new thread
I posted the following message on the Beard Community, but feel it is relevant to long hair as well:
I have spent some time thinking about the suggestions in the other thread, and would be willing to volunteer to work on building this currently hypothetical non-profit agency promoting bearded individuals.
I understand the ideals would be to promote beard awareness, and to help individuals being discriminated against or oppressed based upon their decision to wear facial hair.
I believe that many non-facial-haired individuals react out of ignorance as to just how important our hair is to us. So this should also be an attempt to educate the general public.
This is NOT a one religion issue, neither is this a sexual (gay, straight, celibate) issue. Although each of these may be part of the individuals reasons for growing out their facial hair. Did that make sense?
This is NOT a one man job though, and if any of you are an attorney some pro bono work setting up the organization would be needed. Also assistance would be needed in the cases of employment discrimination.
Is this worth persuing and is anyone else truly interested in this?
Could we perhaps broaden the issue to any hair issue? Long hair, etc.
I have also mentioned before that a get together of many of us to discuss some of these issues we face is still valid and would be a wonderful starting place.
Maybe some of you wonderful Internet Guru's could help with promotion. I know some people with contacts in the media, so we might be able to get some coverage.
How about some feedback. (Positive and Negative, but please be sensitive to personal attacks).
Matt
I never considered BEARDed men as being discriminated against! Even though,
years ago, I had a beard along with longhair and got plenty of DaggerEyes® ...from older guys (especially the 'religious'!)...
They used to pass the basket in church when I used to go,
and take the money while giving me a nice DaggerEyes®'thank you'...
...thank you very much...
I've been over to the BeardCommunity and found it populated
with nice (though some were quite weird!) people...ummmmmmm...I should say...
guys as there were not any beared ladies that I saw..
Anyway, you have MY support...
here are some of my thoughts about this.
i think much of the discrimation against beards is in the professional world. long hair has become fairly normal on guys, even professionals, but long beards seem, to me anyway, to still be dirty, even if they are clean. (of course, it's really quite hard to tell the difference, with mine anyway.)
also, why is it "beard" and not "long beard"? short top hair is very common, and some grow it long, and some shave it. so shouldn't the question be the length of the beard rather than the presence of one?
I work at a hospital and there is this Sikh cardiologist who has a beard that goes past his navel, not to mention his hair is past his ass. Neither of which was apparent to me when I look at him. In the workplace his beard looks like it is well trimmed and not very long. Anyway, he and I got to talking about his hair and his beard. He twists his beard, ties the bottom with a tiny rubber band and rolls it up and tucks it under itself. You could not tell that his beard went down to his belly.
Disregarding the value of the friendships I've established via this
community, I sometimes forget the reasons why I've retreated from it it in the past. That post has reminded me why.
First, let me say that I love my hair. I can't imagine ever wanting to cut it off. I admire other men who also have long hair, and have no qualms staring at other mens' manes when the opportunities present
themselves. Admittedly, the very thought of ever cutting my hair off - either willingly or by force - sickens me. However, hair is hair, it does grow back, and, if faced with the right circumstances, I would cut mine.
I admire your dedication to the... er... um... cause... Greenleaf, but I cannot, in good concience, support your suggestion. That said, I'm going to be blunt with my opinion on this matter regarding civil rights, public awareness - and acceptance - for longhaired men:
It is absolutely without merit, and a foolhearty attempt to gain respect for something that, for all intents and purposes, is little more than a fashion statement. Many of us might like to believe that it also shapes our identity. The fact is who we are does not change based on the length of our hair. We might feel ugly with short hair, but we are still the same people.
Every time I hear idea of any kind of organization to be formed to
promote public acceptance of men with long hair, I can't help laughing; not at anyone who might present it, rather the very idea itself. While I very much value and appreciate what this community has to offer, I don't need the support of hundreds of people in an organization to help express myself. I do just fine by that on my own.
I'm blessed with being employed with a company who supports and promotes cultural diversity. Because of their open-mindedness, I'm allowed to enjoy my job regardless of the length of my hair. Should their dress code ever change, I will gladly cut my hair if it means keeping the best job I've ever had. My hair may look good, but it doesn't pay the bills.
Hair is strictly a choice, and, as I said, can be altered at will when necessary. If someone's identity is so tied up in their hair or beard that the possibility of having to change it is something of a threat to them, then they have much bigger problems than someone possibly discriminating against them for it.
I would definetly have to agree with Nyghtfall on all points he presented. A person's zeal for their longhair shouldn't surpass common sensible priorities. I love having longer hair (being's I'm not technically a longhair yet), but their are more important things in life. If my boss came up to me tomorrow and said the dress code has changed that I have to cut my hair or face having no job, I would get my hair cut no questions asked. I can't fool myself into thinking that I could stand firm and find another job just like that within the next few days. I need money to keep coming in weekly. To do anything any different and put my family in jeopardy would be downright selfish, not to mention foolish. My precious wife and children, whom I love beyond what any language could ever utter, not only enjoy eating food and living in a warm cozy home, but they also deserve it and need it. My hair in no way shape or form surpasses my family. I am blessed enough though to have a boss, whom I have worked for for nearly twelve years now, who has seen my hair go from one extreme to the other and has never once had a problem with it. To this I am very thankful! Grow your hair, have fun doing it, having it, etc., but don't hold quiet so tight to it! Anyway, just wanted say that Nyghtfall has it all together on this issue and I thank him for sharing! Peace!!!!!