Photo: Jon Feingersh Photography Inc/Getty Images
In response to a Kenya-based politician‘s negative comments about people in locs, Twitter users showed out to shut down the hate!
The conversation kicked off after George Peter Kaluma, a member of the Parliament of Kenya, shared a notice sent out to students at Kenya Methodist University earlier this year.
Specifically, the letter—sent from the Dean of Students—was intended to “encourage all students to adopt a style of dressing and appearance that would be acceptable in the various fields of work and society in general.”
The very first subject that was tackled was “rasta/dreadlocks,” as the dean urged students to “wear properly groomed hair.”
Kaluma, clearly in agreement, tweeted the notice and added, “This should be enforced by all universities and learning institutions.”
As for his rationale, Kaluma proclaimed that the institutions are “training leaders in various fields, not prostitutes!”
After the tweet began picking up traction, one user called it “very trivial.” He also inquired, “What’s wrong with dreadlocks?”
In turn, Kaluma dug himself into an even deeper hole by writing, “Imagine your doctor, lawyer, engineer in dreadlocks.”
Kaluza’s second tweet particularly picked up a ton of steam, and it kicked off a trend where people showed off their locs while speaking on their professional accomplishments.
The tweet was also slammed as “anti-Black,” while others poked fun at the absurdity of Kaluma’s statement.
One person proceeded to draw locs onto Kaluma’s photo. In turn, Kaluma responded, saying, “Ladies are cool in locks, not men pthoo! Dreads takes away male oomph and make men look effeminate!”
While Kaluma seems to be standing firm, his sentiment was definitely drowned out by the pride, love, and support.
Shoutout to errbody out there proudly rocking their locs, and don’t you ever let someone say your crown is unprofessional!
