Malik J. Norman

Where Our Crowns Are Cared For is a photo series which captures the framework of a black barbershop. I start this community exploration with my barbershop, Executive Cutts which is located at 815 Winchester Avenue Monroe, N.C. 28110. Vernice Rorie, known in the community as “Jr.”, has owned this shop for 30 years.” The barbershop is a place where folks can walk in, be themselves, and leave with a fresh cut. The barbershop is also the place where debates and discussion about one’s family, community, politics, culture, and entertainment can happen and your voice can be respected. The black barbershop does not discriminate because it is more so a safe haven. The relationships within the barbershop, but more so twice showing the service that Jr has towards his community as our Master Barber was most important to my compositions.

 

Mr. Jr helped alleviate the responsibility of Mom cutting hair. My hometown, Mineral Spring, neighbors Monroe, NC. Dad used to cut our hair before my parents separated.  Mom tasked herself with another responsibility because of the falling out. She used to spend time cutting our hair. Three heads line up in the upstairs bathroom waiting to receive a haircut blessed with meticulous detail and precision. Eventually Mom guided us through a door in an unfamiliar place. When you walk in and turn to the right you see two barber chairs with a black fog surround them on the floor. I remember smelling the rubbing alcohol that I would grow to despise and the hair spray that soothes the stinging of the alcohol. I wish someone warned me about the finishing touches to a haircut. We were greeted with smiles from folks who would soon be family because we shared the same roof and barbershop rituals and culture. I had my first haircut in this building. Jr gave my Mom peace of mind because of the way he skillfully cut our hair with such ease. She grew to trust him with the responsibility of caring for our crowns. I want to give back to the community that I am from with photography. Above all be respectful to my community, pay homage to the history, and the ancestors who help us get here.