Your Personal Beliefs Can Affect Others

I was in a barbershop recently with my son. The barbers did not wear masks. My son chooses to wear one whenever we go to public places. Knowing people that have died of covid-19, understanding science, and the whole pandemic, in general, has rattled my son.

It’s a lot for kids to comprehend.

My son was getting his hair cut, and another mother came in with her son. The woman asked the barber if he could wear a mask. The barber declined and said that he would not wear one or have any of his employees wear a mask.

The mother, in tears, explained that her son with special needs had a compromised immune system, and if he were to get covid, he could die. She said that it’s challenging to cut his hair herself since he had sensory issues, and he’s better with a hair professional.

The barber matter-of-factly told her that he understood, but it was his shop, and he wasn’t going to go against his personal belief. He said that maybe she could take him elsewhere.

I saw the mother’s eyes well up with tears. She asked again and said, please, it will only take you five minutes if you just buzz it short, and I don’t need his hair perfect. I saw the hurt look on her face and heard the desperation in her voice. He declined and said sorry, but I don’t want to wear a mask.

The woman looked defeated, said thank you, and sheepishly exited with her child. My eyes filled with tears as I watched her lead her son out of the shop. I felt the pain of a mother just trying to protect her child.

Although I wasn’t wearing a mask, and I am fully vaccinated, I would have put one on had she asked just to help give her peace of mind.

I still sometimes put a mask on in public to help ease my son’s concern that I will get the virus and die. I can explain to him that I will be ok, but he still is very fearful. The fact that this business owner could not show compassion for this family was very upsetting.

We left, and my son asked why was the man so mean to the lady? I said he was just set in his views. He said, why couldn’t he just put a mask on to protect that boy? I don’t know, I said, but sometimes people are so stubborn and stick to their convictions and find it difficult to see another’s perspective. He mentioned that he never wanted to be like that.

I understand that people need to be true to their beliefs, but during these precarious times, we can practice some kindness to one another. Instead of attacking another, we can try and see their point of view.

People complain that the world is going mad but let’s not be part of the dilemma. Coretta Scott King said,

“It doesn’t matter how strong your opinion is. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem”.

—

This post was previously published on Change Becomes You, a Medium publication.

***

Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.

All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS.

A $50 annual membership gives you an all access pass. You can be a part of every call, group, class and community.
A $25 annual membership gives you access to one class, one Social Interest group and our online communities.
A $12 annual membership gives you access to our Friday calls with the publisher, our online community.