new thread
If there were to be a war, especially considering the horrific events of this past Tuesday (I sincerely hope and pray that it doesn't get to that point), how would you long haired guys feel about fighting for our country and having all of your hair shorn induction cut style? From long to nearly shaved in 30 seconds or less! Just curious.
I Would feel the same way a woman would when she is forced to go to war. Pissed.
I wouldn't like my longb hair shorn, but I'd take it on my head
and fight for my people....notice what I said... my *PEOPLE*!!!!
OM
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Just what are you expecting us to say?
I wasn't expecting anything. The post was put out there to get an idea as to exactly how important hair is in a time of national (international) crisis.
Fight for my country? With all my heart and soul.
Shave my hair? Over my dead body!
Well said!
I must echo MG's endorsement. Many of us with a longhair identity will feel that way, and my feelings are in line with both you guys'. I very much love my country, but I cannot be strong for my country unless I am strong for myself. One also cannot respect one's country and be motivated to fight for it if that respect is not returned. Respect only runs on two way roads.
These issues are complex and feelings are strong. Each longhair must resolve them in his own heart. How strongly one feels about both issues, which pull in opposite directions, one must carefully consider.
Though military service is voluntary, one still has very much to think about. No other social group is, under current practices, asked to chop parts off their bodies, no other social group is being asked to deny who they are. Black men will not be asked to rub lightening compounds on their skin, Latino men will not be asked to shed accents, and we should not expect to shed what defines us in our community, which is our hair. America is now a very diverse place, and to be our strongest there must be a place for all of us at the table, and for all of us in the trenches if that is where we feel we should be. Excluding us though is the military's current practice, so if a longhair feels he can be strongest for himself and his country by directing his efforts elsewhere, then he should do that. One cannot feel he is fighting for freedom where his own group is disrespected. There, he will not be a good soldier. He will feel he can fight the best fight where he will be honored, not disrespected.
If military service becomes mandated, our younger brethren will have even tougher choices. How one can do his best to not hurt himself or the country he loves will be a much more heart-rendering decision. We will have plenty of time to deal with those issues if they should arise. In the interest of supporting our nation at this time, let's for now not go there. (sigh)
Grow it long, if that makes you strong,
Bill
An interesting dilemma is that if there is a draft, then you only have a choice between going into the military (where they chop off your hair), or going to prison (where they chop off your hair) for draft evasion. The way that our governments are getting more oppressive now, I wouldn't be a bit surprised! Look at Archive Message #5187 to see what I mean.
I am 40 years old, so I don't believe I will be dafted into anyone's army. But, I have some long-haired friends and family members who are of draft age. Will they remain students or become sailors and/or soldiers?
The way things ar going, America could be invloved in a long, bloody war!
Multi HMX-12
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I know I speak for many by saying YES...we are willing to fight for our country...but why is it important that we cut our hair to do so? Why would this be nessasary?
Are you saying that we are incapable of fighting for our country UNLESS we receive induction haircuts?
What makes a man with short-hair better to defend our nation than a man with long hair?
I take offense at this type of question during this time of tragedy.
I just think they do that because short hair is more practical (dries in a couple minutes, don't have to push it out of your face, etc.). Just a guess.
Historically, the Romans gave short hair to their soldiers to make it more difficult for the enemy to grab them during hand to hand combat. War is not the same these days, and I don't think there is a significant reason to require short hair.
BTW, I noticed on TV the other day a man sorting a luxurious white beard behind the reporter at the NYC crash site. He was dressed in fatigues and a helmet. I suspect he was with the reserves of some sort.
Yes, you can fight a war with long hair, but there are several reason why short hair is better. It is easier to keep shaved/short hair clean. Soldiers are often under fire and are unable for periods of time have a bath or clean up, are wounded, etc. Long hair would add to such problems. Just look at any combat or war pictures or even movies and imagine long hair.
Shorn heads began to become a requirement (in the USA) at the onset of WWI. The hair of "American warriors" was shorn upon induction to the military to rid the troops of the serious threat of head lice, among other matters of cleanliness.
Traditionally, warriors the world over wore their hair long. Not everywhere, of course, but most places/times througout history.
So what's up with the short hair?
-Zorba
WTF are you talking about!?
-George Harrison
Dear George Harrison:
Read this and start to understand:
http://www.geocities.com/jewishwarriors/khazhair.html
Multi HMX-12
Here is a great article, "Why an Indian wears long hair?"
The WEB ADDRESS is:
http://www.alphacdc.com/sapadawn/warning.html
Sometimes, I think the wrong cultures won the war for the Americas.
Multi HMX-12
I agree. See the watercolors of George Catlin for great pictures of long haired warriors.
http://www.indians.org/welker/catlin.htm
http://www.byu.edu/moa/exhibits/Current%20Exhibits/150years/820050400.html
Native Americans had the the right idea about boy and men with long hair.
Multi MHX-12
ill feelings among men with longhair. I was just remembering the late 60s and early 70s when a barber stood ankle deep in hair, by the time he was done with a busload of new recuits during the Vietnam War. As I said, I absolutely hope this atrocity doesn't turn into another war.
Some have mentioned that it should be possible to be a soldier and have long hair. This is even the case in some countries. This is not the case in the USA, however. I guess I was just wondering exactly how important your hair is to you, that's all.
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Just as many employers lose good employees due to their male hair policies, the United States I'm sure could have had some excellent members of the military.
It is time for people and insitutions to look beyond the length of a man's hair.
It would indeed be sad if a call to defend our country was made and good men would be turned away simply for refusing to get a haircut.
There are more important issues at this time...but it does anger me that longhaired men are expected to be shorn of their hair at the directive of a employer or the military.
It's 2001...we need to move beyond this and worry about real issues...such as those this country is seeing now.
I would go - and get it cut before I left to get it overwith. I like long hair, but would be more concerned over missing a few years of college and of what lies in store for the future than my hair length.
Many years ago, when short hair was not "in style" for the majority of men, recruits who showed up to basic training already shorn of their hair were given a hard time by the drill instructors. Strange, I know. I don't blame you for wanting to have it done and over with before you would go. It really is just a production line, often with the DIs making an example of, and making fun of a young man with long hair in front of all the other recruits. I think that's stupid, and degrading. There is no need for that! (This doesn't happen any more because of the number of guys who already sport very short hair.) At least if you went there with your hair already cut, you would be spared the intense trauma that many long haired young men go through when they go from MANY inches to 1/32" (4 mm) in less than one minute!
This is and odd topic at a time like this.
I like my long hair very much and do not want to get it cut. I also do not want to into military training, and certainly not war. I'd also like to live in a safe country. We obviously cannot have everything we want right now.
Hair doesn't seem important right now. I would gladly shave my head to save a few lives.