Monday, March 9, 2009

Rebel Without a Cause


In a day and age when conformity is upheld more than individuality its refreshing to see those who buck at the social order. Why fit in when you can stand out? I've often asked myself and others this question when discussing the merits of certain music artist, political ideology, etc. I was pleased to see that this notion was gaining popularity with mainstream outlets like GQ  when I came across their "How to Be a Well Dressed Rebel" motif on their website. Over the course of 30 days they divulge a new style tip to break the mononity of your wardrobe. Everything from hats, socks, ties, and jackets are fair game for improvisation. But it doesn't have to stop there, I myself have recently started to let my hair grow out. After years of keeping a low-tapered cut, religiously visiting my barber every two weeks, one day I up and said f*ck it, and so started the growing.

Having what black folk consider "good hair" doesn't hurt when doing my little experiment, but I do truly believe that everyone should have or do something that shatters the predictability of their otherwise mundane lives. With political correctness being the order of the day we must look to new ways of flipping the proverbial finger. It can be as low-key as growing a beard, violating your employers dress code or as radical as getting a tattoo on your face, whatever it happens to be, make it genuine. Those genuine f*ck off's are the best ones.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Reading is Fundamental


"Run out and bring me the paper will ya?" That old familiar phrase shouted by my grandfather when wanting to get his news fix for the day. As I ran outside to grab the paper I always wondered what was so intriguing about news that he must read up on it every-single-day. In a town as small as ours, there couldn't possibly be that much going on. It's funny now to think just how nieve I was.

In an effort to provide more than just sartorial advice in the Art of Gentlemanship, 21stCG fully endorses other scholarly endeavors such as reading. While it is true that readership for many of our nation's newspapers are plummeting, as more readers turn to the web as their source of info, newspapers do have a place in the Gentleman's daily or weekly regimen. 

Sure, getting breaking news at it happes is important to all of us, and the "what happened yesterday" tone of newspapers may be off putting to some but consider this. Reading a newspaper is far more enjoyable than scrolling through an endless sea of hyperlinks, ritzy advertisements, and gossip in an effort to view the story. 

There's an interaction between reader and paper. Turning to the Sports section. Flipping to the Business. Folding, shifting and creasing the paper just right as to make it readable in your very own format.  We've all seen a man who can wield a newspaper, manuevering through it as effortlessly as leafing through a book.  My dad and grandad are those kind of men. Conversations with these men were much appreciated because they could talk about world events as well as the going-ons in their community. Try finding out whats going on in Cherokee County via CNN.com. I'll save you a hour, you can't.

So pick up a (Insert City) Times. Fold it, bend it, tear it how you like. It's yours. What you choose to do with it is limitless and you will be a better Gentleman because of it.