2008 Woodie Awards
Facial Hair: The Key To Masculinity
Danny Travis
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Opinions
When one looks at a history of the world, a certain characteristic distinguishes the vast majority of the world leaders and the men behind political and social change. It seems that these historical figures all derive their power from their facial hair.
In the current state of fashion, facial fur is a tonsorial faux pas. The aesthetics of our time focus on cleanliness and smoothness, as a clean shave is one of the most important commodities peddled during the commercial breaks of televised athletics.
Justin Timberlake was instrumental in the rise of the three day stubble which gives men the appearance that they are down to party while simultaneously holding a nine-to-
five job requiring a certain level of hygiene. I am not counting this meager attempt at masculinity as a legitimate expression of facial art, as it requires little sacrifice and it is often used to achieve a false sense of age or recklessness.
My current beard has been gestating for a period of more than two months. The result both surprised and pleased me; being a beard virgin, I had no idea how my experiment into maturity would turn out. Save for some patchiness on the right side, strong follicular effort has produced a beard/mustache combo that would fit perfectly in a company comprised of lumberjacks or Bolsheviks.
The full beard has a weak presence here on the Rollins College campus, which leads me to contemplate whether Rollins is pursuing its mission statement. In our quest for global citizenship - which can be read as global domination - we will never break through the glass ceiling of global success if we are not ready to embrace the beard as a signifi er of power and might. The adaptation to life outside the bubble of Rollins College will only be stymied by our current cultural perception of facial hair.
To me, a full beard conveys an attitude of rugged power yet graceful strength. As my beard grew, I sensed a stronger feeling of respect from others. Adults in the "real world" embraced me as one of their own. When with friends, I would occasionally be mistaken for their cool uncle. A beard lets people know that whatever task confront you, you will approach them with confi dence and an attitude of near recklessness.
Although the reality of this idea of the beard is associated with noble, old world values, the perception of the full beard on campus has been distorted - especially among women. A beard is no more impressive to a woman than your recent victory in a game of pick-up basketball.
They perceive beards as a sign of a lack of hygiene and fashion. Some of you have enjoyed touching it, but I guarantee that all of you would be apprehensive to let a bearded man approach intimately.
In the very near future, I will be faced with decision that will alter the very path of my journey through existence. The process of growth was not voluntary, but necessary for my current theatrical role. So on Saturday night, the question will be "to shave or not to shave?" Will I cowardly crumble under the pressures of society and their views of mainstream beauty, or will I continue my quest for individuality in a world of smooth shiny faces?
In the current state of fashion, facial fur is a tonsorial faux pas. The aesthetics of our time focus on cleanliness and smoothness, as a clean shave is one of the most important commodities peddled during the commercial breaks of televised athletics.
Justin Timberlake was instrumental in the rise of the three day stubble which gives men the appearance that they are down to party while simultaneously holding a nine-to-
five job requiring a certain level of hygiene. I am not counting this meager attempt at masculinity as a legitimate expression of facial art, as it requires little sacrifice and it is often used to achieve a false sense of age or recklessness.
My current beard has been gestating for a period of more than two months. The result both surprised and pleased me; being a beard virgin, I had no idea how my experiment into maturity would turn out. Save for some patchiness on the right side, strong follicular effort has produced a beard/mustache combo that would fit perfectly in a company comprised of lumberjacks or Bolsheviks.
The full beard has a weak presence here on the Rollins College campus, which leads me to contemplate whether Rollins is pursuing its mission statement. In our quest for global citizenship - which can be read as global domination - we will never break through the glass ceiling of global success if we are not ready to embrace the beard as a signifi er of power and might. The adaptation to life outside the bubble of Rollins College will only be stymied by our current cultural perception of facial hair.
To me, a full beard conveys an attitude of rugged power yet graceful strength. As my beard grew, I sensed a stronger feeling of respect from others. Adults in the "real world" embraced me as one of their own. When with friends, I would occasionally be mistaken for their cool uncle. A beard lets people know that whatever task confront you, you will approach them with confi dence and an attitude of near recklessness.
Although the reality of this idea of the beard is associated with noble, old world values, the perception of the full beard on campus has been distorted - especially among women. A beard is no more impressive to a woman than your recent victory in a game of pick-up basketball.
They perceive beards as a sign of a lack of hygiene and fashion. Some of you have enjoyed touching it, but I guarantee that all of you would be apprehensive to let a bearded man approach intimately.
In the very near future, I will be faced with decision that will alter the very path of my journey through existence. The process of growth was not voluntary, but necessary for my current theatrical role. So on Saturday night, the question will be "to shave or not to shave?" Will I cowardly crumble under the pressures of society and their views of mainstream beauty, or will I continue my quest for individuality in a world of smooth shiny faces?
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