Table of Contents for The Southern Awakening
Introduction
Postulate 1 The South Has Something to Say!
Postulate 2 Reimagine and Research to Reinvent Self-Sustainable Communities
Postulate 3 The Harvest Is Plenty—the Complainers Need to Be Few
Postulate 4 Hair Comes, Hair Goes, and Negroes
Postulate 5 A Customer Is Not Always Right
Postulate 6 Just Say No to Combative Economics
Postulate 7 Prioritize Collective Economics as a Form of Self-Reparations
Postulate 8 Change Your Political Landscape, and We’re Moving on Up!
Acknowledgments
The Resurrection Teaser
The Southern Awakening
A Black Man’s Guide to Liberating the Rural South
By Barnard Sims — “Barnard the Barber”
“If we can land on the moon, surely, we can find promise in the land of the South.”
The Southern Awakening is part memoir, part movement — a powerful blueprint for change rooted in faith, community, and Southern grit. Civil rights activist and master barber Barnard Sims shares hard-earned wisdom from the barbershop to the backroads, calling for a revival of values, economics, and truth in the South. With humor, honesty, and a voice forged by the red clay of resilience, this is not just a book — it’s a call to rise.
In The Southern Awakening, Barnard Sims — known to his community as “Barnard the Barber” — lays out eight heartfelt postulates for transforming rural America and throughout the entire United States.
Raised on a dirt road in Georgia, and seasoned with the struggles of systemic racism, economic inequality, and cultural resistance. Barnard brings a deeply personal and spiritual lens to the work of liberation.
He combines the storytelling warmth of a preacher with the precision of a concrete worker, weaving together family legacy, barbershop wisdom, Black Southern identity, and real strategies for change. Whether challenging combative economics, honoring the unsung heroes of service work, or calling for collective political power, his voice cuts through like a Barber's clippers on a Saturday morning!
The Southern Awakening is a raw, soulful, and often funny testament to faith, family, and the power of self-determination. It's written for anyone who believes in the power of place, purpose, and people — especially those ready to build a better, more perfect union.
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
As a slightly younger white man who grew up in the same southern culture, Barnard's book opened my eyes once again to the fact that the "old ways" aren't really that old. They still persist. Barnard's voice is one that we all need to hear and his life experience and family background make for a great American story. Years behind the barber's chair in rural GA has given Barnard an incredible perspective on life in the American south and a strong vision for how to improve things. This book made me think, but it also made me laugh more times than I expected. Barnard's observations are deep and impactful, and his references to pop culture and his jokes are like the spoonful of honey helping the medicine go down. A great read and highly recommended!
5 Stars * Best book I've read in a while. Thought provoking, inspiring and a call to action for us all!
"I can't imagine how challenging it must have been to string together life experiences, advice from others, and knowledge about African-American history in such a thought-provoking way. But, I do know that Barnard did it with a finesse that only a talented author possibly could. True to himself he unapologetically delivered a piece of work packed with emotions, cleverly written anecdotes and perspectives that portray the difficulties minorities face in our country every single day - layering into his work thoughts about how anyone can contribute to change. I have no doubt this book will stir a desire in the souls of many who work in service roles and other professions to consider how they can harness "everyday" encounters for change. Barnard encouraged us all to do so early on in his work by stating this, "understand and believe that our unique voice has the power to activate the spirit of at least one person, somewhere in this world." This book will be activating spirits, for years to come.
Barnard's debut, The Southern Awakening - A Black Man's Guide to Liberating the Rural South was written with a clever, thought provoking and heartwarming sincerity that is a call to action by example for the "everyday" citizen. This author definitely had something to say that was inspiring to read."
*WRITERS DIGEST Review:
"The title grabbed my attention and immediately identifies the purpose and potential audiences for your book. Your topic is incredibly timely and this book is in great need to be read by readers of all races: your strong voice and clearly made points will inspire and motivate one part of that audience, and hopefully change some minds of another part. The Introduction does a great job of giving us glimpses into your life and ancestors while reminding us of some very sad truths about the world we live in. The book is well organized and I love your usage of postulates as the organizational method. Your book was at times hard to read because of the myriad injustices that you shed light on, and you do a great job of countering that with moments of joy and inspiration. Even your Dedication is well written—these can often be self-indulgent or maudlin, but yours are delightful and poignant."
*ARCHWAY PUBLISHING Review:
"Engaging, powerful, and thought-provoking manuscript, which is heart-wrenching at times but ultimately uplifting, as well as educational. Your passion jumps off the page every step of the way!"
🏆 Awards & Recognition
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2022 American Book Fest — Best Book Award Winner, Nonfiction (Cross-Genre)
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2022 American Book Fest — Finalist, Nonfiction (Multicultural)
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2023 National Black Book Festival — Black Authors Matter Award, Best Interview (Nonfiction)
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2023 NAACP Image Awards — Literary Nominee
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2023 Amazon Bestseller — Top Seller in Audiobooks
Want to leave some feedback on the book? Email it to BarnardsHairSalon@gmail.com