The Roots of a Dominican Barber
By Carlos Deschamps and Ariel Gonzalez, Cristo Rey
New York High School
All barbershops have
something in common: mirrors, a sound system, and a small television, but not
this one. At Professional Barbershop located in Hamilton Heights you will not
only find barbers, but also arcade games and three plasma television showing a muted
live baseball game. Spotted next to the arcade machines are older men playing
dominos while listing to Dominican music, mixed with Whitney Houston songs. Odali “Five” Aperez,
35, is one of the barbers and has been in the barber shop business since his
teenage years in the late 1990s. He has given haircut to a few celebrities such
as Dominican singer Sergio Vargas. Five
is one of those immigrants who began his career with the mind set to what we
call the American dream and has achieved that dream.
Five was inspired by
his grandfather who owned a shop in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He began
his barber career at age 15 with his grandfather which required no
license. Five came to the United States in 1995 at the age of 19. He came with
his mother and sister. Not having a completed college education did set him
back, but this did not block his road to success. Five stated “vine a Nueva York
para una vida mejor” which means “I came to New York for a better life.” He
also stated he came to New York to earn more money. Obtaining money was
difficult at first because he had to get a license. So right after arriving to
New York Five decided to go out and get his license. After obtaining his
license he went and got his first job at Professional Barbershop. Five stated
that he began working in the barbershop on March 16, 1995.
Five loves his job even though he has had his
up and downs. While working at Professional Barbershop Five had once become the
owner and manager. While being the owner Five had two challenges. The first
challenge was that he needed more barbers. He soon got some young barbers who
were just like him young and with haircutting skills to help him out. The
second challenge was the responsibilities he had to carry. “It was difficult,
too much responsibilities” Five stated. Five then found his solution to his
problem and passed on his responsibilities to a younger barber. However Five
has had a share of amazing moments. Five has had the opportunities to cut the
hair of award winning Latino artists Jose-Jose a Mexican singer and actor and
Dominican singer Sergio Vargas. When customers are waiting for their turn they
can spot a picture of Five with Dominican singer Fernando Villalona.
The barbershop is calm
and friendly. When asked about the arguments and debates that occur within the
barbers and friends about sports and politics Five said “Ya yo me he acostumbrado
no me distraer cuando pelo” meaning “I’m already used to this, I don’t get
distracted when giving a haircut.
In the interview he was
asked if he fears other competitions. Five said “a little, but all I know is
that I got to do a good job”
Five is now married and
has three kids. His wife can be seen in the barbershop lending the shop an
extra hand, as well as bringing in female costumers. No matter where you come
from anybody can achieve the American dream. Five said his goal for the future
is to open his own barber shop.
