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BYU's Daily Universe is hot with articles and letters to the editor about student grooming, especially in light of BKP's latest 'counsel' against teased hair, etc.

It all seemed to start with this article on Jan. 17 (two days after Packer's "stop teasing your hair" speech), about a BYU student who has a "waiver card" to wear a beard:

http://newsnet.BYU.edu/story.cfm/62575

Apparently he sounded too flippant for some because both the Universe editorial board and some students took umbrage. Here's the editorial distancing the paper from the article about the bearded one:

http://newsnet.BYU.edu/story.cfm/62613

And then there are the student letters to the editor, both attacking and supporting the grooming standards at BYU; some of these are just too damn funny:

Read the second and third letters here: http://newsnet.BYU.edu/story.cfm/62588

Read the first two letters here: http://newsnet.BYU.edu/story.cfm/62618

Read the first three, the eighth and eleventh letters here: http://newsnet.BYU.edu/story.cfm/62686

Enjoy!!!

My favorite response was this:

What is morally superior about being clean-shaven? Is having a mustache holding to a higher standard than having a beard? That's ridiculous. This article exposes the real reason behind the Honor code: PR. We are paranoid about what the world thinks about us.

(emphasis added)

I totally agree with him, and think that there is a strain in LDS that is actually embarrassed about being LDS, or about specific aspects of Mormonism. I think this is evident in Mitt Romney's dodgy responses to reporters, too.

The Ministry of Honor Code Propaganda creates an environment of fear that doesn't allow students to learn from their mistakes, but look for them in others. How can we "avoid judging" as Mr. Baker suggests, when the dress and grooming standard - an outward sign of Honor Code compliance and therefore righteousness - teaches us to do so?

The myth goes that students themselves were responsible for the document, but you may be surprised to learn that before Ernest Wilkinson, the Honor Code was focused on conduct, not appearance. After Wilkinson's reign of terror, the student government was dissolved, the Honor Code emphasized appearance and men were forced to shave so as not to be mistaken by visitors as Communists, beatniks or surfers.

(emphasis added, because this is hilarious. I hope this guy is prepared to experience the firm, sharp blow of the administrative boot in his rear-end.)

I also found it very funny that so many of the letter writers seemed especially perturbed by the phrase "stick it to the man."

I can't help but thinking that sending your son or daughter to BYU at a time in their life when they are learning to think for themselves is a cruel and unusual thing to do. Of course, BYU should shoulder some of the responsibility for the inordinate amount of conformity they force these students to endure. Still, some of them turn out okay.

It would be better to not write articles that call attention to some student's (such as this student having a beard-permit to cover his acne) lack of conformity. It just draws the wrath of other students and faculty that have abandoned their own individuality and in turn seek to stifle this gift in others as well. It is good to know that a handful of students are against this quashing of their individuality and the abrogation of the rights enjoyed by their peers outside of BYU.

I can't believe those letters. That cashier could've used a good pop in the nose. Maybe wake him up to how the real world functions. Theres a difference between a principal that shoud be followed and a fanatical viewpoint.

Gazelam wrote:I can't believe those letters. That cashier could've used a good pop in the nose. Maybe wake him up to how the real world functions. Theres a difference between a principal that shoud be followed and a fanatical viewpoint.

Are you the same Gaz who said something about "high school girls looking/dressing like whores"??

Will the real Gaz step forward, please??? :-(o