To Cut or Not to Cut My Locs? (Nazirite Vow)

To Cut or Not to Cut My Locs? 🤔 (Nazirite Vow) #weoutchea #gullah #geechee #locs #locnation #locjourney #bodilyautonomy sunnmcheaux.com weoutcheamerch.com

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

Those people should beware of what's IN my head, not what's ON it.

[@tjenadonn6158]

Growing up Catholic I was taught that my body belonged to God and to God alone. The very first step I took in claiming my body as my own, the very first step I took in my transition years before I was ever out to anyone including myself, was growing my hair out. Funny enough my transition goal has changed to where I'd like to pass well enough that people still read me as a woman while I'm rocking a vintage Mia Farrow/Cathrine Hepburn-esque pixie cut, but still the impact of that first step of just declaring my body my own can't be overstated.

[@zombiedoggie2732]

Seems like one of the "Old way" Catholic branches, because the one I grew up with, I recall many a Catholic lady going to Church in multiple lengths of hair, and they were an old branch that were against wearing rosaries as necklaces.

[@Nerobyrne]

After becoming an atheist, I thought Christianity was antiquated and silly. After reconnecting with my pagan roots and learning more about history, I realized just how extremely messed up many of the core beliefs are.

[@tjenadonn6158]

@@zombiedoggie2732 No, this was fairly standard Novus Ordo/post-Vatican II stuff. IDK if you missed the context, but I'm a trans woman and this happened back when I was still living as a boy. My cis sister got just as if not more crap for her hair being short while her trichotillomania was at it's worst. Yeah, it's kind of funny in hindsight how something as trifling as hair control was a big enough issue to drive us both away from Catholicism in our own separate ways. It also didn't help that my father was visibly non-Catholic and visibly First Nations (my siblings and I might be the first generation of the family that fully qualifies as "White" within the US' racial hierarchy) in a very white congregation. We could write a book on just how precisely loving and accepting Catholics are.

[@zombiedoggie2732]

@@tjenadonn6158 wow. Just. Wow. I feel for you, and your sister. No one should have to put up with that

[@zombiedoggie2732]

@@Nerobyrne Even more messed up was the time period that if you were one of the cool ones, or a heretic, depended on whether the King or Queen were Catholic, or Protestant. Talk about wiping your butt with Jesus's advice and dumping it in the outhouse.

[@queenofforcesheals]

Thank you for this! People were so ignit acting when I cut my locs the first time. I was a heathen for "breaking my vow," they said. It's sad that so many of us think it's okay to police someone else's hair.

[@teenacherry4958]

I don't have locks, but when I cut my waist length hair, people lost their minds. 🙄 I did grow it back for my grandma though and I cut it when she passed. RIP Grandma Ruth. 🙏🏾

[@Tony-nt5zd]

Felt. When I tell people I don't just keep my hair long because I like it long, but because I took an oath and use my hair as a proof of upholding it, people look at me strange sometimes, but but I don't see why it's any of their business. The one that really bugs me is when people go "oh what if I cut it" well then you'd be an asshole, that's what.

[@OZARKMOON1960]

And guilty of assault. Why would someone even ask another person such a thing?

[@Nerobyrne]

This is like making Muslims eat pork without them knowing it. Stuff like that only counts if you do it intentionally.

[@kateherr2893]

Besides the issue of assault, it shows how little people are thinking it through. The hair is not the oath. Someone else forcibly cutting the hair doesn't break the oath. Like. Duh? You can't buy spirituality, though, so some people will never care to have it.

[@royceroyce7715]

Dude cut my little brother's hair pulling one of these power trips AFTER my mom explained why she "let" her boys have long hair, and why he was growing his out... he was only 9. to date, I still have not seen her flip out that hard on anyone since. I don't know who he thought he was doing favors, it sure didn't help him bang her or any of her friends. Lil bro's promise was pure hearted as fuck and he powered through that uneven awkward mess for 6 more years before he was ready to cut it, on his terms, we all supported him as a family. When he'd get bullied for it, we'd pass the blocky-ass Gameboy or tell him increasingly grand stories about what mom did to the guy, if the batteries were low. People's bodies and boundaries are theirs...only a creep would go "ha ha but would you still have your own self worth or convictions after I hurt you?" If that's what that man does to a little boy (or another man) to make himself feel good, knowing it will ONLY hurt and humiliate them... tf he gonna do to the women he pursued for relationships? Their daughters? I still get mad when I think about it, it's a big part of why I'm so grateful for this video. People love going 'it's just hair,' but underwear aren't even attached to your body and NOBODY would be going "it's just underwear" if someone joked about cutting them off you. It's still intimate and it's still horrible to be trespassed on like that.

[@RabbitsRi]

We need not only teach bodily autonomy to children but we need to respect it throughout their lives.

[@fung4310]

And some of us shave it all off as we are having a Britney moment 😅😅😅 Take care of your mental health folks ❤

[@Spark_Chaser]

Britney doing that was a three-fold thing. It was one part a grab for control over her bodily autonomy, one part act of rebellion against an oppressor, and one part cry for help of an abuse victim. Sadly, her father's PR people spun it as "clearly she needs me to control her, look at how crazy she's acting." and too many people fell for it.

[@sknkpop]

No disrespect, but Britney didn't have a "moment." She was being exploited and abused. Cutting her hair off was her taking control over the only thing she had control of at the time: her body. Britney's story is a truly horrible one. Nothing short of liberating her from the abuse would have improved her mental health. Treating it flippantly and calling it a meltdown really only tells other women experiencing the same thing that their choices are put up with it, or become the source of ridicule.

[@MoonchildDontCry]

Exactly. People need to stop policing other’s style and choices. If it’s not hurting anybody why the fck do you care? For me cutting my hair was me gaining back my freedom from the religion that was forced onto me for so many years

[@shalikrox9720]

I'm not black, so no locks. I was a female raised in a very religious house that gave very little body autonomy to anyone especially women. I was taught it was horrible to cut my hair. "There was just as much meaning in me shaving my head as there was in me growing out," describes my relationship with my hair better than I've been able to in paragraphs. I'm growing my hair out again a few years after shaving it, but no part of my hair journey has been pointless, better or worse, than any other part. Someone once told me our hair is our "mane of glory" at the time and since i decided that whatever our hair it should feel, be, to us each personally, Glorious.

[@aedes947]

I have long hair since 2005. It never ceases to amaze me how people bother so much with something that doesn't affect them at all

[@Sleevelessgloves]

As a preschool teacher I've actually had a substitute try to lecture and "advise" me on talking to a PARENT into cutting their son's hair......the audacity of some people knows no bounds

[@RamenNoodle1985]

Omg it's a baby Sunn 🥰 Seriously tho, I kept my hair long up until a few years ago. Getting rid of it all, and the work that went with it, was so freeing. I'm old af, and keeping it short til I die. One of the advantages to being old af.

[@Nerobyrne]

I'm a man without MPB. I also have very long hair. I'm gonna go out looking like Gandalf 😊

[@RamenNoodle1985]

​@@NerobyrneGandalf the grey, or Gandalf the White? My hair still hasn't decided 😂

[@Nerobyrne]

@@RamenNoodle1985 if my dad is anything to go by, most like The White ^.^

[@threemothers]

Another beautiful take of self ownership. The world is big enough for all of us wherever we are . Thank you for sharing.

[@snoopy6867]

The LocNation needed this video. Thank you ✊🏾👏🏾

[@sweetie_babie]

I did not believe locs held any spiritual connection until I got them. I was never the type of person to go through a trauma or a difficult time and want to change my look or my hair, but every time I did with my locs I felt this urge to get rid of them. With time, the urge would pass, as would the trauma, and I would carry on... until the last time. The last time the feeling did not go away --- for weeks, for months --- so I took them out. Sometimes I miss them, but I don't regret it. All I know is that that set had to GO. There are many reasons people cut their locs or remove them, whether it's for a style, for ease or wear, for spiritual reasons, and more. Cutting them/ taking them out is a part of the process. It's hard to explain until you go through it, but just because you don't understand doesn't mean it's not correct. To the commenter: What I'm about to say is a principal I'm trying to learn myself: *decenter yourself*. Accept that not everyone has your life experiences or thinks the way you do and let things BE. Listen and empathize before you speak. The internet could use more of that❤

[@zombiedoggie2732]

EXACTLY! shame on them for using your gorgeous locks to weaponize it against someone who cut them. Especially in grief. People express grief in their own ways, and that poster should respect that!

[@sandraodell610]

Your hair is your own. Your body is your own. Never let anyone tell you otherqise. 🤜🤛

[@trueselfkaye]

that low hair don't care pic though 😂😂😂😍

[@TwinAquarius484]

6 years ago, I locd my hair at a vow to myself to on my spiritual journey. Last year, i ascended and i decided it was time for me to release so I combed out my locs. I'm pretty sure I'll be putting in locs again in a few years.

[@gicandathomas606]

Thanks for this. This needed to be said. You're great at putting things into perspective.👍🏾✌🏾

[@saoirsevicteoiria2759]

Yes!

[@yoni-in-BHAM]

Whatever one does with their hair, never regret it, just love it! 😊

[@punksci6879]

Not locks but I had long hair from mid teens till mid 30's and had to cut it due to it being impact by health (and general aging), I have no shame saying I cried when I did. I still sometimes get "phantom hair" where a gust of wind kicks up and I'll go to smooth it down or but a tee shirt on and run my hand behind the collar to untuck it.

[@smol-one]

...its always so bizarre to me that there are people so pressed about how another person chooses to decorate their own meat suit. You should decorate your meat suit in the way that makes you feel the best. Always.

[@SistahSylvia]

When I turned 50, I cut my Locs. I will be 67 years young this August 6th, 2024. I have a short afro now and I am happy. I kept my locs they are in a beautiful handmade wooden box. I miss having them. But because of health reasons I could not keep them. So, on my 50th Earth Day I cut them. I enjoy your post. Have a wonderful day. Peace and Love WEOUTCHEA :)

[@dre_withwithout]

I’m actually in the process of growing mine again. Respect ✊🏾

[@Cutiemuffinz]

Let people be people. You can cut your hair for all kinds of reasons: hygiene, style, conformity, non-conformity, medical necessity… Conversely you can grow it for all kinds of reasons too! Of all the things to worry about, this isn’t one that should be so high on the list.

[@Ceares]

I used to periodically cut my hair when it got on my nerves, usually in the summer. I haven't cut it in 4 years , since I lost my best friend in 2020. I called it my grief hair. I just cut it from about shoulder length into a twa a week ago. First comment from my mother, oh you went from looking like a girl to looking like a boy. I had to unpack a lot with that and I'm a grown ass, old ass woman. But ultimately, as you said, I cut my hair for me. I don't have one second of regret and I'm not interested in the opinions of anybody that's not contributing to my bills -which ain't nobody but me.

[@MissMeMsLee]

I’ve had my locs for 15 years and I feel like I’m going through a change where I’m evolving emotionally and spiritually and at the end when I make it through I feel like the final step will be to cut my hair.. I keep seeing myself with a low cut, smiling and glowing ❤

[@rickfromhell]

What you are is what you are & what you are is a stud, Sunn. You're awesome & I love your words.

[@AncientOne222]

This is also true for women who shave their head bald , complete strangers cared more about my hair than me smh. I wanted my head bald I actually love it bald but strangers had their opinion about why I shaved it and they essentially thought I was going through a break up or crazy 🤦🏾‍♀️ it never dawned on them that I simply wanted to cut my hair and forget about entertaining the notion that my scoliosis makes it painful to reach overhead, nope they went straight to projecting their own internal issues. Oddly enough my video of me cutting my hair is my most popular video 🤷🏽‍♀️ I think people should let people do what they want to their own body and stop colonizing peoples autonomy.

[@laurelgardner]

Thank you for this beautiful meditation. Your locs are beautiful and my heart goes out to you for all the times you must bear the pain of ignorance, and the pain of sharing a bed with someone who rolls on top of them. ❤

[@fullmooneve1651]

As someone without locs, I appreciate this learning and it's meanings ❤️❤️

[@borttorbbq2556]

Man that's up to you if you want to keep your locks if you don't don't

[@teresaabrown8077]

What's the Big Deal it's What Work's for You. So many other things are more pressing. Your Hair is your 👑. Some are pissed because they don't have the dedication to Grow Them and Others are just Haters.. Locks are Sexy and Powerful❤✌ 🙏 💋

[@Lovingmeandmine899]

Of all the things ppl could think and worry about....they need to read a book pick a hobby or something....ppl can be petty and inconsiderate 😒 🙄....Sunn m'Cheaux you look beautiful with and without the long locs😊

[@HebrewNazarite]

Well said! I am at times amazed by what some people choose to judge others. 😅 Take the beams out of your own eyes, folks. Hair is hair. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Anointed-Forerunner]

Thank you for touching on this particular principle. Most people do not know that the Nazarite vow is a conditional vow and is only permanent, as in the case of Samson. More knowledge, more power! Power to us all as a people.

[@th1926]

I do appreciate India Arie and dibd it sad people are always trying to tell others what to do with their hair/body. So sad, especially when they could focus on ways to improve themselves and help others. Oh, well. I appreciate this video for continuing to try to explain what should be obvious, but isn't for some.

[@shaughnegonzalez6814]

❤ A friend of mine cut his locs due to all of the negativity he had endured over the past 7 yrs. He said he felt the weight of the negativity in his hair & he needed to start w/ a clean slate on his next journey!

[@88jl]

Yeah, I get very upset when people try to tell me what to do especially when it comes to my hair. I don't care how long it's growing, I'll cut my hair if I decide to cut my hair. Hair is a sensitive subject for most people so just respect decisions on what they want to do with their hair.

[@borttorbbq2556]

I agree with your message here man, very well said

[@jackabug2475]

You'll still be a beautiful person -- inside and out -- no matter what you do with your hair.

[@muggywebster1117]

You have the most beautiful hair. I haven't cut my hair since 2 years prior to COVID and it is just at my shoulders. I always kind of wish my hair would grow like yours.

[@terij5977]

Sunn leave those lovely locs atop that amazing head of thou's....please and thank you!!! 🥰

[@motorcitymangababe]

Im a white pagan who promised my hairnto a goddess in HS (not a cultural practice, i just didnt have a lot of myself to offer and wanted a physical marker of that portion of my identity) And while i cant speak to people's opinions on locs i empathize cause holy shit can people not mind their own buissness. Ive had people put my neck out from grabbing it (drunk girl when i was a waitress moving at a clip) ive had people claim long hair = being a whore (????) ive even had people "joke" about cutting it off when they find out why im particular about it- because apparently becoming a pagan when you are a teen means "you need help getting out of that stupid astrology phase" (actual quote) Why cant people just keep that shit inside their head?

[@wartgin]

??? is right. That's the opposite of anything I've heard idealized in any of the western/European cultures.

[@motorcitymangababe]

@@wartgin i honestly swear people make shit up on the spot to be assholes sometimes. I was mind blown at the time cause like???

[@RamenNoodle1985]

RIP Mama Bassman

[@powerfullaudmarcus2455]

YES the Nazarite Vow! #SunnmCheaux #AfricanStoriesRetold

[@Ce2014Ce]

THANK YOU! Say it again for the people in the back!

[@AmberAmber]

❤❤I love locs & long hair in general - you do you however cos you ARE you.

[@mindfulmoneymojolifestyle]

I don't know about cutting your locs but I will say your waist is snatched!

[@OZARKMOON1960]

As a now old, retired lady, my thought is you do you. As long as it doesn't affect me directly, I don't care your hair style, length, color. I also don't care what you wear, what you drive, what you earn or what church you go to. Be a humanist and treat all your fellow humans on this spinning blue ball with decency. That is all I ask of anyone I encounter.

[@yippee8570]

It's so simple yet there are so many people who do their best to not do this. Why...?

[@wartgin]

​@@yippee8570I don't know why either. The closest I can come is that they are afraid of something. Sometimes it seems to be fear that their decision to do the opposite is wrong. Sometimes it seems that someone's decision to do the same as you without behaving exactly the same devalues their decision. Sometimes I have no idea. 🤷‍♀️

[@theresaread6174]

Exactly! It's your hair and yours alone. Granted, I don't know how you deal with all that length and weight. In the summer heat no less! But it looks good and suits you, why tf does any one else feel like they are entitled to an opinion just because they see you online?

[@TheErinbish]

Your locks are gorgeous 😍

[@bananabanana484]

Wow, sorry for your loss.

[@sunnmcheaux]

She wasn't my mom who passed away, but appreciated. 🙏🏿

[@Mystic-Key]

On point on purpose. Love this. Thank you.

[@v.crawford1111]

My husband had to cut some of his locs to elevate neck pain caused by the weight of his locs..

[@jillsiegler2715]

Brother keep them! Gorgeous! Those who attack you have no soul! You my love do! Keep them

[@sunnmcheaux]

Not committed to keeping them. Still nw either way, but thanks! 🙏🏿

[@Lazy_Fish_Keeper]

I shaved my head when my son died. When justice for *all* of our youth is a reality instead of a theory, I will grow it out again.

[@DrewKime]

I just can't get my head around the idea that someone else's hair is any of my business. If my wife asks, I'll tell her what I think of hers... I think that's the end of the list.

[@rorenee5245]

I grow so weary from others casting their unsolicited opinions, scathing judgment, and spiritual elitist ideals upon others. If you wanna share respectful, genuine dialogue about beliefs, even if it conflicts with my own, I can dig that. But should one get the notion to attempt to intercept my autonomy...don't. Stay outta my scalp, my body temple, my womb, my free will, and my Divine. Blessings...

[@coyoteblue4027]

I'm on like my 7th set of locs.... I cut them and shave my face occasionally when it makes sense to me to do so, and otherwise don't cut or trim my hair or facial hair inbetween.

[@user-xp4lk1iw3p]

🎉

[@happyslave9162]

Meaning. You said meaning right there. If for no other reason, conscious, curious people should dabble enough in linguistics to dilute meaning as some pre-existing element. Meaning is all us, we give it, it's not something we just find like "well isn't that convenient, how lucky!" - that should be sus... 2c

[@CCL83]

I have shaved the majority of my head for a few years now. Kept it short for decades before that. It always astounds me the number of people who let my hair live rent-free in their heads. I actually had a man say to me that I am such a pretty woman, and I would be so much prettier if I just let it all grow out. Mind you, he had a pony tail and almost no hair, no the top of his head, a skullet if you will. I told him first of all, I'm nonbinary. My hair and gender are not up for debate. Secondly, his opinion is neither desired nor required. The way I wear my hair is a personal expression of who I am and how I wish to look and present myself to the world. I need no one's approval and seak no one's attention. I have my life partner, my person and I do not care how other people perceive me.

[@harlempixie338]

I grew my locs out for 7 years. I cut it off on a whim in the middle of summer. I was hot and I wanted to do something different with my hair. I have a fro now. 😊

[@verdad1234]

Daym. Was that troll dragging Levert? Whoa So wrong 😞

[@carenlook7902]

Sir. Sir Sir where did the rest of you go? You look great btw🎉

[@dragonflies6793]

Thank you for this

[@zettad5267]

can't believe he had to say that. Just ask the person what you want to know (why he might cut his locks or not). I am what I choose to be.

[@peaceangel4192]

People seem to feel freer when commenting on or about locs. I'd like to think after more than 20 years, I've heard it all but there's always that 'mouth almighty' lurking somewhere to just bust out and say something unnecessary or try to touch. I've already declared what's going to happen to the next hair toucher. ⚠

[@prestonpoppenhagen6557]

Talk that talk fr

[@Toywins]

India Arie already gave the message, why ain't they listening?! 😭

[@vankep1834]

Can please come to Caribbean and speak on these issues? It amazing how entrenched colonialism is our culture. I don't have an accent for my native land because at my time of growing up school children were beaten by black educators for talking like their black parents. I don't have locs because my school forbade it. I loss my culture in my own country. There is something kinda dark about that.

[@ellanina801]

Also don’t touch other people’s hair… it’s weird to even ask unless you have a close connection to someone. Ps I have those same shoes lolol

[@hakarumonoka]

I cut mine due to a corporate job opportunity. Eventually lost that position and still have regrets about chopping them off.

[@GillamtheGreatest]

I aint got a choice but to shave whats left of my hair. if you can grow it make whatever choice makes you feel good about you i say.

[@rezkel7404]

Dang lot of culture significance in hair, I just shave because I'm lazy and don't want to pay 10 bucks.

[@carolinusTG]

I wish I had that much to shave, I miss when my hair was nice. There's a small chance it comes back different? For us whities anyways, luxurious curly locks came back so dead, and straight, and grey after I shaved my butt length hair. Bald is good too though, not gonna lie, if it's definitely just a personal choice, not for anyone in particular, it'll be back before you know it, plus there'll be that fun time again when it's a good length for tbe girls to run their hands through. 💪💪👍

[@RoseRedRoseWhite]

😢im sorry for their loss. shame on the commenter.

[@akatheempress]

Thank you

[@Wee_Catalyst]

💛💛💛💛

[@ChellyTheGreat]

♥️

[@TaviRenaeReveiws]

🖤

[@wastedinspiration]

It's 100% no one else's business why anyone does anything with their hair.

[@im1shak1biotches]

If someone wakes up and takes scissors to their locs… I had a burger for dinner, what about y’all? 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@marethahoneyb1541]

Omg you with locs n without them Omg anyhoot so many folks think they have a right to what I do with my hair n they don’t start learning to mind your business #IAmNotMyHair #StopTryingToShameFolksHair

[@mgmassey174]

Only cut my hair when a loved ones passes. Everyone should mind their own business

[@shinji391]

May everyone find a hairstyle that works for them.

[@bihsaidwhatnow2392]

😇😇😇☀☀☀

[@DonnaBarrHerself]

Every woman knows letting down long hair is a power move. It's like taking off the earrings.

[@MatrixDownload5150]

Two things…What happened to if you can’t say something nice say nothing! TWO…What people have forgotten in the digital age is that we all have opinions and assholes ! Some opinions are just as worthy of being considered as much a product of assholes as are other biohazards!

[@SixOneNiner23]

I’m bald sooooo

[@jmslade7]

💜🖤💛❤️💚💜

[@fung4310]

Sending love to bald folks. We don't get a say in this 😂😂😂

[@Keasha274]

I have someone getting upset evertime i cut my hair til i finally just let people know, please invest in your own hair cause mine will change like the dow jones

[@brettjohnson536]

👏👏🤲

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

People have too much time on their hands if they are monitoring a Harvard professor's hair length. 🙄

[@AF-ll4lj]

I'm not trying to derail the conversation or anything, but when the hell did Sunn start selling summer dresses? I don't know how I missed the drop. An all of em sold out now too, of course

[@sunnmcheaux]

I thought you knew... My bad! Back in stock soon! 😁

[@zombiedoggie2732]

@@sunnmcheaux I look forward to browsing your Sunn dresses. (OK I'll see myself out. I am confusing myself for Dad.)

[@sunnmcheaux]

Back in stock! 🙌🏿

[@zombiedoggie2732]

@@sunnmcheaux Where should I take a look? oh, and happy 4rth today.

[@MegaCassie83]

🤍❤️💛🖤🪶

[@natcook4914]

Not😢