Dreadlocks - Yay, or Nay?

I can’t believe I’m actually even writing this.

Basically, I’m PMSing and just finished having a mental breakdown which brought me to a conclusion; I need a job. I need a job, I need my own apartment (no roommate, just me), I need to grow up.

You know how when we’re kids, we get away from all the bullshit by telling ourselves that it’s ok, because someday we’ll be all grown up and we’ll have our own little place away from everyone else? Well, someday isn’t someday anymore… Someday is now. Well, more specifically, someday is in March. March is when I turn 18.

I’ll be 18, that’s not a kid anymore. Eighteen is officially an adult. No more relying on parents, time to grow up.

But I have one little problem. No one will hire me because I have dreadlocks. I’ve tried and tried, searched and searched for a job with no luck. I’ve had a couple of job interviews, and no call backs. They won’t say that it’s because of the dreads, but I know. I mean, the interviews went great! But they always, always have to bring up the fact that I have dreads.

If I can’t get a job, then I can’t support myself. I’ll never get out of this rut I’m in. A job is like the first step to independance, you know? I wish I lived in a place that didn’t care, but I live in a really small city so there’s like zero people with dreads here. Well, actually in my entire life I’ve run into about four people in this city with dreadlocks. Like, it’s just not very common. And because it’s not, people frown upon them. They think they’re “dirty” and “unprofessional”.

But I love my dreads! I love them to death, and I never, ever, ever want to get rid of them. See my dilemma?

I need help, guys! Please, please, tell me your opinions. Should I suck it up and take them out so I can get a job, and maybe put them back in in a couple of years when I’m more established? Or should I be keep them and just keep searching, in hopes of getting hired by SOMEONE?

Let me know, because I’m going crazy.