Black barbershops have long been an integral part of life within communities. Not only have they served as backdrops for blockbuster movies and been part of childhood memories, but they are also considered safe spaces where individuals can discuss social reform, find companionship, and support one another.
Brooklyn Barbershop remains chill despite an ever-increasing hipsterization of their neighborhood, boasting celebrity clients like Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Eden Hazard.
The History of Barbering
Barbering has a rich, longstanding history that dates back millennia. Its first roots can be traced to ancient Egypt and Greece, where grooming services were provided to Pharaohs and other nobles for grooming purposes. Since then, barbering has evolved into a formal trade complete with licensing protocols and training requirements that have seen barbers remain essential members of communities even through significant social transformation.
Barbering has always been more than haircuts and beard trims; it has also provided an invaluable forum for community building and interaction since ancient times. Since ancient barbershops serve as meeting spaces where people can share ideas and discuss issues affecting them, they play a crucial role in upholding cultural traditions and identities.
Black barbershops, in particular, have played an essential role throughout history. These establishments often catalyzed social transformation, providing Black men a space to unite as one community and find solace through companionship and camaraderie – thus becoming ideal venues for promoting civil rights and racial equality.
These barbershops have become iconic symbols of African-American culture, serving as the backdrop to popular movies and television shows. Additionally, they inspire many athletes and celebrities of African descent and have even served as settings for blockbuster movie franchises, intensive academic research projects, iconic music videos, comedy skits, or iconic sports footage.
Barbering was historically a predominantly white profession until the mid-18th century when laws were amended to permit Black people to become barbers. After Emancipation, more Black barbers entered the work, expanding barbering’s reach.
Early 20th-century Black barbers were integral to business society and helped influence national culture by popularizing styles like Afros. Furthermore, they played an active role in civil rights activism, opening doors for Black entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Barbering has quickly become a lucrative profession that offers tailored services to each client’s needs. Its popularity is on the rise and provides opportunities for those wanting to join this rapidly emerging field.
The History of Black Barber Shops
The barbershop is an integral and iconic part of black culture, often serving as the backdrop for blockbuster movies, rigorous academic study, music videos, and comedy skits – most recently, an HBO talk show hosted by NBA star LeBron James! Not only are barbershops places of pride within communities, but they also serve as economic engines that create jobs and opportunities for many residents.
Even with their significant role, black barbershops took nearly 100 years to establish themselves in black culture. Vassar College historian Quincy Mills provides insight into this long-standing history by documenting their development over time and explaining why it took so long to reach their current form. In his new book, Mills explores this history in great depth.
Black barbers have played an essential role in African Americans’ social and political lives since slavery. Enslaved men frequently worked at local barbershops alongside white patrons as an income source, providing grooming services to wealthy and affluent clients. After emancipation, some black-owned barbershops began opening but generally catered only to white clientele.
After the Civil Rights Movement, however, black-owned barbershops began to thrive and gave them an increased sense of autonomy that enabled them to contribute directly and openly to political campaigns – something more difficult for other professions, such as teachers, to do. Today’s barbershops benefit from this autonomy, which allows them to serve as democratic spaces managed democratically by both their clientele and members.
At a time when many are struggling with isolation, neighborhood barbershops provide a community gathering space where individuals can connect. New Creation’s unisex barbershop on Jefferson Avenue in Rochester serves as an oasis for people to join and combat loneliness.
Octavio, owner of New Creations Barbershop in Fort Pierce, Florida, prohibits employees and customers from using the “n-word” during business hours. Instead, he prefers Erykah Badu over Nicki Minaj as inspiration and emphasizes his shop as being inclusive for all.
The History of White Barber Shops
Many enslaved people brought traditions from their homelands to America, while some learned barbering as an additional source of income. White enslavers would sometimes lease out these barbers to local barber shops that groomed wealthy and influential white men; many slaves earned enough through barbering that they could eventually purchase their freedom through this means. Some enslaved barbers even opened their shops after becoming free, serving black customers even after being freed.
Historically, Black barbershops were an integral part of their communities and provided a vital venue for meeting and seeking refuge from war, economic issues, social shifts, etc. As such, these spaces became essential hubs of African-American civil rights activism and other social movements. Furthermore, these locations served as locations for receiving free COVID-19 information and vaccinations.
Today, Black barbershops remain essential. Their presence creates culture within communities while giving clients a sense of belonging; be it lively debates, engaging conversations, or discussing local or national news events, Black barbershops remain an integral part of American history.
While Black barbers remained active after emancipation, the industry suffered due to state laws mandating formal training and licensing of barbers; also, white barbers entered the profession and competed with African Americans – leading to decreased opportunities for Blacks within this field.
As Black barber numbers declined, their absence led to the establishment of more salons and hair care services that met the needs of their wider communities. Black-owned salons and services provide high-quality yet cost-effective services for a diverse clientele.
Filmmaker Derrick Middleton first witnessed this firsthand when visiting the barbershop in his neighborhood. Sitting in the barber chair and listening to conversations didn’t feel welcoming due to his sexual orientation. To combat this experience, he developed Shape Up – a social media and booking app designed to assist black L.G.B.T New Yorkers avoid similar experiences by helping them locate barbers that maintain inclusive environments and book them quickly.
The History of Black Haircuts
Black barbershops have long served as cultural touchstones that allow Black people to share their stories and feel safe and confident, as well as an integral part of American history. These spaces not only impact individuals within these communities, but they are essential in shaping America’s story itself.
The first Black barber shops were established during the atrocities of the slave trade. Millions of Africans were captured as slaves and shipped across to America for colonization purposes, where millions more would later become American citizens. At this point, “good hair” first entered our language, defined as being softer, smoother, lighter, and more extended than Black hair, creating an outdated narrative that would continue to shape how Black people were seen for centuries.
As Black people gained freedom in America, they developed versions of barbershops owned and run by themselves. Black men with hair-dressing experience opened barbershops that mostly catered to white patrons; eventually, these establishments became one of the primary sources of wealth for Black Americans.
Today, there are numerous styles of barbering. While some shops have expanded to offer cutting and styling services for women, most barbershops remain predominately Black-owned. Many popular hairstyles inspired by Black culture, such as braids, cornrows, locs, and afros, have also gained widespread acceptance by other groups outside it and Black people. A few examples of popular trends have been adopted across all communities over time.
These hairstyles not only serve to highlight an individual’s natural texture, but they can also reflect their culture and heritage. Wearing such styles may serve as a statement against injustice and oppression or as a mark of pride in one’s community. Although not new trends, it is encouraging that Black-owned barbershops continue to play an integral part in today’s movement toward inclusivity and diversity.
In the future, we wish for more people of all races and ethnicities to visit Black-owned barbershops. Additionally, non-Black groups must gain more knowledge about these establishments before adopting them; otherwise, it risks becoming seen as cultural appropriation, such as when Cosmopolitan received backlash for calling Madison Beer’s undercut a “hair tattoo” in 2018.
