Say Farewell to my little friends (PICS)

So being forced with the decision to re-join the workforce, looking for a good-paying job will be significantly easier if I was clean-cut... even though I love my dreads and it's taken so much patience to get them to where they are now... But it's not just ME that I have to think about, I have a 2 year-old son who requires $300 per month child support payments, and the need for a regular-paying job is weighing down on me everyday. I told myself when I started the process that I would not cut my hair for anyone but God, but I suppose my son is the closest thing to God that I know of.

Well here's some pics that I just took-




Unless anyone can think of some good job suggestions where they wouldn't mind a "dirty hippy" like me, it looks like I'll be cutting my dreadies off in the next few days in order to work within Babylon.

Yeah, I'm pretty fucking sad about it. Part of me wants to just leave and go join a commune somewhere, but I just got done moving across country and if there's one thing I learned, it's that whatever problems you may have in one place, just trail along with you to the next... And it's much easier to deal with these problems when you have family around that cares about you... And that's why I'm back in the Police State of Florida, a place I would never ever in my right mind choose to be unless I absolutely had to.

Anyways, I'm just looking for some support, suggestions, ANYthing. Whatever may be floating around in your noggin about my situation, let me have it. I'm a man, I can take it!

 

i am so sorry things are so tough right now. :*( dread journeys are like that though... they are a part of life. BUT, don't chop unless your prospective job has a big deal with them. i've worked for a very conservative christian company, doing direct care for adults with mental retardation, and they didn't mind my dreads. my one boss had a thing about the piercings, but i'm tatted and have all kinds of piercings, and most of the people there had no issues. don't write off prospective employers... self fulfilling prophecy and all! either way it goes down, big hugs... sounds like you've got some rough going lately.

 

Good luck in your journey of dreadless hair

 

Thanks for the kynd words of encourgement, treehugger... maybe I will just try my best to find a good job without having to cut my hair. Who knows, anything is possible. I just don't have much in the way of education or background that would qualify me for anything above average right now. Sooo, we shall see...

 

why not pretend you're a Sikh, and wear a turban to hide your dreads. They'll probably be more likely to hire you for fear of being sued for racism etc.

 

Aww. so sad i'm glad i should be able to get a job with my dreads. most people here respect people that can be individuals...especially people who live a natural life style...both of which i fit the category for. hehe.

 

Why don't you try to actually find a job first before you actually cut them? If they really see you as a prospective employee, then I don't see why they should care about your hair. Ask them about it first, actually no, don't ask them because that would just put your dreads in the spotlight. I would wait to see if they say anything before you make the big chop...

 

That's what I'm leaning towards doing... Anyone have any job suggestions? I was thinking gas station clerk, or restaraunt work... I dunno, somewhere I don't have to be dressed up would probably be my best bet?

 

i don't know if direct care would be something you'd be interested in, but doing home care for elderly people (cook, clean a bit, etc.), or taking care of mentally retarded people like i do usually pays pretty well (9-10 bucks an hour is what i've seen and experienced), and usually doesn't require more than a HS diploma or GED. waiting tables or bartending would probably get you the most money though, and i doubt you'd have to worry bout the dreads, unless it was a real upscale place.

 

don't cut your dreads. you will definitely be able to get a job and still have them. you don't want to sacrifice your happiness for the man, i promise you, and you'll be able to make enough to support your son and yourself easily. you're more likely to get hired if you're happy with yourself than if youre all clean-cut, anyway... it's not like your dreads are really gnarly or unsanitary looking.