Straight Razors And Social Justice: The Empowering Evolution Of Black Barbershops

image credit Library of Congress

In a country where institutionalized racism has been the norm for centuries, black barbershops remain an anomaly. Though initially blocked from serving black patrons, these black-owned businesses evolved into spaces where African Americans could freely socialize and discuss contemporary issues.

Quincy Mills spent a decade researching the history of black barbershops for his recent book, which provides a fascinating look into our nation's complicated racial dynamic: Barbershops remain both a proud symbol of African American entrepreneurship and a relic of an era when black labor exclusively benefitted whites. Collectors Weekly spoke with Mills about the roots of black barbershops and their relevance today.