Barbershops: A second sanctuary, or the segregated picture of America?

A “second sanctuary” — that’s how one of our guests describes her barbershop because these places are about much more than cutting hair. They’re about community. Barbers can take the role of a counselor, even a parent, to their customers. The shop is a place were conversations flow and don’t shy away from religion and politics.

At the same time, another guest says barbershops are “the segregated picture of America.” In this episode, we talk straight as a razor about the role of barbershops in our region. Plus, we’ll cut into the art of a fade, learn the secrets shared from the chair, and explore the vulnerability of our local barbershops.

But first, we talk about a push to change Tennessee’s “HIV criminalization” laws.

Guests:

• Katie Riordan, WKNO Memphis reporter

• Robin Lennon-Dearing, associate professor at the University of Memphis School of Social Work

• Jarod Parrish, pharmacist

• Stephen Mason, Handsomizer owner

• Dejaun Conley, Anointed Handz owner

• Celina Vito, shop manager at Sage & Brush

• Hader Feron, Golden Star owner