# Barbershop explained — Not Without Laughter

> Chapter companion for Not Without Laughter by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

Sandy starts working at Pete Scott's barbershop on Saturdays, where he is exposed to a man's world of loud talk, jokes, and debates on race, politics, and women. He learns to navigate teasing about his sandy hair and begins to develop a thicker skin, while also overhearing troubling gossip about his aunt Harriett.

## Themes in this chapter

### Racial Identity and Oppression

Sandy's hair color and texture become a source of teasing and self-consciousness, reflecting societal pressures around Black appearance. Discussions about Jim Crow seating and race pride highlight systemic racism.

### Gender Roles and Women's Struggles

The barbershop talk objectifies women and includes gossip about Harriett, illustrating the double standards and scrutiny Black women faced.

### Community and Laughter as Resilience

The barbershop's loud laughter, jokes, and arguments serve as a coping mechanism and a space for camaraderie among Black men in a segregated society.

## Character check-ins

### Sandy

Works at the barbershop shining shoes and sweeping; learns to handle jokes about his hair.

### Pete Scott

Proprietor of the barbershop; enforces respectful talk about women.

### Harriett

Mentioned as working as a chambermaid; subject of gossip in the barbershop.

### Jap Logan

Customer getting a haircut; later expresses intent to see a show despite Jim Crow seating.

### Uncle Dan Givens

Engages in argument about women's skin color and beauty.

### Greensbury Jones

Participates in discussions about women and race.

## Key lines

> the color of his skin, instead of the peculiar sandy tint it possessed in its natural state.

Sandy used hair pomade to darken his hair to match his skin tone.

_Sandy alters his hair appearance to avoid teasing about its sandy color._

> I don't believe in goin' nowhere I ain't allowed to set with the rest of the folks. If I can't be the tablecloth, I won't be the dishrag—that's my motto.

A barber refuses to attend shows where Black patrons are segregated, asserting his dignity.

_Expresses resistance to Jim Crow practices in entertainment._

> You niggers ain't got no shame!

A barber criticizes other Black men for lacking race pride and accepting segregation.

_Highlights internal debates about accommodation versus resistance to racism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters/xvii-barbershop
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/not_without_laughter_se/chapters