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.