Thread: My concerns about my barber school and some questions.

Were you wearing your spats when you walked in the room?

According to the Michigan Barber School web site, they teach the basic fundamentals of barbering. I'm sure that once you master those basics you will be able to apply your barbering techniques to any customer regardless of hair type.

I'm a white guy who's been to black barbers on numerous occasions. I've always been very pleased with the job they did. I am guessing that you will learn all the requisite skills needed to succeed in your chosen profession. All the best in your new endeavor.

Originally Posted by detroyt

basically no other options other than cosmetology school and I wont be able to give straight shaves without the barber classification and I really have no interest in cutting womens hair.

Oh too bad on the woman's hair. I have so much fun doing it. Any ways. If you think you'll learn more in school than at your chair over the next 5 years you're wrong. But you know that by now. The clientle you will have won't replace the skill learned doing a brothers hair. What I'm saying is: Afro hair is going to be a great learning tool, and another tool in your arsenal. I do hair in Washington DC to wealthy non black women. I would love the experience and confidence that comes with Afro/ethnic barber work. I tell my black friends I want to get good at fade ups and lines, but they never bite. They all know I'm in the High end fashion world, working on Photo shoots and catwalks. But I would love to be able to whip out a Uptown Fade on a guy. I can cut any haircut on any hair. But to be a master cutter of black afro hair is something to strive for. It could help you out somewhere down the road, is what I'm saying. have an open mind.

I have to plead ignorance on this one, maybe sombody with a little knowledge can shed some light on this subject for me.

Thanks

Trust Me when I say: you Want to be the MAN at all hair types. If I were doing what you are about to do, I would be a sponge and soak up all the knowledge I could. You don't want to ever come up short one day years from now if and when you get a Brother in your chair. Plus, black hair is WWAAAYY harder to do right than white hair. If you can master Black Mens cuts and fades, you'll be on top.

I think you'll be fine but on a slightly off topic point I think its sad that we have come to a point where we cant even ask an innocent question without prefacing that question with what we do and don't intend by said question to keep from offending the "oh too sensitive" and easily offended among us.

+1. political correctness is bad

It is indeed.
It's very easy to be misunderstood when trying to communicate through the web, so i think it's always best to clarify yourself in these situations.

Have you ever discussed this issue with the school? You could just tell them that where you intend practice many of your customers will be white and ask them if they provide sufficient training in cutting white clientele as well. I don't think if you ask it this way they should feel offended. Moreover, if they they would show offense you can reply that the fact that you applied for a school with mainly black pupils proves race is not an issue to you.

Johnnycake I think you hit the nail on the head that was exactly what I was hoping to hear.

Yes being politically is stupid but I would rather start off on top of the hole rather than trying to dig my way out of it.