Judged by their Hair: The Persistent Stereotype Around Dreadlocks

By ALPHONCE OTIENO 

Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication, Chuka University

Kevin remembers the day clearly. It was a cool morning and he had just arrived for a job interview at an office. He had prepared well. His documents were neatly arranged in a folder and he wore a clean shirt and polished shoes. As he sat in the waiting area, he noticed people looking at him from time to time. Their eyes often paused on his hair before quickly looking away. Kevin wears dreadlocks.

For him, the hairstyle is more than a fashion choice. It is part of his identity and a way of embracing his natural hair. Yet over the years, he has learned that not everyone sees it that way.

“I’ve noticed that the first thing some people look at is my hair,” Kevin says. “Before I even say a word, it feels like they have already formed an opinion about me.”

Across many societies, hair can influence how a person is treated. In workplaces, schools and even public spaces, people with dreadlocks sometimes face judgement before they have the chance to introduce themselves. A simple hairstyle can shape first impressions in powerful ways.

Dreadlocks, however, are far from a modern trend. The hairstyle has existed for centuries in different parts of the world. In many African cultures, locked hair carried cultural or spiritual meaning. It symbolized strength, identity and connection to tradition. For example among the Maasai warriors in Kenya, dreadlocks symbolize strength, courage and a sense of community.  

Over time, dreadlocks also became closely associated with the beliefs of Rastafarianism. Followers of this faith wear dreadlocks as a symbol of spirituality, natural living and resistance to oppression. The global popularity of the hairstyle grew in the 1970s, largely through the music and message of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley.

Despite this rich background, stereotypes surrounding dreadlocks have remained. Some employers still view the hairstyle as unsuitable for professional environments. In some schools around the world, students have been told to cut their dreadlocks in order to follow dress codes. These situations often spark debates about identity, culture and personal freedom. Kevin says the judgement does not always come in the form of open criticism. Sometimes it appears in subtle ways.

“People ask questions that sound harmless, but you can tell what they are really thinking,” he explains. “Someone might ask, ‘Is that your real hair?’ or ‘How do you keep it clean?’ It makes you feel like you have to explain yourself.”

He also points out that maintaining dreadlocks requires effort and patience. “Many people think dreadlocks are just hair that you leave alone,” Kevin says. “But that’s not true. It actually takes time and care to keep them neat and healthy.”

For young people especially, the pressure to conform can be strong. Students with dreadlocks sometimes feel they must change their appearance to avoid attention or criticism. Some eventually cut their hair simply to fit in or to avoid trouble with school rules. Kevin remembers moments when he questioned his own decision to keep his dreadlocks.

“There was a time I thought maybe I should cut them,” he admits. “I wondered if life would be easier without them. But then I asked myself why I should change something that represents who I am.”

Instead of giving in to the pressure, Kevin chose to keep his hair and embrace it with confidence. “I realized that my hairstyle doesn’t change my abilities,” he says. “I can still work hard, succeed and be professional. My hair doesn’t stop me from doing any of that.”

In recent years, attitudes toward natural hair have slowly begun to shift. Social media has given people a space to celebrate their natural styles and challenge long-held stereotypes. Photos and personal stories shared online have helped normalize hairstyles that were once criticized.

Public figures have also contributed to the change. Athletes, musicians and professionals in different industries now wear dreadlocks proudly while excelling in their careers. Their visibility has helped reshape public perception.

Even so, the conversation about hair and identity continues. Many people believe judging someone based on their hairstyle reflects deeper cultural biases. For people of African descent especially, hair is closely tied to heritage and self-expression. Kevin believes that real change begins with understanding.

“I just want people to see beyond the hair,” he says. “Talk to me, get to know me and then decide what kind of person I am.”

Over time, he has grown more comfortable with the attention his dreadlocks sometimes bring. “Now I see it differently,” he says with a smile. “If my hair starts a conversation about culture or identity, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

Still, he hopes for a future where such conversations are no longer necessary. “One day I hope no one will be surprised to see dreadlocks in an office or a classroom,” Kevin says. “It should just be normal.”

As Kevin walked out of the interview building that morning, he felt hopeful. Whether or not he would get the job, he knew one thing for certain. “At the end of the day,” he says, “I want to be judged by my work and my character and not by my hair.”

And as conversations about identity and acceptance continue to grow, many believe that day may not be too far away.