A Piece of the Pie
A slice of the American dream seems so tantalizing. Cars, homes, and trips around the world sound like a lifestyle fit for royalty. Misguided ambition has led many in the black community down the pit of materialism. Raised in a capitalist economy, the desire for wealth has encouraged a rather undisciplined nature amongst poor communities.
The black community has had an intimate relationship with poverty in the land of opportunity over the last few centuries. From the forced back-breaking labor of slavery to the compulsory labor of poverty. While there have been pockets of cultural progression, it has become typical to grow impoverished in black communities. The young people of born into these circumstances find themselves at a disadvantage more often than not.
The identity of the black culture has found itself firmly wrapped in the ideology of materialism. How much does something cost, who made it? Quality is certainly nothing to dismiss when purchasing products with your hard-earned money. However, in the late 20th century there has been a boom to buy items that display a certain status. The objective for many of these purchases is to avoid the image of poverty.
In the land of opportunity, one must recognize the liberties we take in the pursuit of happiness. The abundance of materials and trendy acquisitions lead to upset bank balances. Corporate structures and local craze build cages around the financially challenged communities. These choices to have the hottest and latest continue to exhaust finances from the black community.
Overcoming Convenience
The shopping experience has evolved to allow shoppers to make purchases in their pajamas. The money you worked hard to obtain, can disappear in an instant. Monetary value once carried much regard in the black experience. From hand-me-downs to only purchasing items that fit into a budget, financial responsibility was vital to the survival of the black community. As the economic growth of America has continued the regard for financial discipline has waned.
The existence of financially responsible people is becoming as rare as landline telephones. The idea of looking poor far outweighs the fear of living poor. Many are choosing to dress up their hardship with golden jewels and other shiny objects. The stability of being a hardworking individual has been erased, and now you have to look like an entrepreneur or a boss.
The shame of brandless clothing causes anxiety for many in the black community. Parents destroy their mental and physical health to keep their children dressed in the latest fashion. Facilitating a distorted sense of self from the emotional satisfaction of trendy purchases has become commonplace. Some are even willing to go as far as being disrespected to receive high end gifts.
The result of these new conveniences we enjoy today has given rise to a more entitled and ungrateful culture. Children are committing violent acts against their parents when they interfere with their desire for material items. Parents are abandoning their children to pursue lofty goals of materialism. While it is true that America has provided more economic opportunity, it has also created the space for financial dysfunction to develop as well (especially in the black community).
Standing in Quicksand
With each passing generation, the attraction to materials dilutes any sense of ethics. Children become more entitled, expecting their experience to meet impractical standards. The black experience has been saturated with material lust. Many black families at or below the poverty line consistently chase appearances with the purchasing of brand-name items. Spending hundreds of dollars on stylish clothing for newborns that will last only a few months at most.
Lacking financial discipline has trickled down through the generations, selling your future stability for present trends. The education needed to establish strong financial principles is often overlooked. Many would rather find a get-rich-quick scheme or hope the lottery will be their retirement plan. There is much damage being done to the collective mindset of the black culture.
Relationships are highly influenced based solely on one’s purchasing capacity, and not their earning potential. The ability to buy things now is more important than the possibilities of a life built with financial self-restraint. Disillusioned, many young people are willing to die for the latest fashion. The black culture uniquely has influenced much of pop culture around the world, simultaneously unable to generate real financial power.
Entrepreneurship and other ideals of financial freedom are beginning to flourish. the overwhelming appeal of keeping up with the jones keeps most stagnant.
How long can this reckless form of consumerism continue before swallowing the black culture whole?
