The Black Community In The Song Of Solomon By Toni Morrison

“The Black Community” As humans we tend to make sub communities to rationalize the world we live within. one of those communities being the black community the White community, Latino community, etc. These communities are used for a common understanding and comfort around culture and actions.

The White community has the inherit opportunity to tell their stories interpret and speak freely. Black people within America have been conditioned to edit and question everything they do and hear. To story tell and be heard freely is a luxury yet to be experienced for the majority. The white community for years dictates the access and ability for blacks to story tell. Every story and thought since the creation of this free world called the United

This novel highlights the interactions, thoughts, and feelings of the Black community during the 1950’s. The novel does this through characters who struggle with their race, sexuality, and self worth, alongside those who are proud of their blackness. Morrison does this to portray all scenarios of being black and alive, in order to portray the true community and it’s story. Tommy’s Barbershop is open to the masses and including the ideas that come along with accepting so many in the front door. When Milkman is walking to the barbershop he walks past a white beauty parlor and reflects on the type of shop it is in comparison to Tommy’s. He states “Milkman waited on the sidewalk, staring at the curtained window of the beauty shop. Beauty shops always had curtains or Shades up. barbershops didn't. The woman didn't want anybody on the street to be able to see them getting their hair done. they were ashamed (62).” Toni Morrison uses the shades and there shame as a metaphor of the suppression of white women and their lack of authentic community to discuss and share. Milkman and Guitar during this scene recognize this difference. Once they arrived at Tommy’s barbershop they are met with the chatter, and deep discussions around race and the outer community. Community members feel the comfort to discuss the white community, where they then discuss a white woman. Winnie

But the platform has grown, social media, has created a safety net for information and stories told to be shared out to one's community. This new platform takes the conversation nationally while safely informing the inner and outside community. This platform can be used in the form of facebook, television, talk shows, and NPR’s Barbershop Talk. The radio show is put on by Michel Martin a black female freelance writer. Barbershop talk addresses present issues and thoughts by black and about black’s in the community. The Barbershop talk is facilitated by Michel but is discussed by men. The show flows much like a conversation, and goes where it will. One show focused on Tiger Woods and his infidelity, flowing into the summer Olympics. The role of the other black men involved in the discussion is to just talk as if they were in a barbershop with there buddies. Playful comments are made during the talk while informing and educating those listening. Comments around Tiger Woods infidelity would include “ Gosh I just wish a black man in his position wouldn't take his role for granted” Moving on to talk about lindsey vonn associated with Tiger, and the winter olympics “ They're waiting for any number of great athletes to come along and be the best skier in the world. If LeBron James wanted to ski, I'm sure he'd be awesome at