Apr 23, 2023Liked by Joel Brandt, Andrew Paul Koole
Loved this for the memories. One of the biggest battles with my mother was the fact that I wanted to keep a "pixie" cut I had in fourth grade that actually worked with my very fine hair. She only later admitted, when I was an adult, that in the late 1920s, when she got her hair bobbed as a child, she hated that people mistook her for a boy, and that was why she didn't like me having short hair. Then there was the high school years, wearing rollers all night to give myself the proper flip that flopped by the time I got to school. And the liberation when I went to college in 1967, and became a hippie with long straight hair. And the irony, that I noticed but couldn't help myself stifle, when I battled with my daughter over her desire to die her hair purple as a teenager. And the years of having a perm-every six months- because it was the only thing that made my long fine hair stay off my face and didn't require any fussing, and how it took covid to liberate me from that routine, so now in my 70s, I have short hair for the first time since 4th grade (well shortish since my husband cuts my hair now and a chin length bob is about all he can manage.) Then of course there is the fact that I've been married for over 50 years to a man who is still wearing the same style (hoodie, black t-shirt, jeans) that are the perfect accompaniment to his silver hair in the pony tail he's been wearing all of those 50 years. Yes, hair, and values do go hand in hand.
Apr 22, 2023Liked by Joel Brandt, Andrew Paul Koole
I grew up when long hair was the norm for young men. I kept it long even though most of my peers cut it to get jobs and social status. As often happens with Ponytail Press posts it brought to mind things left out, e.g. the musical simply entitled "Hair" and a song that narrates your very identity, 5 man electrical band's, "Signs".
Loved this for the memories. One of the biggest battles with my mother was the fact that I wanted to keep a "pixie" cut I had in fourth grade that actually worked with my very fine hair. She only later admitted, when I was an adult, that in the late 1920s, when she got her hair bobbed as a child, she hated that people mistook her for a boy, and that was why she didn't like me having short hair. Then there was the high school years, wearing rollers all night to give myself the proper flip that flopped by the time I got to school. And the liberation when I went to college in 1967, and became a hippie with long straight hair. And the irony, that I noticed but couldn't help myself stifle, when I battled with my daughter over her desire to die her hair purple as a teenager. And the years of having a perm-every six months- because it was the only thing that made my long fine hair stay off my face and didn't require any fussing, and how it took covid to liberate me from that routine, so now in my 70s, I have short hair for the first time since 4th grade (well shortish since my husband cuts my hair now and a chin length bob is about all he can manage.) Then of course there is the fact that I've been married for over 50 years to a man who is still wearing the same style (hoodie, black t-shirt, jeans) that are the perfect accompaniment to his silver hair in the pony tail he's been wearing all of those 50 years. Yes, hair, and values do go hand in hand.
Indeed! Such an interestingly strong part of our identity throughout our lives. Thanks for sharing!
The world needs more lefties. Keep on keepin' on!
Big fan of the manifesto. Keep up the great work.
I grew up when long hair was the norm for young men. I kept it long even though most of my peers cut it to get jobs and social status. As often happens with Ponytail Press posts it brought to mind things left out, e.g. the musical simply entitled "Hair" and a song that narrates your very identity, 5 man electrical band's, "Signs".
"Signs" was one I thought of highlighting!
But you did better by having some gender balance.