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Let’s get offline and bring back the culture of the third place
It’s how our parents and grandparents built strong communities. Today’s youth can revive that spirit to restore and strengthen their sense of belonging.
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We may be in the same space, but our minds are somewhere else entirely, says the writer.
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
Nicole Chan
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We often see the iconic black barbershop culture in the United States depicted in movies. People of different generations gathering in a lively atmosphere of loud conversations on anything from politics to the personal. It’s not just a trim that draws the crowd.
Throughout 20th-century America, these shops not only provided economic opportunities but also served as safe havens for activism and cultural dialogue, influencing trends like hip-hop. Such third places have been key to community building.
