Because some of us have to show others we can. But not all of us feel that way. Erik Hurst and Kerwin Charles at the UNiversity of Chicago did a study on why and found some surprising conclusions.
Their study, based on 2005 salaries, shows that a single black man having a mean income of $30,600 spends about 11.9% of expenditures on visible goods. The average white guy with the same mean income spends about 10.7% of his expenditures on visible goods. The single white female with mean income of $25,500 spends 11.8% of expenditures on visible goods. And the Black queen, having a $25,500 mean income, spends 14.8% of expenditures on visible goods. You know black women gotsta look good.
The State Of . . . bling bling. So if I live with my rich peers, I will spend less money? Not so fast my friend. This study is on visible goods and doesn’t necessarily include vacations, homes, health care. The study was on visible goods–those things you see when you are walking down the street. Thoughts?
“Just to be like ‘nigga you ain’t up on dis!’”
Interesting! I think you are on to something. Wealthy people probably put their resources in things which are more valuable but less visible.
I got rims on my car. Why? I like the way it looks…
Why do I like the way it looks? Personal choice and b/c I’ve been conditioned to…
I broke away from alot of the ‘conditioning’ but I think we all have a certain amount of it in us.. if we’ver ever had it.
The difference is that we’re thinking chains and sneakers when we think about ‘bling’ and visible goods.. but the % is so close that it doesn’t mean much to me anyway.
But no more spending for me… I’m saving for a trip to Africa.. so can come back and tell folks how much blacker I am than they.
“How you claiming you black and you aint even been HOME?”
Hope yall have a great weekend.
From Wikipedia -
The term conspicuous consumption was introduced by Norwegian American economist and sociologist Thorstein Veblen in his 1899 book The Theory of the Leisure Class. Veblen used the term to depict the behavioral characteristic of the nouveau riche, a class emerging in the 19th century as a result of the accumulation of wealth during the Second Industrial Revolution. In this context, the application of the term should be narrowed to the elements of the upper class who use their enormous wealth to manifest social power, whether real or perceived.
With significant improvement of living standards and the emergence of the middle class in the 20th century, the term conspicuous consumption is now broadly applied to individuals and households with expendable incomes whose consumption patterns are prompted by the utility of goods to show their status rather than any intrinsic utility of such goods. In the 1920s, economists such as Paul Nystrom theorized that lifestyle changes brought on by the industrial age were inducing a “philosophy of futility” in the masses, which would increase fashionable consumption. Thus, the concept of conspicuous consumption has been discussed in the context of addictive or narcissistic behaviors induced by consumerism, the desire for immediate gratification, and hedonic expectations.
In recent years, conspicuous consumption is viewed as a contributing factor to behavioral disorders such as compulsive spending and is a major contributor to personal bankruptcies resulting from abuse and mismanagement of credit.
Cuz it looks good. Black folk like stuff that looks good. Personally, I think its genetic. We’ve been fly in one form or another for centuries now.
RJ,
That’s that’s glamorized version. Alot of brothers and sisters ain’t got a shread of confidence, so they use clothes and rim and cars to compensate.
That may be true, but do we always have to “diss” ourselves and automatically embrace thinking that suggests we have some sort of pathology. Sure some folk, not just Black folk, compensate with material things. But, hell, a whole lot of us just like to look good.
Cuz Stylin on you is what I do!
Everybody is correct. I don’t believe there is a black and white. All or nothing.
I think Big J makes a fair point about some people overcompensating for something lacking (self esteem).
But my girl RJ is right too. Some of us are just fly. Why buy the Hugo Boss suit, when the Alfani looks just like it. No one will be checking your labels. Why is Hugo Boss even in business? Some of us are just fly.
My personal experiences are this. Big Wayne has always been a flyguy….even when his chips weren’t as stable. In his youth Big Wayne overspent on the latest shoes, clothes, jewelry, etc. like many young people do. (flossin) I now realize I was doing this as an outward expression to show that I could…even when I barely could…insecurity. (I never spent rent or bill money on material things. I was at least that responsible) As I grow older and my priorities change, I have found myself to be a cheap, frugal mf’er.
I don’t pay retail for SHIT! And never will again. I still buy nice things, but on Sale. If it ain’t on sale (like 50% off) I ain’t buyin it. I got mortgages to pay. I drive a decent car, and that’s because in my line of work, if you don’t, then it is an indication that you aren’t doing well. If you aren’t doing well, then you must not be good at what you do. If you’re not good at what you do, why would I do business with you. It sounds wild, but it is very true. Nowadays I get satisfaction by paying off debt. Getting that text monthly message which says “Your fico has increased by +15 pts.
As we grow older (scratch that) As we attain personal security in who we are and where we are going, the need for outward expressions subsides.
Yeah,
I will polish my shine. But, I rarely bling.
Meaning: I have no need for a diamond earing. I have no need for aftermarket chrome rims…Hell I don’t even have a new car. I certainly don’t have a mouth full of gold teeth.
Bottomline: I look good for the occasions that I anticipate that I will be in. For example, I do have custom made dress shirts (TSO Fam, Check out http://www.drobe.com) and I do like to sign contracts with my Mont Blanc.
Point is how you bling is what is important. If it helps you in your career and money making, It’s allright with me. If you want to bling just to scoop young chickenheads….well??
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to look fly. One of my girls, who is hands down the most fly of any women, buys clothes at Target and makes it look fly. Because when you’re hot, you make your jeans looks good. Not the other way around. Because when you’re hot, you make that suit look good. Not the other way around.
If you don’t believe me, check out the ridiculously ugly and absurd outfits they put on super models every years at fashion show in Milan.
And just like Big Wayne said, don’t buy retail. An Israeli friend of mine once told me, “Dina, the difference between us Semites and the rest of the world is that we don’t pay retail. It’s not in our blood.” He is right. In some cultures (definitely in mine), it’s the highest sign of stupidity and getting scammed if you buy retail. You’d be embarassed to buy anything if you couldn’t explain how you got the best deal for it.
It’s fine to want to look good, but don’t be a sucker!
Fiscal responsibility, living within one’s means and self esteem are all excellent qualities, that I dont discount.
My point was simply a challenge to thinking that seems to automatically embrace, without critical thought, that “there’s something wrong with us” as a people. Another meme, if you will.
This lesson I took from DV.
I believe that we as Black folk would be far better served if we took away other folks right to characterize the shit that we do as “bad.” Lets do us on our terms, not theirs!
Cookie stands and applauds the revolutionary brilliance that is RJ. Whoop Whoop!
Big J is fly in suits and when he’s kicking it in certain circumstances. I am never outlandish with my ish. I am a Brooks Brothers type of man - polished and classy. Never undignified. The only thing I may splurge on one day is a nice watch.
Big Wayne rolls around in high tops and a dirty ass tank top.
Thanks Cookie.
I believe Prince said it best…U can’t buy style…
” Big Wayne rolls around in high tops and a dirty ass tank top.” - Big J
LOL. I like your style. Bomb first.
Aight TSO, check this out. Big J irons the Ralph Lauren Polo man onto his $9 JC Penney specials…thinkin he’s foolin somebody! And PLEASE Let’s not act like Big Wayne didn’t pry you away from the Optimum Home S-curl Kit and stone washed levis (which you still rock on occasion) .
C’mon Big J. Be real. You know Big Wayne is the most dapper brother you know. Casual or suited. His wardrobe is ill.
I don’t bling. What for? I’ve got nothing to prove to anybody.