Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 5 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 22 years, 2 months ago by
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Why do many black youths get a little money in their pockets and go spend it all on a $150 pair of tennis shoes when they don’t have a job or car or decent house to live in?
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Name : Nicole, Gender : F, Race : black and white, Age : 24, City : Virginia Beach, State : VA, Country : United States,I’m sure you know that the multi-billion dollar athletic shoe industry isn’t supported solely by poor blacks, but to answer your question, I think that in neighborhoods where no one has much, respect and status is gained by having. It’s sad, but people deal with poverty in a lot of ways that don’t make sense to others.
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Name : Jennifer, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 31, City : St. Paul, State : MN, Country : United States, Occupation : Non-Profit, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,It’s obvious you’re being quite flippant, but since the answer to your question is so elementary, why not answer it? But first, let’s understand that all people buy things they can’t afford or have no need for, and young people of ALL races do this. It’s nothing new. Why? Lack of responsibility. When you’re young and maturing, you don’t care about the utility bill when you want to buy the new Jordans or a pair of Earl Jeans. You may be in the dark later, but at least you’ll look good. Everyone has been guilty of conspicuous consumption and lack of prioritizing at one time or another. Black youths aren’t the only ones blowing off car notes and rent for material things. Is it not as equally careless to pay only half of your $2,500-per-month rent for a pair of Manolos or a Louis Vuitton bag? Do you assume that because someone makes a hefty annual salary and drives a Mercedes, they’re paying their bills? If so, you are mistaken. You can open your local newspaper any day of the week and find many wealthy people filing bankruptcy. People are constantly buying things they can’t afford, and will continue to do so. Is it foolish? Of course. But it’s about status (which fashion has always been about) and looking good to feel good. Nothing new.
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Name : Lisa22786, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, City : Gaithersburg, State : MD, Country : United States,When Air Jordans first hit the market in the 80’s tons of people in my neighborhood went out and blew vast sums of money on them. I’m talking white, black, latino, etc. It’s more a case of kids reacting to huge, huge bombardments of advertising targeting them via their favorite sports stars. I would imagine there might be a link between low-self-esteem & the desire for material goods to ‘fit in’, so while perhaps (I really don’t know) more black kids buy expensive shoes, there is something similar for all teenagers, whether it’s designer jeans, cell phones, etc.
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Name : Carter32387, Gender : M, Religion : White/Caucasian, Age : 29, City : Chicago, State : IL, Country : United States,I’m a business major, specifically Management science and Marketing. I’ve take courses in sociology, multicultural studies. I have an equal amount of friends of all cultures, dated asians, whites, south asians, blacks. There are several reasons which contribute to the final answer. 1) American Blacks, will always feel that people are looking down on them. Looking better then those looking at you is a way to assert status. 2) The definition of a status symbol good is one that serves the emotional need to belong to a higher status. Can some poor American blacks use a status boost? u tell me. 3)Because blacks are a minority we feel alot more pressure than whites to fit in with the few of our culture that we know. 4) You said poor, and poor uneducated people are alot easier sold worthless overpriced crap then richer educated people. (some are stingy has hell .. .me! } 5) I can assure you that it has to do with American culture, I’m Canadian and blacks in Canada are alot better off then blacks in America and none of us drive escalades, although we do have nice houses. (keep snow out) 6)The large corporations which pay to have thier cars in hip hop videos have learned that American culture follows black culture ( I’m sure I dont need to go into this) so they introduce escalades to blacks, make it the cool thing to do and 2 years from now when blacks get bored whites will wanna buy em. 7)What some American blacks do other blacks wanna do to fit in with the culture. As with all peoples.
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Name : Chris, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 23, City : West, State : NA, Country : Canada, Occupation : Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,Well. I am 18, I am black and my family and I don’t have alot of money. When i do get $150 dollars at anytime it goes straight to college. I have never paid for shoes more than $30 dollars because classic adidas and classic converses have always been my style, they are my favorite shoes. Also, like one person said, that the reason why they do so is to compensate for what little they have, that is somewhat true. It makes you feel good when you have at least one thing that those with money have.
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Name : Mewelau-Hall, City : Miami, State : FL, Country : United States,
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