Blog rant ~ Men and locs: The way I see it

This morning I was up browsing some of my fave blogs, catching up on their recent entries, etc. Just like the connection I get when I do this :0) Anyway, on the blog of fellow blogger and Diva, Karen of Naturally Beautiful Hair, I came across the link to an interview with Chris Hines, the Lead Stage Manager with the Ellen Degeneres Show. 

It got me thinking about a topic that crosses my mind sometimes.

My blog post has nothing to do specifically with Mr. Hines, not that I know him personally or anything because I do not. Nor, that he is handsome. And, he IS!

Source iloveblackmen.tumblr.com

Just a little weakness

It is more to do with the fact that he is loc'd. Let me explain.

Guys + locs = smiles 

I like to see a guy whose locs are clean, well-done and looking sharp. Whether he wears them out loosely, pulled back in one or in a loc style pony. Does not matter if he wears a suit or not. 

For me, a man with dreads says: Confidence. Strength: to wear his locs in spite of any confrontation he might receive. Charm. Natural sexiness. 

Women and locs

Bloggers tend to focus on the issues faced by women who choose to rock locs, for example: does it anger their family? Does the female in question feel isolated now that she has made the decision to wear her hair naturally? Has she been victimized professionally? Or, her boyfriend no longer finds her to be what he needs in his life.

But, what about the guy who has locs? Whether he be rasta by way of life; or, the man who chooses to have locs because he wishes to. Does he face any bad jokes or awful looks? Is he victimized or isolated?

I do believe that maybe, he is. 

How I see it: Men with locs ~ Old habits die hard

Source going-natural.com

Men do not always come away unscathed from all situations. In this country, sadly, I know how fettered people still are mentally and on a professional level, a man with dreads might find it difficult to land a job; especially a corporate/office-type job which heavily relies on client/associate interaction, representation, etc. Sometimes it is a question of: "How can I make him the face of my company?" And I'd love to answer: "Doesn't he have to eat, too?" 

Some people still stereotype men with locs as 'bad', 'criminal', 'uneducated'. Makes me wonder when all of that will change to the point where more employers will hire on the fact that a man has the skills, aptitude, vision, qualifications, personality he needs to take his company forward, than the chance that the same candidate's hair is loc'd.

And even if that were the case, I believe that any good organization should have deportment/etiquette guidelines which ought to include and govern anyone who has locs.  This way, it minimizes the likelihood of persons being able to run afoul of company rules.  

Then, something Mr Hines said...

Made me smile. During the interview with the The Mane Source, he explained his reasons for wearing locs and how it was difficult to even begin them whilst working in a particular job at that time. That organization was stricter and it would appear, frowned on his desire to wear locs. So, despite the fact that he won a best employee award (which clearly shows commitment on so many levels), it seemed to still be an issue. Soon after this accolade, he quit that job and moved into a different area of work where the rules were not so restrictive. 

Source dawnali.com

What made me smile? His perseverance. In my estimation, he saw beyond the superficial hiccups and followed his heart's decision to do "...something different." It is the essence of his actions that gladdened my heart and is something special I admire in anyone - perseverance to do something positive.

I suggest you read the full interview. Just follow this link - The Mane Source interview with Chris Hines.

My 10c worth

What you read is just my ten cents worth and you may not agree with me. But, that is ok. Good discussion is always healthy!  *Smile*

Nonetheless, what do you think?

Do brothas with dreads get a harder time than women do?