which is short for the derogatory term "whitey"
Well I think it came from the term dread being associated with being bad one person said something about not calling them dreadlocks because of this and it just turned into a thing I mean look at social media one person says something “Catchy” next thing you know everybody is saying it and also when black people have knotted or “nappy” hair vs someone with wavy or straighter hair they then to say the ones with straight hair or curly hair have “good hair” so looking at dreadlocks were for a long time looked at as you dont have good hair so they dropped the dread part so people wouldn’t consider them a bad thing just my opinion tho who knows lol🤷🏽♂️
@@SJones-oi2wb , I'm black and I rest neutral with most of what u said but I'm fed up of seeing comments of perm tutorials/white people dread tutorials and seeing my people say "why y'all wanna be us so bad" I believe that many of my people have a superiority complex over being black, and thinking the world revolves around us.
I’m a warrior, a queen and I have Dreadlocks. Locs is only a short name for Dreadlocks. This name was never formed to be negative, your oppressors turned it into a negative term stealing it and turning it negative. It’s meaning is a respect for freedom, we did not conform to the oppressors standard of beauty. At the end of the day they’re DREADS
Chris mcdred is a legend. Dreadlocks have been my special interest for the past 3yrs and he is one of the 1st people, yourself included who I learnt from. I am a self taught loctician who also makes synthetic and wool dreadlocks and for the longest time it's really bothered me about all the should and shouldn'ts about them. Who has them, how they're done, what they're called.. All I know is I love them and its my passion. I've had mine for 2yrs now and made them for lots of other people. Yes I'm white british and my hair is wavy not curly or kinky but matts up pretty easily. Im not going to bang on about my ancestors wearing dreadlocks because I shouldn't have to. I can't imagine having loose hair now. This is me.
They're Dreadlocs, I've had my dreads for over 20 years and people saying they aren't Dreads are these new age dreadheads who want to relabel something that predated them! Dreads aren't for Black or African decent. Every culture on this planet lock their hair!
It’s so annoying that they do that without doing any research or even taking the time to know the culture. But hey that’s the world we live in. Changing everything and making up nonsense for why they are
I'm glad I'm not the only one out here following blindly. All real african and carribean people i know with dreads say dreads or dreadlocs. Locs is fine too if thats what you want to call it, it's the outrage and self-righteous attitude i can't take from those who think they're so woke that they have to educate you on what to call your OWN hair. I love my dread, i love seeing people with dreads, if you call them locs thats fine too!
@@mrruninyohize well i said all the Africans "I" know personally, I never said West Africans specifically or All Africans generally. Wording is important 🙄
Just came across your channel & had to subscribe! It's WILD that this is still a topic in 2022. I personally didn't have much "Internet" when I was in my historical lawsuit over my Locs. Basically, what I went through resulted in Police officers in Washington DC(MPDC) being able to wear there hair in Dread/Locs without being fired. During that journey I traveled & talked with many people from all over who had various "names" for referring to their Dreads/Locs but not ONCE was I ever "told" I shouldn't call them either. Guess I was just lucky again the internet wasn't what it is today. Awesome channel!
People only go by what others say, if someone says they shouldn't be called dreadlocks and many others with or without dreadlocks or locs agree, then it's basically just a trend. People just repeat what others say. You call your hair whatever you want to call it because it's YOUR hair!
You got to love people who think they know everything about everything and don't realize that their information is either misinformed or is technically accurate up to a certain point in time and then don't know the history beyond that which may be vastly different than they could possibly imagine
I generally don't see why people have so many arguments on what people want to call their hair (Example: If somebody wants to call their hair, Frizz Balls lol) People should be allowed to call their hair what they want because it's apart of their body and nobody else should be worried about that.
Omg people just look to be offended. What about “fear of the LORD?” That’s what I’ve learned about when researching about the term. When I had dreads 7 years ago I never heard that “dreadlocks” was a derogatory or offensive term. In fact, nearly everyone I knew, of all races, used the term “dreadlocks” or “dreads”. I don’t know when it became offensive and everyone jumped on that bandwagon, but it’s ridiculous. I can’t believe people are actually sending you hate mail 🙄 People should do their own research. Each has the right to call them what they want, but should respect others’ right to call them what they want as well. I will continue to say “dreadlocks” or “dreads” and if someone gets upset so be it. I love all people and the term I use for MY hair shouldn’t have enough power to make someone else mad. Side-note: I have straight hair but if I don’t brush it, it will knot up on its own like nobody’s business. Dreadlocks are for everyone and anyone who wants them, regardless of race. Thanks for making this video. I just recently found your channel but I’ve already watched and learned a lot and I think it’s great. You’re a rockstar.
That like you using the N word without the meaning of, but when informed on what It mean you should have respect enough to not say it , but if you don't get mad when you get checked by that person....
Funny thing growing up in the Caribbean at least from what I have come to know is that the difference was how it was kept, "Dreadlocks" being the less kempt i.e. they are dreading up as the Patois/Creole for messing up. The "Locks" being one's that are well taken care of, the "Nutty - Dreads" I was told was the very unkempt i.e. Nutty being the Patois or Creole term for "Knotty" as in having knots.
Dammn these people nowadays are soft af, u read a article on google and think that ur a hero of a culture, and start to insult people for dumb reasons that make absolutely no sense. U are offended by a person who use a word, 24/7 wit ur friends u are using insult and bad words and ur not offended but ur offended by this word Anyway good job gunter keep it up
4:23 he started reading a while essay😂😂 but ya know what. Dreadlocks are the most powerful hairstyle in the world. No one talks about waves, brushed cuts or curls as much as Dreads👑 they are seen as power to many
@@Dakham_ still... You go to a job with waves during the wave era and no one would care at all. You go to a job with long frizzy dreads and you risk yourself getting a proper job interview, getting a job, maintaining a job depending on what it is and having a good representation of yourself due to what other people think
Dude idk if your gonna read this but you definitely should make a history lesson video on locs. Would be dope to see you present us with a video about such.
Something weird I noticed about my Hair is how my DreadLocks are that they stretch to about as long as yours but Shrinks up like its way shorter than yours.
Hey Gunther, Thank you for your video and the hair tutorials in general. I'm leaving this note hoping to help clarify somethings. It is widely accepted the term dreadlock is the result of compounding the words dread and lock; also, it is believed that the first use of the term was by colonizers encountering Kenyan warriors. If the first usage of the term was in this adversarial colonial context, it is unlikely that "dread" would mean awe of or anything positive. Of course, the hairstyle itself predates the term dreadlocks and so it is probable that after the term was coined people and cultures began referencing the hairstyle by the name dreadlocks. This would explain why there are cultures with nothing but positive association to the name... like in Jamaica. A small critique: I like that you attempted to make an explainer about the difference between the terms loc and dreadlocks, but I think it would have been helpful to try to explain why Black Americans might be offended both by the term dreadlocks and by white Americans wearing them. The quick and short of that reason is: After the Black Power movement in the ’60s/ ’70s, when the Afro became a political statement, hair discrimination became codified through “grooming policies” enforced in schools, workplaces, and the military-the United States Army had banned dreadlocks for female service members until 2017 when the policy was overturned. As in, when the Afro became a symbol of Black decent to the oppression, they experienced there was a response by the government to silence them. This response resulted in a history of double standards for who can wear what kind of hairstyles without being perceived as dirty or unkempt. An example of this can be seen when comparing the positive reaction to Miley Cyrus wearing dreadlocks at an award show while Zendaya was said to look like "she smells like … weed” when she wore her locs to an award show. So, there is a history in America of Black people being discriminated against by the ruling class (white people, statistically speaking) for how they wear their hair making them sensitive to the way non-Black people engage with their hair. So, I imagine, when the history of the term dreadlocks was speculated to have colonial roots groups of Black Americans moved to phase the term out as a kind of acknowledgment of the history. None of this is to say what should or shouldn’t be said -- and I think it makes sense that you use the term dreadlocks on your videos to maximize the number of people who find your videos - I just wanted to add a little more context to why you are receiving the kinds of comments you said you are. Thnaks again for the helpful content!!
I don’t understand y they think you HAVE to call them locks . Clearly who ever has dreads doesn’t think they are bad or should be described bad but that’s just one of the many names of them
Thank you for the research! Whatever the name I can hardly wait to start my natural hair with "DREADLOCKS"! LOL! I prefer to call them "LOC'S" too! 👍🏿😁 💥Great videos and content! 🏆
sometimes people's sense of identity and importance comes from having strong opinions, and sometimes people believe that if they get others to believe their ideas it somehow strengthens said ideas, or like.... makes them more correct? and when faced with such people, there really isn't much you can do about it like, people can choose to react negatively towards things that aren't intended as insults. And people can choose to react positively towards things that are intended as insults. and we can't really decide how people choose to receive our intentions. so uh, tl;dr, don't worry too much about it? it would be nice if people would change their minds, or at least not voice opposition as to imply you don't know what you're talking about. but if people are offended when you say you mean it respectfully, there's not much you can do
loc this dreadloc that I see it as a style or culture, and it is just like soda and pop we all say it different, with the SAME MEANING all love though love your content too
So this brings me back to about 2 years ago when I decided a wasn’t going to cut my hair anymore (spiritually reasons) I was at work and I complemented a older woman with BEAUTIFUL free form locs. I said I love you dreadlocks they are so beautiful. She replied with anger and said they are not dread locs and stormed out of the store…. She has the right to react to anything I said anyway she wants but that made me think differently about talking to ppl about locs. As a black man I shouldn’t feel this way you feel me. All I’m saying is if you are ready for someone to insult you… you will always be insulted. Educating ppl is the key not anger.
I hope You're not the type of guy who will stand there and allow a white person use the n word just as long as it's not a mean way and not say anything... This is the same thing as using the word dreadlocks..... You know better you do better, and I'll say less
Mine are locs. His are dreadlocks. When you have to manipulate your hair by using gels or other stiffening products to make your hair "lock", you have dreadlocks. When your natural hair when left alone locs on it's own, you have locs.
Bro, this video is a REMINDER for me. In Christianity, the term "fear" almost always suggests "reverence" when used in regards to God. As one with locs, I feel like we should be the type who are slow to respond. Pause, and consider before you express your visceral disdain for the term "dread". That you for the video
UGH...i cant believe you have to explain this ish. Sorry bout that! I am first Generation Canadian and my parents are Jamaican. My dad had DREADLOCS period, that's it no further explanation. Anyone who is offended by the term "dread", that is their own issue. Love your vids Gunther!
They're hating you for using a powerful word like dreadlocks, but at the same time might use the N word. Its all about intentions. Nothing wrong with the word or how they feel about it. What's not cool is hating someone for doing something you simply chose not to do.
i've had dreads since i was 13 and straightened them out and got them back over and over, i am an Inuk and the last time i had dreads it was 2 summers ago and i'm gonna restart my dread journey when my hair grows again
I don’t comment much but this is something I would like to say. My 3 kids have locs that I started and maintain with tips from Gunther. Notice how I said “locs” but before I called them “dreads” and MANY people commented saying call them “locs” and so I did. Like one comment mentioned in the video I was told it was used by white people to oppress us. After watching this .. I think I will call them whichever 🤷🏾♂️ but I will continue the research you shared with us today!
In my own research I found the term was used when the white soilders saw their enemies with locs they were intimidated by them and called them "dreadful" and the term was adopted pridefully, because shouldn't ones enemy find them dreadful?? Im not sure how true any of these accounts are but it is a fact dreads have been around for centuries all over the world.
How do you start dreadlocks on really short hair? I want locs but i dont kno how to do it on hair as short as mine. Is there any way you could do a tutorial for short hair?
I’m from the Caribbean I call them dreadlocs because they are not Rastafarian people that grow up in Rastafarian culture roots are the ones we call Rasta there the ones with real natural locs they don’t shave no Re-twist no nothing jus natural
Yeah i don't know why black Americans are so sensitive im African ( south African) and here we call then dreads we dont even dreadlocks because thats just a mouth full
I’m black and white (Jamaican and Italian) and I don’t think it matters what u call them just call them what u want cuz at the end of the day u do u and can’t make every one happy
I def get both sides though I see my hair as my energy protector, source, etc so in my eyes I wouldn't want to refer to something I constantly want to uplift using a term I know was used in extremely negative connotations such as 'dreadlocs' honestly I rarely use locs I call them my babies . The words you use are powerful whether you think you're putting power into them or not, but at the end of the day it's your hair you call them whatever you feel is more comfortable always
He also got to love how people don't understand that there is more than one version of the word there/their/they're so there could be many versions of the same word. You can raise a barn in the morning and raise it at night. Build it in the morning and take it down at night.
Go to the Caribbean and see what the Dreadhead refer to one another as! Don't be surprised if somebody says "Hey Dread" to you to start a conversation.
When you know better you do better, and it's all about respect ... You have built a platform all about locking hair , so if your getting knowledge on what the definition that you are trying to display that you must call it what it is, (locks) and it's all about respect.... When I was told the meaning behind the word dreadlocks and I DID MY RESEARCH I NOW CALL THEM LOCKS
I don't even like having this conversation but why would people think that by simply removing the word dread from dreadlock that somehow the word lock does not derive from dreadlock all of a sudden? Lastly, the one guy who said that that's not what they would be called in Africa, duh, they wouldn't have spoken English LOL The hairstyle is literally called different names in different languages and I swear that people think that like English-speaking people somehow invented this or something. How are you going to call it an ancient African hairstyle but then insist on the term that it be called in English that's not even African?
It depends. I have a high top. They now reach past my collar bone but they would look much longer if i had a full head of locs . There are upsides and downsides to it . Upside: less hair to wash and retwist Easier to keep cooler in the summer. You look more clean cut. Downsides: Hair appears shorter than it is Can be more costly having to get it cut. Saves time in retwists adds time in cutting sides. ( Mainly if you visit the barber ) If you don't retwist and cut your own hair you're looking to pay more money more often . Even if you don't retwist your hair often you will be cutting the sides two to three times a month. I think anyone who wants to go the high top route should seriously consider learning how to retwist or cut their own hair. If I didn't know how to do both I probably would've cut all my hair off a long time ago. I can't imagine having to visit/pay both a loctician and a barber.
@@HalfAryanHunterGatherer just wondering what are those styles? The only styles I’m interested in are the two strand twists and barrel roll type braids but I’m interested in learning about more.
@@blkeclipsel2400 I can relate to what you’re saying but sometimes I just get a retwist if I plan keeping my hair down, you can’t tell if you have the sides cut.
Hey i have i quick question before i get instant dreads with straight hair. Are there disadvantages? Does it damage my hair cause of the frizzes? And can they be normal again like after this and be healthy again as before? Thanks for you vid, cause of your vid i just realised how easy it is to get dreads for any hair type!
Frizz is a motherfucker with straight hair, but u can get rid of it but it takes a lot more work. With instant dreads, they probs won’t look how u want for the first few weeks while they mature and ur working on them. But if u have commitment, they can turn out really good.
Always thought locs and dreadlocks were the same exact thing just that some ppl called them “dreads” and other ppl “ locs” didn’t know there was a difference if there is one
I just say locs for short. But I never really considered saying dreadlocks as bad. Didn't even know it was considered bad until not that long ago. I was just like alright cool, and went back to minding my business
I understand how people may get flustered over the term "dreadlocks/dreads" since its a degorative term used upon black people from white people but times are changing and the more we look at things with colour the more we're sticking ourselves in that timeline - a timeline we we weren't even alive to witness the horrfic acts done. We have to stop victimizing ourselves over that and progress off of it instead.
First let's start with the fact that freedom of speech allows you to call them whatever you want! Second, DREADS started way back when soldiers decided to protest and not groom. They allowed their hair to DREAD. I personally call my hair locs because its a shorter term but it all means the same and it's all still hair 🤷🏽♀️. Keep being awesome!!
If you have to do this kind of digging to justify calling them dreadlocks it kind of seems too much. In my book, if you want to call them dreadlocks, so be it. If you prefer locs, so be it. It does NOT matter as long as what YOU feel is best
Gunther Be Out Here Being Respectfully Right
greatest comment award
My g
@@GuntherDaGreat Hey Gunther, I just wanted to enlighten you about the term dreadlocks the term was definitely used by colonial masters to dehumanize black enslaved Americans and their descendants. Unfortunately racism reinforced it deeply the southern states in America. I’m African specifically Congolese from the heart of Africa. I decided to loc my hair as a symbol and devotion to being a part of a Pan-Africanist movement. When I visited Jamaican in 2020 I had the pleasure to speak to many Rastafarians while visiting Bob Marley’s home. My research was to find out what was so special about Locing one’s hair and to find out why Rastafarianism was so popular in JA? Locing your hair represents your crown and how majestic black people are in general. No one in this planet can loc their hair beautifully more than black descendants.The locing process on its own is a spiritual symbol and those who just place them on their hair without really taking the time to research appears as appropriators of the black culture. Locing is more than just butting or the physical process that takes one’s hair to harden with overtime. Locing gets one literally connected to their higher-self.Most people who are not spiritually inclined don’t understand that words hold power and by removing the word dreadful infront locs is basically us departing from mental slavery. I’m not sure if you ever had a friend who was Rastafarian or Pan-Africanist ,but they would advise you that it’s away of life and not a religion. The way I like to put it for most Americans becoming “Rasta means that your trying to get deeply Rooted back to your origins.” I hope my finding in Jamaica helps to assist you in your loc journey to your Roots!
Yessir
Thank you for this video. I actually like the term “Dreadlocks “ and honestly find it quite annoying that people feel the need to constantly say that is a negative term or disrespectful. Also, that shot at the end, GREAT, the B roll was absolutely great
Those people are the negative ones
Personally I don’t like the term dreadlocs but I have no issue with people referring to their own as such, but please don’t call mine dreads. Nothing about my locs are dreadful
@@SureYoureRight if you watched the video you would've seen when he said dreadful used to mean "inspiring awe or reverence." Like dread as in "fear" like "God-fearing"?
I have dreads my guy. It's the cultural of "correctness" and everyone swears they're so knowledgeable about anything. I appreciate the time and energy you took to ACTUALLY be informed and informed people.
I’ve always called mine “dreads”. I never really bought into that whole narrative of the word “dread” being used as a negative reference to locks. Even if I had, I wouldn’t take it upon myself to tell another person what they should or shouldn’t say.
this!
Yes,I agree.
That's you sir and it was created as a degrotorty term whether you accept the facts or not I do have a problem with folks trying to make it seem like the term is okay and that history didnt happen
@@h3o208 because it is ok. you keep focusing on history and you'll never have a future
@@h3o208 whether not weather.
I watch all the Loc channels. Love how you never feed into negativity
thank you for this video. I get so many people telling me to stop calling them dreads.. or dreadlocks. Obviously I don’t see my hair as dreadful or something to be feared. I just want to call them what I want to call them. At the end of the day I love my hair.
There many terms used to describe our hair. I was raised in the Caribbean st. Lucia to be exact. The terms used was natty dread, dreadlocks, dreads and sometimes ropes. But whatever you call it what you want. it's your hair and your journey.
That’s what I’m saying. My family is Jamaican and I grew up calling them dreads, dread (for the person), dreadlocks, knotty dread or locs since I’m a first gen US.
FAX BRO
same, im dominican 🇩🇲 and i have dreads and if i see a rastaman ill say "big up yourself dread" or something like that its more in a respectful manner
I live in South Africa and people who have and talk about them call them dreadlocks. No one calls them locks. People need to relax. My pops grew his dreads for 16 years (started it when I was born) and I'm growing mine🅿️.
Sad to see that @Actaverse is combing his out🤧😭
Also live in SA and got dreadlocks....so Hi 👋.
im calling mine locs idk just feels better to mine ion be hating, also in south africa :)
Im south african too and I've never had anyway say I have locs . It's always "die dread" or dreadlocks so I don't see who or why anyone is offended by the term dreadlocks
Anyone *
SA
Though I prefer the word "locs", I'm not gonna get all mad about "dreadlocks". I can't get wait to get my locs! Your content is very helpful, G!!
We more of this information out there. People who say locs have never even checked the definition of the term to begin with. Saying "there is nothing dreadful about my hair" is one of the most ignorant things I have heard in this hair community. No one not a single evidence in history of a white person saying "dreadful hair" if they did, it would have in reference of every black hair style. Knowledge is power. We need more of this to end this unnecessary debate. Dreadlocks is a term of power. It's history is our history. Beautiful. Thanks Ganther.
I'm black, I receive mostly complements on my DREADLOCKS. I see white people on platforms being called dreadful for their hair, that exact word, dreadful. So hypocritical. Most of these people seem to be black and even other white people coming from America or the UK, very sensitive countries. I've seen white people face more hate and racism for their dreads than I ever will. Don't even get me started on the fact some people say "yt" which is short for the derogatory term "whitey"
Well I think it came from the term dread being associated with being bad one person said something about not calling them dreadlocks because of this and it just turned into a thing I mean look at social media one person says something “Catchy” next thing you know everybody is saying it and also when black people have knotted or “nappy” hair vs someone with wavy or straighter hair they then to say the ones with straight hair or curly hair have “good hair” so looking at dreadlocks were for a long time looked at as you dont have good hair so they dropped the dread part so people wouldn’t consider them a bad thing just my opinion tho who knows lol🤷🏽♂️
@@SJones-oi2wb , I'm black and I rest neutral with most of what u said but I'm fed up of seeing comments of perm tutorials/white people dread tutorials and seeing my people say "why y'all wanna be us so bad" I believe that many of my people have a superiority complex over being black, and thinking the world revolves around us.
@@samdlbs1399 what
@@samdlbs1399 "yt" is not a derogatory term its just a shorter version of "white" as it could be pronounced that way
I’m a warrior, a queen and I have Dreadlocks. Locs is only a short name for Dreadlocks. This name was never formed to be negative, your oppressors turned it into a negative term stealing it and turning it negative. It’s meaning is a respect for freedom, we did not conform to the oppressors standard of beauty. At the end of the day they’re DREADS
Yessi Queen!!! 👑 👑
I respect you bro, i wish more people in this world was as open minded as you and not just narrow minded.
To be honest your hair is your hair you can call it what you want honestly this a free world it’s not a big deal
Chris mcdred is a legend. Dreadlocks have been my special interest for the past 3yrs and he is one of the 1st people, yourself included who I learnt from. I am a self taught loctician who also makes synthetic and wool dreadlocks and for the longest time it's really bothered me about all the should and shouldn'ts about them. Who has them, how they're done, what they're called.. All I know is I love them and its my passion. I've had mine for 2yrs now and made them for lots of other people. Yes I'm white british and my hair is wavy not curly or kinky but matts up pretty easily. Im not going to bang on about my ancestors wearing dreadlocks because I shouldn't have to. I can't imagine having loose hair now. This is me.
They're Dreadlocs, I've had my dreads for over 20 years and people saying they aren't Dreads are these new age dreadheads who want to relabel something that predated them! Dreads aren't for Black or African decent. Every culture on this planet lock their hair!
It’s so annoying that they do that without doing any research or even taking the time to know the culture. But hey that’s the world we live in. Changing everything and making up nonsense for why they are
I'm glad I'm not the only one out here following blindly. All real african and carribean people i know with dreads say dreads or dreadlocs. Locs is fine too if thats what you want to call it, it's the outrage and self-righteous attitude i can't take from those who think they're so woke that they have to educate you on what to call your OWN hair. I love my dread, i love seeing people with dreads, if you call them locs thats fine too!
agreed but it leit makes me a little upset when they TRY TO TELL YOU WHAT THE ACTUAL NAME IS EVEN THO THEY ARE SOO WRONG..
West Africans don’t call locs dreads 😭
@@mrruninyohize well i said all the Africans "I" know personally, I never said West Africans specifically or All Africans generally. Wording is important 🙄
@@lisaakamommy1287 o lol my b
@@mrruninyohize west indians i meant my fault
I’ve also seen articles that suggest dreadlocs may have referred to a “dread” of God or “fear of God”, meaning an awe or reverence.
Just came across your channel & had to subscribe! It's WILD that this is still a topic in 2022. I personally didn't have much "Internet" when I was in my historical lawsuit over my Locs. Basically, what I went through resulted in Police officers in Washington DC(MPDC) being able to wear there hair in Dread/Locs without being fired. During that journey I traveled & talked with many people from all over who had various "names" for referring to their Dreads/Locs but not ONCE was I ever "told" I shouldn't call them either. Guess I was just lucky again the internet wasn't what it is today. Awesome channel!
People only go by what others say, if someone says they shouldn't be called dreadlocks and many others with or without dreadlocks or locs agree, then it's basically just a trend. People just repeat what others say. You call your hair whatever you want to call it because it's YOUR hair!
can i call my hair bob? sounds like a cool name
@@umyoutuberqualquer7103 i like it 👍🏾
@@chrisfromalec ayy thanks:)
You got to love people who think they know everything about everything and don't realize that their information is either misinformed or is technically accurate up to a certain point in time and then don't know the history beyond that which may be vastly different than they could possibly imagine
I generally don't see why people have so many arguments on what people want to call their hair (Example: If somebody wants to call their hair, Frizz Balls lol) People should be allowed to call their hair what they want because it's apart of their body and nobody else should be worried about that.
"They spelled 'they're' incorrectly,"
Love to see your priorities are in order 😂😂
Omg people just look to be offended. What about “fear of the LORD?” That’s what I’ve learned about when researching about the term.
When I had dreads 7 years ago I never heard that “dreadlocks” was a derogatory or offensive term. In fact, nearly everyone I knew, of all races, used the term “dreadlocks” or “dreads”. I don’t know when it became offensive and everyone jumped on that bandwagon, but it’s ridiculous. I can’t believe people are actually sending you hate mail 🙄 People should do their own research. Each has the right to call them what they want, but should respect others’ right to call them what they want as well. I will continue to say “dreadlocks” or “dreads” and if someone gets upset so be it. I love all people and the term I use for MY hair shouldn’t have enough power to make someone else mad.
Side-note: I have straight hair but if I don’t brush it, it will knot up on its own like nobody’s business. Dreadlocks are for everyone and anyone who wants them, regardless of race. Thanks for making this video. I just recently found your channel but I’ve already watched and learned a lot and I think it’s great. You’re a rockstar.
Today whatever thing you say will be offensive for someone. That's sad.
This generation is hyper sensitive now everything is a phobia or offensive when you say things you been saying all your life
That like you using the N word without the meaning of, but when informed on what It mean you should have respect enough to not say it , but if you don't get mad when you get checked by that person....
@@kareemyarn1556 bro fix yo grammar
@@snorluna 🤣 so your the grammar checker 😂
Funny thing growing up in the Caribbean at least from what I have come to know is that the difference was how it was kept, "Dreadlocks" being the less kempt i.e. they are dreading up as the Patois/Creole for messing up. The "Locks" being one's that are well taken care of, the "Nutty - Dreads" I was told was the very unkempt i.e. Nutty being the Patois or Creole term for "Knotty" as in having knots.
Dammn these people nowadays are soft af, u read a article on google and think that ur a hero of a culture, and start to insult people for dumb reasons that make absolutely no sense.
U are offended by a person who use a word, 24/7 wit ur friends u are using insult and bad words and ur not offended but ur offended by this word
Anyway good job gunter keep it up
You can’t talk abt anything anymore without ppl being a bunch of ❄️
Amen brother you keep calling them how you want.
4:23 he started reading a while essay😂😂 but ya know what. Dreadlocks are the most powerful hairstyle in the world. No one talks about waves, brushed cuts or curls as much as Dreads👑 they are seen as power to many
U missed the wave era huh
@@Dakham_ still... You go to a job with waves during the wave era and no one would care at all. You go to a job with long frizzy dreads and you risk yourself getting a proper job interview, getting a job, maintaining a job depending on what it is and having a good representation of yourself due to what other people think
Dude idk if your gonna read this but you definitely should make a history lesson video on locs. Would be dope to see you present us with a video about such.
Something weird I noticed about my Hair is how my DreadLocks are that they stretch to about as long as yours but Shrinks up like its way shorter than yours.
Hey Gunther,
Thank you for your video and the hair tutorials in general. I'm leaving this note hoping to help clarify somethings. It is widely accepted the term dreadlock is the result of compounding the words dread and lock; also, it is believed that the first use of the term was by colonizers encountering Kenyan warriors. If the first usage of the term was in this adversarial colonial context, it is unlikely that "dread" would mean awe of or anything positive. Of course, the hairstyle itself predates the term dreadlocks and so it is probable that after the term was coined people and cultures began referencing the hairstyle by the name dreadlocks. This would explain why there are cultures with nothing but positive association to the name... like in Jamaica.
A small critique: I like that you attempted to make an explainer about the difference between the terms loc and dreadlocks, but I think it would have been helpful to try to explain why Black Americans might be offended both by the term dreadlocks and by white Americans wearing them. The quick and short of that reason is:
After the Black Power movement in the ’60s/ ’70s, when the Afro became a political statement, hair discrimination became codified through “grooming policies” enforced in schools, workplaces, and the military-the United States Army had banned dreadlocks for female service members until 2017 when the policy was overturned.
As in, when the Afro became a symbol of Black decent to the oppression, they experienced there was a response by the government to silence them. This response resulted in a history of double standards for who can wear what kind of hairstyles without being perceived as dirty or unkempt. An example of this can be seen when comparing the positive reaction to Miley Cyrus wearing dreadlocks at an award show while Zendaya was said to look like "she smells like … weed” when she wore her locs to an award show.
So, there is a history in America of Black people being discriminated against by the ruling class (white people, statistically speaking) for how they wear their hair making them sensitive to the way non-Black people engage with their hair. So, I imagine, when the history of the term dreadlocks was speculated to have colonial roots groups of Black Americans moved to phase the term out as a kind of acknowledgment of the history.
None of this is to say what should or shouldn’t be said -- and I think it makes sense that you use the term dreadlocks on your videos to maximize the number of people who find your videos - I just wanted to add a little more context to why you are receiving the kinds of comments you said you are.
Thnaks again for the helpful content!!
MY BROTHER!!! THANK YOU this video was needed by so many. Only few understand and you are definitely one of them. Just earned a new sub ✊🏾💯
Honestly if you get offended by dreads or dreadlocks just watch a different video it’s irrelevant at this point people can call it what they want
I don’t understand y they think you HAVE to call them locks . Clearly who ever has dreads doesn’t think they are bad or should be described bad but that’s just one of the many names of them
Thank you for the research!
Whatever the name I can hardly wait to start my natural hair with "DREADLOCKS"! LOL!
I prefer to call them "LOC'S" too! 👍🏿😁
💥Great videos and content! 🏆
sometimes people's sense of identity and importance comes from having strong opinions, and sometimes people believe that if they get others to believe their ideas it somehow strengthens said ideas, or like.... makes them more correct? and when faced with such people, there really isn't much you can do about it
like, people can choose to react negatively towards things that aren't intended as insults. And people can choose to react positively towards things that are intended as insults. and we can't really decide how people choose to receive our intentions.
so uh, tl;dr, don't worry too much about it? it would be nice if people would change their minds, or at least not voice opposition as to imply you don't know what you're talking about. but if people are offended when you say you mean it respectfully, there's not much you can do
loc this dreadloc that I see it as a style or culture, and it is just like soda and pop we all say it different, with the SAME MEANING all love though love your content too
Honestly shouldn't be that serious, the world we live in today just baffles me
I read that in some cultures they called them dreads or dreadlocks because those who wore them were extremely spiritual and dreaded the wrath of God
Great video! Could we get an update video on Kellen’s dreadlocks?
Im here to say I stand corrected and thank you for this information.
So this brings me back to about 2 years ago when I decided a wasn’t going to cut my hair anymore (spiritually reasons) I was at work and I complemented a older woman with BEAUTIFUL free form locs. I said I love you dreadlocks they are so beautiful. She replied with anger and said they are not dread locs and stormed out of the store…. She has the right to react to anything I said anyway she wants but that made me think differently about talking to ppl about locs. As a black man I shouldn’t feel this way you feel me. All I’m saying is if you are ready for someone to insult you… you will always be insulted. Educating ppl is the key not anger.
I hope You're not the type of guy who will stand there and allow a white person use the n word just as long as it's not a mean way and not say anything... This is the same thing as using the word dreadlocks..... You know better you do better, and I'll say less
Mine are locs. His are dreadlocks. When you have to manipulate your hair by using gels or other stiffening products to make your hair "lock", you have dreadlocks. When your natural hair when left alone locs on it's own, you have locs.
I have to strand twist and they are unraveling how do I lock them faster so I’d don’t have to keep retwisting it
Bro, this video is a REMINDER for me. In Christianity, the term "fear" almost always suggests "reverence" when used in regards to God. As one with locs, I feel like we should be the type who are slow to respond. Pause, and consider before you express your visceral disdain for the term "dread". That you for the video
UGH...i cant believe you have to explain this ish. Sorry bout that! I am first Generation Canadian and my parents are Jamaican. My dad had DREADLOCS period, that's it no further explanation. Anyone who is offended by the term "dread", that is their own issue. Love your vids Gunther!
How does removing the k from lock somehow make it unracist?
😯😮
AHHHH! I greatly appreciate this video! Thank you for serving this knowledge to us in one video!!!
They're hating you for using a powerful word like dreadlocks, but at the same time might use the N word. Its all about intentions. Nothing wrong with the word or how they feel about it. What's not cool is hating someone for doing something you simply chose not to do.
6:19 I completely agree. People need to actually think about this.
i've had dreads since i was 13 and straightened them out and got them back over and over, i am an Inuk and the last time i had dreads it was 2 summers ago and i'm gonna restart my dread journey when my hair grows again
Dreadlocks or locs ima still me watching
I don’t comment much but this is something I would like to say. My 3 kids have locs that I started and maintain with tips from Gunther. Notice how I said “locs” but before I called them “dreads” and MANY people commented saying call them “locs” and so I did. Like one comment mentioned in the video I was told it was used by white people to oppress us. After watching this .. I think I will call them whichever 🤷🏾♂️ but I will continue the research you shared with us today!
Hello. I don't comprehend why the k is removed. Maybe you can help me. I noticed that you spelled it that way.
@@jays-move8803 it’s just another way of saying “locks”
In my own research I found the term was used when the white soilders saw their enemies with locs they were intimidated by them and called them "dreadful" and the term was adopted pridefully, because shouldn't ones enemy find them dreadful?? Im not sure how true any of these accounts are but it is a fact dreads have been around for centuries all over the world.
@@SirDiamondJones But why?
7:40 bruh why does that swishing sound with the gel sound so satisfying 😂😂
How do you start dreadlocks on really short hair? I want locs but i dont kno how to do it on hair as short as mine. Is there any way you could do a tutorial for short hair?
Can I go from sectioned locs to free forms?
I’m from the Caribbean I call them dreadlocs because they are not Rastafarian people that grow up in Rastafarian culture roots are the ones we call Rasta there the ones with real natural locs they don’t shave no Re-twist no nothing jus natural
If I have 4 a hair how do I get dreads like yours
Straight facts!
can you make another free form dreadlock tutorial vid and can you touch on stuff like how many times you should be washing your hair
even if dread was used derogatorily against us we can just take the word back as our own, like the n-word🤷🏾♂️
Thanks for this video 🙏
Yes bro educate the people 👏
💯, so much true stuff said, especially at the end. Thanks!!
Yeah i don't know why black Americans are so sensitive im African ( south African) and here we call then dreads we dont even dreadlocks because thats just a mouth full
*How’s your sons hair journey going? Been waiting to see an update.*
I ain’t think it was that serious tbh it refers to the same thing😂
I’m black and white (Jamaican and Italian) and I don’t think it matters what u call them just call them what u want cuz at the end of the day u do u and can’t make every one happy
Keepin it a hunnid…appreciate that fam🙏🏽🙏🏽
How can you tell the difference ???????
I def get both sides though I see my hair as my energy protector, source, etc so in my eyes I wouldn't want to refer to something I constantly want to uplift using a term I know was used in extremely negative connotations such as 'dreadlocs' honestly I rarely use locs I call them my babies . The words you use are powerful whether you think you're putting power into them or not, but at the end of the day it's your hair you call them whatever you feel is more comfortable always
grow up
Dreadful used to mean "inspiring awe or reverence".
I need your help frfr .. I'm in AZ to ..
I love your dreadlocks!🤩
As a Kenyan I can confirm not many ppl call them locs every one seems happy and okay with the term dreadlocks
He also got to love how people don't understand that there is more than one version of the word there/their/they're so there could be many versions of the same word.
You can raise a barn in the morning and raise it at night.
Build it in the morning and take it down at night.
Amazing video my boy keep uo the Great work 💪🏾.
Hey Gunther, Stay Dreaded my friend!
Great editing job
Go to the Caribbean and see what the Dreadhead refer to one another as! Don't be surprised if somebody says "Hey Dread" to you to start a conversation.
“Locs” is definitely an American thing.
When you know better you do better, and it's all about respect ... You have built a platform all about locking hair , so if your getting knowledge on what the definition that you are trying to display that you must call it what it is, (locks) and it's all about respect.... When I was told the meaning behind the word dreadlocks and I DID MY RESEARCH I NOW CALL THEM LOCKS
This man gunther speaking facts, literally
And he Loki just taught y'all Something. Don't hate
I don't even like having this conversation but why would people think that by simply removing the word dread from dreadlock that somehow the word lock does not derive from dreadlock all of a sudden?
Lastly, the one guy who said that that's not what they would be called in Africa, duh, they wouldn't have spoken English LOL
The hairstyle is literally called different names in different languages and I swear that people think that like English-speaking people somehow invented this or something.
How are you going to call it an ancient African hairstyle but then insist on the term that it be called in English that's not even African?
Tbh when he corrected the person that said there called locks I was like BURNNNNN
I call em dreads 😐
I have a full head but I think I’m gonna switch to high top soon. Do you think it’s a good idea?
It depends. I have a high top. They now reach past my collar bone but they would look much longer if i had a full head of locs . There are upsides and downsides to it .
Upside:
less hair to wash and retwist
Easier to keep cooler in the summer.
You look more clean cut.
Downsides:
Hair appears shorter than it is
Can be more costly having to get it cut. Saves time in retwists adds time in cutting sides. ( Mainly if you visit the barber )
If you don't retwist and cut your own hair you're looking to pay more money more often . Even if you don't retwist your hair often you will be cutting the sides two to three times a month.
I think anyone who wants to go the high top route should seriously consider learning how to retwist or cut their own hair.
If I didn't know how to do both I probably would've cut all my hair off a long time ago. I can't imagine having to visit/pay both a loctician and a barber.
Dont bro you can do way more style with full head.
@@HalfAryanHunterGatherer just wondering what are those styles? The only styles I’m interested in are the two strand twists and barrel roll type braids but I’m interested in learning about more.
@@blkeclipsel2400 I wanna learn how to retwist my own hair at some point
@@blkeclipsel2400 I can relate to what you’re saying but sometimes I just get a retwist if I plan keeping my hair down, you can’t tell if you have the sides cut.
Hey i have i quick question before i get instant dreads with straight hair. Are there disadvantages? Does it damage my hair cause of the frizzes? And can they be normal again like after this and be healthy again as before? Thanks for you vid, cause of your vid i just realised how easy it is to get dreads for any hair type!
Frizz is a motherfucker with straight hair, but u can get rid of it but it takes a lot more work. With instant dreads, they probs won’t look how u want for the first few weeks while they mature and ur working on them. But if u have commitment, they can turn out really good.
Boy i sure do love my "Fear Strands"
At 2:00 in my culture we call them dada(dahdah) . It usually has a religious/ traditional meaning and if you were born with them you arent to cut them
dreadlocks or dreads is a badass name. I'll keep using it
Always thought locs and dreadlocks were the same exact thing just that some ppl called them “dreads” and other ppl “ locs” didn’t know there was a difference if there is one
why does it matter? the same hair no matter the name of it ppl are just soft
I just say locs for short. But I never really considered saying dreadlocks as bad. Didn't even know it was considered bad until not that long ago. I was just like alright cool, and went back to minding my business
I’ve only heard dreadlocks or sister locs when talking to people with them not just locs
Well said 🙌🙌🙌
I understand how people may get flustered over the term "dreadlocks/dreads" since its a degorative term used upon black people from white people but times are changing and the more we look at things with colour the more we're sticking ourselves in that timeline - a timeline we we weren't even alive to witness the horrfic acts done. We have to stop victimizing ourselves over that and progress off of it instead.
First let's start with the fact that freedom of speech allows you to call them whatever you want! Second, DREADS started way back when soldiers decided to protest and not groom. They allowed their hair to DREAD. I personally call my hair locs because its a shorter term but it all means the same and it's all still hair 🤷🏽♀️. Keep being awesome!!
If you have to do this kind of digging to justify calling them dreadlocks it kind of seems too much. In my book, if you want to call them dreadlocks, so be it. If you prefer locs, so be it. It does NOT matter as long as what YOU feel is best
@@Hunchofilmzzz point is to call them whatever the heck you wanna call em. Dreadlocks aren’t a bad term to some and some it is.
Gunther is a expert on locks
Very loaded question as to why us mixed guys obsess over our hair so much.