Remember Movember? The low-down on the month of beards

Remember Movember?  The low-down on the month of beards

J.T. Lund, Contributing Writer

This November saw another year of untended facial hair. Yes, I am talking about “No Shave November” (NSN). This is the one month where shaving cream and razors are put aside and beards and mustaches come out to play across the globe. Why was this movement created? Where did it begin? And, most importantly, why all the hype? So many questions linger from NSN’s emergence.

The origin of NSN begins in Australia. In 2004, thirty Australian men started a tradition of growing out their mustaches for 30 days to raise awareness for prostate cancer and depression in men. Known as the Movember Foundation, these men created an annual tradition that has now become a worldwide event.

According to many, NSN has lost its true purpose and authenticity. Before its popularity, this tradition actually had meaning to it, just like the Movember Men intended.  Today, some people don’t even know the cause behind NSN.

When asked why he decided to participate in this November, Senior Chris Moorish said, “It’s one whole month without shaving– that’s pretty much it.”

I asked Moorish if he knew why this event was created and he said he didn’t know.  Upon hearing that prostate cancer awareness had brought it about, he seemed surprised. “I would have never guessed that not shaving raised awareness for prostate cancer.” Moorish’s reply got me thinking: Why is facial hair associated with prostate cancer?

I believe that, as a community, we should find a new way to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Just as breast cancer is represented by the color pink, maybe prostate cancer should be correlated with the color blue. Wearing a color is easier and everybody can participate. Professional athletes during the month of October wear pink gear during games to support breast cancer, they could do the same for prostate cancer, but by wearing blue each November. No Shave November is still fun to take part in, but it is time to raise awareness the right way by getting everybody involved.