Stop Looking For Scapegoats—Lighten Up

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by Glenn R. Geist

One runs a bit of a risk by suggesting that oversensitivity is on the increase today, although from the perspective of anyone with as many years as I have used up, it sure looks that way.

It’s not that I don’t sympathize with the young athlete forced to cut his hair in order to compete as a wrestler. There are rules you see and apparently he was not told of any alternative solution until the last minute or that his hair was unacceptable for not being in “its natural state.”

Yes, that’s ridiculous but it’s not the only ridiculousness and pettiness built in to our educational system and our society in general. It’s the big story on national networks today and that’s ridiculous too. We need to lighten up.

Actually the hairdo in question was indeed in the state curly hair gets if you do nothing to it and of course I would be remiss by not pointing out that nature doesn’t cut one’s hair. It doesn’t clothe us or wash us for that matter.

Locks are pretty much natural, but when there’s a dispute over dress or haircuts or any of the really bizarre things people do to themselves these days in the pursuit of group identity—accusations will happen. These days accusations of racism arise almost like virtual particles in the vacuum of space. One must take care when not overreacting.

As I said, I’m old and I do remember when you’d get sent home from school for not tucking your shirt in or wearing blue denim. Worse still, my female classmates would be forced to go home and change if they showed up in slacks. It seems intolerant now, antique, capriciously idiotic, although they would sometimes be allowed to bring a skirt and change upon arrival if it was 20 below or more. A bit of sexism here, a bit of fashion fascism too, but I remember what this fellow will probably learn: things change.

The old die off and the young take over, right or wrong, they ultimately win. Someday we may have a president with dreadlocks or face tattoos or spools in her ears giving the State of the Union address while the speaker of the House twerks in the background.  Someday you will be old too and everyone younger will seem outrageous and worse.  Lighten up.

No one my age who was young at the advent of long hairstyles—or should I say the recurrence of long hairstyles—can forget the abuse we received from much of the public in general and from authorities specifically. Stories were read about “hippies” being beaten and dragged behind trucks, attacked by certain less educated classes and Vietnam war supporters. Not all of the sickness and stupid prejudice in our country is just racism. We always make up reasons to fear and loathe and slander—all of us, victors and victims alike.

Are today’s aghast, irate and furious opinion shouters the real “snowflakes?” They certainly seem unable to adjust to challenges to important matters like hairstyles. What about those who think the government owes them protection from insult but should support their own insulting responses? No, I wouldn’t use that “S” word there either, and I’ve learned to reserve my fury for bigger and less ambiguous assaults on personal liberty—like being turned away from the polls, being refused service  and violations of civil rights—or even the frequent insults that some people have to endure because they seem poor, unkempt or unfashionable to people who think that it’s their right or duty to tell us how to look while wrestling.

The little boy who died in US custody Christmas eve—and his family—lost more than a little dignity and hair. We need to take our personal suffering with a bit less seriousness. We need to stop looking for categorical scapegoats and temper our goals with respect for restraint and good will toward men – and yes, yes, yes, for women too; lighten up!

About Post Author

Glenn Geist

Glenn Geist lives in South Florida and wastes most of his time boating, writing, complaining and talking on the radio
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Glenn R. Geist
5 years ago

I’m not really a rude person, but yes, I am so tempted of late.

Neil Bamforth
5 years ago

Today’s young taking over is a worry.

“Oh! I’m so offended” is their mantra.

Oh what fun I have with them 😀

Holte Ender
5 years ago

The young wrestler who lost his dreads was not making his wrestling debut. He wore a cover. He was wearing a cover that day. At the weigh in, everything was fine. At match time the referee decided he did not like his covered hair. Cut or forfeit. The same referee was investigated two years prior for making racial slurs to a fellow referee. But of course, it was determined the slurred referee was being over sensitive and needed to lighten up.

Reply to  Holte Ender
5 years ago

In this day and age, it’s important to define “racial slur.” In some cases, the ‘slur’ is in the eyes only of the beholder.

5 years ago

The whole political correctness crapola has gotten completely out of control, and I don’t know where the end of this latest fad might be or when. All I know is it sucks to be afraid of saying or doing anything.

Glenn R. Geist
5 years ago

For those too young to remember, having hair of a length once worn by Jimmy Carter, could get you into serious trouble. In the late 60’s I was ordered to get rid of my mustache or be fired. The violent antipathy toward anyone who seemed like he might be part of that war hating counterculture, Brooks Brothers and wingtips notwithstanding had a hard time finding a job and I once – honestogod – had someone shout at me thus attired in Chicago’s financial district because of that mustache and hair that just reached the top of my ears. “Get a job” he said. “Are you hiring?” I answered, taking a risk.

5 years ago

Just heard on CNN that the ref who ordered the kid’s hair cut is effectively out of a job. NJ school district said they will no longer allow him to referee any of their matches. The whole district. Shame on them.

Admin
5 years ago

You write:

“These days accusations of racism arise almost like virtual particles in the vacuum of space.”

Truer words were never spoken. I could tell stories for days about this, even without injecting my very strong opinions. Life, however, is too short. Accusing the coach of ‘racism’ for cutting the kid’s hair was just beyond the pale. Too often people of color hide behind that color as an excuse not to follow the rules which apply to everyone.

I can’t resist sharing one story from the past. I hope I will be forgiven.

A number of years ago I walked into my classroom of 50 students and said “good morning” and smiled at students, as was my habit, and thought no more about it. The next day I got a call from the department chair who told me a black student had complained I only say good morning to the white students. What? What? What? You see, some white students happened to seat themselves in the first two rows, with the others sitting throughout the classroom. The complaining student noted that I didn’t look at her when I said good morning and it was because she was black. I cannot make this up. It actually happened.

In closing, I agree with your article, every single word as a matter of fact. We need to lighten up but be careful how you say good morning.

Glenn R. Geist
Reply to  Professor Mike
5 years ago

And perhaps, if you had looked at her, there would be a complaint of another sort. 50 odd years ago, during the civil rights struggle I used to be able to joke with black classmates, to hang out and be friends with without this suspicion and tension. I miss it.

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