Back to Professional Development
Lesson One: Role Models and Mentors
1. In Module Two of our Professional Development series we’re going to discuss everything from Role Models and Relationships to the importance of Physical Fitness and Goal Setting. We’re also going to feature some guest writers. Some of these writers will be old folks (like myself) but others will be people your age or not to far from it. Regardless of who they are, or what age they may be, they all share one common experience. That experience is the fact that all of us were where you are now. We know what it’s like to be unsure of your future, we know what it’s like to work that dead end job, and we also know what it’s like to dread that hated final exam.
2. What we want you to know is that you always have choices but in order to make them you have to think clearly and concisely. Not only do you have to think but you must set goals for yourself and determine ways to reach them. In order to do this you may have to conduct a little research on how best to accomplish what you’re trying to do. This may involve talking with your parents, a school counselor, or contacting someone you know who has already done what you’re trying to do. Before I go any further I’m going to tell you a quick story. Years ago I attended a high school on the east coast (the name of the school is unimportant); one of the characters at the school was a guy we’ll call ‘Eraser-X’. This person was always late to class or in the halls when he should have been somewhere else. The few times we had the same class together the guy was always making jokes, not paying attention, and generally being a clown. Now on top of all of that he was mean, so it wasn’t like anyone wanted to work with him or be around him. Of course I now understand his attitude was probably a defense mechanism to cover up more serious issues he was dealing with.
3. So what’s the point of this story? Just this. Year’s later after moving on with my life; I stumbled across this man in an unexpected location. During a function at a family member’s house, a relative asked me what school I had attended, and then indicated there was someone that I should know from that school also in attendance at the party. Guess who it turned out to be? Yep, you know it, Eraser-X, the person I was telling you about before. Well at any rate, I eventually spoke with the guy and he told me that he was a janitor, working the night shift cleaning up the local sports complex. You’ve seen this place, professional basketball team’s play there all the time. Some of you may think my first inclination would have been to laugh at him but his predicament actually sent a cold shiver up my spine. Why? Because he was living, walking, proof positive of what happens when you can’t or won’t apply yourself, and his lifestyle was the biggest indicator of that fact I can, and did, think of. Sadly enough, he was still the same arrogant, mean, and lost individual that he was all those years ago; blissfully unaware of his innate strengths and power to make beneficial and logical choices. I know there are those that would read this and find fault in my apparent criticism of his choice to be a janitor. I’m not being critical of his choices; because that’s a burden he has to carry. What I am saying is this. Why not own the janitorial business and let your subordinates work the night shift cleaning the local arena, while you watch the game? Perhaps he would have made better choices if he would have had access to a role model or mentor. But we’ll never know.
4. At any rate, I don’t want any of you reading this to end up in that guys position, ever, because as we said before, you always have choices. So let’s talk about role models. Do you have any? I wrote an article for a magazine about two gentlemen in my community who do what they do. Not because they have to but because they get the opportunity to talk with and mentor people. Do you know someone like that? Who are your role models? While you think about that take a look at this story I wrote and see if it gives you any ideas about what you should look for in a role model or mentor.
Icons of Alamogordo, New Mexico
As usual, today’s news was filled with reports of famous or perhaps infamous athletes and celebrities engaged in boorish and inappropriate behavior. Their continually foolish antics make you wonder what has become of our heroes, you know, those people we look up to and in turn cause us to change our behavior; in a word, role models.
I never had to look very far for role models because mine could be found in my own home; they were my parents. We didn’t get along all the time but I knew then, just as I do now, that I was truly blessed to have two hard working people preparing me for life’s challenges.
Growing up under their guidance, love, and discipline, I came to realize that heroes and role models are where you find them. Quite often they’re disguised as ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Two such people, Mr. Junious E. Dawsey and Mr. Virgil George live in Alamogordo, New Mexico a community that’s known as the ‘Friendliest Place on Earth.’ Mr. Dawsey is the owner and proprietor of a quaint if not rustic business called the ‘Progressive Barber Shop.’ The barbershop sits quietly and comfortably nestled among several churches on the busy corner of Maryland Avenue and Fourth Street.
Everything in the shop from the Emil J. Paider barber’s chair to the potions, unguents, salves, and other smell-goods lets the customer know that you’ve entered an iconic mainstay in the Alamogordo African-American community. A place where knowledge is passed from one generation to another, a place where people can sit and talk about the state of world affairs and where a young man can get a ‘tight’ haircut as well as a lesson in life. Barber shops and churches have been rock solid pillars of the black community for years as well as part of our culture, and this barbershop is no different.
Mr. Dawsey opened the doors to the ‘Progressive’ in 1972. Mr. George, Dawsey’s right hand man and associate known for his dapper appearance and penchant for wearing stylish ‘brims’ and his colorful dialogue joined him in 1982. Together they have been cutting hair for over 92 years in and around the southwest. Mr. Dawsey began his barbering career at Holloman Air Force Base in 1954. After cutting hair for twelve years, he decided a vocational change was in order and started a new career at the Holloman AFB, High Speed Test Track as a civil servant in 1966. He eventually retired from that job but continued serving the community through his barbering business.
Mr. George is extremely active in the community and is a current member of the Otero County, New Mexico chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as an accomplished tennis player who regularly competes in local as well as out of state tournaments. Although he maintains an active and busy schedule, which includes a full time job as a barber at Holloman AFB, as well as the ‘Progressive.’ He has been known to make house calls and cut hair for those who are not healthy enough to drive or visit him at either of his locations.
The passage of time and life events may have decreased the amount of hours both gentlemen would like to spend cutting hair; but one thing is for sure, the quality of haircuts has not changed. Perhaps that’s the reason a ‘Progressive’ haircut is so easily recognizable. But I guess that’s what makes a role model, people doing the best they can under the best and worst of conditions. Doing things not because they have to, or are paid to, but because that’s what makes them who they are; and of course, because it’s the right thing to do. The doors are open and the chairs are waiting, so if you ever decide to visit the ‘Friendliest Place on Earth’ make sure you stop in and visit the ‘Progressive,’ you’ll be glad you did.
5. Not a bad story huh? A good role model or mentor should always tell you, or show you, how to do things consistent with the concept of P.O.W.E.R., if not, then this person (or people) do not have your best interests at heart and you need to let them go. A good role model and mentor will inspire you to achieve your goals, which in turn, will make you a better person. This person understands that you will have bad days, crazy days, mad days, and everything in between. But based on their experience and advice they will be able to keep you on track and moving in the right direction. Stay with us, we’ll get to the good stuff…I promise!
Conclusion: As always, feel free to let me know if this lesson was of any help to you by leaving a comment or complaint.
Very Respectfully
Ronald Peeler
Back to Professional Development
