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MEN TALK, REAL TALK ABOUT COVID-19 – BARBERSHOP TOWNHALL
Surviving COVID-19 RESOURCE DIRECTORY
WERE YOU THERE? MEN TALK, REAL TALK ABOUT COVID-19 – BARBERSHOP TOWNHALL
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by Contributing Writer, Cheryl D Howard
The Black Barbershop has historically been a neighborhood spot where souls of the male persuasion gather and often just to shoot the breeze. This is a gathering that becomes more than just a haircut experience. On March 29th, a group of men sat down in “Another Look Barbershop” to have a real discussion about the topic, “Black COVID Culture, Let’s Talk About It!” Dr. Thomas Hopkins, a Board-Certified Internist and an avid community supporter moderated the powerful oration. The guest speakers were six prominent men from the Sacramento community. After huddling, the conversation promptly became a session of transparency, and it transitioned to a “Just us Guys” exchange. So, what is Black COVID Culture? As it pertains to some Black people, it is an accumulation of skepticism, mistrust, fear, and trepidation about COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gospel artist and community advocate James Jackson opened with his story. Jackson talked about how at the onset of the pandemic he continued music rehearsals. He followed the guidelines, masks, gloves, etc. but there was still a lack of communication about the virus. He contracted the virus, and it was literally, for him, a near-death experience. Jackson felt for the first time in his life that his faith began to wane. While in the ICU, patients were expiring at a rate that had him worried.
“Somebody was dying on the left of me, somebody was dying on the right of me. Hell, am I next?” he thought.
Fast forward, he made a full recovery after a 4-week hospital stay.
Mr. Robert Brown, owner and operator of “Another Look Barbershop,” chimed in on the discussion. After the initial two weeks of the pandemic shut down all patronized businesses, reality set in.
“We didn’t know when our barbershops and nail shops were going to reopen, and that’s when it got real! It got real!” Brown exclaimed.
With 24 years in business, he has been grateful for his community. The community rallied around him and his wife, Tracy, in full support. He has worked diligently to maintain his small business despite the fact that the large banks were not in support of small businesses. PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loans were allocated to large businesses. This further uncovered the inequities that exist for small Black-owned businesses. The panel members all agreed that it is imperative to keep a line of communication open within underserved communities.
Michael Blair is the Chief Innovator with the Neighborhood Innovation Project. He immediately connected with St. Paul Baptist Church in Oak Park. Blair found himself kicking against the pricks because of the “hood” or “tough guy” personas in many of the adult males in that community. These men tend to disregard the personal protective wear because masks and gloves may be looked upon as a sign of weakness. Blair would agree that this could potentially be a dangerous posture to be in. Blair is a leader, and he has not faltered in leading by example.
Daniel Dugar is a beloved comedian from the Sacramento area. He is a frequent traveler as he tours for his shows. By some mishap, he contracted the virus. He said he has had the flu before, and COVID was definitely “something else,” and he meant it was so much worse. Dugar was very vocal about his distaste for medical professionals who further exacerbate indecisiveness among Black people with unfounded conspiracy theories.
“A lack of education is our greatest downfall,” said Dugar.
As the discussion continued, Dugar shared that the conversation should have been addressed on a broader spectrum. He thought Black people must be met at their level of distrust in the government, before they can be convinced of the importance of being vaccinated.
“We really need to educate ourselves and do the research and quit grabbing out of thin air without the knowledge to back up our actions,” said Dugar.
Pastor Stefon DuBose of Future Community Church, in closing, said he led by example for his congregation and community by getting fully vaccinated. He truly believes the pandemic has been an opportunity for all to really trust God.
Surviving COVID-19 RESOURCE DIRECTORY
BARBERSHOP TOWNHALL
Black Covid Culture : Let’s Talk About It!
TUNE IN VIA FACEBOOK LIVE: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SACCULTURALHUB1
Dr. Thomas Hopkins, Moderator Internal Medicine, Former Chief Medical Correspondent for KCRA-3 Robert (Rob) Brown Barber/Co-Owner of Another Look Beauty & BarberShop James Jackson Gospel Artist & Worship Music Director at South Sacramento Christian Center Daniel Catrell Dugar Comedian Michael Blair Neighborhood Innovation/ TheGospelVine Pastor Stefon Dubose Future Community Church
PRESENTED BY:
MONDAY, MARCH 29TH | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
SUPPORTED IN PARTNERSHIP BY:
“The pandemic has given us time to think, to be innovative, to slow down and to hear from the community and be in the community. We need to be transparent, and we need to be real and allow that safe space for people to express what they feel,” Pastor DuBose said in all humility.
The communities that have been hit the hardest with the coronavirus are the most hesitant in receiving the vaccine. There is a fear within the Black community that has been crippling. There is a prevailing belief that Black people are being singled out in the push for the COVID-19 vaccine. In reality, that simply is not true.
“COVID-19 does not discriminate, it is an opportunistic killer,” said Dr. Hopkins. n
You can revisit and view the video at: http://www.facebook.com/Sacculturalhub1
This was a special virtual event presented by the Sacramento Black Media Coalition. Supported in Partnership by Sacramento County, Sacramento County COVID-19 Collab, and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation. For more info and resources, go to: www.saccovid19collab.org.
