new thread
Hi guys,
I've noticed lately that more and more 'new' posters have asked questions regarding hair-lengths which purist longhairs would dismiss as, correct me if i'm wrong, not relevant to the 'Long Hair Hyperboard' and not in the vein of 'long-hair' itself
so i pose the question which i myself have been sitting on for a while...is this board as much a forum for growing one's hair, say, than having, or growing, long-hair? (growing one's hair with the expressed interest of having 'long-hair')
I ask this question because since growing one's hair long, in the sense that most of the users on this board would know it (and could compare with, Justin, Absalom, Rick B etc)is an expression of the self NOT to cut, is it an equally valid expression of self to CUT...albeit at a shorter length?
I myself am presently aiming for shoulder length hair, as i am certainly restricted in the relatively conservative law field. I know some may dismiss me as not being a 'true' long-hair, yet i ask, isn't 'long-hair' itself subjective? what of the bald man who had mid-back long hair until it fell out? or of the african-american who cannot grow beyond low-neck?
Therefore, it is with strong opinion, and saying within the spirit of the board, that i say we should welcome those who wish to grow their hair - in any fasion, and to any taste - regardless of claims to mid-back, waist-line or terminal length.
Since any claim to growth is certainly one step closer to 'long-hair', in each individual understanding, and one further from the buzz board to which you invite those who you would dismiss.
Ryan
I guess everybody has their own interpretation of what long hair is and is not. I myself consider long hair as any hair that can be tied back in a ponytail regardless of whether the person does this or not. It's no more or less arbitrary than anybody else's idea of what long hair is however. Some people feel that their hair is long if it covers their ears, and for them it probably is if they never had it that way before.
My personal take on this is that I try to encourage everybody who comes here and hope they stick with growing long enough to achieve whatever their original goal is. But I suppose I hope that when they get to that length by then they may desire to grow even farther. I certainly don't see any reason to push people anywhere else (and seems that nobody here does this anyway) because if people don't find what they are looking for here they will quit posting anyway.
Thats only the opinion of a newbie so I am curious what any of the real longtime longhairs view the postion of this board as if it is different. I know everybody encouraged me when I got here at first!
I know exactly what you mean. There is no right or wrong way to grow hair. Some like it pulled back away from the face and even in a tail; others like it down and to be seen. I believe a person can be a long hair at heart and I keep mine about shoulder length combed to the side. This length (shaggy)works for me in my line of work and I like the way it looks, but you will always have difference of opinions, but in the end it's what makes you happy.
This may be directed somewhat at a response I made recently to a first time poster looking to "grow his hair out"-- the posted photo- presumably a self pic had what might be described as stylishly messy skater hair- not particularly long- it didn't really hit the collar nor did it really hit the eyes and the celebrity cited as the goal length didn't sport hair much longer... the prevailing accepted styles today include styles for guys that are appreciably longer than the stated goal length- to me the message was a waste of bandwidth considering the theme of this board: long hair on men.
The "journey" faced by the poster in question would be analogous to a stroll to one's mailbox- he's practically there already so the point of his post is...? While I'm all for wide inclusion for discussion here, my experience with Victor's board began in '97 when us longhairs were more pariahs in society and beyond issues of dealing with awkward stage hair (not applicable with the message in question) we faced almost certain discrimination because we clearly stood out... none of these are issues that I see in the future of "matt"- I honestly didn't see where the classical long hair issues and questions applied to his post. A later response was apologetic toward my reply that was interpereted as unwelcoming.
While I see no problem with a wide array of posters participating, I didn't see how matt's current stated goal really fit into the theme of the discussion... if we want to widen the topic, perhaps the board title could be modified- just drop ther word "long" and make it simply "The Men's Hair Hyperboard".
I'm certainly not a purist... I figure shoulder length is enough to be considered "long" or at least "longish"- but being barely past spikeable length doesn't meet the threshold in my guesstimation. That isn't to say I feel matt should be excluded. His interest in growing his hair could be encouraged so that he might be emboldened to venture into new territory.
I see this as a site primarily for men with already *true* long hair, but also that as one which will support the journey of others to that stage."matt"'s post was ..yes.. pointless and unrelated to the true goals of this website.
I think that this is also a useful site for someone who is PROPERLY growing their hair out to learn about the problems/issues that will be associated with it (hair care,predjudices/employment issues/abuse)when they reach a truly long length.
***second time of growing it out.. 9 months and 24 days now :D.. can already nearly tail it.
Peace.
How long was your hair when you started if you can tail at about 10 months. Thats about where i am and i am not even close to being able to get it all in a tail.
*almost tail.. i can get most of it in but have to tuck a lot in behind my ears. It was from a buzz cut.
I think of this board as a personal "hair trainer" in the sense that whatever your goal is it will help you achieve it.
Also, African people can grow their hair way past the base of their neck. Haven't you ever seen/heard of Bob Marley?
You raise some good points. The word 'long hair' is very subjective and open to interpretation. Would you classify mullets, afros, or undercuts as long hair?
Many purists would not.
I think this board best caters for individuals who already are at terminal length or have already accomplished longhair(past shoulders) but it always open and supportive for growers(who will be future longhairs) such as myself.
The general attitude of the board is the 'nature is best' approach to growing hair - no trimming, no dying, coloring, straightening. I have adopted this attitude aswell, to an extent. At the end of the day, each individual has different hair goals and objectives and we should respect that.
