I have been thinking a lot lately about what exactly it means to “Keep Denton Beard”. Sure, growing a beard and living in Denton is a way to literally “Keep Denton Beard”. And there will probably always be beards aplenty in Denton (my own included), which is why many laugh and nod when they hear that phrase – they understand that, hey, Denton’s got a lot of bearded men. But what about the beardless women and children of Denton? Or the men who are incapable of (for one reason or another) growing a beard? Are we limiting the identity, the heart and soul of Denton, to just a select group of hairy faced men? Are we proposing that all should be bearded? That we should work hard to get some kind of beard (fake or otherwise) on every good citizen of Denton?
Though I do appreciate the beards of Denton and love that many of us have beards, I don’t think that the true heart of “Keep Denton Beard” is the literal face-beard of the men that decide to grow one. At least, I don’t want it to be merely that. It may have started as such, but I want to propose that we give it a deeper meaning, to make it more of a metaphor and perhaps more poetic.
This is the deeper meaning that I propose:
To keep Denton “Beard” is a philosophy of a quality of life that can be found in Denton, particularly found around downtown – and I believe that this “way of life” aims to be the truer heart of Denton and it needs to be preserved and cultivated. I may need to spend a little more time thinking about it, and even have more Beardtopians weigh in with their ideas to get a more accurate definition, but I will do my best to explain a little part of what I think it is. In a few words, I think the philosophy is this: the amicable, unhurried, disentangled engagement and enjoyment of the local culture, history, beauty, businesses, and community of people. This is, in part, what I enjoy most about Denton, and I want to preserve and cultivate this.
So where does the beard fit in to this?
Since it is not the social norm, generally speaking (in these modern times), for the average man to have a beard, we associate the bearded image with the likes of philosophers, poets, “wise” men, artists, musicians, and so on. And it seems to me that all have these have a particular undertone of preoccupation: with being so caught up in something else, that they either forgot to shave or thought it unimportant compared to the activity on hand. When I first started to take part in this way of life here in Denton, I got caught up in it and with the community of people here, just staying local – planting roots, sticking around, hanging out, and enjoying the very heart of Denton. I was so absorbed by this that I felt no need to shave, and even forgot about it. And thus my beard was born and still remains.
Understanding the Denton beard in this way, I think it is easier now to see it as less of a laughable observation and more of an important metaphor of a quality of life – engaging in and enjoying the heart and soul of Denton. To pursue this, to preserve it, to seek it out, and to encourage others to participate in it – this is what it means to “Keep Denton Beard”.
Therefore, my fellow Beardtopians – men, women, and children alike – take part and “Keep Denton Beard”.
(I also encourage anyone who wants to add to this philosophy or try to explain it in greater detail, or from their point of view – please do share your thoughts!)
[…] Beardtopia has some great thoughts on “keeping Denton beard.” And I agree. […]
I agree. It’s a state of mind and a matter of the heart.
It’s a family matter too. I like getting the kids involved and such.
I dig the tone of things of supporting local businesses, appreciating the unique, preserving the history we have around us and the characteristic locations we have.
Thanks for your thoughts and keep’em coming!
[…] I’d take a stab and defining this nebulous concept. Brad Koehn did a great job articulating his thoughts on the matter. I thought I’d give my slant on the […]
When I first discovered Denton about 10 years ago, I felt right at home. I grew up in whitebread Arlington, but also lived in Boulder, CO for a while in the early ’90’s.
Boulder had a great arts & music scene, festivals etc, but living expenses were way too high, and job opportunities way too limited for a young, poor man like me. There was the CU student culture, and then there was the Range Rover culture of very rich, very white, and not very welcoming elites who could afford their hillside mcmansions.
Denton seems to have many of the positives (minus the mountains!) of Boulder without the snobbery and enforced exclusivity. Denton is what I thought Boulder would be until I tried to live there.
For me, having a beard & living in Denton embodies a less self-absorbed, more family-friendly modern interpretation of the ’60’s hippy. ethos. Its not about dropping out & a total upending of the prevailing American culture, its the slowing down & being friendly of a small town, with the young enthusiasm & inclusivity of a college town. Denton has a real, thriving downtown where my girlfriend & I feel safe walking around at night (like many small towns used to have) but also all the typical retail & big-box dept stores and civic & social infrastructure most people need to live & shop locally. My girlfriend said it perfectly-“I never need to leave Denton to do anything”. But it is the local arts & music culture, and just the way this place feels that really draws me here & keeps me here.
Having a beard & living in Denton means I’m not struggling in the vast corporate culture of rigid norms and frantic desire to get more & more goods before I die of a heart attack at 50. Its about slowing down & seeking out the artistic & poetic things that make life worth living, the good things that redeem the human race from all the destuctive, greed-driven things we have done to the Earth & each other.
Its about living in the simpler, more sustainable way that more & more people in this country are longing for. Its about accepting everyone in a spirit of mutual respect, without looking down on anyone who isn’t driving the latest SUV behemoth or isn’t conforming to the cultural & social norms of the suburbs.
Having a beard & living in Denton means I have a sense of our cultural history that predates the modern fasion standard that dictates a man must be cleanshaven and in a business suit to be respectable & professional, that the farmer in his old truck & overalls deserves the same respect as the bank president who sneers at him as he comes in the door.
I love Denton. Its not perfect, but God willing, I would like to keep living here from now on. And growing my beard.