Free Christopher Pagonis

First off, let me begin by saying that I'm apalled that in this day and age I have to be writing a post like this.
In a world where we are constantly trying to overcome prejudice and hatred there are sadly moments
that remind us that we have such a long way to go still.
It appears as though our brother Christopher Pagonis is facing persecution
at his workplace - a food service establishment that will remain unnamed for legal reasons - due to his
decision to grow a moustache.

Before I begin defending Christopher lets first take a moment to applaud him for standing firm and not
allowing corporate North America to define his masculinity.

The remainder of this post will be directed towards Joanne, Christopher's superior and the main voice of opposition against Christopher's quest for self.

Joanne:

Christopher has explained to me that you fail to understand the personal significance of his desire to grow
a moustache. This does not surprise me at all.
I'm sure you don't understand where Christopher is coming from and that's okay.
I would never expect you or any other woman to understand something that is pure, 100% man in nature.
In the same way I will never know what it is like to experience the miracle of childbirth or the cold sweats
and cramps of menstruation, you will never know what it is like to grow a thick, lush lip scarf.
Nature has blessed us with this fantastic possibility and our manly sensibilities and modern grooming
products have provided us the tools we need to turn this possibility into a dense follicular reality.
By asking Christopher to not have a moustache realize you are asking him to deny not only nature but also
his ability to exercise free will.

Is this really what you want to do? Take a proud man and try and reduce him to a prisoner?
Would you also have taken the paint brush and canvas away from Picasso?

Let a man be a man.

Let him revel in his nature.

By doing so you not only give him the gift of freedom, you also give the world a more complete person.
You help him on his path to being the best Christopher Pagonis he can be.

Why would you deprive a man of his freedom and the possibility of defining his own reality in order to
appease the stereotypical preconceptions of an ignorant and judgmental public?

I suppose if this was the old south you would also have Christopher sit at the back of the bus, your defence
being "its nothing against you, it just makes everyone else more comfortable".

This isn't about comfort. This is about a man's right.

I would be more comfortable having Jessica Alba feed me grapes while midgets gently wave feathers
against my bare ass for tickles.
Is this anything you should be concerned about while I'm dining at your retaurant?

Of course not.


Let me also take a moment to diffuse some of the pre-suppositions you may have regarding facial hair and
how it is perceived.
I understand that your main concern is "how will the dining public perceive Christopher if he is to have a
moustache"? As a member of the dining pubic, allow me to chime in with my opinion:

While I have never worked in food service I do eat a lot of food.
4 meals a day.
Sometimes 5, if we are counting breakfast cereals as a meal.
Anyways - I often frequent fine dining establishments as a way of expanding my culinary palette.

Allow me to intimidate you with a list of some of the places I have eaten:

The Omega
Le Barbizon
Oliver's
North 44
Rogues
JW's
The Boiler House
Sassafraz
La Castile

And on and on...

I can say that in many of these establishments I have not only seen but interacted with men sporting
moustaches. If If these fine establishments can be open minded enough to respect a man's right to choose
then I think you should be also.

Besides, how do you want your staff to look anyways?

Perhaps an army of smooth faced, WASP-y, pubescent Ryan Seacrest look a likes is what you would want
when it comes to wait staff.
In Management however you should want to see the face of someone in control. Someone you can simply
look at and say "that guy wears the daddy pants in this restaurant", and nothing says "who's your daddy?"
like a wild and untamed facebush.

Anyways...

Because this site is meant to be a celebration of the moustache I will not address the issue any further on this
blog. I do realize however that there may be questions issues and answers you still seek beyond the basic
commentary I have provided you with today and as such I am encouraging you to begin a dialogue with me regarding
anything moustache related.
Simply e-mail me: kris_narine@yahoo.ca
I will always reply promptly and - as is consistent with the tone of this piece in general - professionally.
I expect that you will make the right decision, the humane decision.

To end, I quote the moustached frenchman Jean Jaques Rousseau:
"Man was born free, and everywhere he is in chains"

Joanne I am asking you to help break these chains and dive head first with me into that crazy place we call
tomorrow.


K-

FREE CHRISTOPHER PAGONIS