Judged by Their Hair: The Persistent Stereotype Around Dreadlocks

By Alphonce Otieno

Kevin remembers the day clearly. It was a cool morning when he arrived for a job interview at an office. He had prepared well, his documents neatly arranged in a folder, his shirt clean and his shoes polished. As he sat in the waiting area, he noticed people glancing at him from time to time. Their eyes often lingered 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, 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. Before I even say a word, it feels like they’ve already formed an opinion about me,” Kevin says.

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

Dreadlocks, however, are far from a modern trend. The hairstyle has existed for centuries across different parts of the world. In many African cultures, locked hair carried deep cultural and spiritual significance, symbolising strength, identity and a connection to tradition. Among the Maasai warriors of Kenya, for instance, long, styled hair has historically represented courage, maturity and community belonging.

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

Despite this rich history, stereotypes surrounding dreadlocks persist. Some employers still view the hairstyle as unprofessional, while certain schools around the world have required students to cut their dreadlocks to comply with dress codes. These situations often spark wider debates about identity, cultural expression, and personal freedom.

Kevin says the judgment is not always direct. Often, it appears in subtle ways.

“People ask questions that sound harmless, but you can tell what they’re really thinking. 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 explains.

He is quick to point out that maintaining dreadlocks requires discipline and care.

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

For young people especially, the pressure to conform can be intense. Students with dreadlocks may feel compelled to change their appearance to avoid attention or criticism. Some eventually cut their hair to fit in or to comply with institutional rules. Kevin admits he has had moments of doubt.

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

Instead of giving in to the pressure, Kevin chose to keep his hair and embrace it with confidence.

“I realised that my hairstyle doesn’t define my abilities. I can still work hard, succeed, and be professional. My hair doesn’t stop me from doing any of that,” he says.

In recent years, attitudes toward natural hair have slowly begun to shift. Social media has provided a platform for people to celebrate natural styles and challenge long-standing stereotypes. Personal stories, photos and advocacy campaigns have helped normalise hairstyles that were once stigmatised.

Public figures have also played a role in changing perceptions. Athletes, musicians, journalists and corporate professionals now wear dreadlocks proudly while excelling in their careers, demonstrating that professionalism is defined by competence and character, not appearance.

Even so, the conversation around hair and identity continues. Many argue that judging someone based on their hairstyle reflects deeper cultural and historical biases. For people of African descent especially, hair remains deeply tied to heritage, identity and self-expression.

Kevin believes that real change begins with understanding.

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

Over time, he has grown more comfortable with the attention his dreadlocks sometimes attract.

“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. I want to be judged by my work and my character, not by my hair,” he says.

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

Alphonce Otieno is Second Year BA Journalism and Mass Communication, Chuka University