So, I'm seeking feminist opinions here

[geniph]

It's official. I'm running for office this November. I'm kind of a "party file" - filing to get a D on the ballot because no one else will run against a 3-term incumbent with $200,000 in his war chest - but also because I passionately believe in what this office can accomplish and the issues on which it focuses.

So, here's my dilemma. I can't decide whether or not to cut my hair to look more "politician-y." I don't want to ask this question in the other forums, because there's two responses I'll get: "Oh, you have to cut your hair or no one will take you seriously" or "don't cut your hair, people who'd judge you on appearance shouldn't even be considered." I want the opinion of feminists, who understand that, as women, we ARE judged every day on our appearance.

So, let me explain why this is even an issue. My hair is down to my hips, so it's very difficult to put up neatly - there's just too much hair for something like a nice dignified French twist. Be honest here - if you saw a politician with hair that long, would your first thought be "unregenerate hippie"? Do you think all female politicians still have to have either a shoulder-length bob or helmet head? Does anyone have any role models of successful female politicians who manage to project an image of authority and still keep their hair?

I really hate to cut mine. It's my one real vanity. ;-)

So, what would YOU do if you were in my place? (I should explain that this is a very high-profile office - this isn't just a local school board or fire commission type office.)

[Finder]

1. When I ran for State Rep...

I cut my hair short only for convenience(my hair was funky when long). Your hair sounds beautiful and I suggest you do not cut it. The long hair could be a PR asset as well.

Tell us more, what are you running for? Hell, you have a campaign team right here.

[geniph]

3. I'm trying to decide whether to wait...

...for the county nominating convention. I'm trying to fly a little bit under the incumbent's radar, as he has the resources of King Midas to bring to bear against me. However, this group is probably safer than DU as a whole in which to make my initial announcement.

I'm running for King County Council in Washington state. (King County is the county in which Seattle is located; therefore, the council works on the thorniest issues of the entire state.) Unlike most of the council seats, which are in Seattle proper (and thus very safely Democratic), this one is a suburban/small town district and has been considered safely Republican. I don't agree that it's a safe Republican district (the state reps and senators are about 2/3 Democrats), or else I wouldn't run even as a "party file."

My concern is having my campaign be looked at as amateurish. At the very least, I want to run a professional campaign.

[Hello_Kitty]

2. We have a young woman serving her first term in the AZ Leg.

She's a Dem State Representative. She's in her 20s, a recent law school grad, and an out bisexual. She's also known for wearing chic and funky clothes. Not only has it NOT harmed her politically that I can tell, it's actually enhanced her popularity and image as an iconclastic outsider.

So I'd say, if you love your hair keep it. It's your trademark and distinguishes you from the pack.

[geniph]

4. That's good to hear

I'm an out bisexual, too, so it's good to hear there are others being elected in more-conservative states!

[redqueen]

5. I say keep it long.

Mine is the same and I just twist it up into a bun and stick a hairstick or pen or something in it.

Good luck! :toast:

[Lars39]

6. If you were where I live, people would think you were a fundy.

It might feel drastic, but long layers past your shoulders would be the best of both worlds, and would be able to grow out easily. :)
Congratulations on running and winning. :thumbsup:

[UCLA Dem]

9. I agree. Layers look really great in long hair....

They give a really "sharp" look that I think you're looking for.

[MuseRider]

7. My first reaction

is why cut it? Thinking about it I still think it is entirely up to you but I would use it. I tend to like being different and I'll tell you that since I decided to follow my own tastes and not worry more and more people remember me. Before I kind of sunk into the background of, do I know you? Now I am easily distinct. Many people like that, it shows some courage (depending on where you live) and individuality. I would certainly consider someone who was not willing to give in to the norm as a positive. Either way you have to feel comfortable and if your hair is your one real vanity then figure out how to use it. Tie it back with some really beautiful scarves?

Congratulations on your decision. Let us know what you decide.

BTW, I thought "unregenerate hippies" were cool? I warm up to them rather quickly being one myself.

[geniph]

18. I like unregenerate hippies myself,

but I'm not sure they're very successful in politics in the suburbs! ;-)

[UCLA Dem]

8. I say if you look clean and well presented than it doesn't matter.

[Bunny]

10. What about a neat French braid?

I think that would look professional, yet allow you to maintain your individuality, and your only vanity! ;)

[Warpy]

12. I was about to suggest that, as well.

Short hair is convenient. It takes practically no time to wash and dry when you've got a long list of appearances on the campaign trail, which is why I suspect so many women running for office opt for it.

However, a French braid, when done tightly enough, can last forever, especially if you protect it with a turban when you sleep.

[cally]

11. My first thought was you

should cut it but the more I think about using the long hair as a trademark, then it makes sense to keep it. How do you wear it when you want to appear professional? Maybe you should go to a stylist and get ideas for an easy style to put it into for more professional days. Then, I would have brochures made with the long hair and then the pictures with you in the more severe hairstyle.

Good luck.

[Kenneth ken]

13. honestly

I'd certainly vote for someone I thought was an unregenerate hippie. :7

I don't have the skills, but maybe you could find someone on DU or in your real life who would be able to photoshop pics of you with different hair styles so you could help decide for yourself, and/or print up the photoshopped pics and test market them for response.

Certainly worth exploring before you chop off your hair for real.

edit to add: be sure to let us know when you are set up to accept campaign donations. send you a check.

[geniph]

19. You just made my list of Favorite People, kennethken!

I'll have a Paypal account set up soon for campaign donations, and thank you for the offer!

[politicat]

14. If I were you, I'd keep it....

But here's my situation: I, too, have really long hair. I have made the mistake only once of cutting it. Little did we know that I have serious curly hair when it's short. It was unmanageable and I did not have the time to learn to care for it short in under 45 minutes. So I wasted many hours of many days while it grew back keeping it looking neat, tidy and professional. It ended up costing me because it was so obnoxious.

Now, I wear it long, and it does me no harm professionally. I braid it and/or wear decent clips at the nape of my neck. Braided, it looks fine. Beware the bangs and poof.....

Personally, I don't look at a pol and critique their style... unless it's too obvious. Then I worry that they're spending too much time on style rather than substance.

Look, if Winona LaDuke can wear hers long, why can't you? Instead of thinking to cut it short, maybe you need to find a stylist who will trim (1 in max) and teach you some tricks you might not have learned yet. (For me, the saving grace of my long hair life has been frizz spray. I would have shaved my head by now had I not found this stuff years ago.)

It depends less on the length and more on what you do with it and how you wear it. Long hair need not be only a hippie thing.

[Cerridwen]

15. I'm going to suggest that you do some "market research" on

this; as soon as your coffers allow, of course.

You may discover it's no big deal one way or the other. Or, you may discover you must look like a "Stepford Wife" to even get their attention.

I have no opinion one way or the other on this - wow, that is astounding in and of itself! :D

Much luck and success to you. And thank you so much for what you're doing.

:toast:

[trotsky]

16. If you do cut it, remember to donate your hair to Locks of Love.

http://www.locksoflove.org/

[UCLA Dem]

17. Thats a great idea.

[geniph]

20. That's one of the reasons I'm considering it

heaven knows I have enough hair for two wigs! Besides, I'm a weed, mine grows back so fast - every time I whack it off to my shoulders, it's past my waist within a few years.

Maybe I'll cut off about a foot.

[Eloriel]

27. If you cut and donate, make it a PR event!!

I've been reading this thread, really torn on the subject. On the one hand I'm in favor of people doing what they want to do (as a rule), but on the other I can't recall any woman with hair that long whose hair looked good. And I'm not talking "fashion model good" but really more just presentable -- IOW, that wasn't a liability.

Too, I love having mine short enough to blow dry in about 5 minutes flat. I can't imagine trying to be a campaign and have long, long, long hair.

I LOVE the idea of cutting and donating, especially if you make a press "event" out of it -- PR for you, PR for the charity.

Edited: Goodness, where are my manners! CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! I'm excited for you. Please keep us well-apprised.

[Senior citizen]

21. You are very likely to win this thing.

And the less you compromise yourself, the more likely you are to win.

People in this country are getting fed up. You are definitely going to get some "disgusted former Republican" votes no matter what you look like, just because of how things are. And you're guaranteed the Democratic/all other liberals vote, just by running.

I say don't cut it. You are going to be extremely busy and you'll have to learn a lot. The less personal stuff you have to worry about the better. You're already familiar with the way your hair is now, so it will save you a lot of trouble to keep it that way. Also, it can be disconcerting to look in the mirror and see someone else. You have to know who you are and be yourself in order to put yourself forward.

Have you been practicing your sound bites? One of your most important skills will be the ability to declare your position in a 10-second sound bite for the TV cameras. You should have that down pat and be able to do it as a reflex whenever you see a TV camera lens. If you're thinking about your hair instead of your political position, that's what the camera will catch, particularly if you're self-conscious about a new "do" or fussing with it. Nobody is going to vote for your hair, and anybody that would vote against it wouldn't be swayed by your arguments anyway. Soundbites are the key.

Here in San Diego we have Donna Frye, who looks like (and is) an aging surfer girl--no make-up, straight hair, and a face that has been out in the sun too much. Donna ran as a write-in in the last mayoral race and got the most votes but was prevented from taking office by a technicality. Donna is very likely to win the next election. People are voting for Donna because we want some honesty and openness in government, and Donna not only LOOKS open and honest, Donna IS open and honest. We're tired of sleek, crooked pols. We can tell when somebody is high-maintenance, and we already know what kinds of crooks it will take to maintain them.

On edit: Forgot to say that no matter the question asked, you do the soundbite you want. That way you don't get trapped into being defensive. PROact, don't REact.

[geniph]

24. Excellent advice, senior citizen

thanks!

One thing operating against me, unfortunately, was the protracted fight over the governor's race. We won, but the state Republicans are all stirred up and pissed off.

[Senior citizen]

25. Nah, they're always like that.

Probably digestive problems.

Here in CA, Ah-nold's poll numbers are so low now that even Diebold can't save him.

You just run a positive race and let the pukes do what they do best: destroy themselves.

[donsu]

22. however you wear your hair, don't let it hang in your eyes, face

when you are facing people, let your face be the target and not your hair. looking from the side or back they can then say 'oh what pretty hair'

you don't want to be labeled that woman with all that hair.

[Solly Mack]

23. My hair is down to my hips as well

I would not cut it. I would keep it braided or pulled back in some way that allowed my hair to fall naturally, but away from my face....braids, pony tails with slight waves in the "tail"...pulled back with hair clasp and allowed to fall straight...


things like that...but I would not cut it. (unless split ends were a problem... then I would get a shape-up trim)

Besides, a long, thick braid could become a "signature" kind of thing..."Geniph, with her signature braid" "I'm voting for the woman with the really long braid" "I like the one with the braid"

Who knows? Might just work. :)

[Kenneth ken]

26. kick

I am interested in hearing how the campaign is going, what you decided about your hair, how I can donate?

Thanks

:hi:

[efhmc]

28. I am also interested in seeing how things are going for you. I wish

more people would step up to the plate the way you have. Good luck and talk to us when you have a second.

[Kenneth ken]

34. kicking again

because this fell to the 2nd page :)

[PassingFair]

29. Cut It!

Or braid it a la Mrs. Folger.... Anything else will indeed look odd on a serious candidate. You can grow it back after you win!

:smile:

[lukasahero]

30. Kickin' for curiosity

Hey geniph, what'd you decide to do? And how goes the campaign? Is there anything we could do to support your run?

[efhmc]

31. Update, please.

[Ripley]

32. First of all...CONGRATULATIONS!!

I am so happy to hear you are running for office! I wish you the best of luck and great intestinal fortitude for your journey into this thing called Politics!

About the hair. Seriously I think you should cut it "some." You must have gone many years without cutting it for it to get down to your hips.

I think hip length is too long. There I said it. I feel that way because of obvious cultural standards....unless you plan on running as a totally unconventional candidate!

Would it really bother you to cut your hair to say, to mid-back? I don't think that would be caving into the preferred bob or whatever. You could still have long hair, but not have to waste your time answering questions like Crystal Gayle does...

"Excuse me Ms. Geniph, how long does it take you to wash your hair?"

"Is it true Ms. Geniph that you have assistants who help dry your hair before a public appearance?"

That kind of crap would really be a waste of your time and talent.

Keep us informed on your candidacy.

[undergroundpanther]

33. Congrats!

And If I was running I would basically not hide myself,because to me self disclosure can take away the weapons from your opponents if you are fearless about who you are.I have a mowhawk and tattoos I look like a big cat,and if people thought I was freaky I'sd use it as an asset.
Because I'd run to be a caralyst of change and to tell the struff none of the other candidates have the guts to say stuff as it is rather than what people want to hear,sometimes conventional wisdom is not wise and selling out making promises to get votes and win you sell out integrity..I would basically do the political suicide just to make waves and get people to grow up and think.

http://asifweweregrownups.org/