A Beauty Supply Store Ethnography: Understanding the Cultural Divide

This paper evaluates the cultural dynamic and current state of the Black and Asian American relationships through interactions at beauty supply stores. Traditionally, beauty supply stores are owned and operated by immigrants, particularly Korean American small business owners. The stores are located in urban areas with predominantly Black American consumers. Through racist policies, Black populations were not able to evolve into small business owners like Korean immigrants, and this reality created an intercultural tension between the groups. The literature review, interviews, and data collection will help clarify these distinct perspectives and the current state of the Black and Asian intercultural relationships.