Jay Z, real name Shawn Corey Carter, is a prominent figure in the music industry. He is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time and has achieved immense success both commercially and critically. However, his journey to the top has not been without its challenges. Like many celebrities, Jay Z has experienced the gift and curse that comes with fame and fortune. On one hand, Jay Z's gift is his undeniable talent as a rapper and lyricist. His ability to craft clever rhymes and deliver them with precision has earned him widespread acclaim.
As a matter of fact, “apart from throwing ale in someone's face, insults included man handling a person riding or walking on the highway, making a minor attack on a man's beard or hair.”
The fact that specific offenses relating to beards were codified under the law, and that such offenses could also be deemed insults to a man, reinforces the importance of beards in Norse culture and history, and more specifically, as a foundation for Forn Siðr. From an Æsir and traditional Norse god perspective, a beard is therefore always associated with masculinity and virtue, including moral strength, manliness, valor, excellence, and worth, while the absence of a beard expresses feminization as well as depravity and immorality.
His ability to craft clever rhymes and deliver them with precision has earned him widespread acclaim. His songs tackle various subjects, including his personal experiences, social issues, and the pursuit of success. Moreover, his business acumen has also been a major gift.
A ‘defining feature of masculine men’ — soldier’s Norse pagan faith earns beard waiver
A soldier serving in Afghanistan with the Nevada Army Guard has been granted a religious accommodation to grow a beard in accordance with a Norse pagan faith that traces its origins to Scandinavia. Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Hopper, a 34-year-old Alabama native and member of the Nevada Army Guard’s 3665th Ordnance Company, was granted the waiver following a lengthy review process that concluded with the Army’s acknowledgement of his sincerity as a heathen.
Hopper’s exemption is the latest example of the military’s effort — most notably the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force — to acknowledge the diverse religious practices represented in its ranks. The first such accommodation came in 2017 following years of beard-exemption requests and legal pressure from Sikh soldiers seeking to preserve religious traditions while wearing a U.S. uniform. Then, in November 2018, Staff Sgt. Abdul Rahman Gaitan became the first Muslim airman to be granted the exemption in observance of the tenets of his faith. Because the 2017 directive is technically applicable to all religions, final judgement is often left to individual leadership to discern authentic exemption request from insincere.
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The faith rooted in Norse myths is experiencing a resurgence.
Further blurring the beard waiver criteria is that while Norse paganism encourages the growth of a beard, or “skegg,” the religion doesn’t require it. The Open Halls Project, an advocacy group for heathens serving in the military, sought to clarify any existing confusion in a 2017 post about beard exemptions. “There is no religious requirement for beards in Heathenry,” the post read. “Sikhs are allowed to wear beards and turbans because it actually is a religious requirement of their faith that they do so. Kesh, or ‘uncut hair’ is one of the five religious requirements of baptized Sikhs. We, as Heathens, have no such religious requirement with regards to hair.” No matter the religious requirements, the Army interpreted Hopper’s request as genuine.
“My personal faith is deeply tied to the modern warrior lifestyle that I have been able to live during my military career,” said Hopper, adding that the beard has never hindered his ability to put mission first. “In short, it is honoring the pillars of heathenism, our ancestors and ancient gods and way of life.” Hopper, like service members who have sought exemptions before, was advised to meet with a chaplain to present his case. Chaplains cannot officially approve or deny requests, but recommendations based on perceived sincerity can be made on the service member’s behalf. “The chaplain corps will work with any military member to aid them in a genuine pursuit of an accommodation,” Joint Force State Chaplain Maj. Donald Crandell said. “However, we are not actively promoting a trend in this direction or seeking to normalize it.”
But a trend, as minimal as it may be, has certainly been stirring among the rank-and-file. The already-growing list of religious exemption requests inflated earlier this year when Spc. John Hoskins applied for a beard exemption as part of his proclaimed devotion to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster — a faith also known as “Pastafarianism.”
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The importance of one’s hair or beard can never be understated.
“This request is based on my deeply and sincerely held belief in the Pastafarian faith,” Hoskins wrote in his request to the Army. “It is my personally held belief that growing a beard will bring me closer to my God and bring me into his favor.” This time the Army declined, but only after Hoskins’ request made it all the way to the desk of a deputy chief of staff.
“The Army takes pride in sustaining a culture where all personnel are treated with dignity and respect and not discriminated against based on race, color, religion, gender and national origin,” Cathy Brown Vandermaarel, an Army spokeswoman, told Army Times when asked about the decision to deny Hoskins’ request. “While we cannot speak to the specifics of any particular case, religious accommodation can be disapproved if it is determined that the request is not based on a sincerely held religious belief or if the accommodation would create a specific hazard that cannot be reasonably mitigated.” In Afghanistan, meanwhile, Hopper keeps his waiver on him at all times in case any superiors question the facial feature he refers to as a “sacred and defining feature of masculine men.” Regulations specify a beard can be no longer than 2 inches in length. “Once I present my memorandum for record and cite all of the applicable regulations and directives, the focus on the beard tends to go away, for the most part,” he said in the release. “I see it as a phase very similar to when the Army authorized the wear of black socks during the fitness test. It is something new and authorized, and you will always encounter people who do not like change. “That is just life.”
Observation Post is the Military Times one-stop shop for all things off-duty. Stories may reflect author observations.
This goes great if you have short or long hair. If you have long and thick hair on your face, you should consider the long Viking beard style. A long beard can be more of a challenge to grow out, but the end result will always be worth it.
Jay Z has built a highly successful empire, with ventures spanning music, fashion, sports, and more. He is not only known for his music but also for his successful role as an entrepreneur. However, with fame and success come the curse of intense scrutiny and criticism. Jay Z's personal life has often been under the spotlight, with tabloids and gossip columns dissecting his every move. His relationships and marriage to superstar Beyoncé have become fodder for rumors and speculation. Furthermore, Jay Z's success has also attracted the envy and criticism of his peers, as well as the public. Some claim that he has sold out or compromised his artistry for commercial gains. Additionally, Jay Z's gift of wealth and influence has also brought him into controversial situations. His wealth and success have enabled him to navigate various legal issues, but they have also placed him under a microscope. Accusations of unethical business practices and associations with criminal elements have haunted his career. Some critics argue that his success comes at a cost, and that his image is tarnished by these allegations. In conclusion, Jay Z's journey in the music industry has been a testament to the gift and curse of fame and fortune. His undeniable talent as a rapper and his business acumen have brought him immense success and acclaim. However, along with this success comes intense scrutiny, criticism, and controversies. Both aspects shape his career and personal life, highlighting the complex nature of fame and success..
Reviews for "The Magna Carta of Jay Z: The Gift and Curse of His Album"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Jay Z: Gift and Curse". The album lacked creativity and originality. The lyrics felt repetitive and lacked depth, and the beats were generic and uninteresting. It seemed like Jay Z was just going through the motions in this album, without taking any risks or pushing his boundaries as an artist. Overall, I found the whole album to be underwhelming and forgettable.
2. John - 3 stars - While "Jay Z: Gift and Curse" had a few standout tracks, overall, I found the album to be inconsistent and unfocused. The balance between the gift and the curse just didn't come through in the music. Some songs were overly commercialized and lacked substance, while others felt forced and out of place. It felt like there was a lack of direction and cohesion throughout the album, which made it difficult for me to fully enjoy or connect with the music.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - I wanted to like "Jay Z: Gift and Curse" because I've enjoyed Jay Z's previous work, but this album just didn't do it for me. The production quality was good, but the songs themselves felt formulaic and uninspired. The lyrics lacked the clever wordplay and storytelling that Jay Z is known for, and instead, we got a lot of repetitive hooks and generic themes. It felt like a missed opportunity for Jay Z to showcase his talent and creativity, and I was left feeling disappointed after listening to the album.