Civil Disobedience on MLK Day: Dreadlocks in the Workplace

[STCL24]

@rushorpuns A lot of people stereotype others if they're different from most. at my school, sometimes there are people that will stereotype me because i wear tie dye, listin to music that isnt what they listin to, play hacky sack and much more. its not cool man for people do do stuff like that. i support any individual who fights against that! fight togther as one peacefully.

[Ominous09]

Rasta is no Religion, friend

[freesouljah]

the bureaucracy doesn't like individuality very much...but it is much better to remain an individual!!

[gothtard85]

whats the name of the song at 2.37 i love that song i havent listened to it in ages and forgot about it completely x( x(

[freesouljah]

'new slang' by the shins....its a live version....

[kfae]

I've had dreads for a few months, and my boss had given me weird looks for the first few weeks, I guess avoiding the topic, but she overheard me talking to a co-worker about the process. She said that she didn't like it, that my old hair looked soo much better. Shes very shy when it comes to confronting people. I recently started wearing a hat because my boyfriend bought me a really nice one, and she said to me "I like it so much better with the hat on, it doesn't look like a rats nest now". :(

[freesouljah]

ouch!!!

[rfl133]

@kfae She is one miserable human I can assure you. Mock Jah's natural creation and Jah will mock you. Rastafari!

[barnett256]

The same goes for tattoos as with the dreads, but I think it all will ease up in time . .. Things should change for the better in "say maybe 150 years or so " who knows maybe not ..

[freesouljah]

that is quite a ways away... ;P

[cduff7]

mine are just starting out but i got a new job with them and my beard and worked for 2 weeks with no problem. then a manager from another store saw me and didn't like my hair and beard. the next day i was asked to shave and get a haircut and i simply said NO! it has now been about three months and have even received a raise and make more that others that have been there for more than a year. i guess it is possible for someone to see past your looks and focus on how hard you work.

[freesouljah]

congratulations man...you stood up for yourself, and it worked out for the best!!

cheers!!

[funkymunk87]

maybe i missed it if you mentioned in the video... but i think it really depends on where you work... what do you do??? if you own a buisiness you can do what you feel is right for representing that buis... unless of course it is a direct act of racism, but dreadlocks are a choice.. im not against you here im just saying...

[freesouljah]

to some people it is a religious choice...and to discriminate due to religious preference is against the law here in the united states...I didn't choose to fight them with that defense because I really don't feel comfortable trying to explain my understanding of god to people just to prove to them that I should be allowed to grow my hair out in its natural state...I think that shit should be self evident...and my own feelings about god can be left out of the mix...

[funkymunk87]

i wasn't aware that it was even religious... well good luck with the job

[hazefilm]

i worked at Krispy Kremes and they didnt have a big fit..but i worked at another localy owned store and they said my "politicaly correct black hairstyle" was best suited for elsewhere??? where the hell is elsewhere? i know what your going through man...

[freesouljah]

yeah man...its a hidden prejudice...

[werehyenataur]

i got fired for having long (a few mm) nails, though another manager never got reprimanded for wearing fake and painted nails while making food. which would chip and fall off. Mine were real and never.

"Because she can, and you can't!" was their response.

Not to mention her uncombed long black hair that fell into the food too...

[freesouljah]

pretty shitty...did you get unemployment?

[werehyenataur]

tried to.

[freesouljah]

I guess that means you didn't get it...that sucks...

[elephantpuke]

Civil disobedience applies to the government not businesses. If you don't like your boss quit, really the matter should take care of itself. If I were your boss and told you not to rock your hair in nasty dreads and you continued to do so, I'd fire your ass man.

[mrfrogdaddy]

get a haircut and get a real job...just kidding

im growing out my crewcut now, how do i go about starting deads? lol

[4stringaddict]

It all boils down to control, they think they own you! Fuck it poverty isn't so bad, prostitution is!

[ahsver]

Man, that's all cool.. But face the fact even considering that u wear dreads your hair is really tangled and doesn't look good.. I am sure if you will put into order, get rid of loose hairs it all would be cool. But until then you are playing with fire.

Cheers!

[gleebo123]

Peoples absurd misconceptions of dreadlocks is what makes it harder for us to get a job, ahaha.

"Ew, you can't wash them, that's nasty!"

"Aren't there bugs in there?"

"Dreads are so dirty!"

Ignorance.

I usually wear a ponytail or bun in the workplace too.

I know how you feel on this one.

People will be people I guess. :[

[freesouljah]

ignorance indeed...

[RasLevi]

Don't bitch about it, that's work, you should be grateful that you get the opportunity to work.

[freesouljah]

haha...

[carpet2008]

why do black people think they own this hairstyle ?

[freesouljah]

nobody owns my hairstyle but me...and if I can grow hair...then it is mine...so I can't answer your question...sorry...

[whatdunk]

what are you talking about....Have you spoken to all black people to make this generalization. I'm black I welcome all people with dreads..I don't black people , white , yellow, red or green people own the lock hair style. Is there any facts behind your statement.

[Dcrow10]

the problem with to day is that when it comes to work you cant be yourself.. ye of course your there to work but how u look is a different fing

[freesouljah]

yeah...they want conformity and uniformity...individuality isn't really smiled upon...

[Dcrow10]

where i worked they said im lucky they employed me b4 i had dreadlocks cos they wunt of taken me on but if it was a black person theyd employ em if they had dreads

[freesouljah]

that is pretty fucked up...

[walker3216]

its all about affirmative 'black action'

[waylonbloodskull666]

dreads are so awsome, i dont get why people have to wear them up for work, its just hair! hair is one thing that people should be able to do what they want with, job or not, especially if in your job ur not seen by the clients, my point: your hair, your rules

[Jsoley]

Your A fuckin Douche Bag.I think you left the soap in your work boots...GO USE IT!

[whatdunk]

what an A-hole

[bizarretrend]

your spirit speaks truth and love rock on brother and do not confirm its people like you that brake molds an push envelopes.the world needs more bros like u thanks for the vid.i have dreads too and love that i work outside

[freesouljah]

right on man...thank you for the kind words...

[Azriah13]

hey bro, im gettin dreads soon, and i truly admire this video,

people are ignorant bri, they will always let us down

but its up to us to keep fighting

[freesouljah]

enjoy them....

yeah, some people judge books by their cover...and they want all the book covers to match and look the same....

keep the peace

[wibblegorm]

red*

[wibblegorm]

What method did you use to get your dreads? I've been thinking about it, but am kind of put off by the way people here in the UK think of people that are really different. I have re hair and already get all kinds of shit for it. XD

[freesouljah]

natty style...I just let them form on their own...

people are going to give you shit...but that shouldn't stop you from doing it if you are doing it for the right reasons...

[Dreadneck]

Dude, real Rastas cover their hair all the time! They understand the part of the Bible where it says that long hair is a shame for a man, so they cover that shame in a turban or other headgear. Same thing goes for the Sikhs. You're one of those types that just doesn't like being told what to do. Would you give a Sikh or Boboshanti employer, who himself covered his hair all the time and expected his employees to the same, that kind of grief. He probably has his directives from above.

[freesouljah]

first, I never said I was rasta...secondly, I don't need a book written, edited, and translated by men to tell me what god thinks of my hair...I can see that it was created to grow, and if left to grow naturally, it forms into dreadlocks...long hair is only a "shame" because some people want to have control over others, so they don't let them do certain things...like grow their hair long...

[freesouljah]

also, I would have gladly worn a nit cap...but it was not allowed...no hats were...

keep the peace,

freesouljah

[whatdunk]

Real rasta's...who is to determine who or what is a real rasta....People let things written by man control everything they do...Never trust the flesh brother

[blinkings]

I hate to mention it mate...but you will be bald very soon....so cut it off.

[freesouljah]

actually, I have had this hairline since I was a child...so your statements aren't anything I haven't heard before...and if if I was, why would that make me cut it off anyway?

[HeavyMetalZen]

I don't know if I missed your later vids...but what ended up happening?

[freesouljah]

it is explained in the video response to this vid...I believe... ;D

[HeavyMetalZen]

Hey dood, sorry about your "hairy" experience. I think as long as you do a good job at work, the dreads shouldn't matter at all. I know you prefer the hairstyle you have, but I will also say that regardless of the hairstyle, you really show a bright light of Peace and Hope, to many of those around you, at least from what I see in your vids. Keep that up, no matter what hairstyle you choose.

[freesouljah]

hehe...right on...thank you... :D

[LiquidS0u1]

Way to go man! Don't let them step all over you.

[freesouljah]

yeah man...not a chance... 8D

[ellsworth78]

Some countries won't let you in their country if your hair is dreaded. Rasta is a philosphy, not a religion, one of love and peace any man can become rasta black\ white it doesn't matter. jamaican accent while writing shawnanddakota?

[freesouljah]

are you serious? which countries?

[Manntiis]

i have dreads and i did a 9 hour training day for a job in super market only to be told at the end that they cant hire me because my choice of hairstyle isnt "coservative"

[freesouljah]

that fuckin sucks...somebody must have thought it was okay, for you to make it into training...

[shawnanddakota]

Eh dread...alotta talikin'...ya cyan complain bout what happen...you hide from de boss you get caught by da boss! True rasta no a hide from beggining!!!! You speak bout babylon (no capitalB) ....then complain fe not accepted ....no hide! ya c'yan complain when you not a true "souljah"!!!!

[freesouljah]

I never called myself 'rasta'...but thanks for watching and sharing your views on my authenticity...its a good thing I know who I am and what I am...otherwise your words might have caused me some turmoil...

keep the peace,

freesouljah

[shawnanddakota]

lol.... 'nuff said....keep on!

[freesouljah]

8D  .

[rcvoodoo]

Rastafari

[whatdunk]

lol in the video the dude never said he was a rasta...who is to decide what or who a real rasta is...

[TheWunjoMan]

He isn't a Rasta, he doesn't believe in a religion.

[nazarene1]

Just hold the faith my brother. So long as you are spiritual and it's for spiritual reasons, the Spirit will always be there for you and with you. Remember this is Babylon. The world is the world. God is not of it.

[freesouljah]

right on man...thank you for sending the postive vibes my way...they helped to uplift, as I am once again seeking a job...

[AHIMSAAHIMSA]

dread is not always understood - take care

[freesouljah]

nope...many misunderstandings...

[rasjulian]

wot happen ras???

i ave long dreads bn growing dem for 9yrs,ppl love dem or hate dem,but main ting it reveal wicked ppl straight away.if dem ppl dat discriminating ya should be blessed jah reveal who good n who bad.

bless up rasman jah bless always.

[freesouljah]

you speak the truth...it shines the light on their shadows...it is protection, for sure...

[waverflave]

Why would anyone want to make a fuss about someone else's hair? Dreads are natural... They might as well ban girls from not wearing make up or shaving their legs too.

[freesouljah]

precisely...

[waverflave]

Good luck finding a job that best suits you. I just found a job after 3 months. I live with my grandmother and I'm not sure where I'd be without her. Finding a job outside of food was hard but I knew I couldn't do it anymore... I'm a dry cleaner now! It'll all work out. "Everyting gonna be alright." Thanks for not giving into the "man" and dnot cutting your hair. You did the right thing.

[freesouljah]

that is good news...yeah man...it isn't easy...I am still looking for work right now...on unemployment, but that will run out pretty soon here...

keep the peace,

freesouljah

[laurenxxx69]

I just recently went to apply for a job at an AMC theater and the manager said I couldn't work there because they have a policy that doesn't allow dudes with long hair to work there, and my hair is a little past my shoulders. He said he has no idea why they have that rule. So he told me to contact AMC online or call them to get that straightened out. Is there a way to make a legal case out of that? cause I really want to change that stupid policy.

[freesouljah]

I don't know the legality behind that...but there is a thing called EOE (equal opportunity employer)...and it sounds like they aren't up to that standard...

[elchasai]

big deal man, just put your hair in a pony tail. he's the boss, do you own the company? I understand what it's like i prefer to wear a hat but i can't I have long hair so it has to be a ponytail, But if you don't want to listen to the strictures of others start your own business.

[freesouljah]

the thing is, it had nothing to do with the business...and he was a hired employee just like me...

[lonewhitewolf7]

hey man you keep your hair knotty. and i totaly agree, if the women can ware there hair down so should our dreadlocks. but i must admitt haveing them tied back is better then not haveing a job. we need less bigotry

[freesouljah]

right on...everbody has to eat...

[kly7667]

stay righteous brother

[freesouljah]

gracias...

[acadenas06]

Yeah! Fuck ur boss! Im 16 and my boss told my mom about my hair when she came in once nd got my foot long hair cut off. I quit the next day though. It was a pizza place but I was a bus boy workin no were near the food. Yeah well peace.

[tenniseragonfan]

yah seriously, its YOUR hair for crying out loud, so no one has the right to tell u that its nasty or dirty or fire u for it cuz thats just bullshit! it is YOUR hair. i hate when people have a problem with something so they complain until they get their way no matter who takes the fall for it.

[Hellpartyboy4]

all rules and dress codes suck

[Hellpartyboy4]

I'm glad that you are not a phony. You do what you feel is right.

[centrilius]

I just got out of the military and know exactly what you mean. I'm going to be working soon for a company that has no hair code. Long live the dreadlocks nation!

[Hellpartyboy]

Many cultures, hair has a different meaning, but in every cultures shaving hair is a symbol of discipline, order and confoming (religious cults, military, etc etc). Long hairs, like barbarians and indians, wore their hair long, and that's what every one should do. Short hair or bald is not natural, it represents conforming. To me, short hair symbolize western capitalism, but also military and religious bigotry. Jesus cult members, juppies, troopers, bigots. Fuck 'em.

[Hellpartyboy]

Fuck what your boss says. It's YOUR hair!

[VividHazE]

Control freaks are afraid if they let you keep your hair down, then Joe over there can untuck his shirt a bit, Jane over there can wear her mini skirts and the world would fall apart. ;) The point of uniforms is to take away our individuality on a certain level, to see ourselves as faceless worker drones, or @ the least to demoralise us. It a simple thing that is quite sickening.You can bet your ass these people think crap like this. EVERYTHING MUST BE TIDY WHEN BIG BROTHER COMES FOR INSPECTION

[binnsjohn]

dude fight for your rights

[fearthedreadlox]

if your gonna bitch, quit.

[freesouljah]

if they are gonna bitch...they can fire me...

anyways...if you watch my video response to this...I already got 'let go'...

[tammpon]

I suport bucking the system on important issues that might put people in jail for example like needing to smoke marijuana for an intestinal disease named crohn's!

Besides I really don't want unwashed hair in my Subway sandwich!

That is why "other people can get away with having long hair"

When you can see pieces of kitty litter it's time to wear a hair net!

Peace out!

TAMMpON

[freesouljah]

just because you have dreadlocks doesn't mean they are unwashed....it means they are uncombed/unbrushed/uncut...

I understand hairnets while making food...that is logical...but while talking on the phone in a call center? that is illogical...

[DudE4T7]

i didnt know you could wash dreadlocks

[freesouljah]

yup...its still hair...

I usually use bar soap for my dreadlocks...its easier to clean them with it...and it doesn't make my scalp itch like some shampoos do...

[darkitechture]

you pretty much need them to be REALLY clean. if they get dirty, they get greasy, and then they tend to fall apart, get stringy and smell REALLY bad.

[fearthedreadlox]

That other comment i made, i ment don't cut your dreads. And i thought your boss wanted you to cut them. What the fuck man, he ain't asking you to cut them, just tie them back. All work places have do's and don't for shit like that. At my job i DO have to wear my hair tied back and i don't have a problem with it.

Neither should you. quit bitchin' geesh.

[freesouljah]

its not a rule...it was a request that I tie my hair back...while nobody else with long hair had to do it...thats why I chose not to comply...

my last job was shittier to me about it...they wanted me to keep my dreads covered even if I was off of work and a customer...I don't want to comply with crap like that for no good reason other than ignorant discrimination...

[fearthedreadlox]

cut cut your hair, your dreads loook ace. fuck the system, give um cancer.

[seh97001]

Your hair is cool. I agree with you, if the women can wear their hair howeverthey want, you should be able to also. Good luck.

[freesouljah]

gracias...

[Danno21F]

Pushing the rules at work isn't civil disobedience, it's self-indulgence. When you take a job, YOU AGREE TO THE RULES. In return, you get PAID. If you don't like the rules, QUIT! Your selfish whining and rule-breaking have NOTHING to do with MLK, and everything to do with you not having the balls to either suck it up or quit.

[freesouljah]

there is no rule...if you listened to what I said...there was just a statement from my boss...the dress code involves shirts, shoes, and pants...not hair...

ask miles davis or any jim crow era musician about pushing the rules at work and civil disobedience...when they could play music in the joint, but not eat or drink there...

[Danno21F]

Miles Davis was fighting for BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS. He was fighting racism and segregation. YOU, on the other hand, are engaging in an unnecessary and childish power struggle with your boss. Calling your petulance "fighting The Man" is like awarding yourself the Purple Heart for a self-inflicted paper cut.

[freesouljah]

I can see how you would fee that way...because it is just hair...which is true...it is just hair...but why is it such a big deal to treat me any different because of my hair?

to treat me differently and to make different rules because my hair isn't fashionable is akin to taking away my rights...it may not be exactly the same as racial intolerance...but it is still discrimation...and unfair...

[Danno21F]

In that limited context, I agree with you.

[freesouljah]

cool...

[saba66]

It is discrimination.... I call it hair-ism.

[BIndeed]

good luck man. sorry to hear about the enforcement the dress code in the work place. hope it all blows over in a week or two.

[ghostsurfer74]

good for you man

peace

[saba66]

Blessedness: Happy Martin Luther King Day.

Would your boss ask a jew to hide his yamika like he asked you to hide your locks? Some people seem to think hair-ism is different.

The only thing I've found that helps in the workplace is being invaluable at work. If they can't replace you, they stop tryin to make you replace them.

Jah Guide and Protection

[freesouljah]

I doubt he would ask to remove a yamika...because he is aware...or should be...of the ramifications of such an act...

many people despise dreadlocks...whether they know it or not...it must have something to do with hiding from mankind's history and the fact that we are animals...so we shave everything bald...including the rainforests and nature all around us...making it bald and taking its natural beauty away...

[darkitechture]

i think its based on racist beliefs that still exist to this day. because black people primarily wear dreadlocks, it is considered to be a "black" hairstyle, and is not looked upon as "proper" for a white person to wear. let's not forget about the "dreads are dirty/smelly/greasy/unwashed..­. etc"

[freesouljah]

yeah...those play a role for sure...it is such a shame...

[VerbalAikido]

i hate bosses that are anal like that. i think you should talk to human resources and find out if there's some sorta appearance policy. then again it;s probably somethin subjective like "have to maintain a professional appearance"...if so you're fucked and you probably gotta be a yes-man. lookin forward to hearing what happens.

[VerbalAikido]

by the way....can you tell me what song's playing around 2:30. I've heard a different version of that before but can't recall. thanks mang.

[freesouljah]

'new slang' by the shins....its a live version....

ps...there isn't really any human resources department...the same boss thats said shit is the guy who hired me...

[suavekitty]

Damn the Man! Keep the dreads!

[freesouljah]

do not worry...the dreadlocks are here to stay...this is just a bump in the road...we'll just see how big it is...

[lisasimpson]

I hope that it does not become more of an issue for you. It's amazing the prejudices people have.

[lisasimpson]

I wish you the best of luck. I got kicked out of a high school math class because I wouldn't take out my lip ring - I figured, if everyone had their earrings in, what was the difference? No formal school policy, either, she just found it "disrespectful."

[freesouljah]

its funny what people consider disrespectful...considering she was disrespecting you more by singling you out and trying to get you to take it out...

[linxLJB]

Conforming is shit, good vid.

[freesouljah]

especially for no good reason...