Bald =/= Racist

[Erase]

I'm 17 and often get mistaked for being racist or being a nazi because I'm bald.
When I first started to shave my head, some of my friends asked right away if I was racist.
I often get asked by random people as well if I'm racist.

Last week I went with my school to an italian exchange trip where we had to stay at some italian families as their guests. After being there for a few days, some of my classmates came up to me and was like "My italian host asked me if you were racist." And it can't be because of the way I behave, because I try to be as anti-racist as possible and also walk around with 6 people from my class who are from other nationalities, so it can only be because people are very ignorant and assume that if you're a bald teen, you're racist.

In my opinion, people who are that ignorant and prejudge people that way, are just as bad, if not worse, as racists.

Do any of you experience similar things?

[Laser Man]

In Europe in the 70's and 80's, young guys with shaved heads and boots were usually skinheads, neonazis or punks.  They were associated with bigotry, racism and brutish behavior.  So it's not completely surprising that your Italian hosts would ask.  By being polite and unbigoted, you are doing the right things to dispel the prejudice associated with a shaved head.

I haven't experienced what you have. The difference is that I'm older, so people assume my shaved head is because of MPB.   When people see a young guy with a shaved head, unfortunately, some people will jump to conclusions. Don't let that change your mind. If you like shaving your head, keep doing it. No matter what you do in life, someone will disagree with you. The important thing is to be yourself.

[Paul the Headblader]

I have something similar. not as a racist, but as an ex inmate.
Of course, I've never been in jail, not even got a ticket.
Gotta tell you this: it's not your fault, it;s theirs. I feel like kicking in the nuts the stupid people that doesn't mind their business, that are too stupid too face a chance, to face the truth, or people to stick into other's asses.

[Krautican]

I'm 17 and often get mistaked for being racist or being a nazi because I'm bald.
When I first started to shave my head, some of my friends asked right away if I was racist.
I often get asked by random people as well if I'm racist.

Last week I went with my school to an italian exchange trip where we had to stay at some italian families as their guests. After being there for a few days, some of my classmates came up to me and was like "My italian host asked me if you were racist." And it can't be because of the way I behave, because I try to be as anti-racist as possible and also walk around with 6 people from my class who are from other nationalities, so it can only be because people are very ignorant and assume that if you're a bald teen, you're racist.

In my opinion, people who are that ignorant and prejudge people that way, are just as bad, if not worse, as racists.

Do any of you experience similar things?

Dude. I know what you mean. Once my friend and I were walking around a mall and I walked into a store and said "Hey do you guys sell soccer socks?" and before I even finished my sentence, the black cashier who I was talking to just shook her head saying no.

Probably didn't help that I was wearing foot tall doc martens with my pants rolled up. O/w

[Mikekoz13]

In Europe in the 70's and 80's, young guys with shaved heads and boots were usually skinheads, neonazis or punks.  They were associated with bigotry, racism and brutish behavior.  So it's not completely surprising that your Italian hosts would ask.  By being polite and unbigoted, you are doing the right things to dispel the prejudice associated with a shaved head.

I haven't experienced what you have. The difference is that I'm older, so people assume my shaved head is because of MPB.   When people see a young guy with a shaved head, unfortunately, some people will jump to conclusions. Don't let that change your mind. If you like shaving your head, keep doing it. No matter what you do in life, someone will disagree with you. The important thing is to be yourself.

This is an EXCELLENT post!

[Vash]

Do any of you experience similar things?

I originally posted this on the boards back in 2007. I was 30 at the time.

"So, I was at work recently. It was the middle of the week, middle of the day and I was the only one in the whole bar/restaurant. We rarely get much business in the middle of the day and I was sort of hanging out behind the bar.

A guy comes in and sits down at the bar. He takes off his hat and his head is shaved. He gives me a nod and orders a burger and a beer. I pour his beer and go to make his food.

When I get back he starts talking about random stuff that's on the TV. Just small talk, nothing personal or weird or anything, just talk. He starts asking me about what brand of razor I use to shave my head, complaining that he can't get a really close shave. Now, if you know me, you know that I am always happy to extol the virtues of any product that I really believe in. SO I tell him all about the Headblade (my razor of choice) and their fine line of head shaving accessories. I even give him a business card. We continued to chat while I did the behind the bar, cleaning up and so on that all bartenders do. Not really paying attention to him besides the chit chatting.

After he's done eating, he pays his tab, asks for direction to highway 26 and thanks me for the conversation and food.

As he's handing me the $20 to pay his check he says "Always nice to meet a brother" and smiles as I take his money. Now, I am used to guys who shave their heads, or wear kilts, or play bodhrans making references like that to me. We tend to consider ourselves outsiders in a way and so naturally attempt to reach out to others of similar interest with a sense of belonging. Nothing all that weird.

But as I'm at the register getting his change I glance over at him and I notice his hands. His knuckles are tattooed. You've all seen the ( L | O | V | E ) ( H | A | T | E ) tattoos across peoples hands before. Well, if this guy had made fists and put them side by side, his hands would read:

(  | R | a | H ) ( o | W | a |  ) and his pinky knuckles had a little swastika on each one.

For those of you unfamiliar with the acronym RaHoWa , it's skin head code for "Racial Holy War".

While I was getting his change he went to the bathroom and as he's coming back out he's putting his coat back on... I look and his arms are covered in crosses, swastikas, and fire image tattoos.

As he left, he's almost out the door when he looks back at me, rubs his hand over his scalp and says (with a smile) "You picked the right side, brother". He left his change on the bar for me as a tip.

The right side? WTF?... But I"m not... I never said anything about... what &^%ing "side"? dammit... idiot.  

Now, this guy never said one, single racial word to me. Never used any slang, never gave any verbal indication of his opinions on the subject of non-white races and I certainly didn't either. If he hadn't called me "brother" I doubt I'd have even paid attention to his crappy tats.

I keep running my mind over the whole encounter again and again. I didn't say or do anything to indicate to anyone that I might be a racist (which I am definitely not) other than to have no hair on my head.

Now, you'd think that someone with opinions that are as widely unpopular and potentially dangerous to talk about as being a freakin' "skinhead" would want to be certain that he was in like minded company before making such an assumption. You'd expect that it's the kind of thing you need a secret handshake to identify one another by. But no... apparently because I am Caucasian and I shave my head, I must be his "brother" and on his "side". Which couldn't be further from the truth of the matter.

Racism pisses me off and racist groups and their members even more so. I can't stand those idiots, they make everybody of the same skin color look bad. Hell I've gotten into more than one actual FIGHT with those jack asses. I mean, come on, how dumb can you be?

Anyway.... I thought I'd share this little story with you guys. Apparently my haircut makes people think things that simply aren't true, and they don't feel the need to find out whether they are or not.

Am I the only one this happens to? Why do people gotta suck?"



So, in short. It's not just you. It happens to a lot of us.

[imaginary]

Aside from the Middle Eastern comments/jokes, I've received comments about "doing the Rick Ross look." Meanwhile, I am a rocker.

If you ask me, many people are stuck in some asinine stereotype that was created long ago, and almost unconsciously refuse open their eyes to anything else.

[Baldstu]

I remember a holiday in Madiera years ago where some soldiers jeered and laughed at me because of shavedhead  . I just smiled back and laughedat them no worries , whatever  they thought about me .
Also in Enfield onceyears ago as a skin ( sharp) carshooted at me , Enfield was known to have a right wing element to it , i ignord it , aceppt me for what I am and all racism has its genesis in ignorance  , I m  no racist . I also remember getting un solicited
Iterature from the British National Party after starting to shave my head , i ignored it that was at lest 15 years ago
Treat it all with amusement
If your a good and kind person and treat your Brother man and Sisters with Respect no harm will come to you

[Slyfive]

There are few things that make me angrier than racism, and unfortunately, I do seem to sometimes attract the attention of skinheads, thinking I'm their 'brother' as Vash experienced. Truth is, it's the only thing that worries me about being bald... I don't want people to make such assumptions about me.

My parents were anti-apartheid protesters in South Africa when it was happening, they left so that when I was born, it wouldn't be in such a racist place. My Dad was forced to get off the 'blacks only' carriage of the train to his work, when all he wanted to do was talk to his friends, who just so happened to be black... racism is the stupidest, most unfounded prejudice imaginable and it sickens me to think someone might lump me in that category.

Every race has an equal right to this earth, and I would happily give my life to protect any person of any colour or race who faces persecution from this unjust hatred.

[tomgallagher]

There are few things that make me angrier than racism, and unfortunately, I do seem to sometimes attract the attention of skinheads, thinking I'm their 'brother' as Vash experienced. Truth is, it's the only thing that worries me about being bald... I don't want people to make such assumptions about me.

My parents were anti-apartheid protesters in South Africa when it was happening, they left so that when I was born, it wouldn't be in such a racist place. My Dad was forced to get off the 'blacks only' carriage of the train to his work, when all he wanted to do was talk to his friends, who just so happened to be black... racism is the stupidest, most unfounded prejudice imaginable and it sickens me to think someone might lump me in that category.

Every race has an equal right to this earth, and I would happily give my life to protect any person of any colour or race who faces persecution from this unjust hatred.

Well said mate.

[Baldstu]

My father was a rabid racist and homophobe , racism is born in ignorance , thankfully my Mother brought me up the complete reverse to racism . Being bald i am notinterested inthis minority group , what really gets me into anger mode is a gay man who is a racist skin , and there is quite afew in Holland .

[tomgallagher]

Wow, there must have been some friction there once in a while. Thankfully it looks like your Mother won out.

[Baldstu]

Errh yes Tom they divorced very early on . My late Father approved of  my skinhead phase but would notspeak to me when I came out .Deep deep down I like think he was not a racist but did not understand cultural differences , he would help anyone out in trouble . But the racist crap that used to come out I found very offensive .