Bureaucratic Control Freaks in Texas Schools
If you saw this story, you might assume that you slipped back in time to 1959.  The educational bureaucrats of Texas have suspended a boy–a preschooler, no less–for having excessively long hair. The tot actually looks quite dapper–at least in any civilized part of the country.  Furthermore, he was growing his hair so that he could later have it cut and donated to a charity that provides wigs to cancer victims who have lost their hair from chemotherapy treatments. One would think that he would receive praise, not be bullied, for such a generous impulse.
Even if charity had not been his motive, such idiotic regimentation should have disappeared by the end of the 1960s. But apparently it hasn’t in certain authoritarian precincts in the South. I have a suggestions for the Texas hair police, who apparently believe that every young male ought to look like he’s planning to have a career in the Marines. You have enough of a challenge educating the next generation, and most of the public schools aren’t doing a very good job at that task. Stop trying to dictate such things as grooming preferences. This is supposed to be a free country, and you might at least try to maintain that illusion a little longer with respect to your students.
M. Conrad Smith
Hi Ted,
Another well written article; kudos. I am rather annoyed however, by this statement; “But apparently it hasn’t in certain authoritarian precincts in the South.”
So, are you saying the South has a monopoly on idiocy? Or, perhaps, the South inherently produces more crude, ill-mannered, abhorrently obnoxious, and altogether stupid people per capita than the North? Midwest? Or even West Coast?
Sorry, don’t mean to be chippy in my reply. I am a proud Southron by birth who has spent the last nine years living in Wisconsin. This experience has shown me, if nothing else, the notion of yankee superiority (intellectually, or otherwise) has to be the greatest myth in humanity’s sordid history lol.
Still, the gist of your article is well reasoned and spot on. I was surprised by the culturally biased barb.
Comment on Jan 12th, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Mike
Hey Ted,
Sorry for my earlier remark. Not so much for it rubbing me the wrong way rather for my response. Upon further reflection, it, my response, was too harsh which is where my apology comes in. I didn’t recognize at first what a trigger the topic was for me and will strive to keep that in mind prior to responding to others in the future.
Best wishes,
Mike S.
Comment on Jan 13th, 2010 at 1:19 am
tcarpenter
Hi Mike,
First of all, no apology needed on your part at all. In fact, you have a valid point. It is true that both historical evidence and contemporary sociological evidence suggests that social (especially lifestyle) authoritarianism is stronger in the South than in other regions. Conversely, sentiment for economic regimentation tends to be stronger in the Northeast and on much of the West Coast.
But you’re right that it was unfair for me to use such an emotionally laden generalization about a region inhabited by millions of diverse people. There are social authoritarians in every part of the country, just as there are good people in every region who are willing to tolerate different lifestyles,
Thanks for calling me on this. I’ll try to be a bit more circumspect about my terminology in the future.
Best,
Ted
Comment on Jan 13th, 2010 at 4:51 pm