The records of the National Negro Business League Convention which took place in 1900 state that “the business in which colored men are more generally engaged as proprietors than any other in the United States is that of barbering and hairdressing.” Then and now, African American barbershops were emporiums of banter; places where men could bond, play chess, and sound off on sports, sex, and politics.
In 2002, the movie Barbershop gave audiences of all colors a glimpse of how black folks talk among themselves when white folks aren’t listening. Al Sharpton didn’t like what he heard, but the audience did, and people flocked to the theaters. Now the barbershop cast is back in business, and we’ll talk to the director.
Guests:
Kevin Sullivan, director, “Barbershop 2: Back in Business”
Melissa Harris-Lacewell, author of “Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought”
Cedric Kyles (a.k.a. Cedric the Entertainer), who plays the role of Edie in the Barbershop movies.