Quality Rating: 5 out of 5
"And when you see the cut yourself, in that handheld mirror, you'll smile a really big smile. That's the you that you love the most. That's the you that wins-- everything.
That's the gold metal you." (Barnes 17)
Summary:
Every hairstyle is a portrayal of our own personalities. We all know that getting a haircut can make you feel like a new person. Everyone notices when your hairstyle changes. Barnes uses this picture book to celebrate how boys feel after they get out of the barber's chair. The optimism and new-found potential with a change in hairstyle uplifts the soul and creates awareness of every good thing that could happen when boys look great and feel confident.
Stereotypes/biases dismantled in the text:
1. Men showing emotion is a sign of weakness.
The concept "toxic masculinity" is a cultural concept of manliness that glorifies strength, stoicism, and dominance. This perception of masculine mannerisms is socially harmful to the mental and physical health of men. Historically, within patriarchal societies, men have been taught that showing emotions is a sign of weakness. Showing emotions goes against the typical male stereotype as a strong individual who protects others. If you are emotional -- as women are often portrayed -- you show weakness and are in need of protection. Denying men the space to express themselves in whatever form that may be can cause more harm than good. Barnes uses this picture book to advocate for the positive feelings that men can have by doing something that makes them feel good. A haircut is a simple pleasure, but in societies where men expressing emotions is usually negatively received, it means the world.
Misconceptions I realized I was carrying:
1. Haircuts aren't important to men.
From my experience, most men just get their hair trimmed or buzzed with no real worry about the overall look of it. Typically, such haircuts are for practicality because their hair is off of their necks and out of their faces. While some men do get a trim or a buzz for the practicality of it, others do use their hairstyles to express themselves. We see more of this expression in African American hairstyles. Barnes expresses in his explanation of the inspiration of this picture book that getting a great haircut is "probably the only place in the Black community where boys are treated like royalty."
Rachel, I really enjoyed your review of this book. I also really enjoyed the book and how it discusses how men feel after a haircut. As you said that it is so simple, but yet it can change your mood, day, and overall how you see yourself. I also like how you took the approach of finding the stereotypes in men's haircuts. I never thought to think about how men feel after getting a fresh haircut, as you mentioned we assume it's for patience. That most men go to the barbershop to clean up because they basically have to. We never view it as a way for men to feel better about themselves. Getting a haircut for men is an…
I love the ideas in this book. For many people, the choices one makes with hair are a statement. These choices are a mark of beauty, different forms of expression. I have different hair than my family and have always struggled with doing it 'the right' way. Understanding that everyone has a unique style or method that works for them is encouraging to students of all backgrounds and races, and can make them feel beautiful for what they have. Feeling good about one's self is important because it often directly impacts one's actions positively. My experience is that I perform nearly every task in my life better and more happily when I am feeling good about myself--which includes the way…
@reynolty, I am so glad you had a positive personal connection to this picture book. It is so important to acknowledge that African American hairstyles are more than just trends, that they have ties to history and culture of this community. Hairstyles, in general, are a form of self-expression and self-identity, so it is important that all people get a chance to express themselves the way they feel the most comfortable with. How do you think we can get more people to see that hairstyles don’t determine a person’s value and contributions to society, that their character and behavior does? I am interested to hear your thoughts!
Rachel, thank you so much for this great review. Growing up, my father always went to the barbershop. I always remember walking in and seeing the community that men had in the small salon, how they laughed and talked together. It was so cool, and I longed for something similar to it. I love that you addressed stereotypes in this review and that the truth is that many men of color, including my dad, really appreciate getting a good hair cut. African American hairstyles aren't just a trend, they truly mean something to many people in the Black Community, and has ties to the history and culture of African American people. Overall, you did a great job with this review…
@resendie, “Live and let live” is the perfect way to summarize my thoughts on this picture book. Not all hair is the same and as a society we should not be trying to deem which hairstyles are “professional” and which ones are not. You are right that some hairstyles have cultural significance and shouldn’t be subjected to labels used by society to discriminate and undermine the culture in which it represents.