By: Mahari A. McTier
Can you name the one place where African-American men and women of all socio-economic backgrounds and education levels come together to converse, laugh, and debate issues from love to politics for hours on end? I thought long and hard about this question. I thought about the church; the work place; civic groups, etc. As I dug deeper into these groups, I found that they all, for the most part, consisted of individuals from the same or close to the same backgrounds. The answer is the Black barbershops and beauty shops. I call them the African-American Country Clubs. The traditional country club is a place where its members congregate to play golf and tennis, socialize, and discuss business in a relaxing environment. Most Country Clubs are dominated by white membership and has historically excluded diversity in its membership.
Guess what, believe it or not we have our own Country Clubs. On any given day you can find Mayor William Bell, Judge U. W. Clemon, Attorney Emory Anthony, Big Mike, Adolphus Johnson, Wardell Morris, and many of the brothers that hang out in the 4th Avenue Business District engaging in debate and conversation at my barbershop – Moore Styles Barber Shop. Its proprietor, Quincy Moore, has done a great job of creating an atmosphere that is welcoming, safe, and open to stimulating conversation. The reality is this, there is no other place where you will find the Mayor, a federal Judge, and a dude with appropriate licenses selling DVDs and CDs out his trunk laughing and feeling a sense of connection as Black men, who for the most part want the same things out of life. Those things are making their communities better, providing for their families, and having a little fun every once and awhile. The African American Country Club is a great atmosphere for its members. The Mayor gets a weekly opportunity to hear from some of his grass- root constituents in a relaxed and open environment. I have known the Mayor personally for many years, and I have seen him at his most relaxed state for the one hour at Moore Styles Shop. The guys on the block get a chance to associate with elected officials and business professionals in a peer to peer capacity where no one is judged by their title or status in life. It’s a beautiful thing to see and experience.
All of the benefits provided to members of Country Clubs can be found in our barber and beauty shops. Instead of golf and tennis, checkers and chess is played. Instead of wine and cheese we have Green Acres wings and Faygo Red Pop. At our Country Club we are more diverse and inclusive of all races and cultures. You can buy a DVD, an outfit, get a haircut, and have stimulating conversation with your fellow man or women in one visit. Can you do this at the traditional Country Club? The answer is no, and for all this we get it for free with no membership fees!
