Hair statements
Playing the part with a part
Emmalee C. Torisk REPORTER
Issue date: 11/18/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment
With a mane of slightly wavy, unruly dark brown hair cascading halfway down his back, junior Chris Meeker admits that his hair is a major part of his image - and his stereotypical persona - as an old school metal band drummer.
With musical tastes ranging from Slayer to Neil Young, Meeker said he grew his hair nearly four years ago to further identify with his music, which is fairly common among Youngstown State University students.
"My music is the entire basis of my identity. Without it, I'd probably just go 'poof' and be gone," Meeker said. "My hair fits the image of the music I listen to and play. Actually, my bandmates are also growing their hair long. It's an image, and musicians need it."
Although Meeker confessed that in the past he used to claim nonchalance about the opinions of others, most of which concerned his appearance, he said he - along with pretty much everyone else - does care. Hair is a part of a person's image, as well as the image they're stereotyped as, Meeker said.
For instance, in Meeker's case, middle-aged and elderly people tend to view him as "a menace to society" and give him "dirty looks in the mall," while simultaneously pulling their children closer. Additionally, girls tend to find Meeker's hair "pretty," while guys are either commending or condescending.
"I find it humorous and depressing how quickly we shun people for how they look," Meeker said. "If you have your hair in your face, you're a scene or emo kid. Shaved head, you're a tough guy. Long hair, you're metal or a hippie."
Meeker said hair can express a person and his or her personality, although he acknowledged one downfall of unique hairstyles- although they're aimed at distinguishing one person from the rest of the crowd, sometimes their purpose is slightly contradictory.
"[People say] 'I do it like this to show that I'm different.' Really, they're just like all the others with the same hairstyle, myself included," Meeker said.
With musical tastes ranging from Slayer to Neil Young, Meeker said he grew his hair nearly four years ago to further identify with his music, which is fairly common among Youngstown State University students.
"My music is the entire basis of my identity. Without it, I'd probably just go 'poof' and be gone," Meeker said. "My hair fits the image of the music I listen to and play. Actually, my bandmates are also growing their hair long. It's an image, and musicians need it."
Although Meeker confessed that in the past he used to claim nonchalance about the opinions of others, most of which concerned his appearance, he said he - along with pretty much everyone else - does care. Hair is a part of a person's image, as well as the image they're stereotyped as, Meeker said.
For instance, in Meeker's case, middle-aged and elderly people tend to view him as "a menace to society" and give him "dirty looks in the mall," while simultaneously pulling their children closer. Additionally, girls tend to find Meeker's hair "pretty," while guys are either commending or condescending.
"I find it humorous and depressing how quickly we shun people for how they look," Meeker said. "If you have your hair in your face, you're a scene or emo kid. Shaved head, you're a tough guy. Long hair, you're metal or a hippie."
Meeker said hair can express a person and his or her personality, although he acknowledged one downfall of unique hairstyles- although they're aimed at distinguishing one person from the rest of the crowd, sometimes their purpose is slightly contradictory.
"[People say] 'I do it like this to show that I'm different.' Really, they're just like all the others with the same hairstyle, myself included," Meeker said.
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