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entertainment sports lifestyle politics women

september 2008 FREE

The

The

Pimp vs.

Preacher

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feature

SEPTEMBER
First Cut.......................... 4 Editors Message............. 8 Staying Power ............... 9 Movies for Men............ 10 Shop Talk...................... 13 Cover Story ................... 14 Sports .......................... 20 Food and Fare............... 21 Shop Pro le ................. 22

Games We Play page 11

Good in the Hood
What happens when hundreds of kids looking for back-to-school haircuts, line up on a hot summer day at the Adamsville Recreation Center in Atlanta? Well, if Hot 107.9 is there, everybody gets free haircuts. You can all always count on barbers to do right.

page 6

Dads Doing Big Thangs

What do a politican and a 2008 Olympic gold medal winner have in common? Check out this special piece on powerful dads. We think any dad whos active in his sons life is special, but these two are leading the pack.

page 24

2008 Bronner Brothers

We stopped by the 2008 Bronner Brother Barbering Competition where barbers from all over the country came to claim the title of best barber. It just so happens that the first place winner represented what could be a histroic victory come January.

page 26

content
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Finally! Someone understands the sacred tradition of a boys rst haircut. Kisha and Chris Culberson invited us to Special FX in Snellville, Ga., where young master Charles Lyndon Culberson was getting his rst haircut on his rst birthday by Ray.

Our rst birthday-boy rst cut. Little man was a beast. He sat through most of his haircut like a champ. We tried to tell him that the camera wanted to see tears, yelling, kicking and screaming. Then the barber did something that weve never seen at a rst cut. He

pulled out the edgers to line Charles up. On his rst haircut! Charles took it for few moments and thenhe let it all hang out. Welcome to the rst-cut club, young man. Youve certainly earned it. bd

rst cut
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bd barbershop digest september 2008

What Joe Biden Means for Black Folks?

After months of speculation, Barack Obama chose Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate. We know all about Obama, but what does Joe Biden bring to the table for Blacks?

By Edmond Richardson BD Political Prognosticator edmond@barbershopdigest.com Joe Biden is that regular Joe, who is the poorest member of the U.S. Senate with a net worth of about $150,000 and doesnt own a home in Washington D.C., but instead commutes every day to his only home in Delaware. So what does he mean for Black folks? Lets judge him by his record. Biden understands that when America catches a cold, the Black community catches pneumonia. He has demonstrated his understanding by supporting legislation and ideas that seek to eradicate the disparities and inequalities in this country. Biden believes that education is the great equalizer. Many Blacks in this country know education of our people lags behind those of other ethnic groups in the United States such as European-Americans and Asian-Americans, which is reflected by test scores, grades, high school graduation rates, rates of disciplinary action and rates of college graduates. Bidens record on education shows that he is committed to correcting those trends. He believes that we must pay more to atEdmond Richardson tract and retain teachers and reduce class sizes. The senator has always supported increasing funding for students trying to attend college. He has always supported the Pell Grant program for low-income students and

he continues to ght to increase the amount students receive from the program. The vice-presidential candidate voted to increase the minimum wage to $7.25. His record shows that he believes in helping minority businesses flourish and thrive. Biden voted to support setting aside 10 percent of highway funds for minorities and women. And Joe voted NO on ending special funding for minority business. Also, in an environment where 47 million people dont have health insurance, 9 million are children and 8 million are AfricanAmericans, Joe Biden supports a healthcare system that is accessible and aordable to all. The mans criminal justice record holds promise for the Black community. In 1994, he wrote the crime bill that put 100,000 new police ocers on the street.

Biden also fought to end the Crack-Powder Sentencing Disparity that was leading to a disproportionate number of African-American men entering our prison systems. He continues to ght for funding for prison and jail-based drug treatment programs. Biden introduced the Second Chance Act which provides ex-oenders with housing, drug and alcohol treatment, job training and other life skills they need to rejoin their families and communities as productive, law-abiding citizens. The Second Chance Act became law in April of this year. The Senator opposed attempts to ban armative action in federal contracts to bar funds to administer armative action programs. He was an original co-sponsor of the bill to designate a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and helped guide its passage through the Senate. In the early 1980s, Biden helped expand the Voting Rights Act that put an end to literacy tests and poll taxes in the 1960s, and in 2006 was an advocate for the Acts renewal. What does Biden mean for Black folks? You aint know? Joes practically one of us. bd

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Good in

the Hood

Of course August was back-to-school monthwhen younguns get new clothes, shoes and eventually fresh haircuts. Well, with the rising price of gas and food, a haircut is one of the last priorities a parent is concerned about. Never fear, local radio station HOT 107.9 stepped in to do some real good in the hood. The station held their annual Hot Cuts and Curls event at Adamsville Recreation Center. The outing provided free haircuts to boys getting ready for school. We showed up two hours before the event and there was a line of more than 200 people. Before the doors opened, nearly 700 people stood in a line that snaked from the front door, along one side of the building and into the parking lot. Barbers from all over Atlanta donated their time and talent. Some of the kats cut from 12 pm to 6 pm, for free. Starzee Walker, who cuts at Envious Styles in Morrow, grew up in a group of apartment homes near Adamsville. Last month, the boy who survived the tough area returned to give back to the community that gave so much to him. Walkers mom worked two jobs to support the family and when school ended each day, the old Adamsville Continued on page 7

bd barbershop digest september 2008

Continued from page 6 Recreation center was his safe haven. It was bad. There were some gangs that used to set up traps, but when you were growing up, you really dont pay attention because thats all you know, said Walker. Walker started cutting hair at the age of 10 when he asked to get weekly haircuts. His mother refused and vanity propelled the soon-to-be entrepreneur into the barber business where he began chopping heads around the neighborhood. Now the master barber truly appreciates the commodity and value of haircut. If this [event] was done back in 1988 when I was 10 years old, I would have been right there in line trying to get [a haircut]. This right here is like giving back to my brothers and sisters. I grew up here and it feels good to be a in a position to give back. Everybody wants to go back to school fresh and [parents should not] have to worry about how its gonna get done. bd

Starzee Walker

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A Fallen Giant

editors message
8

Some people lower flags at half-mast. Others wear black bands on badges or uniforms. Some have 21 gun salutes while others pour a capful of whiskey onto the ground. I have chosen to simply write. Theres no poetic or clever way to say this. My father-in-law is gone. He died late last month after Id already written the editors message. He died after Id arranged events, photo shoots and interviews. He died and all of a sudden, life was inconvenient. This magazine exists because of my father-in-law Art Searles. In the early stages, I showed him the initial concept and he was amazed. He was a man whose family has been in the publishing business for 70 years, so his praise for publications was not given often. He loved Barbershop Digest. He laughed at the content. He got angry at the controversy. He complained when the latest issued did not arrive in his mailbox on time. When I felt discouraged about the magazines momentum, he was there pushing me to keep going, to stick with the plan, forge ahead no Art Searles 1944-2008 matter what. Without his faith in the magazine, emotionally and nancially, this Barbershop Digest would not be here today and you would not be reading these words. The moment I heard the news, I wanted life to stop. I wanted it to slow down so that I could hold my wife and comfort hernd some way to x her heart. I wanted life to pause just a bit so that I could sit in a corner somewhere and weep without anyone seeing. I wanted life to hold on so I could think of stories to tell my son when hes old enough to ask what his grandfather was like. But life kept going. It got in the way of death and all its grief and rituals that allow us to face the future. My father-in-law was a complicated man. He was transparent about the mistakes hed made in his life. He shared his losses and struggles in hopes that Id learn something from each one of them. You may not understand, but what Im trying to say is that he walked, and fell in the pitfalls of life so that I would not have to. He told me how he failed, why he failed, and when he failed. He didnt flaunt his successes, kept them close to the breast. Showed them only when I needed inspiration. My father-in-law is gone. He taught me jazz. We listened to Miles Davis and discussed the trumpeters brilliance for hours one day. He smoked cigarettes, loved to sh, had thousands of old albums in mint condition. He could watch classic westerns forever, liked his eggs sunny side up without the yoke broken, and thought boxing was pure art. He loved sports cars, drove like bat out of hell. Adored his daughters and wanted so badly to see a Black man in the oval oce. Im babbling about these details because most of you never met my father-in-law. Hes gone. And I thought it was important for you to know a little something about the man that made it possible for you to be sitting there reading Barbershop Digest. bd Poppa Searles, Ill miss you more than youll ever know.

bd barbershop digest september 2008

staying power

Publisher Rock Point Communications, LLC. EditorinChief Brian Egeston Creative Director Travis Hudgons Business Consultant Angus Wilson Public Relations: Erik Burton Copy Editor: Andy Phelan Contributors: Holyjuan Edmond Richardson Marketing Manager: Donna Turner Sales Representatives: Louise Dyrenforth Acker Reginald Wimberly Photography: PictureAtlanta.Net Intern: Jessica Curtis
COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: Travis Hudgons Publication Note/Disclaimer: Barbershop Digest is published monthly by Rock Point Communications, LLC., P.O. Box 1514, Stone Mountain, GA 30086. Barbershop Digest welcomes your comments, concerns and praise. Address your correspondence to Letters, Barbershop Digest, P.O. Box 1514, Stone Mountain, GA 30086; e-mail: comments@barbershopdigest.com. Editor has the right to edit comments for length and clarity. For advertising information ads@barbershopdigest.com contact

Dont Fool With the Flu

Each year about 226,000 people end up in the hospital and another 36,000 die in the U.S. because of the flu. In metro Atlanta, some of the myths about the flu may cause people, especially Blacks, to avoid getting flu shots. The flu season begins in November and peaks in January or February. Getting vaccinated between mid-September and November is the best time to protect yourself from the flu. Barbershop Digest spoke to Dr. Les Richmond, District Health Director for the DeKalb County Board of Health, about some of the common misperceptions that people may have about getting a flu shot. Dr. Richmond was kind enough to clear up some flu myths for us. BD(Barbershop Digest): Will the flu shot will give me the flu? Dr. Richmond: People do not get the flu from a flu shot! The truth is that the flu vaccine is made of dead flu viruses so it is impossible to get the flu from the shot itself. Only by coming into contact with a live flu virus spread through sneezing, coughing or touching an item such as a door knob, drinking glass or telephone can a person get the flu. This myth may have been started because there are some mild side eects from getting a flu shot such as redness and soreness where the needle entered, mild fever and body aches that people mistake for the flu. It takes about two weeks for the shot to build up protection in your body. However, some people may already be sick before the vaccine takes full eect and mistakenly think that the shot made them ill. BD: Does the flu shot actually work? Dr. Richmond: Because flu strains vary from year to year, manufacturers must develop a new vaccine each year. Unfortunately, the vaccine for last years flu season was not as eective as it should have been because the vaccine didnt match the strain of flu that people were

mostly coming in contact with. However, when the vaccine is a good match to the flu strains circulating in the community, it has an eectiveness range from 70% to 90% which can improve your chances of NOT getting sick from the flu. So, it is very eective at preventing illness. BD: Only old people need a flu shot, is that right? Dr. Richmond: Older people and young children certainly are at special risk for hospitalization and dying from the flu. However, we recommend that adults and children with chronic conditions such as cancer, asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, HIV/AIDS and heart and kidney disease get an annual shot to protect against influenza. In addition, children 6 months to 18 years of age and pregnant women should get vaccinated. And if you live in a house with anyone who has a chronic illness, you should get a flu shot so that you dont expose your loved ones to the flu. BD: If Im healthy do I need a flu shot? Dr. Richmond: Even if you are going to college or working on a job, getting your annual flu shot can help you stay healthy and can help you avoid from missing days of class or work. The best time to get vaccinated is before the flu season begins so that the vaccine has time to build up immunity in your body to protect you during the flu season. Other ways to protect yourself from getting the flu, a cold, or other contagious illnesses include regular hand washing and avoiding direct contact with people who are coughing or sneezing. The DeKalb County Board of Health provides flu shots at all of its health centers. The shot is $25 and walk-ins are encouraged. The agency accepts Medicare Part B(not part of an HMO), Medicaid, cash and checks (written on Georgia banks only). Call (404) 294-3700 for flu clinic locations or visit www.dekalbhealth.net. bd

The opinions expressed by editors and contributing writers are not necessarily those of the publishers. Barbershop Digest is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts become the property of Rock Point Communications and may be published at will without compensation. Articles and images appearing in Barbershop Digest may not be reproduced without the written approval of the publisher. All rights reserved.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 9
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movies

men

If youve been around for a while, you know whats up with the black list. It was once a scroll of names compiled by a politician who was set on ruining peoples lives in the name of patriotism. Since then, the term has morphed into phrases such as blackballed and blacked out. Like other derogatory terms associated with the word black, nothing good has ever come from being on a list of this type. That is, until now. Film critic Elvis Mitchellyes the brothers name is Elvis and hes cool as a fanhas jumped to the other side of the camera and co-produced The Black List: Volume One, a documentary about prominent Blacks who made Elvis very short list of people who have shaped the landscape of music, sports, politics and culture. The documentary features candid and unscripted interviews of Rev. Al Sharpton, Serena Williams, Colin Powell, Keenen Ivory Wayans and Toni Morrison among others. The title of the

lm itself was rst conceived by Mitchell as an answer to the negative connotations that western culture has applied to the word black. The lm made its world premiere at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it was called an impeccably mounted survey of voices from across the spectrum of African-American accomplishment...a rich and revealing work of portraiture. Film Critic Elvis Mitchells List of Top 5 Movies for Kats in Barbershops 1. Spook Who Sat By The Door 2. Cotton Comes to Harlem 3. Sounder (Yes, he said Sounder.) 4. Lady Sings The Blues 5. Malcom X Log on to www.hbo.com to nd the September schedule for The Black List: Volume One bd

Hair - Skin - Nails

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ONLINE PURCHASE: www.myspace.com/senterprise

10 bd barbershop digest september 2008

special

Games We Play

by Brian Egeston brian@barbershopdigest.com You aint ready. With all due respect to John Madden and the crew over at EA Sports, video games just got an overdose of soul. For the rst time ever, its possible to play a video game where all the players on the eld are Black, all the colleges available within the game are Black and when the rst half ends, the halftime showyou guessed itis Black. Nerjyzed Entertainment Inc. has created Black College Football Xperience (BCFx). Imagine the electronic love child of Bill Gates, J-Lo, Bootsy Collins, Beyonc and Terrell Owens. No, wait. Imagine George Clinton as the commissioner of the NCAA and there was a mandate to make college football faster and funkier. This would be the end result. Nerjyzed is a privately held AfricanAmerican owned digital entertainment media development and publishing company headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. Founded in 2003, Nerjyzed began with a four-member founding team of professional entrepreneurs sharing the passion to create positive interactive products for the under served urban market. The game features a technology called rag-doll physics in which tackling takes on a new level of brutality and authenticity. BCFx is the rst ever sports video game to use the Unreal 3.0 engine, a platform that allows BCFx to feature eye-popping visuals. From the grand stadiums down to the sweat-lled pores of the players skin, the detail is lifelike. Todays football video games show

stats at halftime. But true to Black college football, the second game takes place at halftime. BCFx features an interactive halftime battle of the bands. The Xbox version oers a drumline battle using the drum set from the Rock Band video game. The experience is crazy. Halftimes features actual routines and music recorded from Black colleges. The only thing more realistic than playing BCFx is being at a Black college football game, such as the Black College Superbowl featuring Tennessee State and Florida A & M in Atlanta. Forty HBCU teams are available to choose from. And none of them suck. When we played some of the other college football video games, the Black colleges were ranked 40th, said Brian Jackson, Nerjyzeds Creative Director. But when we saw them on Madden the next year, they were superstars. How was that possible? Jacksons logical and critical approach to the game was a catalyst for making sure the video game represented the rich and bold tradition that encompasses the Black College experience. Renown Black artist Kadir Nelson created the cover art for the games packaging. Nelson remained true to his style of perfectly exaggerated details of Black anatomy, from the full lips and hips of the dancing girls to the bulging calves and broad back of a quarterback. There is one warning, however, about BCFx. Its easy to get caught up watching the game and forget youre actually supposed to be playing it. bd For more information visit: www.bcfxgame.com
www.barbershopdigest.com bd 11

H
Big Thanks to

Hey, check this. BD Shop Talk got a serious upgrade. We were lucky enough to tag along with V-103, Crown Royal and Arena Barbershop where we had a hour-long discussion about one of the most popular barbershop discussions, men and women. Dr. Alduan Tartt, a psychologist dished some expert advice while kats let a few sistas experience the sanctity of the Black Mans Sanctuary. Want to relive the rst ever Shop Talk The Tour? Log onto: www.v103webmag.com/page/shoptalk

V-103- The Peoples Station Areana Barbershop Wear The Pro Barbers Play Crown Royal Its about quality not quantity. Want to get on THE LIST for Shop Talk VIP invitations? Send an e-mail to: shops@barbershopdigest.com

shop talk
12 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Hustling to Help
Each year more than 100,000 Blacks will likely suer a strokethe third leading cause of death among Blacks. The life expectancy for a Black boy born in 2004 is 69.5 years, compared to 75.7 years for a White boy born the same year, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black men are more likely to develop and die from prostate cancer than men of any other race in the United States. Last month the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program(BBHOP) visited Atlanta because theyre sick and tired seeing Black men who are sick and tired. The BBHOP was founded by Dr. Bill Releford, a Black podiatric surgeon who specializes in diabetic limb salvage. He helps reduce the high number of diabetes-related amputations experienced by Blacks. Releford noticed a devastating trend while treating patients. People who were being recommended for amputationwere his people. Releford started BBHOP as an effort to visit Black barbershops across the country and give free screenings for diabetes and hypertension. In an amazing display of hardwork and outreach, Releford and his team successfully setup medical stations in 18 shops all over Atlanta. Finally, someone understands, in order to reach Black men, you need look no farther than our barbershops. Big props to BBHOP and all the shops reaching out to kats in need. Sometimes the best hustle is the hustle to help others. bd

Black Barbershops Health Outreach Participating Shops

Elegancer Barbershop 404-284-9911 Candler Plaza Barber and Style 404-289-9860 Tight Line Barber Shop 404-499-0447 Arena Barbershop 404-355-5510 First Class Barbershop 404-622-8848 University Barbershop 404-524-4908 Hair Masters 404 699-2037 Split Enz Beauty and Barber 404-399-5684 Apogee 770-484-1244 First Class Barber Shop 404-288-6866 Tru Tec Neeks 404-794-8822 Phillys Finest 404-584-0802 Royal Roots 404-761-6888 Langfords Barbershop & Style 404-378-0402

Flu Shots
for the

General Public
Begins September 15, 2008
Health Centers
Clifton Springs 404-244-2200 East DeKalb 770-484-2600 Kirkwood 404-370-7360 North DeKalb 770-454-1144 T. O. Vinson 404-294-3762

Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. Walk-ins accepted. Cost: $25. Check (on a Georgia Bank), cash, credit card, Medicaid and Medicare (part B) accepted. You must present your Medicaid or Medicare card.
445 Winn Way Decatur, GA 30030 Board of Health 404-294-3700
DEKALB COUNTY

For more information visit: www.blackbarbershop.org

www.dekalbhealth.net
www.barbershopdigest.com bd 13

The

Pimp vs. The Preacher

by Brian Egeston brian@barbershopdigest.com Men Revealed says the two roles have always been similar. As far as the game, where I come from, people have always referred to the preachers as the pimp, Ivy explains. WARNING: The article you are about to read is true Both of these [professions] are hustles. Pimpin is the highbarbershop talk. If youre looking for a nice article est form of hustling because its such a mind game. Pimpin about a subject that makes everybody feel happy and got to be in you not on you. The hustle that Ivy speaks of has taken on a life of its smiley, this aint it. If thats what you want, you should own. stop reading now. But if youre interested in something The determination and will of street hustling is having raw and provocative, keep reading. an influence in the business world. Budding entrepreneurs in various industries have adopted a hustle mentality, but Pop quiz: How many famous Black preachers can you in legitimate circles it masquerades as guerilla marketing, namereal or fictional? By famous we mean having a cestreet team promotions and grassroots campaigns. lebrity status transcending the pulpit. Chances are, once Anytime you put a pimp somewhere, hes gonna you get past T.D. Jakes, youll have to think for a moment pimp the situation, Ivy says. Hes gon P.I.M.P. put it in my and then you remember that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackpocket. Thats why pimps are so admired, they dominate son are preachers. and control anything they get into. The pimp is the king of Pop quiz part two: How many famous pimps can you kings because the pimp control what everybody wants and name, real or fictional? By famous we mean theyre known thats the pu@%#. Everybody wants that pu@%# because beyond the corners they control. Right off the top everybody came from a pu@%#. theres Bishop Don Juan, Pimpin Ken, Iceburg Slim, Fillmore Slim, IceWhy Some Black Men Hate Church T*, Snoop Dogg*, Gorgeous Dre, Goldie and Dolemite. (*Official Ivys candor is lost on some. The harsh pimp status not confirmed.) language probably offends people Before going any further it and as a result his metaphors about becomes quite obvious that to pimping and hustling as they resome extent, in the Black community, late to Black men and religion, pimps are beginning to garner more at- can be discredited. However, tention than preachers. What happened? when the same message is told How did the world get flipped around from a different source, Ivys where the term to pimp actually theories are not so misplaced. means to improve or make better, Keith Somerville is an asyet to preach to someone implies to sociate pastor at St. Johns Downtown speak in a condescending tone? United Methodist Church in Houston, For decades, these two icons Texas. Somerville is quick to mention have represented the epitome of that the glorification of pimps has hero and villain in the Black comroots in the distrust that many Black munity. Theyve been perched on men have in the church. The church the shoulders of many representhas not been a place where black ing good and evil, but all of sudden men feel empowered, said Somerthe two have seemingly switched ville. The church lends itself to displaceselevating the pimps status enfranchisement of the Black male. to legend and the preachers status to In order to rise in status in the Black worrisome hypocrite. church theres gotta be some shufIt begins perhaps with the evolufling, Somerville says. To a certain tion of the philosophy that is pimping. extent, men are asked to hang their Some argue that pimping today has tran- manhood at the door. You cant be scended beyond the practice of selling as opinionated as Black men can be sex. Ken Ivy aka Pimpin Ken, a notorious pimp whos featured in the movie AmeriContinued on page 15 can Pimp and the television show Black

Why we hate church, but love the game

14 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Preachers Acting as Pimps

Pimps Acting as Preachers

Bishop Thomas Weeks- Beat down his wife Juanita Bynum in a hotel parking lot. Weeks later after a a very public break up, the couple had sex with each other. Bishop Earl Paulk The married man of the clergy had sex with women in his congregation including his sister-in-law (whom he fathered a child by), a Sunday school teacher and another member who Paulk turned out and shared with his brother. Now thats big pimping! Archbishop Don Magic Juan After years in the game, apparently a light shone on Don Juan and transformed him into a man of the clothsort of. His Web site states that he founded a church and community assistance program in Chicago. Andre Taylor The son of a prostitute mother and a pimp father, Taylor, aka Gorgeous Dre, became a preacher at 18. Five years later he joined the family business. He has since become a motivational speaker and author.

Continued from page 14 and you cant be as aggressive in the name of respect and reverence to the pastor or leader of a congregation, he says. If we look at the Catholic church, theres a hierarchy. And that hierarchy is based on No. 1 academics and No. 2 economicsthese are two areas where Black men have not been in abundance. According to Somerville, the lack of empowerment also stems from our delicate male egos. Historically, the church has been an institution in which women have played a significant role in the operations and ministries. After spending time at church and listening to the advice and counsel of a pastor or minister, what a woman brings home is then interpreted as the leadership of another man. Here you have the average man working 50-plus hours a week. He comes home, he listens to his woman who talks about her pastor, whos polished, sounds [educated] as if hes an authority and now your woman is saying how this other man is all of this and we need to be [taking his advice] and now the man is in competition with the senior pastor. The carnal mind sees another man in the pulpit asking for 10 percent of the households income so that people in the congregation can get to heaven and be like the pastor. The spiritual mind is often clouded by the powerful imagery of a bombastic preacher, robes, music and the other rituals that have become the staple of many Black churches. What the carnal mind sees in the man asking for moneyis game. Thats street corner 101, says Pastor Somerville. You can hear Snoop Dogg say Your trick chose me. Unfortunately its like that in most pulpits. In Nashville, Tennessee the story is the same. Harold M. Love Jr. is the pastor at St. Paul A.M.E. Love, like other astute ministers, recognizes the challenge of balancing the dynamic of women serving and men feeling welcome in church. There is an overwhelming amount of support that Black women give the preacher, says Love. If your wife is the church secretary, whenever the pastor calls, shes at the church doing the bulletin, shes staying after church counting the money. Shes hanging the preachers robe up, and she doesnt hang your clothes up when shes at home. Part of the solution, Love says, is that someone has to be the adult in the situation. The Black pastor, Love says, has to be big enough to realize that he has to be the adult. He has to go over and beyond to reach out to some of the men in the church. The Game Gloried Ivy aka Pimpin Ken, blames (or credits) the music industry for the recent rise and popularity of the pimp game. When you put a pimp in your music video, you givin him free publicity. You lettin him talk to the world for free, says Ivy. The number of hip-hop songs paying respects to the pimp game is almost endless. Thanks to hip-hop, pimping not only has a soundtrack but a discography as well. Ludacris and Bobby Valentino celebrate a global pimp game in their duet Pimping All Over the World. David Banners coming-out party celebrated real girls getting down on the floor in his 2003 hit Like a Pimp. Of course 50 Cent put away all doubters professing his role in P.I.M.P. Nelly made listeners punch drunk with Pimp Juice while Too Short taught class with Pimpology. There are also instant classics from Jay-Z such as Big Pimpin and Get that Dirt o your Shoulder. Perhaps the biggest boost for pimping occurred in 2005 when Three Six Mafias Its Hard out Here for a Pimp won an Oscar for best song in a movie. That night, pimping huslted its way into millions of American homes. In comparison, Kanye Wests Jesus Walks is the only notable hip-hop hit to ever give a nod to church, preachers or religion. Compare and Contrast In the Black community, we worship our athletes and entertainers. They set the standard for success with their celebrity and economic status. Ask a kat on the street to name a famous or rich person and chances are theyll name Lebron James or Lil Wayne. Aside from their bank accounts, the two have very little in common. But the similarities of the pimp and preachers are so close, the two almost seem to be derivatives of each other. When you look at the clothes that a lot of the main-line preachers are wearing, those are the garments of a pimp, says Somerville of Texas. Show me the difference between what Kat Williams wears and what T.D. Jakes wears. There Continued on page 16

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15

Some of the similarities of pimps and preachers are that theyre both flashy dressers, they both have the gift of gab and they both have diarrhea of the mouth. We both talk a lot of s@%#.
Continued from page 15 you are now at the intersection of the pimp and the preacher. Somerville notes that the pimp is selling a product and the sales pitch sounds like a preacher from the pulpit and the message is easily confused by a young kat trying to deicide if he should leave the streets for the sanctuary. The associate pastor says the preachers challenge is to articulate the bottom line between the street and the sanctuary. When asked to give a clear difference between the street and the sanctuary, Somerville says, [The street] is a faade of love and [the church] is a place of unconditional love. What does unconditional love look like versus what does love by the hour look like? Preachers who are honest and transparent will admit that the pulpit microphone is an intoxicating tool says Somerville. And those who use it must be held to a higher standard. Some of the similarities are that, on a money level, most of their incomes are untaxed, says Love a pastor from Nashville. You have love offerings, birthday gifts, Christmas gifts... the IRS does not see that money. And who wants to close down a church for non-payment of income taxes? Love goes on to say that most of the money put into churches comes from women. Another eerie similarity between pimps and preachers is that for many women, the two fill the void of having a father figure or a man to love. The sad part, is that [Blacks] wear our money to give the appearance of wealth, says Love. More so for preachers and pimps because to a degree we want our pastor to look good and to drive good. If no one else in the church has a Cadillac, the preacher is going to have one even if the members have to buy one every year. Ivy also notes that both preacher and pimp have an affinity for nice cars. Somerville, however has another word to describe some preachers desire to drive cars that exceed a
16 bd barbershop digest september 2008

-Pimpin Ken

$200,000 price tag. Its ridiculous. I have some friends who are rolling like that and they know that I think its ridiculous. D.J. McCord is a husband and father from Georgia. McCord was raised in a conservative home where church was a vital part of his upbringing. The devoted father and loving husband says preachers and pimps have no similarities. I hold preachers in high regard, says McCord. I wouldnt dare try to compare the two. Theres nothing but differences. This man is over here pimping women and selling their bodies. A pastor is trying to save a flock. I dont buy into Bishop Don Juan and what hes about. Ive seen Creflo[Dollar] and think he dresses well. McCord is not alone in his thinking. Scores of men flock to events both at church and outside of church that have been organized by pastors. Outreach ministries today are part of million-dollar organizations that help the homeless and needy. Several churches sponsors health clinics that provide free health and dental services. Sadly, those ministries dont make it to movies, TV shows or music videos. Anyone who watches a video knows you pimp these females, you got this money, youre living the life, says McCord. But this man of God who is trying to save your soul, thats not portrayed [by the media] as a glorified job. The Brutal Truth The worlds oldest profession has indeed seen an upgrade in its current status. With shows such as MTVs Pimp My Ride, pimping has almost been sterilized. But the reality is that pimping is a world that has condoned the exploitation of and violence against women. Whats worse, pimping is sometimes associated with human trafficking and child prostitution. The Black church for all its progress and

help with the Civil Rights Movement, has recently become marred in scandals and corruption. The clergy, once a humble and honored profession is now one that resembles an ambitious path up the corporate ladder. Few are pastors who stop by for dinner after service and visit the sick and shut in. Somerville articulates a clear perspective of pimping out the church game, so that pimps are not as revered and glorified in the media as they are now. There has to be an authenticity, he explains. If youre a banker, dont put on Timberlands and jeans to try and get on my level, says Sommerville. The $50,000-a-year pastor needs to not go buy suits that look like $3,000 suits. If your budget is a pair a jeans and a T-shirt, then you need to show up at chruch wearing that and say God is good. We have to stop spending so much time trying to be polished. The associate pastor goes on to say that there has to be more honesty coming from the pulpit, that pastors have to be more transparent. After all, a pimp doesnt hide what he is. There is no lie in a pimps [agenda], says Somerville. You know exactly what the product is. He doesnt cover it. Its not a mystery. You pay and you get this benefit. Unfortunately, with pastors, we have sullied our good name. We have lost the trust. What you say is really not what youre given. We preach unconditional love, but if someone [is gay] where is the unconditional love? If I dont give my 10 percent [tithe], where is the unconditional love? So what youre saying that youre selling me and what youre giving me is two different things. Sort of a bait and switch. Weve lost our credibility. Whereas the pimp has maintained his virtues. How ironic is that? A virtuous pimp does not sound as crazy as a virtuous preacher. bd

bd
feature

In walked a White boy

hair, he said, then sat in one of the waiting chairs. The barber said hello. I asked if I could get a haircut and he said yes. I made the decision to stay. My instincts told by HolyJuan me to leave, but I told my instincts to stu it. I Editors Note: Here at Barbershop Digest wasnt going to let my we scour the streets, shops and Internet for all ignorance get the betthings barbershop. We came across this story ter of me. I shouldnt be by a White blogger who goes by the name worried about a haircut Holyjuan. Its a real-life account of his trip to from a Black man. The a Black barbershop in Columbus, Ohio. Its hiHolyJuan guy was a barber and larious, tragic and inspiring. Enjoy. barbers cut hair. Hair is hair, right? My wife, and I were surprised one Saturday Damn, cutting Black guys hair takes forever. morning when we pulled up to the local Great The barber was detailing the customers head Clips and it was shut down. I really needed a with a determined precision. I think at one point haircut and remembered a barbershop around he used a protractor to get the top just so. This the corner in the strip mallDonnies Barber barber was good. Salon. I had a Caucasian sigh of relief when anothWe walked in and immediately noticed the er White guy walked in. He was a big dude with lack of whiteness. The barber was Black. The cusa denite brother charm. The guys in the bartomer in the chair was Black. The guy hanging bershop warmly welcomed him. The not-barber out and reading a magazine in the other barber stood up and gave the White guy a hand grasp chair was Black. which was then used as a man-shield to ll the The magazine guy in the chair took one look void between them when they did a quick hug. at us and stood up. He apologized, I dont cut

The White dude asked if he could get cleaned up. The man who told me earlier he wasnt a barber, suddenly remembered that he actually was a barber and had the guy sit in the second chair. I was just about to be oended when the amnesia-strucknow-a-barber Black guy pulled out the clippers and took White guys hair down to a sandpaper thickness with a few quick passes over his scalp. It was a shearing, not a haircut. White guy left and I waited. The barber nally nished up with his customer and called me over. I sat down in the chair and the barber asked me how I wanted to get my haircut. I told him, The standard #4 on the sides and scissor cut on top. I like to part my hair. What happened next was a haircut that can only be compared to the awkwardness of a one-ngered teenage boy trying to open a bra for the rst time. The barber got out his scisContinued on page 18
www.barbershopdigest.com bd 17

Ford is visiting some of the barbershops around town with plans of giving away a two-year lease for a Ford Flex and naming one shop, the best barbershop in the city. The rst stop, of course was at Arena barbershop where the pro barbers play. The guys at Arena where chopping heads all day while ballers fell through like Brian Jordan, Greg Street and a host of others. Oh, and in case you missed it, the Arena Girls were in the building. Theyve got 2009 calendar available only at Arena Barbershop. Ford wants you to participate and vote for one of four eligible shops. Visit www.fordurban.com to vote. bd

Continued from page 17 sors and started cutting my hair on top rst. This was new to me. The chicks at Great Clips use the trimmer rst on the sides and then move to the scissors. There was a lot of clipping and pausing and more clipping. Of course, I wasnt going to say anything. This guy was a barber. A professional. At one point, the barber moved around to the front and I noticed his hands. His hands were covered with hairsother mens hairs. It looked to be the hair from 1,000 men, little tiny bits of straight and curly black hairs. I think my White guy hair was repelled from his skin because there were none to be found. The clippers came out, but only for a minute and then back to the scissoring. He started to get exasperated, combing my hair over and cutting.
18 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Stopping. Staring. Tentative cutting again. I nally stopped him and said, Thats good. Thats ne. The barber literally shrugged his shoulders and mumbled what sounded like an apology. I waited for him to remove the hair cloak from my neck when there was a clink of a bottle and two man hands rubbing my hair. I hadnt asked for gel, but just wanted to get out of there andwait whats that smell? Coconut? I reached up and felt my hair it was oily and coconutty. Im not sure what the product was supposed to do, but if the bottle said Pisses O White Boys then, it was working. I stood up and looked in the mirror. I looked like a wet dog with a bad haircut. I paid him. He gave back my change and I held out $5 for a tip. He said, No. You dont have to. I gritted a smile

and said, No, take it. He did. We left. I steamed silently the entire ride back home. Oily something dripped down my neck. I showered as soon as I stomped in the house. Small black hairs flecked the shower floor. We drove to the Great Clips across town. The lady asked if I had tried to cut my own hair. Perhaps I should have better communicated with the barber about my concerns or directed him on how I wanted my haircut. Or maybe he should have told me that he didnt cut White people hair. Neither one of us wanted to oend the other. Both of us ended up feeling foolish. But only one of us looked foolish. bd Check out HolyJuans blog at www.holyjuan.com

SHOP TALK
Shop Talk noun 1. A networking event with a gathering of gentlemen to discus relevant topics in their personal lives.

THE TOUR

RELATIONSHIPS SUCCESS

SPORTS MUSIC

www.v103webmag.com/page/shoptalk

POWERED BY:

Its About Quality, Not Quantity.

www.barbershopdigest.com bd 19

The Black College

Superbowl
Let the smack talking begin. Say what you want about the historical dominance of the Tennessee State University football program, the Rattlers from Florida A & M have their number. Most blame it on a curse the Tigers encouter each year they enter the Georgia Dome. Perhaps someone needs to sacrice a snake to level the playing eld. Regardless who the winner is, each year the Bank of America Football Classic, known to many as the Black College Superbowl, there is always one real winnerthe fans. For 20 years, with the help of the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, TSU and FAMU have battled with their football teams and bands to the delight of thousands of fans. FAMU, known worldwide for their bands showmanship, always brings a good eort against TSUs Aristocrat of Bands flawless musicianship. bd 2008 Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic Schedule Wednesday, Sept. 24 6 p.m. 8:30 p.m. Town Hall Meeting presented by Aetna sented by McDonalds Friday, Sept. 26 10 a.m. 4 p.m. AstraZeneca and Abbott Virology Health Fair Labor Job Fair Georgia World Congress Center, Building B Friday, Sept. 26 8 p.m. 10:30 p.m. Allstate HBCU Step Showdown The Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center Friday, Sept. 26 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Collegiate 100 Symposium preGeorgia World Congress Center, Building B Friday, Sept. 26 10 a.m. 4 p.m. BOA and Georgia Department of Georgia World Congress Center, Building B Saturday, Sept. 27 9 a.m. 4 p.m. In-Zone Tailgate Party Georgia Dome (Orange Lot)

sports

Saturday, Sept. 27 4 p.m. Kick-o Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic TSU vs. FAMU Georgia Dome For more information visit: www.atlantafootballclassic.com bd

20 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Feel that? Its a slight chill in the air. Well maybe not yet, but its coming. And that chill can only mean one thing. Football season is back so its time to get yo tailgate right. You know how we do at BD. We always take something simple and upgrade you. This right here, this aint ya mamas chili. This recipe will get you some attention at the game fu sho. It might get you something else if you make it for the right person on a cold night? Enjoyand good luck Black Bean and Chorizo Chili

food fare

1 lb chorizo sausage, casing removed and crumbled, or bulk chorizo sausage 1 large onion, chopped 1 large yellow or green bell pepper, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cans (14.5 oz each) Muir Glen organic re roasted or regular iced tomatoes, undrained 1 cup water 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained, rinsed 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle chiles n adobo sauce 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin Crumbled white Mexican cheese (such as queso fresco), if desired. 1. In a large pot cook sausage over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until browned; drain well. Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; cook 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender. 2. Stir in tomatoes, water, beans, chiles, chili pow-

der and cumin. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer uncovered about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Serve with cheese sprinkled over top. Texas-Style Beef Chili 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 lb boneless lean beef top round steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1 medium onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles, undrained 1 can (14 oz) reduced-sodium beef broth 2 tablespoons chili powder 2 tablespoons yellow cornmeal 1/2 teaspoon kosher (coarse) salt 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) Cornbread wedges, if desired Sliced green onions or chopped fresh cilantro, if desired 1. In large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add half of beef; cook 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned. Remove from pan. Repeat with remaining beef. Return all of the beef to pan. Add chopped onion and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions are crisp-tender. 2. Meanwhile, in blender, place tomatoes and green chiles. Cover; blend until smooth. 3. To beef mixture in pan, add tomato mixture, broth, chili powder, cornmeal, salt and red pepper; stir well. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender. Serve over cornbread wedges; sprinkle with green onions.
www.barbershopdigest.com bd 21

Apogee Barbershop

Shop Prole

2998 Turner Hill Road, suite 103 Lithonia, GA 30038 (770) 484-1244 www.apogeebarbershop.com

It means the pinnacle. As in the highest height. Shawn Warfield has been in the game for almost two decades. Hes seen it all and done it all. So it only makes sense that Warfield would perch himself high atop the barber scene in Atlanta with a near spotless shop where the clients sit mesmerized by the shine and polish that exudes from every chair in this upscale barbershop hiding humbly in the cut in Lithonia, Georgia. Saturday mornings, you can hardly find a chair in the waiting area and theres a steady flow coming through the rest of the week. You know what they say. Cream rises to the top or in this casethe Apogee.
22 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Shawn(Owner)From a family of master barbers, comes a consummate barber. Shawns dad and uncle passed along the tools and gifts needed for success. He then took what he knew and raised the bar for barbershops. The result, hes at the top of his game and the whole city will know his name. Reggie- A country boy at heart, Reggie comes from Green County, Georgia a town of 5,000 people who are downhome good folks. The town had one barbershop when Reggie was growing up there. He lives by the creed: Keep God first and let him anoint my hands. Marky- A native of South Cackalacky, hes been chopping heads for 14 years. This low-country kat, has a simple philosophy that he lives by. Its a tried and true practice that we should all adoptRespect everybody. James-For 20 years, James has been cutting heads. He started down 95 South at the bottom, and came up to Atlanta from Miami. His misses the swaying palm trees and blue water. But he embraces the opportunities available in Atlanta and practices R.A.K. Random Acts of Kindness. Milton- A native Atlantan, Milton has been cutting hair for 24 years, thats right almost a quarter of a century. Hes seen the barber game change, evolve and change all over again. His slogan, Its what I do. Just cuttin up. Mack- When you grow up sweeping hair off the floor at the barbershop of your dads friends barbershop, chances are, youve got barbering in your blood. He fell in love with the atmosphere and decided to make it his profession. If he could just get away from the shop to play some golf, hed be doing just fine.
www.barbershopdigest.com bd 23

special

Powerful Dads
Theres nothing we like more than seeing a father taking care of his son. While out and about last month, we ran into a couple of pow-

erful dads. Not only in the sense of their achievements, but also because despite their impossible schedules, they still make time to ensure their little men are getting a heavy dose of mentoring and nurturing. Burell Ellis-We ran into Ellis on the campaign trial for CEO of DeKalb County, Georgia. He asked when hed be seen in BD. Well Mr. Ellis, as soon as you picked up your son Oliver,

that was all the reason we needed to show the world how to be a great dad. Ellis won the election and the rst people to congratulate him were his immediate family. Angelo Taylor-In case youve been on the moon for the last month, Taylor won the gold medal for the 400m hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We saw Taylor at a send-o party held for him at South-

west DeKalb High School. Most superstar athletes arrive with an entourage of publicists, agents and managers. Taylor, however was flanked by his sons Isaiah and Xzaviah who live with their mom, but visit with Taylor often. Shout out to the powerful Dads making soldiers out of sons.

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24 bd barbershop digest september 2008

Shot in

the Shop
When youre in as many shops as we are every month, theres no telling who youll run into. We made the rounds over to Arena, turned around and who did we see? Legendary mix tape guru, DJ Drama. He was getting chopped up by none other than that dude they call Jigga aka founder of the Philly Fade aka barber to the stars. Hit him up at www.myspace.com/djdrama

COMING TO A BARBERSHOP NEAR YOU

5044 Old National Highway College Park, GA 30349

SHOP TALK:
Conversations Politics Sports Real Talk

with Lee may

DeKalb County Commissioner

bd

Log onto: www.leemaydistrict5.com for details

atlantasfinestbarbers@gmail.com 404-768-2046

bd
barbershop digest

www.barbershopdigest.com bd

25

2008 Bronner Bros. Barbering Competition

We stopped by the biggest hair show in the world last month where kats from all over the country gathered to compare their skills and compete for a $1000 grand prize. Seemed to be a political year. A couple of dudes cuts portraits of Obama onto their canvas of follicles. I thought the political pieces were interesting, said judge Dwight Eubanks who also owns Purple Door Salon & Spa in Atlanta. Thats a lot of detailed work, but I would have liked to see a little more creative color. It was hard to determine who had the best game because some kats used lots of color while others simply laid down flawless fades. The great thing about Bronners Barbering Contest is they allow students to compete against industry professionals. Atlanta, is home to multiple contest winner Doug Thompkins, but this year the top prize went down 95 South where Mervyn Moore aka Merv the #@!damn barber beat the competition. I was confident, but I was skeptical because this wasnt my original design. said Merv. My model didnt even show up, so I had to use my manager. Lil Waynes limo driver actually gave me the idea. Merv wouldnt reveal what his initial design was. Hes keeping it under wraps for future competitions. The $1000 prize should bring him some comfort, or at least help him pay for the speeding ticket he got on the way to Atlanta. bd 2008 Bronner Brothers Andis Barbering Completion Grand Prize Winner Mervyn Moore aka Merv The #%@damn Barber Forensic Cutz, 18162 Nw 2nd Ave, Miami, FL (305) 654-8511 www.myspace.com/forensiccutz

special

26 bd barbershop digest september 2008

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