Last Class on February 23, the Mystery of Bubble/Bobby

In my first visit to the barber shop, one of the barbers didn't identify with his actual name. He said his name was "Bubble". Or, at least that's what I understood. Two weeks ago, professor Reisner asked me how this guy spelled his name or nickname. I didn't know because I didn't ask him. Last class, we watched the movie "Barber Shop".

One character named "Eddie" mentioned a word that seems to be related to what that barber told me. "Eddie" mentioned "Bobby" as the paradigm of a respectable barber. Maybe, Bubble really meant Bobby - a detail I perhaps missed due to my language limitation, his accent, and more probably because of the stress I was under in that first visit.

Anyway, I was determined to ask Bubble not only the spelling but also the meaning of it. I went to my third visit on Friday 24; but, several barbers including Bubble were not working that day. Platinum Boyz was kind of slow because of the All Stars game in Orlando. So, I couldn't see him.

I did some online research and found "Bobby's World" is a very respectable barbershop recognized by giving service to Hip Hop celebrities. This shop is run by a superstar barber known as "Bobby". I clearly remember Bubble told me, or I understood, "My name is Bubble because I live in a Bubble world." Now, I don't know if Bubble referred to the famous barber shop "Bobby's World" or to the paradigm mention by "Eddie' in the movie. Or, maybe "Bobby's World" comes from what it's mentioned in the movie. I'm going to have to wait until Bubble explains all of this to me in my next visit.

I'm amazed how the simple fact that I entered the world of black barber shops took me through this path of cultural codes that seem intriguingly mysterious for me. I don't want to draw conclusions in advance; but, if Bubble, Bobby, and Bobby's World are connected through meaning and use, that would be a remarkable example of the integrating function of slangs in a cultural/ethnic context. But, that's to be confirmed.

Third Visit, We Coversed Finally

I was less nervous than the last time for my third visit to Platinum Boyz. The doughnuts and the smiles have given me the hope and spirit to come back for more.

This time, however, was not less surprising than the previous ones. The barber shop was slow. There were five barbers but three clients. I only greeted the ones I know: Sean and James, who were pleased to see me. A black female barber was done with a client who left right away. This woman looked young, probably under 25. Jon, the old barber who refused to answer any question in my first visit stepped outside. I did not attempt to talk to him. I did not even look at him to give him space and time, hoping he will come to me at some point.

"Why is it so slow today?" I asked Sean. "Because it's the Basketball All-stars game weekend in Orlando and people travel," he responded. That gave me the perfect excuse to initiate conversation.
"Do you guys like basketball? What sport is the most popular in the United States Baseball, Basketball or Football?" I asked. They were all engaged in the topic. A teenager, whose tattoos give him a tough appearance, answered, "Basketball.... But every body is going to answer the one they like the most." Sean added, "Basketball because more people play Basketball in the streets."

 Another barber, who was working on a client and I had not met yet answered, "Football is more popular that Basketball. Check the Superbowl." His client agreed with him. I took advantage and introduced my self. "My name is Kat," he said. I finally got to know my first contact, the mysterious guy I never met. I was surprised he was so young. He remembered we spoke on the phone and kindly apologized for not being present in my first visit as we arranged.

I redirected to the conversation. "I like Football but I don't understand it. I have to switch the channel after five minutes," I said. They were more than willing to help me. All of the sudden I had three of them explaining me the rules from the yard marking of the field to the scoring system. The client receiving service actually downloaded to his phone a clip on the beginning of a game to show me how it works. For several minutes I kept asking and they kept explaining, accompanied by some jokes and comments here and there. I got the names of the two clients, Carl and Jeff.

It was time for more interesting questions. "Why is it that there are not many black players in Baseball major leagues?' I questioned. Carl, the client receiving service, answered, "I used to liked baseball when I was a kid; but, I never had the chance to play it. The schools I went to didn't have a Baseball field and my mom couldn't pay for it." And Sean added, "Few years ago, they put the rule that all natives have to play at least one year in college before they get into major league. There are not many black guys in college that play baseball. That's not fair. Players from other countries can go straight to major leagues; it makes no sense." Kat continued, "If there is no black stars black people don't watch Baseball. Who are they going to follow?"

This time, Bubble and Muhammad were not in the shop so my chances to materialize their stories are in hold. However, this visit was more than wonderful. I solidified my connections in Platinum Boyz. This hour I spent there was not field work. It was leisure time. I related to people I do not have the chance to get in contact with every day. I learned from them, and more importantly, I started to enjoy spending time in this place.

The Politics of Race, Ethnicity, Religion & (Fill in the Blank)

It is kind of sad that politicians have to appeal to race or ethnicity all the time. It seems like if they constantly have to reassure their stances on ethnic basis to keep voters of all groups happy. Either they have to confirm and reaffirm their origins to please the ethnic group they come from or they have to demonstrate they will not favor their own groups to be supported by others. The thing is race and ethnicity are always an issue.

In one of the articles of this section, the author mentions that it is demonstrated that candidates that have refrained from relying on ethnic or racial approaches have managed effectively to earn diverse votes, president Obama being the clear example. Is it that the public is so programmed to overweight race and ethnicity because that's what politics offers? Then, the solution is relatively easy in my mind. Political candidates and their campaigns should consciously diminish the importance of these subjects; or better, they should give it the right weight. The problem really is that politicians could be permeated with racial and ethnic prejudices too.

But to be frank, this is not the only thing campaigns are based on that pisses me off. Religion is another area politicians need to show off if they want to be elected. Isn't America mature enough to understand what itself stands for? Separation of religion and state is the foundation of this nation - except for choosing candidates. If one is atheist or even practices a non-Christian religion, he/she is facing a potential defeat. It is not enough coming from a religious background; they have to demonstrate they practice it.

Sexual orientation and marital status are other aspects that are overrated. They must demonstrate they are heterosexual and belong to a perfect family [within the traditional scheme] like if those features would upgrade their abilities to administer or govern.

It looks and sounds very much like a double standard to me.

It is absurd that Williams, senate president in the state of Kentucky, launched attacks to governor Steve Beshear because he participated in a Hidu ceremony. First, nobody should make an issue of it in a country that preaches freedom of religion. Secondly, no public officer criticizes another official for participating in a Christian ceremony. Bush was criticized for wooing a black community in a church; but not for being part of a Christian religious activity. Again, Mr. Williams is making ethnicity a tool to judge an official.

Another interesting case is the one of republican congressman Marco Rubio. Does the fact that his parents left Cuba for economic reasons or political reasons make any difference in his abilities to serve in Congress? I doubt it. He is not more or less Cuban in any of the cases. Cuban-American candidates over inflate their Cubanship for the sake of votes too often.

Race and ethnicity are part of the American political landscape, which seems to have several weak sides still.

On the Beat

The section "ON the Beat" reveals the complexity of the racial issues for the purpose of journalism. I found some of the subsections particularly useful. For example, "Handling Race/Ethnicity with Discretion" mentions the fact that race or ethnicity should not be used to describe subjects, especially when dealing with negative events that can generate negative criteria on a given group. Or at least, race should not be used as the only description of subjects. I totally agree with this idea.

Giving the color alone presupposes all blacks or Hispanics or Asians are the same and further description is irrelevant. If, for instance, the news are on a crime, that might suggest that all blacks or Hispanics or Asians are criminals. However, the skin color can be of effective use when seeking information about fugitives. Still, more information like height, clothing and age should be given so that the description is not racist.

I think the term minority could be effective under certain contexts still. Minority should be used when describing a situation in which the subject was actually part of the minority, not just because he/she belongs to a given group. For example, a Hispanic who was arrested in Hialeah should not be mentioned as a minority member if the report does not include an angle from the national perspective. Referring to whites as minorities if reporting about a context in which whites are the actual minority would be fair then; even though, it is otherwise at the national scale. This approach could actually be more effective to contextualize the report. In regard to "people of color", which is the other topic in this subsection, you know my opinion from another post. I do not find this term fair or accurate. Otherwise, I find it very racist. See the "Colored People" post.
 http://3188lappin.blogspot.com/2012/01/colored-people.html

"Rethinking the Race Beat" talks about the Journal-Constitution in Atlanta, which is a city with a long history of civil rights issues-still today. But, that resembles Miami a lot. "Race is a factor in virtually everything we write in this community," editor Mike King said. That's not very far from what we face in Miami. This is a multi ethnic community in which the minorities are majorities.

Johnathan Tilove advocates for journalists to be experts in racial topics for more ethical and accurate approach. It might sound logic but I disagree with that idea. He says that certain journalists covering health care or military affairs are experts, which avoids any bias or prejudice.

Experts journalists are not the only ones who report or write on these topics with dignity and efficiency. Leaving the topic for experts only would actually create more taboo than bringing it to the table all the time by everyone. What should be the focus is that each journalist must know how to approach race/ethnicity free of restrains, biases or prejudices. This is the actual idea of democracy. The more people talking on a subject -in the right way- the more progress in the area. This is real diversity.

Second Visit, Building Trust

It took me three weeks to go back and do my second visit to Platinum Boyz Barber Shop in Morningside. I have to say that part of it was due to the fear to face the difficult task and perhaps another failure.

This time I felt confident, hopeful to be accepted in a place that is far beyond my comfort zone.
Maybe, I was confident and serene due to the fact that I was armed with two boxes of doughnuts as I was advised. I entered the place without hesitation like someone who does not want to rethink. Platinum Boyz seemed a totally different place this Friday. All six barber chairs were busy, the waiting room areas inside and outside the shop were packed. And as the first time, Hip Hop was loud.

Just crossing the door, I saw the face of Bubble, the tough guy who treated me harshly in my first visit. He drew a surprise expression. His face resembled that of someone who has not seen a close friend in a long time, which was surprising for me too. "Hi Bubble, how is it going?", I said as I strongly shook hands with him. He stopped working and widely smiled; but, it was the sincere, spontaneous smile only joy can produce, not the bully one he gave me the first day. "You are for real man," he said with polite tone of voice. "I told you I was coming back. I brought a little something for you gays, I hope you enjoy," I said. This was definitely a good idea.

Sean, James, Jon and the rest of the staff looked at me with an expression I will never forget. Their faces were telling now you're welcome here. I could see behind the mask of big, tough guy of these men the humbleness to recognize and respect others. After seeing the other side of the coin, I feel they were testing me the first time. Having come back was probably the way to pass.

Also, I perceived Bubble is kind of a leader even though he is not the boss of the place. If Bubble likes you, you are safe in the place. 

I walked toward Sean, the supervisor who I first spoke to in my first visit and let him know I had brought the doughnuts as gratitude for having me over the first day. Sean shook my hand and smiling said "Any time man." I went to Jame's chair and he not only shook my hand but also leaned his body against mine as black dudes do. This was quite remarkable for me. I initiated my observation right away.

In the back right side of the room, there was a barber I did not see the first time. I did not introduce myself like I did the first time with every single person in the place. This time I used a different strategy. I greeted the ones I already knew. The bottom line is that they introduce me to others at certain point. This barber was actually working on the only white person in the place, who was wearing business casual attire.I found it very interesting the way this barber was talking to him. The barber conducted himself in a soft manner and reflected kindness at all times. They were laughing on jokes the client was doing.

Sean was cutting the hair of a little boy three years old at most. He accidentally stuck the machine behind the kid's right ear. The kid jumped and vocalized, expressing pain. But, what happened next was mind-blowing for me. Sean said "Don't complain. You are two slow. You reacted two minutes late. You have to be faster in the world." I assume a young man sitting in the chair right in front of Sean was the boy's father. He just looked at Sean and smiled like approving the comment. This is completely different to the reaction I would expect from an Anglo or even a Hispanic father. In most cases, the Anglo or Hispanic father would react serious about the incident and would make sure it does not happen again. I understood they are not concerned about this incident; but,  they do not make a big deal of it.

I also realized in this community one learns how to be ready and fast early on life. A two or three years old kid cannot certainly understand the terms Sean used. But, he is getting familiar with the patterns and behaviors he will have to deal with throughout his life. That taught me that surviving violence is a very important lesson in a black community. The issue is not the danger but how you react or deal with it. This kid has started to learn it already.

A barber I met the first time was this time sitting outside probably waiting for the next available barber chair. He has a huge tattoo on his right forearm I could not see it the first time because he was wearing a long sleeves hoodie. The tattoo is a huge flag I had never seen or at least I am not familiar with. "What country's flag is it?" I asked. "Palestine," he replied. I was shocked. The first visit, I erroneously assumed he was Latin because of his appearance. I did not even ask his name. I focused on my supposed mission: African Americans. "What's your name," I asked again. "Muhammad," he answered. This is a turning point definitely. A Palestinian working in a black barber shop is too attractive not write a story about I think. Hopefully, I will be talking to him next visit.

After about 15 minutes I decided to leave. Bubble asked me to stay a while but I said I was too busy. I wanted to make it short and effective this time. They know I am coming back next week. There was no threat, bullying, aggressive talking, nasty face or Creole this time. I felt profound satisfaction.

Last class cleared out some of my doubts and insecurities regarding the listening post assignment. Because I could not obtain usable information for building a story in my first visit, I felt terribly frustrated. I felt I was not able to insert myself and gain people's trust in such environment. And, I felt a mixture of fear, frustration, and excitement. After hearing everybody else's experience, some relief pored on me. Prof. Reisner reminded us that this is not going to be easy. He told me I did what I was supposed to, which gave me some comfort. I will check my own mistakes for the second visit. I will revise myself to remove fears that can be noticed by other and create mistrust. I am looking forward for success.