So you think you can't trust a man with a beard?

[jumpy]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4666132.stm

Interesting read, as with the topic of generalising groups and individuals is a short sighted thing.

But it was people in authority, whose role it was to be alert, who were the most suspicious. It seemed now I had a beard - and for the first time in my life - members of the Metropolitan Police thought I looked dodgy.

I wasn't sure whether the two were connected. So when I was stopped by police outside Downing Street, and searched yet again, I asked one of them the question: "Do I look dodgy?" The answer was a very definite yes.

Stereotypes

"Would I look less dodgy without my rucksack?" I asked. "Dodgy," he replied. "What about if I wore a suit?" "You'd look like a dodgy bloke in a suit," he said. "How about if I shaved my beard?" "Dodgy. Just face it - you look dodgy," came the disconcerting reply.

Over the seven weeks I was stopped and searched three times under the terrorism act. But it seemed absurd to me, I mean what does a terrorist look like? Do they all have beards and rucksacks? Does making sweeping generalisations make us any safer?

I have to say that if I were in that guys shoes, I'd deffinately feel nervous about getting a bullet from the old bill (extreem).

But I think this bit (as written by the author) is the most poigniant and shows the true stature of the communities living here in Britain:

But I think as a nation we are too practical to become extreme in this way permanently. I have been to different places in my life, but Britain is my home because you can be who you want. That is why I wanted to make my film, to acknowledge that important characteristic.

After seven weeks my journey had finished and I shaved my beard off. I wanted to go back to being me.