Is appealing to the Black cosumer devisive?

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Is appealing to the Black consumer divisive?

This question arises from an article I read linked from Black Electorate. Kevin Starke a Black man (pictured to your left) that owns a Barber Shop was informed by one of his customers that he had no idea that Kevin’s Barber Shop was Black owned. Upon hearing this Kevin asked himself, “What should I do”? In order to change this Kevin came up with a great idea, he took the traditional American Eurocentric Barbers Pole that is “red, white and blue” and made one that was “red, black and green”. Kevin’s solution was so effective in drawing in Black customers that he was able to “expand his Barber Shop to a larger, seven chair location”.

I am not the least bit surprised that the “Red Black and Green” barbers’ pole drew so much attention and helped increase the number of people patronizing his business. Nor am I surprised by the reaction of other Black barbers who are scared that trying to appeal directly to Black men and women is some how divisive. A Barber by the name of Lionel Johnson a Black man said that he does not think that using the “Red, Black and Green” pole is a great idea because “You’re sort of singling folks out” he went on to say because of where they are “you’ve got to cater to Black and white”, which means he believe the “Red Black and Green” barbers pole does not appeal to white folk and is divisive.

When we examine what he is saying we see the same old scared to death Negro ignorance being manifested. How did appealing to Black men and women become divisive? If using the “Red Black and Green” barbers’ pole is divisive would not the use of the “red, white and blue” be as equally divisive”. This brother has ignored the truth that is in his face, the “Red, Black and Green” pole increased Brother Kevin’s business so much that he had to get a bigger shop. This is one of the things we (Black folk) need to be mindful of; some of our people have come to believe Eurocentric symbols are universally appealing and Afri-Centric symbols are divisive! The increased traffic into Brother Kevin’s Barber Shop after putting the pole outside his store means that Black folk were look for a place that they could identify with and when he put that pole out there, that was a sign to Black folk that said, “what you been looking for is right here.” Now Black men that had been driving across town to get a hair cut realized there is a Black Barber shop right under there nose.

Afri-Centric symbols are not divisive; these symbols represent us and we should not be afraid of how white folk will perceive them; however we should take note of their reaction to our symbols. The brother that thinks our colors (red black and green) on a barbers pole does not cater to white folk, should ask himself why he thinks the traditional American Eurocentric red, white and blue barbers pole cater to us and is more universally appealing than the “Red Black and Green” barbers pole.