Urban Brands

[purplelucrezia]

 

[dramatique]

Oh my, I am afriad this is going to turn into something nasty.

However, I agree entirely with Softie

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by dramatique@Aug 15 2004, 01:32 PM
Oh my, I am afriad this is going to turn into something nasty. 

I vote for just ignoring that last bit.
Doesn't even justify a response...

 

[stylegurrl]

Originally posted by KJ0586@Aug 15 2004, 01:00 PM
Your an embarrassment to the African American race. You should support your own. That is why us blacks can't get anywhere now. And why are you stereotyping someone saying that they are former drug dealers. Such an embarrassment!

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Just so you know, I am a very proud member of the Black race. I show my pride by conducting myself with dignity and respect, educating myself, working hard and acknowledging and having pride in the successes, both past and present of my people. I happily support my own, but only when they are worth supporting. If being well read, educated and intelligent makes me an embarassment, I shudder to think abou the Black people you would be proud of.

Regarding the issue of Black people not getting anywhere, that is a sociological, psychological and historical discussion that does not belong on this forum. What I will say is that as long as we continue to buy into the stereotypes that society has of us, we will continue to be behind.

btw, Jay-z used to run drugs in the Marcy projects in Brooklyn and many rappers today have criminal records and/or portray their gangsta' lifestyle as a thing that the younger generations should emulate. This does not appeal to me so I say again, these people do not warrant my support, nor will they get it. Just do a little research, you will find that there are many Black people doing wonderful and positive things who could use the support of their community. Unfortunately, they tend not to get it because too many of us are out there trying to 'bling' like Puffy.

This post contains my final thoughts on this issue.

 

[Spike413]

Originally posted by KJ0586@Aug 15 2004, 01:00 PM
Your an embarrassment to the African American race. You should support your own. That is why us blacks can't get anywhere now. And why are you stereotyping someone saying that they are former drug dealers. Such an embarrassment!

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With all due respect, it's not she that's stereotyping, it's much of the people in the whole "hip-hop" scene. They have perverted black culture into a horrible stereotype and gladly present themselves as former drugdealers, pimps and criminals. There are few, if any, rappers that present themselves in a positive context and that totally sucks for black people.

Urban clothing is a part of making that stereotype as well, it presents men as thugged out delinquents and women as sexual objects for the men's enjoyment. Who's behind these stereotypical clothes, the same people who make black people a stereotype. It's not people like StyleGurrl who's holding black people back, it's the black people who put themselves into ther stereotype.

 

[Sephora_Socialite]

Justin well said...

same to you stylegurrl

Nothing wrong with you wanting to be more than what is the cultural stereotype of your people. I applaud you for being your own.

 

[mikeijames]

i agree with stylegurrl in that many of these brands are nothing more than money-making vehicles for some individuals who have absolutely no vested interest in the progress of the african-american people. with that said, i think there is a legiticmacy in the urban look. when you have even michael kors and d & g giving nods to the hip hop look, you have to acknowledge there's something there that's desireable on different levels. i have seen some very stylish and hip people add an urban spin to their ensembles by incorporating an unlikely piece from these urban brands...it really comes back to personal style.

 

[AlexN]

My sentiments exactly, Spike and Mike.

 

[PrinceOfCats]

Originally posted by KJ0586@Aug 15 2004, 01:00 PM
You should support your own.

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There is a special word for that - 'chauvinism'...otherwise known as being a racist moron.

 

[oanadobre]

Originally posted by PrinceOfCats@Aug 16 2004, 04:58 AM
There is a special word for that - 'chauvinism'...otherwise known as being a racist moron.

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[Theory]

It's always interesting how urban clothing has such a bad name (rightfully or wrongfully) and them some say it correalates to a negative represenation of black culture. People rush to say, OMG, they wear these tacky logo brands but will wear a Prada, Gucci or LV bag, which in essence makes them guilty of the same thing. Isn't the person who makes sure their shirt isn't long enough to cover their Seven jeans label or angles their Prada bag ever so delicately to ensure the label is shown to all doing the same?

Do Gucci, Fred Durst, Paris Hilton and the like represent white culture? The designers/entertainers behind many of these brands and products aren't into nefarious activities??? They are saints? If people did a little research into these things, you'd be shocked at what you would find. Jay Z being a simpleton drug dealer wouldn't compare to someone who funded and supported the movement of drugs into this country.

Rocawear doesn't' represent black culture. They haven't perverted/destroyed anything unless of course you have no understanding of what black culture (a bad term, but I''ll use it since it was already used here) really is about. There are few, if any entertainers at all, black or white who put themselves in a positive context. What's the point in singling out black rappers?

KJ, I understand your point but your delivery was raw and poorly executed. While many viewed Stylegurrl's comments as fairly innocuous, I have to say that reading it brought up some of the same feelings I think you tried to convey. I dont' see white posters defending themselves when it comes to tacky white clothing/entertainers. Why? Because it's assumed and rightfully understood that those people don't represent them or their culture. Why the rush for a black women to say noooo..I'm not that kinda black girl.... Then you have white people run in and applaud the *acceptable black girl* say OMG, you are the kind of black person I like!!!

The fact of the matter is that the many of consumers who purchase rap music, and yes, hip hop clothing are white suburban kids. This number is growing everyday. So what stereotypes, if any, are they purporting?

 

[Spike413]

no comment

 

[foxyvintage]

Originally posted by stylegurrl@Aug 13 2004, 11:41 AM
I refuse to wear urban brands for the following reasons:

1. As an Black woman, I don't want to go around dressed like a stereotype. The people who design these brands seem to think that all of us are the same and want to look exactly the same. Hip-hop 'culture' is not my culture.

2. I don't want to put any money in the pockets of former drug dealers/criminals or their tacky arrogant wives. There are numerous other Black people I can support that are doing positive things.

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^5!!! Stylegurrl, I like your style! I am a black woman also, I do love hip hop music, but I wouldn't be caught dead in any of those urban brands. I find the clothing to be incredibly tacky. The majority of the clothes are ridiculously overpriced. I am all for supporting black business but I rather send my hard earned $ purchasing clothing from an up and coming black designer with some true fashion sense. Baggy pants and HUGE logo tees are just not my cup of tea.

 

[*Ecko_Angel*]

All urban brands aren't logo plastered. Yeah they might have the name of the clothing stiched somewhere, but sometimes it's where it can't be seen.

like these jeans

 

[faust]

Originally posted by Theory@Aug 16 2004, 08:15 PM
It's always interesting how urban clothing has such a bad name (rightfully or wrongfully) and them some say it correalates to a negative represenation of black culture. People rush to say, OMG, they wear these tacky logo brands but will wear a Prada, Gucci or LV bag, which in essence makes them guilty of the same thing. Isn't the person who makes sure their shirt isn't long enough to cover their Seven jeans label or angles their Prada bag ever so delicately to ensure the label is shown to all doing the same?

Do Gucci, Fred Durst, Paris Hilton and the like represent white culture? The designers/entertainers behind many of these brands and products aren't into nefarious activities??? They are saints? If people did a little research into these things, you'd be shocked at what you would find. Jay Z being a simpleton drug dealer wouldn't compare to someone who funded and supported the movement of drugs into this country.

Rocawear doesn't' represent black culture. They haven't perverted/destroyed anything unless of course you have no understanding of what black culture (a bad term, but I''ll use it since it was already used here) really is about. There are few, if any entertainers at all, black or white who put themselves in a positive context. What's the point in singling out black rappers?

KJ, I understand your point but your delivery was raw and poorly executed. While many viewed Stylegurrl's comments as fairly innocuous, I have to say that reading it brought up some of the same feelings I think you tried to convey. I dont' see white posters defending themselves when it comes to tacky white clothing/entertainers. Why? Because it's assumed and rightfully understood that those people don't represent them or their culture. Why the rush for a black women to say noooo..I'm not that kinda black girl.... Then you have white people run in and applaud the *acceptable black girl* say OMG, you are the kind of black person I like!!!

The fact of the matter is that the many of consumers who purchase rap music, and yes, hip hop clothing are white suburban kids. This number is growing everyday. So what stereotypes, if any, are they purporting?

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Since you put color into culture maybe you'd explain to me who represents black (or white for that matter) culture in your opinion?

 

[Spike413]

No offense, but what's so special about those? You could get a pair of jeans from a jeans company for the same price and better quality.

 

[*Ecko_Angel*]

Originally posted by Spike413@Aug 18 2004, 04:02 PM
No offense, but what's so special about those? You could get a pair of jeans from a jeans company for the same price and better quality.

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I was trying to prove a point.

[Is that James Dean as your avatar?]

 

[purplelucrezia]

Originally posted by HeyYaBaby@Aug 18 2004, 10:22 PM
[Is that James Dean as your avatar?]

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That's him. So... I should only be allowed to buy clothing from a designer of my ethnic background?

 

[faust]

Originally posted by purplelucrezia@Aug 18 2004, 10:48 PM
That's him. So... I should only be allowed to buy clothing from a designer of my ethnic background?

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Yes, it's DSquared for you from now on.

Theory, I didn't mean to jump down your throat, but I would like you to elaborate a bit. Although, maybe not, this discussion can go on forever.

 

[étoiledunord]

What do hip-hop clothes have to do with blacks ? Absolutely nothing !! Everyone is free to dress as they wish. That is their own business, not mine or anyone elses.

Just cause I'm Finnish doesn't mean I have to walk around in a Santa Claus costume now does it ?

Why are blacks in America even called Afro-Americans ?!?! They are Americans just like all other Americans. Whites aren't called Euro-Americans now r they ?