JL 4 and Summary

In the last few weeks of class we talked about covering politics. We listened to the NPR discussion about the election. One of the things that caught my attention was when one of the black male participants said he had been aware of his race since he was about 5 or 6 years old. He said he had mainly attended white schools and was one of those who was afraid of "big black men". Another person commented that big black men have to be friendly. You could hear the chuckles around the room. It's true, you get that image in your head of a big black man and his stature for one is intimidating. But what if that same man was white? Would he be just as intimidating or would people just think he's strong and not be scared by his presence?

I think the whole class was shocked when we heard the story of the sheltered woman who grew up on a farm. She said she was voting for McCain because she didn't trust Obama. She said he was a Muslim, and that the only time someone is no longer a Muslim is when they're dead. I couldn't believe that this woman, who had just said she wasn't aware of prejudice when she was little, could say something so ignorant. She told the story about the black man who used to get on the bus with a shotgun, and how she thought it was perfectly normal. So she doesn't like Obama, not because he's black, but because he's a Muslim, and because obviously all Muslims are evil. It just doesn't make any sense. It only goes to show you that we all have prejudices, and a lot of say things, and don't realize how ignorant and ridiculous we sound.

We talked about retail and commercial politics. And it's true what we talked about- people don't deal with politics on global terms. We are concerned much more with what is going on in our neighborhoods and our country than anywhere else in the world. I could argue, from what I've experienced, that most Hispanics in this country care more about what is going on in their homelands. It goes back to ethnic media. People want to know what's happening in their country of origin because that's what they feel the most attached to. My mom, for example, is always watching news about Colombia. She wants to know what's going on there, but doesn't care so much about news here. Even though she's been here for 40 years, she is the only one in her family living in the States. She feels a deep sense of pride for her country, and is very concerned about what goes on there.

I thought it was interesting when Reisner said that all politics is ethnic and that our tribe membership influences our political choices. We don't choose our leaders based on their qualifications or on their policies. We choose them because something about them resonates with us. It's about how they make us feel. I voted for Obama because of how he made me feel. He brought hope and enthusiasm. I didn't vote for McCain based on feelings too. I'm not fond of Republicans, I didn't like Bush at all, hated Palin, and I voted mainly because I didn't want another Republican as president.

We talked about how to do things differently. I learned some good tips about reporting. You have ask questions of the politicians, look up their record, get the information from the community. Don't be afraid to ask questions and hold people accountable.


SUMMARY

I think the most important thing I learned all semester was to not be afraid to ask questions. I learned it's o.k. to ask what you may think is a stupid question, sometimes being curious gets you the best answers. I learned to ask the right questions, and the right way to ask them. I learned that you have to be informed, always take some measure to prepare yourself for an interview.

It's important to think outside the box, or else you'll just end p writing what everyone else does. We have to be careful about the words we use, be mindful of what we say. Certain words have different meanings for different people. We have to be conscious of how we portray people.

We all have prejudices. I thought I had been around diversity because I lived in Miami, the so called "melting pot". What I discovered is that there are so many people and places I have yet to encounter and experience, and because of this class, I feel i can do it now. I realized I have a long way to go, but I know that with the discussions we've had in class and with the LP experience, I'm one step further than most. This class has really opened my eyes to see that we all have a common thread. We may not have the same beliefs, but we are all human and we can all relate.

It's not just about this little bubble we've lived in for so long. there is so much out there yet to discover. It's our job to find the stories that are different from all the other ones. It's our responsibility to present all sides of an issue, and cover things well. We have the power to choose what we say and send the message we want to send.

We talked about a lot of things I had never discussed in a mixed group. I only hope this opportunity can come again.

LP 4 and Summary

The last time I went to the barber shop, I was able to speak to Brandon. He told me more about his life and we talked about politics and DWB (driving while black).
I asked Brandon to tell me what it was like for him growing up in a bad neighborhood. He told me violence was always around. One of the first things he remembered was being 7 or 8 and having to duck down inside the house because shooting would break out on his block. He told me there was a bullet hole in his kitchen counter in his old house; it had entered through the kitchen window.
He got into multiple fights while he was in middle school. I asked him what the fights were about, and he said t was over the stupidest things. It could have been over football or fighting over the last seat on the bus or because one pushed he other too hard when they were playing. He said sometimes it was for no reason at all. He told me he must have been in at least 100 fights before he got to high school.
"You must defend yourself, " he said "even if you lose, you need to fight to survive."
I remembered he told me that he had shot at someone, but at the time i hadn't wanted to go any further, and he hadn't seemed comfortable talking about it. This time around though, Iasked him. I asked him if he owned a gun. He answered yes. "I deal with money (cash) so I keep it on me because you never know."
When he said that, I was shocked. I think he noticed how white I turned and he started laughing. I told him I had never known anyone who owned a gun, much less someone who carried it with them. I asked, you have it right now?! In here?
He answered yes, and so I assumed it was in one of the drawers at his work station or something. He was sitting right next to me on the couch, with little room to move. He said, "It's right here," patting his right thigh. I had nowhere to go, but my first instinct was to move away. All I could do was stare at the spot on his thigh and I couldn't help but swallow hard. I didn't know what to think. So I asked if the other guys knew he carried it, and to my surprise he said, "Yea! They all carry one too!"
He assured me that as long as I was in there, I was safe.

He told me the shooting incident he was involved in happened at a club. He and his friend got into another fight with someone, and it just got out of control. Another guy came out of nowhere and hit him in the head with a beer bottle. the second time he hit him, Brandon pulled out the gun and started shooting. He said he doesn't know what happened because he just got into his car and took off.
He told me that in the black community you need three things to survive: food, water and guns. "You need one because too many criminals have them , the good people need to have them too. You just never know, you could be an innocent victim or a mistaken identity."

He told me he's been exposed to a lot of stuff. He lost his virginity when he was 12 to a 15 year-old girl. I asked him why he had done it at such a young age, and if he felt more "cool" afterwards. He confessed he felt weird. He had never been taught about sex. His mom and his brothers had never spoken about it with him. He even thought he had gotten the girl pregnant. "I had no clue about sex."

So i asked why he thought his mother never spoke to him about it. He told me his mom was a single parent, and that she probably felt awkward talking to her boys about sex. "It was an environment where you were expected to grow up, and learn those things on your own."
He said he thinks it's the reason why so many black girls get pregnant. "Single moms- as is often the case- don't teach their children about sex. The boys overcompensate for not having dads, they think having sex makes them men, but they don't know how to be men."

We talked about drugs too. He told me about the house down the block that used to sell drugs. When he was a kid he saw dealers exchange drugs with "clients" and witnessed a lady o.d. and die in a van. He says he's only smoked pot once, and has never done any other drug. He told me he sold some weed in high school and stole often.

I asked him why he stole. "Because I was starving! I had to, what else was I going to do?"
He didn't get his first job until his senior year of high school. He worked for the Boys and Girls Club for two years. He said it was ironic because sometimes he had to steal t-shirts from the corner store to wear to work so he could comply with the uniform.

He said, "I'm a pretty good kid."
I would have to agree. Brandon is a mature and smart guy, he just made some bad choices.

Then our talk turned to politics. I asked him if he had voted for Obama. He told me it was the first and last time he would vote. He thinks politics are a joke. He old me, "Presidents are not elected, they are elected." He said nobody's vote counts.

I asked why he thought Obama had become President. I got a very interesting answer, one full of doubt and a hint of paranoia.
"Sometimes you gotta give the people what they want. Sometimes you have to quiet them."

He doesn't trust politics , and sayid he doesn't put his faith in any man, only in God.
About health care he said, "If you pay taxes, you should be able to get health care. I know people who don't work and make their money illegally that can afford to pay for a hospital visit. It's not fair."

I asked him if he had ever been stopped for DWB. He smiled, and i asked if he know what that was was. He laughed and said yes. He says he's been stopped about four or five times. He says he just shows him his license and registration and pretends to be nice because he knows they have nothing on him.

I asked him what he thought about black cops, and if he'd ever been stopped by one. He said no, but he said he'd rather be pulled over by a white cop than a black one. "The black ones seem to have a chip in their shoulder. I don't know if they think they're better than us or what. It's like we owe them something."

As I was getting ready to leave I overheard a conversation about politics, just like the one Brandon and I had been having. Ives and the customer in his chair were going on about conspiracy theories and about how disappointed they were in Obama. They were saying how this country is run by rich families. Ives said he was disappointed in Obama because he felt he had sold his soul. He made a lot of references to the Bible. He said things are going to get worse, but he is not surprised because he has been reading about it for years. He said it may not be a catastrophic natural disaster, but that something is going to happen, and someone is going to take over.

He said, "you can' fault Obama, or any of the presidents for that matter. The wheels were set in motion a long time ago, and there is nothing we can do about it. Bush was the one who got the wheels turning. Obama is just a puppet."
"The last real president we had, ended up with his brains splattered all over the back seat of a Cadillac."

All I could do was listen, I was shocked to find out that these black men felt this way. I had just assumed that most black people voted for Obama and really felt good about their decision. I thought they admired hm and had hope in what he wants to do. What i found is that hese men have no faith in government, no faith in Obama. I don't blame them though. We've seen little to no improvement, and I honestly don't see how we're going to get out of this mess.


SUMMARY

This Listening Post experience has really been life-altering. I remember how nervous I was the first day I walked into the shop. I had no idea what was going to happen. I stepped into a world completely different from mine, and what I found is that we're not so different after all. The people at this shop are some of the kindest and smartest people I have had the pleasure of meeting. They are accepting and generous and had no problem talking to me. I got weird looks at the beginning, but the past few times I've visited, almost every person has greeted me. Greg comes up to me every time to shake my hand and give me a kiss on the cheek. Brandon sits down next to me and starts up conversations, and asks me for advice. Who would have though?!

I've learned so much over the past few weeks. I learned how to ask the right questions, the right way. I'm no longer afraid to push for more or ask about something I don't understand or that intrigues me. I learned that most people want to and like to talk.

The barber shop is the place where everyone comes to talk about the gossip and about what's going on in the world. It's an open forum for thoughts and opinions. The talk quickly changed from football to more meaningful and important topics. I saw a side of these people, that I would have probably never seen otherwise.

It taught me that deep down, we are all the same. We are all flesh and blood. We all have the same problems and afflictions. We all have prejudices, but we can look beyond them. Once we get to know others, we find that their hearts and souls are the same. We all want love and happiness, and we all want to be successful at whatever we do.

I plan on going back even though this assignment is over. I want to learn more about the people there. I've made friends with them, and I just don't feel right not going back for the occasional visit. I think I'm going to keep this blog going, and maybe even try to do the same experiment somewhere else.

LP 3

I visited the barber shop two more times. My intention the first time was to talk a bit more with Brandon about his life growing up, but it turned out he wasn't there. I noticed Ives was sitting on the couch with with woman and a young girl, who i assumed to be her daughter. I didn't feel right interrupting their conversation, but I saw she had noticed me. She said hello and asked me what i was doing there. As soon as i told her, she got very excited. she said she had a project in mind to go around to different barber shops and interview the men there and get an inside look at what they're going through. She was extremely energetic and talkative. You could tell she had a real passion for what she did. Turns out she is Ives' cousin. She lived in NY for a while and is now moving back down here. Her name is Shandi Louis, but goes by Shandi, as she made sure to point out to me. A single mother with two kids, she is hard to miss. Not because she was the only woman in there besides me, but because of her fashion sense. From her tall spiky Hair to her large, dangling silver earrings to her neon floral-print top to her snakeskin stiletto heels- her whole outfit said "look at me". She looked good, she could pull it off.

I found out she is a sort of motivational speaker. She holds conferences and different events where she helps businesses and other groups with their customer service skills and other skills. Her website, http://www.shanitalks.com/ has more information about what she does.

She is very involved in her community (Harlem, NY). She talked about how she works with different businesses, and holds workshops and meetings for teenagers and young adults. She works a lot with a barber shop in Harlem called Denny Moe's Superstar Barber Shop. They hold many events to benefit the community, and they are an example of a barber shop who's doing things differently. they don't just cut hair, they give back. If you look on their website http://www.dennymoesuperstarbarbershop.com/dm/home.html you can see anything from all the famous people they cut hair for to all the good they do for the community.

Shani helped organize a fundraiser called "Cut for the Cure" Cutting For A Cure” in which barbers from around the country took part in a 48 hour hair cutting marathon. The event helped raise awareness and the money went to cancer research.

They are part of Chris Rock's upcoming documentary Good Hair. here is the video link talking about perms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-JAbs-xzXw

Every Friday Shani gives workshops to the youth of NY that are going through rehabilitation. She said she's been around all kinds of people and that it doesn't matter what race, religion or sexual preference they may have, they are all good people.

She is currently cutting and putting together a video for QVC and HSN and is thinking about going back to school for journalism. She wants to bring her business down here.

I got her contact info , and have already reached out her because i definitely want to learn more about what she does.

JL 3

Two weeks back we talked about how some journalists are doing things differently. We listened to the NPR story about the high school football player who fasted during Ramadan and still endured grueling hours of practice. His dedication and commitment to both football (the American tradition) and Ramadan, the Muslim tradition was amazing. I'm not sure i would be able to do something like that.

The point is that that story and some of the others we listened to, focused on unique aspects of people's lives. they were not about the food, fun and festivals that Reisner tells us to avoid. They reported on a more personal level. As a reader, i understood the importance of Ramadan for these people. It wasn't generic. it was full of emotion and personality.

We also learned about the importance of code words. as journalists, we have to be mindful of what we say or write because different words have different connotations. Words like urban, suburban, ghetto - are all words we just throw around. we don't even realize what they mean. We need to be careful when writing because readers may take offense. if we think that the reader may be unclear about the meaning of he word, we should just scratch it all together. Other words on the list like Eskimo or Mulatto are words I've used, and i was surprised to find out their meaning.

That goes hand in hand with one of the readings about ethnic media. The 2004 article by Keith Woods about the "Latino" and "Black" vote was really helpful. He made a good point when he asked what the words really mean. He said that by grouping Blacks and Latinos by just color or ethnicity, you lose "the hint of nuance, intellect and free will". It's all grouped together, so we don't appreciate the "complexity we share". He said it's important to report on all sides of a story. Look at each group individually, and report about them fully, from all angles.

The article by Tom Huang and the multi-ethnic wave that led Obama to victory was very interesting. I did not realize the numbers of minorities that voted for him until i read it. I voted for Obama because he spoke to me as an individual. He was different form any other presidential candidate i had ever seen. He was smart, caring and actually had a sense of humor. The way he spoke about immigration and education, and a number of other things really caught my attention. I felt like he really cared. And most surprisingly of all, he was black! what?! I thought i would see a woman president before i ever saw an African American in office.

I remember my mom saying he would never make it. She was definitely skeptical, and although she'd registered independent, she leans toward the right. She told me that he's never make it because he was black. she was certain the old white guy was going to win.
I remember telling her there was no way McCain was going to win. I knew in my heart Obama would take it. I had never seen so many young people be so passionate about politics. I myself didn't care much for it until he came on the scene. He made look at politics differently. I became interested all of a sudden. I cared. I registered and I was extremely proud on the day i voted.

The percentage of voters in the article stunned me. To know that 67% of Hispanics, 95% blacks and % of the Asian community voted for him makes me realize how revolutionary he is. As the daughter of two Hispanic right wingers, it felt good to go against my parents' traditional beliefs, but especially, because it was for the right reasons! Like Huang pointed out, "he's the outsider that got in".

the article also highlights the growing number of Asians and Hispanics in this country. It's amazing to read that in 2050 there will be around 133 million Hispanics (making up 30% !) and 41 million Asians in this country.

ethnic newspapers and other publications, as we have learned, are a link between the people in those communities. The Miami Herald Article about foreign language newspapers highlights the importance of ethnic/community papers. They are a networking vehicle, as well as a link to the mother country. They help individuals feel connected to their fellow countrymen.
The problems facing each community and each country are vastly different. These newspapers cater specifically to these groups and help them build a sense of community. They provide lifelines and crucial information about legal rights and job opportunities. Large National papers cant do this.

Papers like El Paracaidista provide Argentinians with educational opportunities that allow them to further advance their careers here in the states. these papers provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. They focus on local issues and highlight other locals' achievements.

The COLORLINES article titled Ethnic Media Grows up talked about NBC's acquisition of Telemundo. A study showed that one half of the people questioned preferred ethnic broadcasts or publications. It also revealed that 40% of them paid more attention to ethnic ads. So NBC has had a huge advantage over the past few years. By partnering with Telemundo they can reach out to the booming number of Hispanics in the country.


We saw all throughout the election process how news outlets advertised people's rights to vote. in the Hispanic communities, Latinos were urged to exercise their rights and let their voices be heard. In the black community, they highlighted the struggle of African Americans and urged them to become more active members in their communities. In the white media, advertisements catered to young college students, and asked them to exercise their rights.

So all in all, ethnic media touches people's minds and hearts. it links them to others like them and gives them a sense of community. It helps them cope in a world that at times may not care about their problems or even know they exist.

LP 2

The second time around at the Purple Palace was much easier. I wasn't nervous when I walked in the door because I had made a connection with some of the guys.

I learned that being myself around them led them to open up ore and show me different sides of their personalities.

The bar and pool table on the inside.

The guys working.

I went on a Thursday, which happens to be a slower day at the shop, but it allowed me to get to Brandon better.

He complained about how he felt weirs, almost having to beg the few customers that walked in to let him cut their hair. "I have to stay here all day from 12 to eight to make up the difference."

Greg walked in around 3pm and came over to shake my hand. He sat in a barber chair close to me and asked how I was. He was very intrigued about what I was writing. the most interesting part was when Brandon came to sit next to me on the couch and Greg told him not to. He told Brandon he'd had enough time with me, and that now it was his turn. It was funny and kind of flattering.

I was trying to take a candid picture of Greg, but he caught me.

Unfortunately I only learned a little about Greg that day. His name is Greg Motes and he has two sons. The younger one is 10. Greg drops him off and picks him up every day from school. His older boy is 13 and walks home after school. He brings his younger son to the shop to cut his hair every Tuesday.

He got a phone call in the middle of our conversation and had to leave, so Brandon came over to talk.

Brandon Jay Vernon is a big guy (in a muscular, football player kind of way). Despite his appearance, he's very talkative and very mature for his age. He's sweet, and willing to answer all my questions. We talked for an hour and a half , and he even gave up some customers to another barber so he could keep talking to me.

I asked him what kind of people he hangs out with. His immediate answer was "progressive people". He told me he associates himself with mainly black male friends. He likes people who are "going somewhere". His group consists of four or five guys, mostly football players. They like to hang out and just catch up with one another.

Brandon

I asked him about his views toward women. He told me he was raised by his mom and his aunts. He saw how hard it was for his mom to make ends meet. "She loves so hard and works so hard." He told me how he looks down upon abuse. How he would never put his hands on a woman. "I don't want to hurt any woman, why would you want to?"

He said he's not willing to just settle for anything. "I love women. Doesn't matter what color, shape, size, i love it all. If they;'re willing to talk to me and I feel a good vibe, then that's all that matters. I need substance."

We talked about respect and about his life growing up. He told me how important it is to be "street smart". He's not afraid of anything. He said if you demand respect, you'll get it in return. His size also awards him more respect. He says people are intimidated when they see him, so they don;t mess with him.

He told me it was hard growing up . He got involved with a bad crowd and saw and did things he regrets. He wouldn't disclose too much information, but he did mention he had shot at people before. I was shocked when he told me this, which took him by surprise. He just said it in such a calm way, just in passing. I told him I wasn't used to that and I had never spoken to anyone who had shot at people before. He said, "Silence is the key to survival."

He told me that growing up in the Miramar/Hollywood area was a place where many boys had to fight for their respect. "you have to stand on your own two feet. You have to give respect, but you have to demand respect."

He told me he wants to get out of his neighborhood. He wants to go to school and make something of himself. "My dream job would be something where I don't have to work for anyone. I hate the routine."

I found we had a lot in common. He said, "I hate fake people, and I hate cowards. I don't trust anyone that doesn't look me in the eye." He said that cocky people are insecure about themselves. It's clear to see that he is genuine. He has no problem expressing his opinion.

He is starting to trust me more. He even asked my advice about a girl he likes, and told me he needs a woman's point of view. I hope that next time I can get to know the others and go on a busier day so I can talk to some of the customers.

JL 2

Over the past two weeks I've really learned a lot. I've started understanding the things we've been talking about in class because I've been able to go out and experience it for myself. I never thought that doing an exercise like the listening post would open my eyes and my mind as much as it has. I just went to the Purple Palace again yesterday and I'm thinking of going again tomorrow. The people there have really embraced me. Two of the guys especially, Brandon and Greg, are willing to talk about anything and everything I ask them. Even they have started asking me questions and wanting to get to know me better.

I understand now how important it is to go beyond the "bubble" we live in. As reporters, we have to get out there and hear the stories of people that just want someone to listen.

It brings to mind the 60 Minutes report we saw in class about Mr. Lopez and Mr. Ayers. I had actually seen it by chance that previous Sunday and I thought it was a great story. It just shows you that you never know who you'll meet. We shouldn't discriminate others based on race or religion or even on the way they're dressed. Every one has a story. And more often than not, you'll find you have something in common with them.

We also talked about the fact that journalism should be inclusive. It needs to include people of all backgrounds. Not just the people in the stories, but also those writing the stories. The Liberty City article we read in class is a perfect example. It only showed one side. It was negative and it was lacking heart and emotion.

Just because you are of the same race as those you are covering, does not mean you'll do a better job. In fact, I think if you cover something out of your comfort zone, you'll be better able to ask more questions and get more information.

We found out that Robert Samuels was a middle class black man. It just proves that someone not of the community might do a better job at writing the story. They may be better able to present both sides.

I remember Reisner saying that we need to choose how we write things. We have to present all sides of a story. We can't bring our prejudices or our baggage into it. The listening post assignment has really helped me understand that concept. I had to get rid of all my preconceived notions. I'm in their community, and I have to get the truth. I have to learn what their reality is like. So far, everything I thought before, has been wrong.

We also looked at ads last week. The one that stood out the most was the helicopter ad. It was offensive even though I'm not Muslim. To associate a helicopter attacking a mosque or any other religious establishment for that matter, is crazy to me. It leads people to think that the Muslim religion is evil. I know that it's absolute nonsense. That ad would never feature a church or a Jewish temple. People would be outraged!

The Jewish "Shalom" parody was both stupid and confusing. It was offensive, even though a lot of people in the class found it to be really funny. I found it obnoxious and I didn't understand the point of it. Maybe that's because I think the Budweiser commercials are really stupid and pointless too.

Overall I've learned to be more accepting of others. I look at people differently now. I've started striking up conversations everywhere I go, no matter what a person looks like. Everyone has a story to tell, and my job is to find out what it is.

LP 1

I walked into The Purple Palace salon/barbershop on Tuesday afternoon with a knot in my throat. I had just spent five minutes in the car talking my nerves down and making sure my heart wasn't beating so loud that someone might hear it. I had no clue what to expect when I walked in there. What would they say? What would they think of a white girl walking into their shop? Would they laugh and me and throw me out? Well, that was the worst case scenario, and I had prepared for it. Just the colors of the building alone made me nervous. Bright yellow and purple, you could see it from a mile away.

I finally mustered up the courage to turn off the car and walk to the front door. Once my eyes adjusted to the fluorescent lights inside, I was able to see the four men there had stopped what they were doing to stare at me. I walked up nervously, holding my notepad, not failing to notice the pool table with the purple velvet lining and the crystal chandelier hanging above it, directly to my left. I introduced myself and told them I was from FIU. I asked if the place got busier toward the end of the week, to which a young man, sitting on a black leather sofa responded, "Yea, but if you want to talk to us now, come sit over here!"

His name is Brandon. He's 22, and looks like he can tackle anyone on the football field. He's average height, but widely built like a sturdy house. He mentioned that they had just been talking about FIU's football team.

Ives, the "dad" of the shop told me the two main topics of conversation there were politics and football. He's heavier set, dressed in black and wears glasses and a mustache. He reminded me of a younger and skinnier version of Cedric the Entertainer

I sat down and took it all in. The yellow walls, the black tile, the huge television on the other end of the room. It was bright and loud, but there was something really calm and inviting about it all.

A man getting his hair cut by Ives asked me what kind of journalism I was studying. Ives asked me "Do you recognize this man? Have you seen him ESPN maybe?" I said no.

It turns out his name is Israel Gutierrez. He works for the sports section of the Miami Herald and has covered teams like The Heat and the Florida Marlins.

I instantly felt more comfortable. Who would've thought a reporter for the Miami Herald would come to the Purple Palace? He told me he is a regular, that he comes every 9 to 10 days.

The conversation quickly turned to football, and that happened a lot while i was there.

One of the first questions I asked was how they had gotten started cutting hair. Ives responded by telling me they had all started cutting hair on the porch or in the garage. "Just trying to make a few dollars to pay for things, and just happened to make a career out of it. I don't mind being around people or getting up and going to work."

"We all started at home, we all grew up around here", said Greg, one of the other barbers. He's handsome, tall, and muscular, with a diamond in each ear. To me, he looked like a lady's man, but i instantly noticed his wedding ring.

He and Brandon seemed to be the most curious. They asked me where I was from and what my background was. They were surprised to find out my parents are Latin. Greg said, "I thought you were a white girl." I had to laugh.


A young woman walked in the door with a small boy who turned out to be her nephew. Larissa told me she goes to school at BCC and is studying psychology.We talked about her aspirations and her family life. She told me her mom, Kathy Taylor, works at FIU.


The topic of conversation among all of us was directed by the T.V. It went from Michael Jackson to football to the stabbing at Coral Gables Senior High.

A man sitting in Greg's chair named Jay contributed to the conversation by talking about today's youth. He wondered what will happen with future generations. About the stabbing he said, "I grew up around the same thing, but i didn't get involved with it."

We talked about rudeness. Kanye West, Serena Williams, and Congressman Wilson came up in the conversation. I got the feeling they don't trust politicians. Ives commented on how politicians are "crooks" and Greg added they are "thieves", ans some even "murderers". I plan to expand on that next time I visit.

I found out Greg has a wife and two boys. Brandon made sure to point out that the two boys were from the same woman, and explained to me that that was very rare. He told me how sad it made him, because most boys who grow up without a father, overcompensate by turning into tough, aggressive teenagers.

As the afternoon progressed, more customers came in. The majority were men. I noticed that many brought their young boys with them. They would sit down for a cut and then be set free to go play an NFL arcade game that was right behind me.

I found out more about Brandon after he came to sit next to me again. We got along extremely well, and we talked about his family life and his plans for the future. He told me he plans to attend BCC and get into the medical field, after he's done with barber school. His dream was to be a professional football player, but an ACL tear shattered those plans.

Brandon is half black and half Jamaican. His dad's dad was Cuban and moved to Jamaica where he met Brandon's grandmother. He has three brothers, two older, one younger. His mom works as a Registered Nurse and she is going back to school to become a Nurse Practitioner.
About his own education Brandon told me, "When I go back to school , it will be for the gusto. I have the passion now."

I asked him if Ives was the father figure in the shop and he said yes. about Greg he said, "He's like my brother. They put us in time out around here." He told me that Ives has known him since he was a little boy.

On my next visit I hope to delve deeper into their lives and really find out what they think about politics and about what's going on on their community.