Around the globe, black barbershops continue to be a safe haven and a familiar communal space for Black men.
In a lot of black movies, there’s always a trip to the barbershop. They usually come after the main character’s been going through some hardship – typically a frustrating relationship, financial ruin or a destroyed career. Whilst most Black men don’t typically pay their barber a visit after hardship, the message portrayed is a very important one: for a long time, barbershops have been a safe haven for Black men.
Getting to the shop, opening the door, hearing the loud chatter and laughter, the music, the non-stop banter , sitting in the chair – it’s a rich cultural experience.
It’s hard to nail down all the reasons why barbershops continue to be a safe haven for Black men – but in true Urban Journal style, we’ve tried our best.
It’s the best plays for advice
When pushed, most Black men will admit that their first pieces of advice – on school, relationships and sports – was heard in a barbershop. For young men, older strangers, over time, become valued mentors. And for older men, barbershops can act as a place to meet old friends, pass on some wisdom to younger men, and learn new things. The relaxed, casual atmosphere at barbershops, allow for information and advice to be passed around without fear or judgement – after all, most of these men share a unique experience of struggles outside the shop.
A good sense of community
You meet your first friends at the shop, you get a taste of the funniest football arguments at the shop, and you build long-lasting relationships at the shop. For many men, a barbershop isn’t just a one-stop-shop where you get a cut, but a place to socialise, talk about recent sports results and discuss all the reasons why the world seems to be falling apart. When it comes to building a long-lasting community, few places beat the barbershop.
They play a critical role in raising awareness of Mental Health
For some men, the person they fear falling out with the most isn’t their best friend, sibling or parents – but their barber. Often, barbers have a front-row seat to all major events in a person’s life; their highlights, low points, achievements and hardships. As such, in most cases, especially in the black community, barbers can play a more important role in getting men to talk about mental health that medical professionals. In recent times, the push by the relevant authorities to raise mental health awareness amongst Black men, by using barbershops, has seen a massive increase in the number of men seeking help.
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