A trendy hairstyle called 'The Edgar' has faced significant criticism, leading to certain establishments such as restaurants and schools considering restrictions on individuals who wear it.
The bowl-shaped style, often associated with a modern Moe of Three Stooges and Spock of Star Trek look, is commonly preferred by Mexican-American young men known as 'Edgars.'
'Edgar' Haircut Controversy: Crime Links or Racist Stereotypes?
The trendy haircut is causing a lot of controversy in Hispanic communities, with some locals associating it with crime and others calling out critics for being racist.
In April, a tragic incident unfolded in San Antonio as two individuals unleashed gunfire at a well-attended festival, resulting in the injury of five innocent bystanders, as reported by local authorities.
One of the individuals involved, Mikey Valdez, 18, was recently released from jail for car burglary charges.
Tragically, he and his accomplice were fatally shot by police officers who intervened to ensure public safety.
According to Police Chief William McManus, Valdez and another individual had a personal conflict and chose to bring it to Market Square, endangering the lives of the people present.
After the incident, Ricky Ortiz, a well-known local restaurateur, took to social media to share a meme featuring a sign that indicated his preference for a certain hairstyle.
The meme humorously implied that individuals with this particular haircut were not welcome at his popular restaurants, including El Camino, Besame, Ay Que Chula, and Perfect Tender.
However, Ortiz's remarks faced criticism from many members of the majority Hispanic community in San Antonio, who accused him of displaying racist behavior.
In El Paso, students spearheaded an initiative to prohibit the style at Riverside High School in 2021.
Despite collecting numerous signatures, a ban did not materialize - however, the initiative sparked a broad discussion about the latest trend.
Edgar Haircut Trend Originates from MLB Player, Gains Popularity
The Edgar trend emerged in 2019 and gained traction during the pandemic, as explained by the creator of @therealfitfamElPaso.
According to aol.com, the style is said to have earned its nickname from Edgar Martínez, who played for the Seattle Mariners in Major League Baseball.
A young customer requested a barber to create a unique design on the back of his head, which gained widespread attention after being shared online.
However, some contend that the style originates in Native American culture, particularly the Jumano tribe that resided in the Lone Star State from the 1500s to the 1700s.
'The haircut and aesthetic may be interpreted as challenging conventional ideas of beauty or style,' stated Sonya M. Alemán, an associate professor in race, ethnicity, gender, as well as sexuality studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News.
Regardless of its origin, the future of the controversial hairstyle remains uncertain.
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