[Becky19612]

Why do African Americans place so much emphasis on the outer man/woman? The gold, the name-brand clothes, the shoes, the ride, the hair…

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Name : Becky19612, Gender : F, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, 

[Jack-J]

I believe it is part of our conditioning. We have always been criticized for how we look so we try to dress better. Many of us resent being thought of as being poor so we try to wear things that poor folk can’t afford regardless if we can afford them or not. Besides, many of us have been poor and it is not a good feeling so when we get some money we want to replace that poor feeling with a wealthy one, so we spend foolishly. I don’t think this is exclusively a black problem, I think it is an American problem. We all do it in our own way.

User Detail :  

Name : Jack-J, Gender : M, Race : Black/African American, Age : 31, City : Selma, State : AL, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Amy]

I’m pretty sure this is not limited to African Americans – I would say that Americans in general are pretty fixated on image: looking the right way, having the right stuff, making the right impression. Sometimes the definition of ‘right’ might be different in different cultures or classes, but it’s all the same motivation. On another note, I would point out that the people I know – black, white, or any other race -who are most focused on image are the people who feel that they need to prove something. Often, these are people who want others to believe they have more money/status than they actually do have. Interesting to consider how race might affect that particular dynamic, as well.

User Detail :  

Name : Amy, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 31, City : Tampa, State : FL, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Darren]

The focus on status and status symbols is an American, not an African-American, phenomenon. In the United States wealth is so often its own reward, and those with it are generally held in higher regard than those without it. So, if you at least look like someone with money, then in our class-conscious society you’ll get at least that much more respect–whether you’re black, white, brown or Asian.

User Detail :  

Name : Darren, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Methodist, Age : 39, City : San Antonio, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Unemployed Mortgage Servicer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Lakeisha]

I believe that the real reason, us, African Americans put so much emphasis on what we have is because there was never really a time when we were able to have anything, or if we had anything of any value, it wasn’t safe. ‘The gold, the name-brand clothes, the shoes, the ride, the hair…’ it gives us a sense of a higher standard than what we came from. It’s like a step up. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t define who we are, but it does feel good to say I have this, this, and this.

User Detail :  

Name : Lakeisha, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Christian, Age : 17, City : Roanoke, State : VA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : Less than High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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