Last week, I was fired for being a hippie

You sound lovely willow. I'm happy knowing you just said thank you and hung up instead of getting grumpy. Shows that you didn't really give a damn and you're not going to let it ruin your day.

Peace

 

There is an old saying in my family. "I've been thrown into better places." I've done the whole thing where I shave and get a haircut until I get a job then grow my hair out and beard back when I've had the job for a while. Now my job hunting routine is I walk around and I look for people who look like me. When I do and see where they work ask for an application. Now I work as an attendant. I help disabled people live fairly normal lives which is kind of hippie in and of itself. The people I work with/for know what I'm about right off the bat so I don't have to hide shit. The first client I had had a Mr. Natural tattoo. In California there are quite a few people in the disabled community with Medical Marijuana Cards so that isn't an issue. Other than working for my family back East this has been the best Hippie job I've ever had.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

How awful.

Discrimination is as intolerable when done to hippies as when done to blacks and Jews and women and Pakistanis and Hispanics and Puerto Ricans and Irish and gays and liberals and conservatives and Communists and handicapped and old people and young people.

 

I agree with you Granny but you know I've come to the conclusion that if they don't want to work with me or hire me for such a stupid reason Fuck 'em. I need their bullshit like a shot gun blast to the face. I understand discrimination laws and agree with them. But I honestly wouldn't want to work anywhere that didn't want to hire me. I've had clients that were just pains in the ass and I realized that even though I need money I don't need to sacrifice my self respect for it, I don't need to come home from work angry from it, and I sure as hell don't need to be yelled at for it. I had to learn to back out of the straight world and I'm much happier now that I have.

Willow it sound's like you've effectively backed out of the straight world too. Good for you. My dad has Belgian Draft Horses and has to call somebody to shoe them once in a while. It can be hard on the body so people who do that specialized work are few and far between. Every year another one retires and there aren't enough to take his place. You may end up getting the last laugh. It's called Sliding Scale. Chances are that this woman will need her horse shoed again after her regular guy retires. There won't be many people left doing it so she'll call you. When she does just charge her twice what you usually would. Ain't payback a Motherfucker.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

Same thing happened to me. That boss was a real ass about it too. He called me a "hair farmer" lol

 

Yes, and it's very fortunate that you have that option. So many who have been discriminated against, don't.

 

I think all hippies should be banished from society to live in their tree towns, that us, real people, will eventually cut down.

 

Here's the thing at the bottom of every job application there is one clause. It says "Employment is at will. The employer has the right to terminate employment at any time with or without prior notification for any reason."

It has been my experience that employers can and will abuse that clause. If they have their prejudices (we all have them) they will always find a reason for letting you go. At least the person Willow was dealing with had the decency to come out and be honest and say "We don't like hippies" instead of lying and saying, "You do substandard work."

With the exception of the crappy economy and closings usually you can find someone who will hire you to do what you do best. On the other hand I've also had doors closed on me for jobs I am good at because of how I look (This even happened shaved with short hair). I realize that this is how Ghettoization happens. I've been sneered at because I was mistaken for Middle Eastern, Gypsy, or Hispanic (This usually happens when I have short hair). But because of that I've also had Middle Eastern, Gypsy, and Hispanic people step up to help me out.

Anybody can say Fuck 'em to the straight world and back out. There are sacrifices to that. There are also sacrifices to sticking in the straight world too. It takes alot of time and energy to pretend you're something you're not. But choosing to back out of straight society means sacraficing comforts like Cable TV, a big apartment etc. So you have to ask yourself "what is it worth to me?"

I don't begrudge people who stick with the straight world it is usually what is easy for them. I just know what works for me, and the straight world wasn't it.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

Wow that's rough, there's so much wrong with this world
Well, chin up eh?

 

That is actually pretty funny. Didn't think this could happen these days. Wow. People are crazy.

 

It's funny I still get followed by security. It doesn't piss me off like it used to. I think it is funny that through other peoples prejudice I'm an unwitting accomplice for shoplifting.

Peace Out,
Rev J

 

wow, what a long strange trip, thank yall for the love and good vibes on the hair subject, it is good to know I have people like yall in my wigwam, I loved the wild flower photo album, if you have not looked please do so. Anyway, it is now November 30,2012, and I am back on the air, I lost my password, and just now finally got a new one. I now have a 1970 vw van, I plan on getting it sea worthy, and getta going to rainbow gatherings, anybody wanna go?
anyway Reverand JC, you seem like a groovey dude to go chilling with, hope all is ok with you. well peace and love
willow2

 

The traditional cowboy mentality is still alive and well, but unfortunately for them it is highly toxic. Back in the day, living on Haight street we had buses hired to drive up the street just to look at the hippies. It was like we were some kinda animal to be observed. Unfortunately, the safe enclosure of the bus did not permit them to learn and experience the very conscious acts of love that could exist there between 2 strangers.
But dont blame them, the cowboy tradition is part of our history. Totally American about being tough and in control. Some of its good but mostly, not but there is a high number of people still consumed with the mentality, mostly on farms and in the field your in. Kinda surprised that your surprised. Just chill and know that below the surface is a heart and soul thats just gotten programmed wrong, lol. Happy horse feet to you. :2thumbsup:

 

we win in the end, remember that.

 

Long haired guys FTW!

You know you're always going to get a good conversation out of one or at least an interesting one. Plus they have no "no fucks" attitude. I saw a guy at a festival last week that had dreads down to his feet. I wish I'd have talked to him.

 

I don't have many problems with having long hair where I live. It's been a cultural change and almost an experiment. I'm now approached as a "dude" I find people are quite openly approaching me more than I did when I went skinhead. I don't know why, I guess it's a care free vibe that shines. This is of course with the guys, women.. Well I haven't had much luck with them but I've got a missus so that doesn't bother me. Most people I know say that the long hair suits my face more. Old people like 70+ stare sometimes but I'm fit and 6'5 and I know they're jealous. I was worried when I quit my last job that I might have to cut it but I know work for myself and contract myself out as a courier and as long as I have good communication skills Australia Post don't give a shit what you look like. I've seen some of the others and they look like they've been wrecked on drugs all their life.