Lessons I learned from Locking Hair

43) The term "Locks" can be a very scary concept to embrace for prospect Lock wearers. Everybody has encountered an individual who wears locks at some point in their lives. Not so long ago, many people weren't wearing locks. Because of this, your first experience with seeing locks often forms your first impression of locks. (What was your first impression?) My first memory is of a homeless man with one huge and very dirty lock. Yuck!! As I got older, I began to embrace my heritage more. However, it took me 10 years to decide to lock my hair. After I got over my own "izms" (an Erykah Badu term for negative thought patterns), I now appreciate the beauty in one huge lock in the same manner as I enjoy professionally cultivated and manicured locks. To new prospect lock wearers, I MUST emphasize that everyone is an individual. Locks are cultivated and maintained at the discretion of the lock wearer. If you are a neat person, your locks will be neat. If you desire professional locks, you will have professional locks. If you are of an organic mindset, you may lean toward free forming locks. To this end, I implore; don't let your old images of lock wears - people you don't even know - stop you from realizing the true beauty that has been given to you. Also check out this book, DREADS by Francesco Mastalia and Alfonse Pagano introduced by Alice Walker. The book offers great photos along with short excepts from lock wearing individuals from all over the world. I love this book because I've formed a greater appreciation for the mindset of lock wearers.