Dreads

I live in Brisbane, Australia. I am 1/4 Greek, 1/4 Danish, 1/4 English and 1/4 Scottish. I come from a strict but loving Christian home. I have dreads.I don't have dreads for fashion, nor to prove a point or gain spiritual enlightenment. I have dreads because I like them. This book is a weapon for all people who are looked down upon and called 'smelly' or 'dirty' for the simple reason that they have chosen to stop brushing their hair. My hair has never been healthier since I gave it its freedom. I show this book to anyone who is interested in my hair, and to anyone who tries to convince me that it is dirty, unhealthy, smelly, unattractive, evil, etc etc. This book proves to me that God made our hair to be naturally beautiful. I sometimes find it hard to believe I used to cut my hair every four weeks and brush it and gel it whenever it didn't do what I wanted it to. People sometimes try to tell me that I am only growing dreads to become like Bob Marley, and that its 'just a phase.' They fail to understand what dreads are really about, natural beauty and individualism. My dreads will never look like anyone elses in the world, and each lock is like a finger print upon my head.Read this book, study the pictures and then dream of a freedom that knows no bounds.One Love.

I have had dreadlocks for 3 years and I love them. In the beginning I was always asked how I could do this to my hair. It was hard, in the beginning, to make people understand why I had chosen to do this. Now it is very simple. The people in this book used the same language that I now do. They spoke from their soul. The pictures were awesome. The explanation of the history and spirituality of dreadlocks was powerful. I am even thinking about giving this book as gifts to those who still question me about my hair.

Just reading that the introduction is written by Alice Walker, should set the tone and the intention in which this book was created.Each image reflects dreds as a spiritual ritual and a picture of nobility. Alice gives the historical background of dred locks. The beautiful black and white prints(on matte paper)speak for themself. They look at every person as an individual person and are very honest.The diversity of man is evident.

i find it sometimes best to inform people by simply placing a book on my desk to check out the response as well to inform....pictures are worth a thousand words! My coworkers are enthralled with the beauty of the black and white images..also the size of the images...... everyone from asian, indian, african and european decent magnifies the beauty and majesty of coiled hair....from refined american inspired locks...to the sea and salt enhanced locks of jamica...this pictorial pays tribute to the sublime beauty of locked hair. Is this pictorial exploitative as a another reviewer suggested? ..this does not appear to be the intention...the participants appear proud to contribute and demontrate a different kind of beauty. Since locking hair is a process that takes fortitude and time, this book is inspiration.

I walked over to my local bookstore the check this book out before I put it on my wishlist. A few pages into it I was sold. The text and photos caputure the beauty, history and diversity of dreadlocks and those who wear them. It also dispells many of the incredibly stupid myths about how dreads are grown and what they mean. The book is funny and poignant at the same time. My favorite essay was one famous soap opera actors retelling of an encounter with a Swede who simply couldn't believe his locks were real (or clean).The photographers do a fantastic job of bringing out the dignity and strength of the dread wearers. I've been considering locking my hair for sometime and now I'm ready to join the ranks! I can't recommend this book enough! A must!