new thread
Alright, so awhile ago, I posted a message asking ppl to cite people who have helped to establish tollerance for long haired men in the North American collective unconsciousness. I made the suggestion of Jesus Christ, and all that got me was a bunch of posts debating the validity of his birth being celebrated on the 25th of December.
Anyway, now that I've touched on positive representatives, who are some long-haired males that you would attribute a negative tollerance for long hairs to?
One individual that I thought of was Charles Manson, the so-called "most infamous serial killer of all time" (Even though HE never actually killed anyone himself). I guess Manson's wily hair became a definitive part of his look and helped to establish a notion that people who looked like him must be equally vicious.
A lot of people seem to speak with contempt for Hippies as well, so I might as well mention them. When trying to discourage my initial suggestions of growing out my hair, my father would always respond by saying something to the effect of "What, you want to look like some hippie freak?!?". I guess the fact that Male hippies were prone to grow their hair out by challenging mainstream standards somehow became associated with their self-destructive tendencies rooted in drug use.
Well, you did more than just mention Jesus as an example, you made a seperate issue out of Santa (a positive imaginary longhair) being a negative influence on the seasonal celebration because "he" and commercial influences seem to you to be "evil" (I'm assuming because he doesn't go around praising Jesus...that much...although a good portion of the commercialism does promote religious belief during the winter holidays).
There is just as much validity to Santa being real and having long hair as there is Jesus being real and actually having long hair.
Now for your current post. People creating acceptance and people being a positive influence don't necessairly have to go together. The Beatles started the modern trend back to long(er) hair because of their visibility but a larger portion of society probably didn't like them very much back then and wouldn't consider them to be a particularly "positive" influence.
But longhairs who are presented or perceived in only a positive manner usually don't get the attention of the world in a way that they can actually influence trends (unless it's entertainment related--i.e. Lord of the Rings, etc.). I mean to say that attention is usually event related and not because of hair length (Fabio being a partial exception...but that should fall under entertainment).
If the hippies were considered to be a negative influence (by some or many) and that view dictated acceptance then we would not see the longer hair that abounds today. It is more of a slow change that occurs because of the personal decisions of MANY people over time. Kids discovering new things as each generation does and realizing that there IS a choice to be made when it comes to hair length.
It's Joe Nobody who plays a big part of longhair acceptance because he grew it longer as a teenager and now has it short but doesn't mind if his kid grows it out.
Manson doesn't represent long hair any more than his "girls", who had longer hair than him, represent a change from the flapper girls of the '20s who cut their hair short to change from the longhair standards that women used to try to conform to.
I'm not trying to refute your topic but I think that examples will be few due to the nature of how acceptance of long hair came to be.
I'm not trying to refute your topic but I think that examples will be few due to the nature of how acceptance of long hair came to be.
I posted my message with hopes that people would just throw suggestions around. You are right that the acceptance of long hair cannot be attributed solely to one individual, but I did not post my message with the intent that it would be interpreted with such a be-all and end-all approach. The question seemed like a good way to generate discussion. So no, Manson may not have instilled this unshakable image of long-haired serial killers within the psyche of your average American, but I think that given his reputation, he may have done a lot of harm to some of the publics perception of men with long hair. They say Hitlers reputation as a cold-blooded dictator killed off whatever potential his trademark moustache might have had... I just wanted to relate that to long hair in some way or another. So no, Manson didnt spell the end of long hair, and I never meant to suggest that he did. I just wanted suggestions citing individuals like Manson who have may have had significant influence over peoples perception of long hair bc of their pop culture status.
And a good discussion topic it is even if it didn't get much of a response. I think we are finding some interesting aspects of the subject.
*G* Glad to hear that you feel that way. I must admit, it did sound like you were trying to dismiss the validity of my post in your last message, even though your final disclaimer stated otherwise.
In any case, it was nice recieving such thoughtful input from you. As Marc A stated, your comment suggesting the Beatles as impact players in the public's acceptance of long hair seems especially relevant to many of us trying to grow out our hair today. Mentioning the Beatles as representatives who helped sway the public's tollerance for long hair in a positive way would've been especially appreciated had it been posted in response to my last post (Concerning POSITIVE reps as opposed to negative ones).
The Beatles started the modern trend back to long(er) hair because of their visibility but a larger portion of society probably didn't like them very much back then and wouldn't consider them to be a particularly "positive" influence.
Comment;
I indeed believe that the Beatles were the true instigators of long hair on men. I remember the older generation's reaction back then. They (including my own relatives) were totally appalled. I, 8 years old in 1964, was fascinated both by their long hair and music. My admiration for long hair for both sexes became permanent from that moment on. I have been a long hair at heart since then. As you all now know, last June, I pledged never to cut my hair again... and to cover my bald spot with a hairpiece. No one, except my wife (in the privacy of our home), will ever see the egg again.
"My father would always respond by saying, 'What, you want to look like some hippie freak?!?'. I guess the fact that Male hippies were prone to grow their hair out by challenging mainstream standards somehow became associated with their self-destructive tendencies rooted in drug use."
Your dad's observations were not far from the Truth...at least for
way back when...see post above: 'Hippies™'
nt
unless... it's kept under control...
Keeping in line, (kinda), with this topic, I was wondering who, in today's world, do you think would have the biggest positive influence on people if they grew their hair long? I know that sounds a little confusing, but I don't know how else to word it. Try this: Who is popular enough that if they grew their hair, would make other people do the same?
I can't think of anyone specific who had a NEGATIVE overall effect on people to make them opposed to long hair, (except maybe my father, heh!), but I can't help thinking that someone must have started the trend towards the general negative opinion of long hair. Most trends of this nature usually start with one person who has a little influence over people, then is picked up by other like minded people and they run with it, making it the "popular opinion".
Erm, I've heard a lot of people (even on this message board) express a desire to grow their hair out so as to look like Kurt Cobain, so I think that's a decent suggestion as far as contemporary examples go (And again, WHY didn't any of this come up when I made that post re: POSITIVE long-haired reps, as opposed to negative ones?!?).