Historically, beards have been a symbol of wisdom. Many of the great Greek and Asian philosophers have grown beards. Many cultures, such as the Vikings, valued their beards as an indication of their bravery and manhood.
Hayden Crosby | rawr
Senior Jarod Bodine proudly presents to us his beard that has been growing throughout “no shave November.”
A more recent practice (No-Shave November) is a heroic and wise undertaking that only the bravest or smartest partake in. It originated in the Movember movement in Australia in 1999. The month was originally dedicated to the growing of mustaches to gain awareness for men’s prostate health. More than 230,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and about 30,000 die from it annually, according to the Movember and No-shave November websites. Prostate cancer is also the second-deadliest form of cancer in men, with lung cancer being the first. Several men, in an attempt to bring more attention to men’s health, decided that the simple yet elegant mustache was not enough, and that only a beard would do. Clay Bistline is one of these men.
“I first heard of no shave November my junior year of high school,” he said. “I thought it to be very funny and thought ‘what the hell, why not participate.’ I found that it was difficult at first, because I had never even contemplated participating and never knew what my beard even looked like. Also it made me feel really self-conscious.”
However, as he continued to participate in No-Shave November, Bistline said he found that it became easier.
“My family and friends are very accepting and willing to cooperate with my beard dreams,” he said. “Too bad it only happens once a year.”
Bistline also said a perk of participating is that girls love beards.
For some, like Vince Stanaszek, this was the first year of participating.
“I first heard of No-Shave November back at the University of Washington two or three years ago,” he said. “I thought about it, didn’t shave for about three to four days, and then gave in.”
It’s possible for a man to look good with a 5 o’clock shadow or a stubble, and a man can look good with a beard. It’s that period in the middle, at about the one week mark, that really looks bad. If you’re clean-shaven, or with a full beard, you look like you’re doing a good job of grooming yourself. Even though this holiday tends to be male dominated, ladies participated as well, showing their support in the fight for men’s health. Every pair of unshaven legs showed support for the many men that may be afflicted with problems of the prostate.
Derek Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]
