American Youth & Identity Crisis

[MARV]

There are these two guys at my gym that are completely inseperable. This in and of itself is, of course, completely harmless. And would'nt even be noticable were they not two of the most attention seeking people I have ever seen. Totally white guys but all tatooed up with clothes hanging off them and the most faux hip hop language you've ever heard. Very loud conversations about "dope" sneakers, multiple thick gold chains, "bitches".....Picture the absolute quintissential thug/rap/gangster - that's these two kids. But they're white! I guess you'll have some of these types of white boys in the inner city. But on Long Island's upscale and affluent North Shore? The absurdity of their appearance is beyond description.

<a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/cetaceans/index.cfm">I dig whales.</a>

[marie3]

You are becoming your parents Marv.[;)]

Just because people come from an affluent area, doesn't mean they were raised in a loving family that taught them how to behave in public. How old are these guys?

[MARV]

I'd say they're nineteen, twenty or so. It's just so funny, because they stick out *so much*! Nobody talks like that or dresses like that around here. They're over doing the thug life so much that they just look like clowns. If they were my kids, I'd be so embarassed.

<a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/cetaceans/index.cfm">I dig whales.</a>

[SwampThing]

Jamie Kennedy's movie "Malibu's Most Wanted" isn't that far of the mark. I've seen kids in an upscale neighborhood next to mine wearing baby-blue teary-cloth sweat suits with matching kangol hats, addidas sneakers with the shoe laces untied, and yes they drive black or white Cadillac Escalades or Hummers with the rims and bumbin' system.

Edit: The media and fashion industry take part of the blame. Hip-hop/Ganster would have remained an undeground "scene" if corporations never latched on and created a mass marketing campaign aimed at todays youth. Marv, your part of the fashion industry, they did it with grunge in the early 90's and they've been doing it with hip-hop for the good part of 10 years now. What's your take on it?

[WolverineSyr]

Pay a visit to Syracuse, you can't get away from them. Lord & Taylor must be doing a bang-up business on powder blue velour sweatsuits....

[MARV]

I just hate people who don't act like themselves. And for God's sake, If you're going to try and be something else, can you not pick out a better role model? [xx(]

I know, "hate" is a strong word. But I practiacally never use it and in this case, I'm ok with it.

<a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/cetaceans/index.cfm">I dig whales.</a>

[SwampThing]

[quote]powder blue velour sweatsuits[/quote] Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about!!! Where can you buy those, I'd love to wear one for a joke somtetime. Show up at a family gathering or party wearing one of those would be hilarious!!!!

[WolverineSyr]

[quote][i]Originally posted by SwampThing[/i]
<br>[quote]powder blue velour sweatsuits[/quote] Yes, those are the ones I'm talking about!!! Where can you buy those, I'd love to wear one for a joke somtetime. Show up at a family gathering or party wearing one of those would be hilarious!!!!
[/quote]

I'm assuming that any upscale department store, or a place like Dicks Sporting Goods would have them - it seems like the affluent kids are the ones more likely to wear them around here.

I always laugh at the shorts with the matching shirt in bizarre patterns. They look like they're going to the Clown try-outs.

[Bitter Almonds]

[quote]Originally posted by marvymarv
[br]There are these two guys at my gym that are completely inseperable. This in and of itself is, of course, completely harmless. And would'nt even be noticable were they not two of the most attention seeking people I have ever seen. Totally white guys but all tatooed up with clothes hanging off them and the most faux hip hop language you've ever heard. Very loud conversations about "dope" sneakers, multiple thick gold chains, "bitches".....Picture the absolute quintissential thug/rap/gangster - that's these two kids. But they're white! I guess you'll have some of these types of white boys in the inner city. But on Long Island's upscale and affluent North Shore? The absurdity of their appearance is beyond description.

<a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/cetaceans/index.cfm">I dig whales.</a>
[/quote]

At the university, you will see this same phenomenon with Caucasian, Asian(!!!), Persian (they're Caucasian too), and Chicanos... even though there's hardly any black students!

[coop41]

Oh this is a universal issue that I laugh at all the time, regardless if they are trying to be Eminem or hardcore goth or punk rock, whatever.

Check out MC Lars recent song "Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rock"...it's basically the same thing and is so dead on...

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[tiger_mn]

Makes me wish I was Vanilla Ice Ice baby. Poor rich kid from affluent suburbs misappropriating culture.

[SwampThing]

[quote]Oh this is a universal issue that I laugh at all the time, regardless if they are trying to be Eminem or hardcore goth or punk rock, whatever.
[/quote] LOL! Yes such idol worship cracks me up. They think they're expressing individuality, yet they've copied their whole look and attitude from someone else. Usually (hopefully) kids grow out of this.

[UniversalRadio]

Can't help but wonder--if there were message boards 20 years ago, and this thread was started--what would "they" be saying about us?[:D]

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[Bitter Almonds]

It was different back then. Kids [i]really[/i] cared about being individuals instead of following the flock... unless, of course, you liked A Flock Of Seagulls[}:)]

[WolverineSyr]

I was thinking the same thing today Univ/Radio. Is it different than some of us, who may have had privileged lives, doing the whole punk thing?

I don't really know - I know I gravitated towards that scene because (I think) I belived in it. It didn't seem to be particularly about social status or money - but ethics and ideals. I wasn't trying to be someone I wasn't (i.e. a gangster, pimp, etc.)