Long hair, do care: one man’s love for his locks

The five most oppressive and simultaneously depressing words that can be uttered in my presence are, “Dude, you need a haircut.”

Maybe it’s the fact that I grew up in Utah Valley that makes this phrase so smothering, like someone throwing a blanket over the stars and telling them to quit their troublesome shining.

Perhaps it’s due to my involvement in various mountain sports and the metal community that I’ve developed an affinity for the long, luscious locks akin to those of Viking warriors. I don’t know why it is that I cling with undying tenacity to my hair. What I do know is that long hair, though more commonplace than perhaps ever before, still isn’t a widely-accepted phenomenon.

Every day on campus a smile spreads over my face as I see the myriad of hairstyles sported by men. From the topknot to dreads to man-buns, long hair is sported by a select few students and professors. The vast majority of male hairstyles are relatively conservative, which puts those with long hair in an interesting position.

We certainly aren’t a minority, nor are we as widely accepted as some might think. Understandably so, because when held up next to the countless clean-cut men that walk about, society has taught the viewer to cast a disparaging glance upon the shaggier fellow.

While this certainly isn’t right, I’ve seen it firsthand. I’ve been the butt-end of jokes and comments. Always present are the “When are you getting that hair cut?” queries. To those that say I’ll grow out of it, that it’s just a phase, I respond simply. While I do not let my hair define me, I certainly will admit that it’s a part of who I am. My hair happens to be something that I like very much about myself and I plan to keep it for as long as I see fit.

Interestingly enough, the decision to have long hair isn’t something that can be arrived at quickly. Growing hair is a long and committing process. It’s obviously not something that can happen overnight and requires effort and patience, as do all good things in life.

So the next time that you catch yourself making a judgment call about a fellow’s hairstyle, stop to consider the time and effort that went into his decision to arrive at that style. Consider the months or even years that he put into growing it out. Consider the fact that his hair is an extension and representation of that commitment.

To you men that hold up the banner of long hair, I commend you. I encourage you in your endeavor. You are not alone. There will come a day when the longhaired men of the world will garner the respect that we deserve. Until then, stay strong, hold your head high and let your locks flow free.

— Andrew Simpson is a Creative Writing major that dreams of one day having dreads and a gnarly beard. Feel free to write him at simpson.andrew.p@gmail.com.