Re: A little incident today
Posted by Jenn on September 13, 2003 at 19:11:18: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
That's pretty lame, man. It is definitely unsettling, and it's sad because there is enough discrimination against longhairs as it is. Hope you're OK! You're definitely not criminal material ^_^
~Jenn
whoever called in....
Posted by john on September 13, 2003 at 19:12:05: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
wasnt meaning to bash people with long hair.
but your hair fit the description and they were just thinking on the safe side, long hair isnt the "norm" so when someone hears of a rapist with waist long hair, then sees someone with waist long hair, it just clicks
i would have called in too, lol, better safe than sorry.
Re: whoever called in....
Posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 22:20:34: Previous NextIn Reply to: whoever called in.... posted by john on September 13, 2003 at 19:12:05:
But I DON'T fit the description.
The guy was said to be dirty, skinny, has a mustach, and hair that MIGHT be down to his waist.
I am not dirty, I am mesomorphic (leaning to the heavier side lately), have no facial hair except for a day or two of shadow growth and have hair that is well PAST my waist.
That was the description on the news after it happened and now here is the description that the news has in their story on their webiste:
"The suspect is described as a white male with long black hair over his shoulder and a mustache. The victim indicates the suspect is in his 30's and has a tattoo on the upper part of his left arm."
I say that it's quite a stretch. Not to mention that the crime happened on the other side of the city and several days ago. The person who called on me obivously saw the first description on the news but ignored most of the description.
I would have PASSED OUT!
Posted by LucksKind on September 13, 2003 at 19:25:01: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
Thank God the police realized it was a 'bad tip'!
Some people are so quick to 'profile' people!
Most longhairs are decent, gentle folk...
what's with THAT longhair rapist?
Anyway, glad everuthing got straightened out for you before things got out of control!
Re: A little incident today
Posted by Nyghtfall on September 13, 2003 at 20:45:50: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
: I don't usually tell about the comments that I get on my hair but this one was a little different:
About a year ago, I was picking up some snacks at a convenience store down the street from where I live. I left the store to find a police car parked behind my car, lights flashing. Confused, I looked at the cop sitting behind the wheel, and kept pointing to myself to see if he was stopping me for something, or had simply parked there for some reason.
Wondering what traffic law I had inadvertantly violated, I put my bag of snacks in the car and waited for him. He calmly stepped out, and immediately instructed me to put my hands on my car and spread my legs. He said this as he was removing his gun from its holster. Knowing better than to argue with a cop who has a gun pointed at me from 10 feet away, I did as he instructed. I wasn't angry though. I knew I hadn't done anything, but was especially curious to know what I had done to warrant the gun, and he hadn't bothered telling me anything at this pont (of course, I was too lost in my own thoughts to ask).
He asked me to stand there for the next few minutes while we waited for his partner to show up. After a couple minutes passed, two more patrols arrived and flanked both sides of my car. Both officers got out. One removed his gun while the other very politely asked me to remain motionless while he patted me down. He then asked for my ID, at which point I slowly removed my wallet and gave him my driver license. He asked if he could search my car, and I wholly agreed.
Satisfied with not having found anything, he and the other of the three officers asked me to wait on the sidewalk in front of the store while he called my ID in. I took advantage of the opportunity ask the other two guarding me what was going on. It turned out that another store had been the victim of an armed robbery a mere half hour before, and that I fit the description of the suspect (5' 9", blue eyes, black jeans, leather coat, long hair) and driving a blue two-door Sedan (I drive a two-door Ford Tempo).
As the officer CB'ed my ID to dispatch, the other two asked me what I was doing at the store, and where I was a half hour ago (with my wife, surfing the net). After a couple more minutes of waiting, they concluded I wasn't the suspect, apologized for the inconvenience, and thanked me for my time. We shook hands, I thanked them for their professionalism, and wished them luck on finding the robber.
The next day, a news report confirmed the suspect had been apprehended early that morning.
I can understand some of the anger and frustration that comes from being "profiled", but as longhairs we have to expect that kind of flack every now and again. It comes with looking strikingly different than every other man walking the streets. Especially when someone matching our description has actually committed a crime.
ummmmm...no...
Posted by LucksKind on September 13, 2003 at 20:54:36: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: A little incident today posted by Nyghtfall on September 13, 2003 at 20:45:50:
I don't expect to get flack every now and then...things are nerve racking enough
as they are.
Well, you must be a better man than I am, as I don't think I would have
given any kind of handshake for inconveniencing me!O, the price to pay for some snacks...O, I moan...
I moan to think. . .
and to think this could happen again!
: About a year ago, I was picking up some snacks at a convenience store down the street from where I live. I left the store to find a police car parked behind my car, lights flashing. Confused, I looked at the cop sitting behind the wheel, and kept pointing to myself to see if he was stopping me for something, or had simply parked there for some reason.
: Wondering what traffic law I had inadvertantly violated, I put my bag of snacks in the car and waited for him. He calmly stepped out, and immediately instructed me to put my hands on my car and spread my legs. He said this as he was removing his gun from its holster. Knowing better than to argue with a cop who has a gun pointed at me from 10 feet away, I did as he instructed. I wasn't angry though. I knew I hadn't done anything, but was especially curious to know what I had done to warrant the gun, and he hadn't bothered telling me anything at this pont (of course, I was too lost in my own thoughts to ask).
: He asked me to stand there for the next few minutes while we waited for his partner to show up. After a couple minutes passed, two more patrols arrived and flanked both sides of my car. Both officers got out. One removed his gun while the other very politely asked me to remain motionless while he patted me down. He then asked for my ID, at which point I slowly removed my wallet and gave him my driver license. He asked if he could search my car, and I wholly agreed.
: Satisfied with not having found anything, he and the other of the three officers asked me to wait on the sidewalk in front of the store while he called my ID in. I took advantage of the opportunity ask the other two guarding me what was going on. It turned out that another store had been the victim of an armed robbery a mere half hour before, and that I fit the description of the suspect (5' 9", blue eyes, black jeans, leather coat, long hair) and driving a blue two-door Sedan (I drive a two-door Ford Tempo).
: As the officer CB'ed my ID to dispatch, the other two asked me what I was doing at the store, and where I was a half hour ago (with my wife, surfing the net). After a couple more minutes of waiting, they concluded I wasn't the suspect, apologized for the inconvenience, and thanked me for my time. We shook hands, I thanked them for their professionalism, and wished them luck on finding the robber.
: The next day, a news report confirmed the suspect had been apprehended early that morning.
: I can understand some of the anger and frustration that comes from being "profiled", but as longhairs we have to expect that kind of flack every now and again. It comes with looking strikingly different than every other man walking the streets. Especially when someone matching our description has actually committed a crime.
Re: ummmmm...no...
Posted by Terry on September 13, 2003 at 22:52:35: Previous NextIn Reply to: ummmmm...no... posted by LucksKind on September 13, 2003 at 20:54:36:
So what do you think should happen?
A suspect has been described as a man of a specific height, wearing specific clothing, and has long hair.
If the police finds someone with that description (not just the hair) they should NOT stop and search him because long haired men have been harassed enough in this world? Long haired men, even criminals, should not be held accountable for their actions or even questioned about possible wrong doings?
It soulds like the police were just doing their job.
With an attitude like yours, why should they help you if someone is actually harrassing you or a long haired friend?
Re: ummmmm...no...
Posted by Mick on September 14, 2003 at 03:18:18: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: ummmmm...no... posted by Terry on September 13, 2003 at 22:52:35:
I agree. He just happened to match the description. It is much easier for the police to pick you out, due to the long hair. We all have to admit that we are a small percent of the make population. He was stopped because he fit the description, not only because of the long hair.
ummmmm...no...ummmmm...no...
Posted by LucksKind on September 14, 2003 at 12:30:36: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: ummmmm...no... posted by Terry on September 13, 2003 at 22:52:35:
: It soulds like the police were just doing their job.: With an attitude like yours, why should they help you if someone is actually harrassing you or a long haired friend?"
Ummmmmm...YES! The police were just doing their job...and that's fine by me...
What I said was that I would not thank them and shake hands...
because my whole body would probably be shaking...Maybe I will just tip my hat to them...then again...
I don't wear a hat...hmmmmm....
Re: A little incident today
Posted by Loki on September 13, 2003 at 21:30:13: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
Hello...the cops knew not to a tip zealeously JUST because of your long hair. The idiot that called you in was most likely not used to recognizing differences between longhaired men. It IS relatively rare and thus most have never learned how to distinguish between them.
Re: A little incident today
Posted by nWo_Slapnut on September 14, 2003 at 01:16:25: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
Yeah, but think of it this way: If words gets out that there's a rapist with SHORT hair, the chances of you being accused of being that rapist would be slim on account of your long hair.
Re: A little incident today
Posted by Bill on September 15, 2003 at 10:46:07: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: A little incident today posted by nWo_Slapnut on September 14, 2003 at 01:16:25:
: Yeah, but think of it this way: If words gets out that there's a rapist with SHORT hair, the chances of you being accused of being that rapist would be slim on account of your long hair.
Actually, we don't fit the profile for a LOT of criminals because most of the population does not have our look. I wonder how many times I have NOT been stopped because no one can grow two feet of hair, or a one inch beard for that matter, overnight. :-) They know damned well I'm not their suspect for the bank robbery yesterday.
I also don't worry much about anyone stealing my credit cards or driver's license and using them. They all have my picture on them, and damn few thieves are gonna look like me.
So this all goes both ways. The numbers dictate we get ruled out far more than we get ruled in, so it goes more in our way than in the other direction, as I see it. :-)
Longhairs have a variety of stereotypes, and one of them is "really laid back". Some of the other stereotypes are "violent" or "unpredictable", and I sure don't want an officer to embrace one of those. So I make sure he sees me as laid back. Be gentle. Be relaxed. Be polite. Don't let 'em get the least bit under your skin. And when their questioning runs out of steam, nod and walk away confidently and SLOWLY. Because of the "laid back" stereotype you can pull this off far easier than most people. Take advantage of that.
I don't hear very well, so I often find officer types (generally guards not cops) right behind me, upset that I didn't hear them call out to me. They do want to engage longhairs more than others, I feel. But I've found the "be laid back" approach to always work, even when the first moments were intense because they thought they were being ignored. Their reaction seems to be, "Ah, he's one of THAT kind of longhairs." It's like I have eliminated one of their worst fears.
My reaction would have been like Nyghtfall's. He obviously played into the same stereotype and it worked like a charm. After one has had long hair for many years, though, it's really not "playing" at all. It reflects the way you have BECOME. You have to be cool with yourself to stay a longhair that long, and that SHOWS. Stereotypes usually have some basis in real or perceived fact, and the "laid back" one is real. It speaks that you are cool with the way you are and you are cool with the way they are. As I see it, once they feel you're more apt to throw them a peace sign than a punch, you're in a far better position than the shorthaired guy. He has no stereotype to help that message along.
Don't actually throw them a peace sign, I'd say - that would come off as fake. Just let 'em know you're the kind of guy who would.
Nice Post :) [n/t]
Posted by S - on September 15, 2003 at 11:48:34: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: A little incident today posted by Bill on September 15, 2003 at 10:46:07:
: : Yeah, but think of it this way: If words gets out that there's a rapist with SHORT hair, the chances of you being accused of being that rapist would be slim on account of your long hair.
: Actually, we don't fit the profile for a LOT of criminals because most of the population does not have our look. I wonder how many times I have NOT been stopped because no one can grow two feet of hair, or a one inch beard for that matter, overnight. :-) They know damned well I'm not their suspect for the bank robbery yesterday.
: I also don't worry much about anyone stealing my credit cards or driver's license and using them. They all have my picture on them, and damn few thieves are gonna look like me.
: So this all goes both ways. The numbers dictate we get ruled out far more than we get ruled in, so it goes more in our way than in the other direction, as I see it. :-)
: Longhairs have a variety of stereotypes, and one of them is "really laid back". Some of the other stereotypes are "violent" or "unpredictable", and I sure don't want an officer to embrace one of those. So I make sure he sees me as laid back. Be gentle. Be relaxed. Be polite. Don't let 'em get the least bit under your skin. And when their questioning runs out of steam, nod and walk away confidently and SLOWLY. Because of the "laid back" stereotype you can pull this off far easier than most people. Take advantage of that.
: I don't hear very well, so I often find officer types (generally guards not cops) right behind me, upset that I didn't hear them call out to me. They do want to engage longhairs more than others, I feel. But I've found the "be laid back" approach to always work, even when the first moments were intense because they thought they were being ignored. Their reaction seems to be, "Ah, he's one of THAT kind of longhairs." It's like I have eliminated one of their worst fears.
: My reaction would have been like Nyghtfall's. He obviously played into the same stereotype and it worked like a charm. After one has had long hair for many years, though, it's really not "playing" at all. It reflects the way you have BECOME. You have to be cool with yourself to stay a longhair that long, and that SHOWS. Stereotypes usually have some basis in real or perceived fact, and the "laid back" one is real. It speaks that you are cool with the way you are and you are cool with the way they are. As I see it, once they feel you're more apt to throw them a peace sign than a punch, you're in a far better position than the shorthaired guy. He has no stereotype to help that message along.
: Don't actually throw them a peace sign, I'd say - that would come off as fake. Just let 'em know you're the kind of guy who would.
this post should be NEW POST!
Posted by LucksKind on September 15, 2003 at 18:24:24: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: A little incident today posted by Bill on September 15, 2003 at 10:46:07:
It's too important, useful and helpful...
to be hidden away down here!
Re: A little incident today
Posted by FITMUS on September 14, 2003 at 15:40:52: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
That sucks, HR. Must have been embarassing, too, right in front of Target. I'm assuming that the rape also occured in Grand Rapids where you were. That being so, not only would you be in the same geographic area as this guy, but also having a unique attribute (not just long hair, but also having "extra" long hair) that was similar to this guy, you might as well have had a bull's eye on you! Take heart, this shall pass!
Re: A little incident today
Posted by T a r i k h on September 15, 2003 at 05:24:47: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
One day I was attcaked by a bus receiver.
When I went to the Police, they looked at my long hair & they said that it was me who provoked the guy to attack me.
A little incident
Posted by LucksKind on September 15, 2003 at 09:21:47: Previous NextIn Reply to: Re: A little incident today posted by T a r i k h on September 15, 2003 at 05:24:47:
: "One day I was attcaked by a bus receiver.
When I went to the Police, they looked at my long hair & they said that it was me who provoked the guy to attack me."
Sorry but...stories like that are just too true.
That is so prejudiced...almost like telling a woman she was looking to get raped!
Re: A little incident today
Posted by barry on October 02, 2003 at 15:55:12: Previous Next
In Reply to: A little incident today posted by Hair Religion on September 13, 2003 at 18:41:43:
If the suspect had been described as 6ft.6ins, heavily built with a shaved head and ginger goatee beard, and you looked similar to that, the police would have reacted in the same fashion.
Cheers, Barry