Bandana Color: Green
Surprisingly little to be said about the bandana world today. Simple day -- just home and dinner with my family--, so I didn't get out much; ergo, no not-subtle, highly-pointed staring to report. Even the weird waiter at the restaurant didn't seem to have any response. The most provocative comment was from my mother: "you look like someone from the cast of Fiddler on the Roof." Hardly anything at all. My guess: My family is about as inured to the sight of me in a bandana as they are ever going to get -- the day that they never comment is never going to come, in my estimation. The world -- who can say?
Bandana Trivia: Historically, bandanas have been used as a means of identifying members of gangs, certain sexual orientations, or some occupations.
Showing posts with label The Bandana Chronicles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Bandana Chronicles. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
The Bandana Chronicles
Bandana Color: Red
So, I learned something interesting today. A bandana for one day is a stylistic move; a bandana for two days is a gang sign. At least, that's what I was informed of by no less than four people -- including a girl who also sometimes wears bandanas! I hadn't expected this at all. I'd thought that any gang related comments would be on the very first day and that by day two or later, the bandana would be treated like any other accessory or a new hair cut -- unworthy of further comment. Apparently, I thought wrong. I do wonder how long I shall have to continue sporting bandanas before they are no longer cause for comment, and I wonder if that common-placeness would extend to others in bandanas, too.
One crack that didn't surprise me in the least today was a pirate reference. Two people told me I looked like a pirate. I guess that makes me Grace O'Malley. I was trying a different style of bandana tying, one that apparently calls to mind the pirate much more than my usual method.
The interesting thing is that both of these responses to my bandana were references to the association people have with bandanas and renegades. Historically speaking, the bandana has been worn by pirates, gypsies, cowboys, and gang members, none of whom are really mainstream, socially accepted peoples. So, despite the fact that none of those people live in my area, and there haven't been bandana sporting pirates or cowboys in a long time -- the Roma still wear bandanas, but very far from where I live -- the connotation remains pervasive. I don't know what anyone can do to combat the image except try not to be the stereotype. Maybe, one day, people wearing bandanas won't have to be rebels. Still, if my recent foray into the world of the bandana is any evidence, that day is a long way off.
Bandana Trivia: Bandana is also the name of a city in Kentucky. (okay, that's not really related to headgear, but I just thought it was really interesting.)
So, I learned something interesting today. A bandana for one day is a stylistic move; a bandana for two days is a gang sign. At least, that's what I was informed of by no less than four people -- including a girl who also sometimes wears bandanas! I hadn't expected this at all. I'd thought that any gang related comments would be on the very first day and that by day two or later, the bandana would be treated like any other accessory or a new hair cut -- unworthy of further comment. Apparently, I thought wrong. I do wonder how long I shall have to continue sporting bandanas before they are no longer cause for comment, and I wonder if that common-placeness would extend to others in bandanas, too.
One crack that didn't surprise me in the least today was a pirate reference. Two people told me I looked like a pirate. I guess that makes me Grace O'Malley. I was trying a different style of bandana tying, one that apparently calls to mind the pirate much more than my usual method.
The interesting thing is that both of these responses to my bandana were references to the association people have with bandanas and renegades. Historically speaking, the bandana has been worn by pirates, gypsies, cowboys, and gang members, none of whom are really mainstream, socially accepted peoples. So, despite the fact that none of those people live in my area, and there haven't been bandana sporting pirates or cowboys in a long time -- the Roma still wear bandanas, but very far from where I live -- the connotation remains pervasive. I don't know what anyone can do to combat the image except try not to be the stereotype. Maybe, one day, people wearing bandanas won't have to be rebels. Still, if my recent foray into the world of the bandana is any evidence, that day is a long way off.
Bandana Trivia: Bandana is also the name of a city in Kentucky. (okay, that's not really related to headgear, but I just thought it was really interesting.)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Bandana Chronicles
Bandana Color: Red
Today was my first foray wearing a bandana at school. That's allowed, as long as the bandana is removed during the Pledge of Allegiance -- the same rule that applies to any form of head cover. Surprisingly low level of strange glances and no elevator eyes, which was actually surprising based on the weird looks I usually get from adults out in the real world. In fact, kids seemed to have an overwhelmingly positive response to the bandana.
One friend told me I looked very 80s, another called the bandana+hoops look 90s. One friend said I looked like the girl from Save the Last Dance when she goes to the club. (If you don't get the reference, I didn't either. I haven't seen the movie in years, so I had to go check it later. I'll concede it thought; she had a point.)
Best response award goes to my philosophy teacher who said, "Do I have to make you take that off? Is it a gang sign?" Apparently, some foolish and very misguided administrator decided to waste teacher time by educating them on gangs and gang signs (there really is nothing funnier than my Bio teacher trying to make the crip killer sign and failing miserably.) However, since I promised it wasn't a gang sign, I got to keep the bandana. Gave my class a real laugh though. I am 98% sure he was joking.
So, I guess the moral of today is, wear the bandana with friends and teens, because they're chill with anything.
Bandana Trivia: A do-rag was originally used to maintain the style and shape of the hair.
Today was my first foray wearing a bandana at school. That's allowed, as long as the bandana is removed during the Pledge of Allegiance -- the same rule that applies to any form of head cover. Surprisingly low level of strange glances and no elevator eyes, which was actually surprising based on the weird looks I usually get from adults out in the real world. In fact, kids seemed to have an overwhelmingly positive response to the bandana.
One friend told me I looked very 80s, another called the bandana+hoops look 90s. One friend said I looked like the girl from Save the Last Dance when she goes to the club. (If you don't get the reference, I didn't either. I haven't seen the movie in years, so I had to go check it later. I'll concede it thought; she had a point.)
Best response award goes to my philosophy teacher who said, "Do I have to make you take that off? Is it a gang sign?" Apparently, some foolish and very misguided administrator decided to waste teacher time by educating them on gangs and gang signs (there really is nothing funnier than my Bio teacher trying to make the crip killer sign and failing miserably.) However, since I promised it wasn't a gang sign, I got to keep the bandana. Gave my class a real laugh though. I am 98% sure he was joking.
So, I guess the moral of today is, wear the bandana with friends and teens, because they're chill with anything.
Bandana Trivia: A do-rag was originally used to maintain the style and shape of the hair.
Monday, February 16, 2009
The Bandana Chronicles
Bandana: Green
A friend told I looked like a gang banger. I didn't see it until she did. Apparently, bandana+braids+hoop earrings+ loose clothing = gang member. I would have thought that obscene paleness (if I bleached my hair tonight, tomorrow I could pass for albino) would have diluted that impression, if not completely removed it. Not to make this a race thing, but some things are hard to deny. Yes, I know there are places where there are white kids in gangs, but my neighborhood isn't one of them. In fact, my neighborhood isn't a place with gangs. Still, what can I do?
Admittedly, I didn't get out much today, so I can't comment much on society, but when I did get out, I didn't see much. Certainly, not the elevator eyes like yesterday of the 14th. People didn't seem to act like I was a gang member. Still, I remain curious about how people treat bandana+braids+loose clothes.
Bandana trivia: the word kerchief comes the from French couvre-chef meaning "cover the head."
A friend told I looked like a gang banger. I didn't see it until she did. Apparently, bandana+braids+hoop earrings+ loose clothing = gang member. I would have thought that obscene paleness (if I bleached my hair tonight, tomorrow I could pass for albino) would have diluted that impression, if not completely removed it. Not to make this a race thing, but some things are hard to deny. Yes, I know there are places where there are white kids in gangs, but my neighborhood isn't one of them. In fact, my neighborhood isn't a place with gangs. Still, what can I do?
Admittedly, I didn't get out much today, so I can't comment much on society, but when I did get out, I didn't see much. Certainly, not the elevator eyes like yesterday of the 14th. People didn't seem to act like I was a gang member. Still, I remain curious about how people treat bandana+braids+loose clothes.
Bandana trivia: the word kerchief comes the from French couvre-chef meaning "cover the head."
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Bandana Chronicles
Last night, I went out to dinner with my friends. (I staunchly refuse to call yesterday Singles Awareness Day.) I wore a apple green bandana that my friends told me made me look like a chemo patient. I disagreed, especially since my hair was long, down, and very visible.
At the restaurant, the waiter stared more than was really necessary, giving me the what are you? look. The look isn't uncommon when people see something they can't quite label -- anyone even vaguely iconoclastic can recognize it. Now, I wouldn't label myself an iconoclast by standard, nor an Original or an Incomparable, but even I could tell what that look meant. The waiter, and other people, were running through the mental check-list of what I could be "trying to say" by wearing a bandana. They want to know what my "message" is.
-Cancer patient? Somehow, and I don't know how, the bandana became to international symbol for I've got cancer and now everyone wearing a bandana gets the elevator eyes. News flash -- you can't see cancer, so staring at me isn't going to help.
Failing proof of cancer, they proceed down their list.
- Conservative religious person? Some have said I look like an Orthodox Jew in my bandana. I guess I can see where they're coming from with that guess, but if that's where they landed, they missed by a couple miles. What happened to everyone telling kids you can't guess ethic groups on sight? These people all seem to be trying.
Lacking conclusive proof (yeah, my pizza really wasn't kosher) of religious motivation, everyone seems to proceed to the final choice.
-Lesbian? Apparently, in people's minds, chicks in bandana are chicks who like chicks. Frankly, I've never noticed a strong correlation, but that seemed to be where most people's minds went. You could practically feel it in some people's elevator eyes. I actually pity the poor confused waiter -- we were all girls at the table -- and his is she or isn't she confusion. But that wasn't my fault.
I don't think anyone managed to guess right.
-Girl who likes bandanas.
When did it change that a bandana had to be a message of some form distance from the norm? When did a head cover become a subliminal message? I don't know. But, I'd really like to find out.
Bandana trivia : The work bandana comes from the Hindi word bandhana meaning "to tie".
At the restaurant, the waiter stared more than was really necessary, giving me the what are you? look. The look isn't uncommon when people see something they can't quite label -- anyone even vaguely iconoclastic can recognize it. Now, I wouldn't label myself an iconoclast by standard, nor an Original or an Incomparable, but even I could tell what that look meant. The waiter, and other people, were running through the mental check-list of what I could be "trying to say" by wearing a bandana. They want to know what my "message" is.
-Cancer patient? Somehow, and I don't know how, the bandana became to international symbol for I've got cancer and now everyone wearing a bandana gets the elevator eyes. News flash -- you can't see cancer, so staring at me isn't going to help.
Failing proof of cancer, they proceed down their list.
- Conservative religious person? Some have said I look like an Orthodox Jew in my bandana. I guess I can see where they're coming from with that guess, but if that's where they landed, they missed by a couple miles. What happened to everyone telling kids you can't guess ethic groups on sight? These people all seem to be trying.
Lacking conclusive proof (yeah, my pizza really wasn't kosher) of religious motivation, everyone seems to proceed to the final choice.
-Lesbian? Apparently, in people's minds, chicks in bandana are chicks who like chicks. Frankly, I've never noticed a strong correlation, but that seemed to be where most people's minds went. You could practically feel it in some people's elevator eyes. I actually pity the poor confused waiter -- we were all girls at the table -- and his is she or isn't she confusion. But that wasn't my fault.
I don't think anyone managed to guess right.
-Girl who likes bandanas.
When did it change that a bandana had to be a message of some form distance from the norm? When did a head cover become a subliminal message? I don't know. But, I'd really like to find out.
Bandana trivia : The work bandana comes from the Hindi word bandhana meaning "to tie".
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