Faheem Alexander NBC News
At Faheem’s Hand of Precision barbershop in South Philadelphia, the usual squad or patrons gathered for their weekly shape-up to talk sports, culture and this week—a little politics.
The barbershop is owned by Faheem Alexander, a Philly native who has cut the heads of anyone and everyone from celebrities like Ice-T and The Roots’ band, to middle class working Philadelphians for the past 16 years.
Alexander is an entrepreneur who knows that his shop is one of the classic staples in every Black community in America that is just as essential as the church: the barbershop.
Hand of Precision is a working class barbershop with middle class clientele. This is the refuge of the 99 percent. The Americans who work two jobs. The folks who are trying to make ends meet in an economy that gives tax code deference to big business.
And a few miles away from the hustle and chaos of the Democratic National Convention, the businessman and a patron talked politics with NBCBLK, more specifically, they talked about the woman who was formally nominated by the Democratic Party this week: Hillary Rodham Clinton.
While Black women are a critical voting bloc, known to move their families and communities to the polls, the patrons of Faheem’s made it known that as Black men, they would make sure to make their vote count this November.
With key black male surrogates — the most ultimate being President Obama — the Clinton campaign is sure to target and mobilize the the black male vote.
“If she can provide jobs for individuals, if she can do that, then perfect,” said Alexander as he wielded a large electric clipper in hand.
When asked asked whether he was concerned about the much discussed Clinton e-mail saga that has dominated the news and featured a congressional investigation for months, he answered quickly. “No I don’t. As long as she’s running the country properly I could care less who she e-mails,” Alexander said.When asked asked whether he was concerned about the much discussed Clinton e-mail saga that has dominated the news and featured a congressional investigation for months, he answered quickly. “No I don’t. As long as she’s running the country properly I could care less who she e-mails,” Alexander said.
Other patrons in his shop echoed his views.
“She’s qualified to do the job. Period. No Trump. He’s a racist. He’s stirring the pot. We don’t need that.
We need to come together as one. At this moment I wish Bernie was the one but he isn’t,” said Ali Coles as he waited his turn for a trim.
Source: NBC News | LAUREN VICTORIA BURKE
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