A special relationship between a man and his barber

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Asst. Editor- | Last updated: Apr 10, 2013 - 9:16:08 PM

(L-R) Minister Farrakhan’s long-time personal barber Richard Coleman, Mr. Coleman’s sister Annette Hammond and Min. Farrakhan March 24 outside Pleasant Shade Missionary Baptist Church led by Mr. Coleman’s nephew, Rev. C.A. Hammond Jr. Photo: Ashahed M. Muhammad

ELBA, Ala. - Every Black man in America knows that a special relationship exists between a man and his barber.

There’s a quiet unassuming man who sees the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for a regular appointment “at least every 8 to 10 days” who spent his formative years in a small rural town with a population of just over 4,000 people.

He’s seen and heard many things, and has a unique perspective to share as he interacts with one of the world’s most recognized yet misunderstood men.

His name is Richard Coleman, and he is Minister Farrakhan’s trusted personal barber.

Mr. Coleman traveled with Min. Farrakhan every step of the way during his recent visit to Tuskegee University, and the numerous other meetings and appointments taking place. The Minister had previously told Mr. Coleman that the next time he was in that part of the South, he would visit with Mr. Coleman’s family, and he kept his word, even speaking at the church of Mr. Coleman’s nephew Rev. C.A. Hammond, Jr. on Palm Sunday, March 24.

Riding through the streets of Elba, Alabama, the 78-year-old Mr. Coleman talked to me about the town, its people, and showed me huge lawns he used to mow for a fee as an enterprising young man during the hot Alabama summers.

“It wasn’t no automatic mower neither. It was one of those push lawn mowers,” said Mr. Coleman. “It was hard work, but I wanted that money!” said Mr. Coleman chuckling.

Traveling about a mile approaching the town center, he pointed out a movie theater that provided a pivotal moment in his youth. When he was a young teenager (around 13 or 14), he took a date one afternoon to see a movie. A White man grabbed her breast. Mr. Coleman, having built up significant upper body strength mowing those huge lawns every week, immediately and valiantly defended the honor of his date by beating the White man nearly to death.

“I had blood all over my clothes when I got home,” said Mr. Coleman. “It wasn’t mine though,” he said matter of factly.

His mother, knowing the racial climate at that time, and how word would spread in such a small town, sent him away that night to Miami. Looking into the wisdom-filled eyes of an elder, I smiled knowing that there were undoubtedly many stories in the South about Black men who responded to disrespect and dishonorable acts with strength and power, and that not all the White men who exceeded the limits got away with it.

Our discussion then turned back to his special relationship with Min. Farrakhan. Mr. Coleman said as long as he has known the Minister, he has always been a great teacher, with a clear understanding of people, and was always working to help others. Although the Minister is characterized differently in the media, Mr. Coleman says anyone who takes the time to really get to know and observe him would want to be in his presence.

“He was always very consistent and persistent and he loves people, he loves all people. A lot of people don’t know that about him,” said Mr. Coleman. “He’s kind but strong, a very strong man. He’s the type of man that any person—and I would tell any person—that if you get to know him you would want to be in his company and you can very easily learn from him. It never ceases to amaze me that every time we are in a conversation, he has something so profound to say. He’s just a great person and a great man,” he added.

I tried to get Mr. Coleman to point out one memorable event involving Min. Farrakhan over the years that stands out to him. He said there are so many that it is hard to pick just one, but he did mention specifically the Minister’s remarkable determination and confidence as he focused on the Million Man March.

Mr. Coleman said he worries about the Minister with all the constant travel and meetings, but like many others, he finds the Minister’s energy contagious.

“It’s something about him that gives me energy,” said Mr. Coleman. “Sometimes knowing all of the traveling that he’s gone through, I sometimes—I kind of get worried. I want him to get more rest, I really do. He’s the type of man that—he don’t know when to stop. He has that endurance in him and he don’t know when to stop.”

Mr. Coleman said he tries to tell the Minister to slow down but doesn’t see that happening any time soon. What is the Minister’s response? I asked.

“He just looks at me and smiles,” said Mr. Coleman. “He says ‘brother, I want to but I just have so much work to do and I just have to keep on doing God’s work.’”

(On Palm Sunday, March 24, Minister Farrakhan visited Pleasant Shade Missionary Baptist Church, in Enterprise, Alabama, led by Mr. Coleman’s nephew Rev. C. A. Hammond and delivered a meaningful message to those in attendance. To obtain your copy on DVD or MP3 visit http://store.finalcall.com.)

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