Voices of Alabama: Ben Moore Hotel

Summary

This transcript captures a conversation reflecting on historical events in Montgomery, Alabama, during the Civil Rights Movement. The speaker recalls interactions with prominent figures like Martin Luther King Jr., and describes the role of a local barber shop in fostering community and activism. The barber shop, part of a local hotel catering to black musicians and activists, becomes a meeting point for significant protests in the 1960s. Through personal anecdotes, the speaker shares how their business became intertwined with the larger struggle for civil rights, showcasing the power of everyday spaces in shaping history.

Takeaways

• 😀 A blue Pontiac with a young man pulls up in front of a barber shop, sparking the narrator’s observation about his potential as a customer.
• 😀 The narrator reflects on his family’s long history in the barber business, with his brothers working in the shop since the late 1940s and early 1950s.
• 😀 In 1958, the narrator and his brothers began running a business together, and their hotel became a central gathering place for famous musicians visiting Montgomery.
• 😀 The Bema Hotel, where the narrator worked, was the only licensed black-owned facility in Montgomery, catering to African Americans in the segregated South.
• 😀 The narrator began cutting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s hair in 1954 at the barber shop, forming a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
• 😀 A memorable conversation with Dr. King involved a discussion on tipping and service, using psychology to understand the importance of positive reinforcement.
• 😀 The narrator reflects on the historic 1961 protest organized by Alabama State students, and how Reverend King and others met outside the narrator’s barber shop to march to the courthouse.
• 😀 The barber shop became a hub for local activism, with the narrator closing the shop temporarily to join in the protests with students and civil rights leaders.
• 😀 The narrator accidentally began creating a museum of sorts by putting up photographs on the walls of the shop, inspired by customers' enthusiasm for seeing their own pictures.
• 😀 The narrator regrets not taking photos of significant moments, such as when Dr. King was writing speeches at the barber shop, but appreciates the significance of preserving memories in the form of photos.

Q & A

Who was the young man mentioned in the script, and what was the narrator's initial impression of him?

The young man mentioned in the script is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The narrator's initial impression of him was that he appeared to be someone they could 'knock out in 15 minutes,' likely reflecting a moment of casual judgment or surprise based on his physical appearance.

What is the significance of the barber shop in the story?

The barber shop holds historical significance as a gathering place for prominent figures, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement. It was a place where Martin Luther King Jr. would frequent, and it also became a space for meetings and discussions related to the movement.

How did the narrator's relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. evolve?

The relationship between the narrator and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. developed through frequent interactions at the barber shop. The narrator used psychology to build rapport with King, discussing the importance of good service and tipping, and they shared a respectful, if pragmatic, relationship.

What role did the narrator play in the Montgomery civil rights protests?

The narrator, along with other barbershop staff, participated in the Montgomery civil rights protests, specifically during the 1961 attempt by Alabama State students to march to the Montgomery County Courthouse. The protest was significant as it was part of the broader Civil Rights Movement in Montgomery.

What historical figures were mentioned in relation to the protests?

The historical figures mentioned in the script include John Lewis, James Farmer, and Reverend Douglas. These individuals were part of the civil rights leadership that met in front of the barbershop to organize the march to the courthouse.

What was the Bema Hotel's role in Montgomery during the Civil Rights Movement?

The Bema Hotel was one of the few black-owned and licensed establishments in Montgomery during the Civil Rights era. It hosted notable musicians and figures, including Duke Ellington and Tina Turner, and became a gathering place for people involved in the movement.

Why did the narrator start displaying pictures on the barbershop wall?

The narrator began displaying pictures on the wall after one of his customers brought back a picture from Florida with a snake around his neck. The customer was so pleased with the picture that it inspired the narrator to start putting up more photographs. This led to the creation of a small museum in the barbershop.

What was the impact of the picture collection on the barbershop?

The collection of pictures on the barbershop wall became a point of pride for customers. They enjoyed seeing themselves and others featured, which added to the barbershop’s sense of community and historical significance.

What does the narrator regret not having during Dr. King's visits to the barbershop?

The narrator regrets not taking pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while he was at the barbershop, particularly when King was writing speeches or making notes. The narrator sees these missed opportunities as important moments in history.

What does the narrator imply about the financial situation of Alabama State College students?

The narrator suggests that Alabama State College students, particularly those involved in the protests, were financially limited and unable to afford luxuries like tipping. This highlights the economic struggles faced by many of those involved in the Civil Rights Movement.