I have noticed that there are very few men of color that have long hair. I have seen some that let their hair grow long then they pull it back in a pony tail.
Are there a lot of black men with long hair? I only know of one and he is not a celebrity or anything. He is just an average 50 year old blue collar worker.
I think that if they grew their hair, then the hair takes on the shape of a round "Afro".
Some have dredlocks mon, some have braids and some have extensions.
"Afro" is generally a prefix, such as Afro-centric. I'm still trying to find a good name for hair that curls into a ball, such as perm or natural?
(regarding the inserted picture of Simmons)
Wow, this image was really frightening. I had expected and image of Longhair dreads or tight cornrows but not Simmons. I know he has his place in the cosmos but he can be downright scary at times! I guess this is just one of those times!
(grinning widely)
Madoc
My site. Warning! Bi/ Gay content! Nothing X-rated, just that I like guys too!
It seems that the reason that people fear balls of hair is because people thought that Afro-Americans were more violent than the other races. Hence, the Afro went out of style, and blacks were afraid to grow the Afro because that would bring RACIAL PREJUDICE against them! As a result, they switched to dreadlocks, baldness, etc. Likewise, most people want to STRAIGHTEN their hair, and some switched to pony-tails.
Uh, I'm not so sure I would go that far. The "ball of hair" style of wearing one's locks is not, in and of itself, a scary thing. I was reacting to the image of the good Mr. Simmons. I think he would be scary even bald - perhaps more so!
I also don't think the Afro went out of style due to racism. It was a very difficult hairstyle to keep up and it was just a fashion trend of the 70's. There were a lot of other such trends from that age which had just as short a lifespan - fortunately! In some cases it was simply a matter of good taste winning out (in the case of plaid polyester doublknits) while in others it was simply fickle fashion (pet rocks).
Once its protest message had been co-opted by popular culture it no longer made sense to wear and the practicalities of life took their toll on that style. No racism needed. Besides, there were plenty of white guys wearing 'fros by the time I was in High School back then!
Madoc
My site. Warning! Bi /Gay Content! Nothing X rated, just that I like men too!
Perhaps you are making the wrong conclusion that long hair must be relaxed and combed. I am proud of my thick dreds that hang down my back. Yes sometimes I gather them into a big bunch at the back
In my circle there are any number of brothers with locs, or braids(to time consuming for me). Perhaps you are in avery conservative place. We are out here and our numbers are growing.