Who Dictates Normalcy? Abolishing Stereotypes & Gender Roles

In a recent magazine interview, I was asked a question that has arisen many times before. You would think that I would be used to it by now, but I'm always a bit taken aback. It slaps me with a dose of reality to the fact that other people might be thinking the same thing and then I have to step back and go, "Woah...I totally thought we were PAST this perception."

The question has to do with hair and short hair at that. More specifically, shaved hair. As in, "You have a shaved head - is that a sort of 'statement' that you are trying to make to society?" And it is at this point that I execute an about-face, silently utter, "Wow, really?" and then giggle. While it's true that a woman taking a razor to her locks is almost taboo-like in our civilization, I have just never personally seen it as SUCH a big deal. Curly, straight; purple, blonde; long, short...it seems that this would be so irrelevant in the scheme of society, but I guess I might be missing the boat when it comes to my understanding and awareness of the issue.

Having super short tresses is honestly NOT an act of defiance for me. Just as I speculate that many think my skin art collection implies rebellion (nope, sorry... it's way more meaningful to me; and anyhow, can you IMAGINE covering your body with artwork JUST to make a statement?? That's quite some dedication to "the cause" if anyone really does such a thing), so too the "hair issue" seems to beg the "why" question. Both of these visible aspects of my appearance are traits that I just like. I know that sounds simplistic, but it's really that elementary in a way. I know what I fancy when it comes to the hair and tattoo departments, and I just wear them the way I do because, well, I dig them that way.

Holding my niece Mekenzie & sitting between my sisters, Nicole & Brooke

Long before I got my first little tattoo (a cherry on my ankle), I sported a shaved head. It's always been my favorite hairstyle and the way I really felt the most comfortable. I have grown my hair out over the years and even enjoyed the change from time-to-time. In fact, when I got that first piece of ink, I had hair down past my shoulders. I must admit, I felt so accomplished when I had hair long enough to gather up and pull into a ponytail. But find it just as liberating not having to own a hair dryer too. The short-short style has always been the way that I felt the most like "me" in a sense. There have been times when it was cathartic to shave my head and when letting go of my hair helped me to move on, by getting back to basics, both physically and mentally. I don't know why, and I don't think there really needs to be a reason why. It just IS what it IS.

I guess my reason for examining the hair situation is to say that I think we should all just be the way we want to be.

• Wear the clothes we like without checking fashion magazines to be sure they are acceptable for the season.

• Listen to music that we dig, without the fear of being told that we "sold out."

• Wear makeup if we love the creative flair and the way rosy cheeks make us feel...or don't wear one dab of it if we prefer our skin bare.

• Wear dresses if we want to (whether we are boys or girls), baggy pants, or skinny jeans; just because it's what WE adore and not because we feel confined to "gender acceptable" dictated attire.

• Wear our hair long (whether a boy or a girl) or short (whether a boy or girl) if that's our fancy.

And do it all under no guise. Without following any rule book. With an open mind and a satisfied smile upon looking in the mirror. Not with the intention of being defiant or making a statement, but simply because life is too short to spend it masquerading as something we are not.

I think that we should open our minds, open our hearts, abolish stereotypes and the entire concept of "normalcy." Live life to the fullest in whatever clothes, skin, makeup and hair we choose; it's what we wear on the inside that matters anyway. And who's to tell you what is right or wrong if you are playing by your OWN RULES, eh?