The Roots of a Dominican Barber

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.