I’m Not Cutting My Hair Until Quarantine Is Done [Week 3]
With barbershops closed, we’re all in the same situation — and I’m gonna chronicle mine
Update 6/7/22: Level has a new home. You can read this article and other new articles by visiting LEVELMAN.com.
While barbershops around the country are closed for business as a government-mandated means to slow the spread of Covid-19, I’ve decided to stand in solidarity with my fellow temporarily barberless Black men. There’s sure to be lots of dudes taking matters into their own hands — and mutilating their hairlines in the process. That won’t be me, though.
For the foreseeable future, I’ll be wearing my natural hairline like a badge of honor. And every week, I’ll be updating you on the progress in this hair diary — observations about my scruff, barbershop withdrawal, feelings of insecurity, feelings of pride. All the while, I’m gonna sport this grizzle like a playoff beard, refusing to trim it until it’s in the right hands: my barber’s.
[Week 3]
Wednesday, April 15
This is not completely uncharted territory for me. I’ve allowed my hair to grow longer than this (albeit under less restrictive conditions), but there’s something beautifully primal about embracing the wolf at this time. As the weeks have passed, I’ve even begun to turn my nose up at the folks who shaved their heads bald many moons ago and are unaffected by the overall state of barberlessness. The same goes doubly for those who’ve resorted to tasking a significant other with clipper duty. You suckas ain’t brave for testing the limits of your hairline — and your relationship — with some Andis’ at-home action. You’re soft. You’re weak!
Thursday, April 16
Okay, maybe I’m weak. I’m starting to run out of hats to wear in Zoom meetings. My favorite Yamamoto snapback has become a permanent fixture on my dome during filmings of my daily podcast, Say Less with Kaz (available on iTunes, Spotify, Google and everywhere you listen to podcasts *wink*). I can see the shadow of the once-confident corners of my hairline — it’s as if every day is Groundhog Day. I’m already anticipating the slight sting of my barber’s clippers in my…
