I need some help Afro Nation

[Proudbrothaman]

I have a paper due on this topic:

describe how the clothing an individual selects does/does not become an indication of personal worth.

I have a ton of thoughts on this subject but I would like to get a feel for how others view this topic. If you ladies and gentlemen would be so kind as to give me an honest opinion on this matter I would greatly appreciate it.

[JABOOM]

Well it all depends....

Is the topic based on fact and documented evidence or just opinion?

[ChocolateGurl]

Well there are a bunch of stereotypes against people who wear clothing that hangs off of them. Just like people automatically have stereotypes against black people just because we are black. I personally think a people should get to know eachother before judging people on what they wear. I have a professor who is white with a beard and short cut hair and teaches Sociology. When people first saw him, they thought he was a black man (yes they thought he was black...maybe because he looked rough), he wears baggy shirts, jeans, and tennis. He asked the class "what was your first impression of me?" The class responded they thought he was a student, sold drugs, had an arm full of tats, been to prison, apart of a gang, and more all because of the way he was dressed. In actuality, my professor is getting his PHD soon.

When it comes to how us women dress, men (not all) tend to think if we dress like the girls in the Hip Hop videos (I personally don't dress like that) we are sluts or sex hungry. Or think the girl is a prostitues or something.

I hope more people respond to your thread because I'm interested to hear what others have to say as well.

[Corals]

Originally Posted by Proudbrothaman

I have a paper due on this topic:

describe how the clothing an individual selects does/does not become an indication of personal worth.

I have a ton of thoughts on this subject but I would like to get a feel for how others view this topic. If you ladies and gentlemen would be so kind as to give me an honest opinion on this matter I would greatly appreciate it.

I did this topic back in college years ago.

From the clothes we wear, we communicate to others things about ourselves and our lifestyle, whether consciously or unconsciously in the areas of gender, status, age, occupation and sexuality.

Four excellent books to read are:

Laurie A., (1993) The language of Clothes, Bloomsbury Publications.

Veblen T., (1986) The Theory of the Leisure Class, Dover Books

Barnard M., (1996) Fashion As Communication, Routledge.

Davis F., (1992) Fashion, Culture and Identity, University of Chicago Press

[DBlack]

I love it when people ask the opinions of others before they give their own....[sarcasam].

That would depend on where one's priorities are in life. If clothes are a high priority, over other things then I can see where a person would put a lot of stock in what they wear. For me, I'm more concerned with my physical composition than clothes. I hate feeling out of shape and overweight; no quality of clothing will change that. I understand that many of us put a huge amount of value in clothing. Not my money and I respect the fact that others have a strong affinity for clothing.

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by DBlack

I love it when people ask the opinions of others before they give their own....[sarcasam].

Preach, I hear that Brotha D.

[Samoon]

Originally Posted by DBlack

I love it when people ask the opinions of others before they give their own....[sarcasam].

That would depend on where one's priorities are in life. If clothes are a high priority, over other things then I can see where a person would put a lot of stock in what they wear. For me, I'm more concerned with my physical composition than clothes. I hate feeling out of shape and overweight; no quality of clothing will change that. I understand that many of us put a huge amount of value in clothing. Not my money and I respect the fact that others have a strong affinity for clothing.

You know what, Black? There is some basis of truth to what you are stating. For example, I recal reading a quote by Congresswoman Maxine Waters that her mother told her to, "always buy quality clothing, especiall your shoes for that is the the first thing that "they" (WTF?) will be looking at." And yep, Maxine is known for dressing upscale.

Moving on, one of the things about our people that I find disconcerting is that a LOT of us want to "visually" show others our "net worth" if you follow me. For example, my dad has garnered wealth. However, looking at him? Unless it is a formal gathering, etc? He "dresses down." Countless times he was VIEWED as "Joe Blow" because he did not "dress up" or adhere to someone else's standard. And my dad would only laugh--he finds it amusing because he tells me to "always keep 'em guessing." And I find that he is right.

From our zip codes to area codes to the type of vehicle that we drive, we ARE judged. Based on blind ignorance about individuality and character, sadly this is a fact of life, thus there are many people that set the tone and dictum of this mind-set in "judging" others. Another great example, I recall as a teen to pre-teen when "french braids" became popular again and then morphed into "individual braids" and so forth. Now? Everybody and their mama has cornered the market on hair-braiding." Many of our people dress in Afro-centric attire--yet are still judged as "menacing" or rejecting "mainstream" idealisms and THEIR "culture." Odd that there are many other cultures in this country in addition to OUR culture, yet these other cultures are not disparaged, viewed or judged in the same manner that OUR culture has been.

Same thing for RAP---rap WAS seen as a "menace to society," as "black" music and yep, as black people we were "judged" for it. But what you have to understand is that rap was either putting one's thoughts or experiences out there to share or, "a converation in the 'hood between two people or more, so to speak". Post it's early stages, when it became known that there was a profit-turn in rap and "their kids" were listening to rap, THEN the industry seriously began to look at Rap. And, years ago? The category of Rap would never have been entered as a contender at the "American" Music Awards. Go figure.

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by Samoon

Congresswoman Maxine Waters that her mother told her to, "always buy quality clothing, especially your shoes for that is the the first thing that "they" (WTF?) will be looking at." And yep, Maxine is known for dressing upscale.:

Let's keep it real for a moment. Of course, my sista it's common sense for an individual to customize their dress pattern according to their profession. Afterall, Sista Maxine is a Congresswoman. And since her working atmosphere is primarily conservative attire from head to toe then, she has to dress the part. Be down or be square and hang if you can hang.

Furthermore, Sista Maxine definitely has a point about buying good quality shoes. Because,if a sista don't treat herself to some good shoes, she'll definitely end up with some hammer toes, corns, and bunions.

[ChocolateGurl]

Originally Posted by MadameX

Furthermore, Sista Maxine definitely has a point about buying good quality shoes. Because,if a sista don't treat herself to some good shoes, she'll definitely end up with some hammer toes, corns, and bunions.[/b]

That's the truth haha

[Curious1]

Yes..clothing can be a reflection of a person's character...First Impressions can sometimes cripple one's chances and opportunities...often unbeknownst to them...they may never know...

People do judge on dress and then seal their opinion after they see the way the person "talks"...and then behaves...

I;d list examples of "dress" that is usually perceived as "bad" first impression..vs good..but not sure if you're fishin' for examples or like Miss Coral listed ..references and actual studies on this topic...

Uh..some easy examples just to tease your thirst...

Teen Black boys who wear long t-shorts and low baggy-saggy jeans practically down to their knees...job hunting...

In some places...any Black who dons Dreadlocs and seeking a corporate job position...

Tattoos on people but especially women..and her wearing short sleeve shirts, skirts..and people can see tats from limb to limb ..names of all their kids, ex lovers, cute animal pics to asian letters and phrases..seeking corporate,upscale high exposure America jobs....(believe it or not in today's open minded world..lol..)

Mini skirts, high heels, cleavage showing....and is the teacher of your students...(yet she says she is a devout Christian believer)

Lil girl kids wearing applebottom jeans .........and little girl "thongs".....