“I am having my first kid, so I am thinking a lot about being a father. My biggest challenge in life was my drug addiction. I smoked weed and I liked getting high, and it got progressively worse. I wanted to stop, but it was hard. I served some time, and that helped me to get off of drugs. When I got out I started working here at the barber shop. The owner is really supportive. I have been here for a little over a year. I try to live life and stay joyful. I try not to let other stuff bring me down.
“There is just so much negativity going on… The whole NFL thing, the potential war with Korea, politics, all of that stuff. With the NFL, It’s all so stupid. On both sides. The players kneeling during the National Anthem is not going to affect any differently the way people are treated. It’s just not. And the politicians need to just ignore it. Don’t demand that they stand for the pledge of allegiance. I do think kneeling during the National Anthem is disrespecting our country, but I also believe they have the right to freedom of speech.
“I think about this stuff when with raising my child. I am going to do the best I can, and be a positive role model for him. That’s all I can do. I just don’t want him to grow up to be ignorant. We have too many ignorant people running around in this country. I think education is key to helping things get better, to try to listen to each other more, and not force someone to your beliefs.
~ Toms River
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