#lochistory

[blackhistoryiseverywhereperiod]

The first known examples of the hairstyle date back to ancient Egypt, where locs appeared on Egyptian artifacts. Mummified remains of ancient Egyptians with locs have even been recovered from archaeological sites. Left to its own devices, hair will naturally knot together and form mats or locs. . . Some say the hairstyle was later brought into mainstream culture through the worldwide success of reggae artist Bob Marley. Sporting locs himself, he prompted an international interest in the style, and the anti establishment philosophy of Rastafarian culture. Locs became increasingly popular and there are many reasons in various cultures for wearing them. They can be an expression of deep religious or spiritual convictions, a manifestation of ethnic pride. They can make a political statement, or simply be a fashion preference. . . Locs are more than just a symbolic statement of disregard for physical appearance. Both Eastern and Western Traditions hold that bodily, mental and spiritual energies mainly exit the body through the top of the head and the hair. If the hair is knotted, they believe, the energy remains within the hair and the body, keeping a person more strong and healthy. #locs #locstyles #blackhair #naturalhairstyles #naturalbeauty #ebonyhair #locstylesformen #locsatlanta #locsnation #lochistory #blackhistoryiseverywhere #bhie https://www.instagram.com/p/B7ocvlzg3AN/?igshid=1fy6fdvrua1v

[ladylocs-blog1]

#Repost @jai2dagee_elle (@get_repost) ・・・ Happy Loc History Month!!! #locs #lochistory #lochistorymonth #loclove #dreads #dreadheads #nappyhair #happyhair #locdqueens #locdkings

[wordnerdriss-blog]

There's nothing DREADful about my hair... so please don't address them as such. 😌✊🏽💋 . . . #YBM #worDNerdRiss #worDNerd #LocStar #Naturalista #NaturalGirlsRock #LocsRock #LocStyles #LocLivin #LocNation #LocsOfLove #LocsOfGlory #LovelyLadyLocs #LocsNotDreads #ThankYou #Locs4Life #LocJourney #LocStylesForWomen #WomenWithLocs #Locs #LocArt #LocHistory #BlackGirlMagic #BlackGirlsWhoBlog #BloggyRiss #BostonBlogger #BlogLife #Blog

[menwithlocs]

I’m a physician in Brooklyn, NY and I’ve been locing my hair for the past 19 years (since 1996). My reason for this is family more than fashion since every male in my immediate family wears locs. I’m the youngest male in my family and resisted this trend until it was time for college. I must say it was one of the best decisions ever and I have never been happier with any other hairstyle. In the medical field you don’t find many of us and I was pretty much discourage every step of the way. I was constantly told that I would not get accepted into medical school with my hair…then it changed to I would not make it out of medical school into a good residency with my hair…and then it changed to I would not make it out of residency training into the real world medical community with my hair…etc.

I’m happy to say that I am a medical residency trained doctor with long locs and proud of my hair, family and heritage.”

-Michael, New York

[menwithlocs]

I've been growing my loc for 10 years now. My family has always been a fan of rocking the natural look but as a kid my Mom wouldn't allow me to lock my hair; she didn't want me to be stereotyped sort of speak, so when I got a little older I wanted to show her that I could rock my locs and still be successful at the same time. With or without the hair we all get stereotype in some ways and she understands that now.

My goals at this point is to further my education within the criminal justice field. I want to educate our community on laws and principles as it relates the betterment of our future. I a poet as well; I've been featured on NBC 6 News, I've also performed at University's and high schools here in South Florida.

-Will, Florida

[menwithlocs]

I started the process of locing my hair in June 2010. That particular time in my life I was at a crossroad and really didn't know if whether or not I wanted to cut my hair off or loc it but what I did know however was that I was reaching an age and level of maturity where I honestly felt that having my hair in braids did not suit me any longer. My son was an infant at the time, I was struggling to find steady work and felt pressure from some of my friends and family to have a traditional haircut to conform with what they thought was the proper "look" for corporate America, which is where I aspired to be. However personally I felt otherwise. I never felt the need to conform. I never was interested in fitting in. I had a burning desire rather to dominate my field of choice and become a trailblazer for others. It wouldn't be truthful to say that I didn't have doubts. What the naysayers of keeping my hair were saying was absolutely logical. I have experienced first hand discrimination in the work force because of my hair being braided. I then decided that I would speak with a slew of individuals that identified with various beliefs ranging from members of the Nation of 5 percenters to black Hebrew Israelites to Rastafarians etc. about the process of and what it means to them about locing ones hair. From everything I learned during those conversations the common denominator used to describe the process was strength. Not strength in the sense of the durability of my hair but rather the strength needed from inside to go on the journey of being loc'd. The perseverance needed to overcome that initial stage of locing is immense. At first I had doubts of continuing the process and my self esteem and confidence took a blow because my hair was very unruly in the beginning and feared I made the wrong choice. Thru persevering however I learned another great ideal that has guided me in life. I have found to be successful it is imperative to silence the voice of fear and doubt in your head and instead work on increasing your faith. It wasn't until then that I started to realize what the bigger picture of my life was really about. For me it's all about the journey and the strength needed to push thru when times get hard. The rewards we seek most times lie within the journey itself not the results. It's funny often times I think back to the biblical tale of Samson and Delilah because it resonates with me very deeply. I can relate with what Samson went thru and was feeling. My locs are truly a source of strength for me and the process of locing my hair has shown me that whatever obstacles life presents in front of me I have no doubt that my perseverance and faith will allow me to overcome and be victorious.

 Faith and perseverance has allowed me to transition from being an employee of a major corporation to becoming a successful independent contractor in the Insurance sector and the co founder/ co CEO of Prosperity Manifest Incorporated, a firm specializing in consultative and strategic business solutions for our clients. My career began as a customer service representative for a major health insurance company helping members understand their respective policies. While there were opportunities for growth within the firm, it was nothing more than a glass ceiling at best. Low and behold after working there for several years the company decided to close its office doors in New York resulting in a few hundred hardworking people losing a job without much notice. At that moment I made a decision to fight for my dreams and pursue financial freedom at whatever the cost. I took it upon myself to obtain proper licensing from the state, work for myself and become a broker of various insurance contracts. In all actuality the company closing its doors served to be a blessing in disguise. Since my transition I have been recognized by several of my carriers as one of the top up and coming brokers in the State of New York. I've had the ability to successfully negotiate a large amount of contracts which has enabled my carriers to make hundreds of thousands in profit and in turn allow me to make a comfortable living for myself and family. I am also in the process of elevating my firm, Prosperity Manifest Inc, to becoming one of the top brokerage firms in NYC. Ultimately, my soul is in a complete state of gratitude and it's important for me to give back to others in a major way. If my story or experiences rather can help others reach new heights and fearlessly pursue their dreams amidst all the social injustice happening in this country then I will feel truly blessed and aligned with God's will. Thru working with several writers and mentors I am hoping to either publish a book or educational seminar/course that will serve as detailed insight on what it took for me to not only locate true success and happiness but be abundant in it also. I can say this much....at the very least it takes strength, perseverance, positive energy, and tons of faith in yourself and the Most High. Brings to mind the words of Kendrick Lamar actually... "And if God got us then we gone be alright...do you hear me? Do you feel me? We gone be alright!!" 

-Marc, Brooklyn

[menwithlocs]

I have had my locs for eight years, and I wanted them ever since I was a child. I took the leap of faith in undergrad.

I accomplished becoming an educator,  poet, emcee, and servant to my community. I want to earn a PhD and publish various literary works.

-Seven, Brooklyn

[menwithlocs]

I have had my locs since 2002 but I try to keep it the length it is now. I always been different and I like to do my own thing. Around the time I started my locs, everyone in Philly still had those Iverson braids so I went with locs. I also grew them to show black and natty pride.

Recently I bought my first piece of land in Haiti in hope to achieve building a house there in the future. Everything I do I just want Haiti to be proud of me.

-James, Philly/Haiti