Here's a link to an article that discusses how long hair and beards have for thousands of years been a mark of independence, and that requiring men to shave or cut their hair short has long been a symbol of domination and servitude. It's an interesting read.

I'm not real clear about posting a link, so if it doesn't show up correctly, my bad, just cut and paste.

[url]http://www.choisser.com/longhair/rajsingh.html