Kinda timid about the whole stigma

[Turk]

(in case it was unclear, I'm the dude in that pic, lol)

I'm 16 and a junior in high school. I've gone sly before in the past, but the only thing I'm unsure about is the negative things I catch from everybody else. I live in the dirty south, and I never hear the end of "skinhead", "nazi", "hey aren't you the dude from american history x?" (which is strange enough because my two best friends are black dudes)

and it's not only that, it extends into "bruh got leukemia" (like that's supposed to be funny or something). So basically, kids are cruel without a doubt. My only thing is, I've actually been physically threatened for being sly in school before. I don't wanna end up on the wrong end of a fight with the people there if you know what I'm saying.

But anyway, have you guys ever been confronted with the same thing? I totally wanna shave my head again, because I look like a freakin' old man with the hairline I have now. And I know the whole "just be yourself" thing, but when "yourself" is being physically threatened for just being itself, it gets a bit confusing.

So any thoughts?

[Ghost1988]

you seem to get girls fine by the looks of your default? if you get women and friends why do you care so much about your hairline? apparently they dont. if you just be yourself and people see your not a skinhead or w/e people will lay low and not start sh*t with you. it takes awhile for people to stop being ignorant.

[BALDANDRE]

Tough one...if you're gettin' in physical danger..

but bro, do what YOU want...if you want to be bald, do it and try to brake the ideas people have about a slick shaved head..

like Ghost said, the girls still dig ya..you should do it for you!

Welcome bro!

[warhawk]

hey street:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  2 answer your question...i've had a few negative comments but  most were positive (thankfully no "physical" threats).  like U said..."kids R cruel"... heck people R cruel regardless if U had hair, no hair, short, skinny, fat, tall.  i hope that U can just B yourself & enjoy the chrome dome without any "physical" threats towards U.  again... welcome 2 the forum & keep us posted.

WARHAWK

[BALDANDRE]

Ok...here's a better way to answer it..

what bums you out more..

the flack you get from a shaved head..

or the feeling you get from a receding hairline...

that answer should tell you what would be best for YOU!

Good luck young bro!

[Razor X]

what bums you out more..

the flack you get from a shaved head..

or the feeling you get from a receding hairline...

that answer should tell you what would be best for YOU!

Bingo.  And as far as the skinhead/Nazi/leukemia patient thing goes -- the next time you're out in a crowd, take a look around for guys with shaved  heads, and you'll see that they come in all shapes, sizes, ages and "types".  By "types" I mean, you can still pick out the artistic types from the tough guy types from the types who probably wear a suit to work every day.  Same  hairstyle, but the overall look is still very different.  The only ones who are going to look like skinheads or Nazis are the ones who actually are skinheads or Nazis.

At the end of the day, you have to be true to yourself and go with the look that makes you happy.  Any 16 year-old who's got the guts to buck trends and sport a shaved head deserves a lot of credit in my opinion.

[Turk]

thanks you guys for the imput. I definently appreciate the support I get from the sly fraternity, as warhawk put it. bald is definently where I wanna go with it, and that's what I think I'm gonna stick with. I guess if anyone would call somebody a skinhead just because of the shaved head thing, then they're being prejudice themselves just by associating the way you look with who you are (which is hypocritical).

Thanks a lot guys!

[Razor X]

The comments will stop once people see that they aren't going to be able to influence you into letting your hair grow back.  And if it's any consolation, you won't have to deal with this kind of thing for long.  In a little more than a year, you'll be out of high school and nobody will care if you have a shaved head.  Once you're in college, there's a whole lot more freedom to be an individual.  When the day comes to step into that environment, you'll be a lot more confident if you're the completely bald guy rather than the guy who's losing his hair.

[Turk]

exactly. Bald is probably the most liberating statement (and I'm told college is all about self liberation, lol).

So yeah, I'm definently goin' sly again. May Santa be good to you all!

[champ007]

Welcome Street.
The guys have given you some great advice.
I would like to add that the way you present yourself can cause people to sometimes grasp a quick thought of what type of person you are without ever speaking to you. Be sure take a step back and try to see what might provoke something uncalled for, it could be a walk, having pants draped to your knees, even a look on your face. Young people tend to "pop off" at the mouth without thought, which usually passes as they mature. (sometimes they never get it though)
Sometimes a simple smile and handshake can break down a barrier. 

[BALDANDRE]

exactly. Bald is probably the most liberating statement (and I'm told college is all about self liberation, lol).

So yeah, I'm definently goin' sly again. May Santa be good to you all!

Awesome!

Now that you've made the SLY choice...

set up a photo shoot with those cute little ladies again..

but this time have your freshly skinned noggin' showin' in the center of the picture..

you know, nice and SLY!

[Tyler]

Street, welcome to SBG!  It looks like these guys have lead you down the Sly path.

[Brkeatr]

Welcome to the Forum Street !!   

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to our humble Forum Street! Good advice from the guys..............

[tomgallagher]

Welcome aboard dude.