Article: 'Is long hair on men illegal?' by Damien Lee Thorr

Is long hair on men illegal?

Article by Damien Lee Thorr

There are many things wrong with society:

Racism, ignorance, religious beliefs mistaken for reality, injustice, many forms of discrimination and ignorant cops.

Although there are cops who are genuinely good people, there is a vast number of them who are not qualified for the positions they hold in law enforcement.

For one thing, why is it they target men with long hair and/or misjudge them as "suspicious"?

Why does society in general turn their noses at long haired men as if they hold a scarlet letter of shame or bad deeds on their chests?

Looking at the prison population, the number of incarcerated long haired men is less than 5%. In other words, the vast majority of criminals are clean cut, short haired men.

It seems I am always harassed by cops, as if it's in their training manual to humiliate and bully long haired men for no reason. Is it due to their religious beliefs? Is it just plain ignorance?

The woman next door to me, who is younger than me, called the cops on her 19 year old son. As they arrived, I was outside talking out the trash and they approached me about the incident. They figured because I have long hair, that I HAD to be the one the woman was complaining about.

Many years ago, my wife at the time worked at a hospital and I always went there at night to pick her up from work. Without fail, each time I arrived, there was a cop there who always questioned why I was there, wanting to know why I was there. They never questioned the men with short hair.

I have since boycotted the Disney parks because they do random metal detector inspections. All other parks such as Lego Land, Sea World, Universal Studios, etc.... always inspect EVERYONE through the metal detectors, which makes me feel safe at those attractions. However, at the Disney parks they do not inspect everyone but they always make sure they inspect all men with long hair. This is clearly discrimination. One day, a nice looking, clean cut man with a gun is going to slip past their "random" security and go on a bloody and deadly shooting spree and Disney will be responsible due to their discriminatory practice that only long haired men are dangerous.

It is very easy to look at the men who have committed mass shootings and notice that they have all been short haired, clean cut men. Some of them could even pass for clergy. People simply have to stop discriminating based on the appearance of a person and not make a judgement.

I have had many experiences just about everywhere when I have been profiled by cops as well as store employees, who think I am there to shop lift. However, it is not just with me. All of my long haired friends have many similar stories of incidents where cops have been abusive.

It also does not stop with cops. I have faced discrimination for having long hair as well when it comes to: dating, housing, employment, getting a table at a restaurant and even getting a taxi.

I walk through a shopping mall or the aisles of a supermarket and I can't help think of what negative thoughts the people around me are assuming of me without knowing a damned thing about me.

Many have expressed that if life is hard that I should just "cut the hair". Does that mean that the ignorant should remain ignorant? That they shouldn't grow out of their prejudices and idiocies? Do they also expect non christians to convert? Do they also expect blacks to change their pigmentation?

This is ridiculous.

As a long haired man, I have never committed any crimes. I am well educated and have many great accomplishments I can boast about. It is time to speak up and educate the ignorant. 

Damien Lee Thorr is the composer and lead guitarist for the popular, classically influenced and openly atheist/political activist metal band Predator, has authored many essays and editorials for Asphyxium Zine and written he horror-erotica novel “The Vampire Journals”. Check out Predator’s 2011 full length "Born in Blood" at Youtube and visit their official site at http://www.predatortheband.com/.