Cut if off! Why not just ask the cook to wear a hair net?

                           


You don't have to look far these days to see somebody sporting a full head of dreads; they are all the rage among black men and women of all ages. Within my family alone, I have at least four relatives who are sporting beautiful, luscious dreadLOCKs.

Dreads are not a trend. Everybody I know with dreads have had them for at least the last 3-5 years. Do they have some religious connotations? Perhaps, but probably not in the ways of the true Rastafarian. In the case of most black women I know, these "dread locks" are actually called 'sister locks."

There is a difference between Dreadlocks, Traditional Locks, and Sisterlocks.

Par-A-Dice job applicant

Many people believe that locks are all the same. But there are key differences in both the appearance of locks and the techniques used to create locks. Although there are various types of locks, the 3 discussed below are Dreadlocks, Traditional Locks, and Sisterlocks™.

Dreadlocks are associated most closely with the Rastafarian movement. Dreadlocks are often very large in size and require virtually no maintenance for people with tightly coiled hair. There is no particular parting structure implemented during the locking process. With dreadlocks the hair simply grows and mats together in random areas throughout the hair.

local high school teacher

Traditional locks tend to be smaller than Dreadlocks and require hair products such as gel, shea butter, beeswax or other softening agents to start and maintain. Deliberate parts are made at the scalp to separate the hair and to enhance styling options. Because soften agents are applied to traditional locks, clients are required to wait several months before washing their hair.

Sisterlocks are even smaller than traditional locks. Sisterlocks generally range from 400 to 800 locks and require a specific parting structure that allows for maximum styling options. Sisterlocks are installed utilizing a weaving technique and patented tool. Sisterlocks do not require hair-dressing. 

Because Sisterlocks do not utilize gels, grease, shea butter, or any other softening agents, the hair remains light in weight as the hair grows longer.

Superintendent of Schools

There is a new term in the black community, that I am absolutely in love with... it is "transitioning." Yes, the Movement is on... ladies are putting down the perms, and the men are no longer cutting all of their hair down. We are growing out our beautiful wavy hair in many ways and locks are just one of them. Just like I have relatives with dreads locks, I also have several relatives that are now sporting Afros - my beautiful daughter included.

Dreads Locks are hair too! Asking an employee to cut off their dreads locks to get a job is senseless. Simply requiring an employee to wear a hair net - regardless of the hairstyle would solve the problem. In my opinion, if a potential employer is asking the potential employee to cut their dreads, they are hoping you walk away.

I am personally offended that the Par-A-Dice has now decided that they will be questioning folks about the nature of their dreads locks. Hopefully they will re-examine this practice and move away from it. However, this being Peoria, I doubt they will.

Dreadlocks prevented Peorian from getting Par-A-Dice job.