'Cuttin' Up': Barber Shop Wit and Wisdom Barber shops have long been a gathering place for the African-American community — a place where patrons freely debate today's hottest issues as much as hair styles. With words and photos, author Craig Marberry explores the world of the black barber shop.

'Cuttin' Up': Barber Shop Wit and Wisdom

Barber shops have long been a gathering place for the African-American community -- a place where patrons freely balance sharp personal style with cutting-edge debate over today's hottest issues.

Cover for Craig Marberry's latest book, Cuttin' Up: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops. Doubleday hide caption

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Doubleday

The black barbershop has long been a kind of open forum for social commentary, a freedom celebrated recently in the film Barbershop featuring Cedric the Entertainer. It's long been seen as a place where patrons can "talk straight" without fear of repercussions.

The book Cuttin' Up: Wit and Wisdom from Black Barber Shops by Craig Marberry celebrates that world. Marberry weaves photos and interviews conducted in and near barbershops across the United States.

Marberry, who also wrote the book Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats, talks to Ed Gordon about his inspiration for writing his latest book.