Random Thoughts: Sneaker Culture & Shoe Racism

I love all things hip-hop. I love watching rap-battles, and b-boys breakin' n poppin' it off on youtube. I love the diversity that hip-hop music brings and the fact that it's able to break so many cultural boundries in the search for the next hot beat. Two weekends ago, I was able to be part one of it's sub-cultures that surrounds customized sneakers or in sneaker-head (a shoe lover) terms, "kicks".

My buddy James was in a finals for the nation's best shoe customizer and he was the regional representative for Los Angeles. That alone to me was just incredible but to be going head to head with the nation's finest just makes your appreciate your friends and what they have and are accomplishing that much more. In any case, the competition was being run throughout the day and finally at night... the party (along with the ridicule) began.

Being just an outside spectator, I quickly realized that I didn't belong at this party. Yes, there were people of all ages, races and quality of life however they all had one thing in common. Nice ass shoes. Guess who didn't belong?

The night quickly turned sour as people would throw me dirty looks as I was walking through the party. Actually, it was more like they would first look at me, smile and then look down at my plain white, torn and tattered shoes and they all just shook their heads. Each mini trial was completed as they looked up and visually pummeled me with their looks of disdain and disapproval. It was as if my presence was bringing down the quality of their event. Step and repeat.

There were a few other outcasts just like myself at the party and we all found ourselves in the darkest corner all huddled together like the lepers that we were. No words were said... just envious stares at the shoes others were wearing. It was a total David Copperfield moment.

OK... so in all honesty, it wasn't that bad. But I do have to admit, I did feel like I showed up with no pants (or in this case, no shoes) to the party. It was a killer time but next year when this rolls around, I'll be sporting a pair of James See Specials and then I shall be able to throw looks of disdain and disapproval behind my wanna-be shoe lover facade.

Here are some of the hot kicks that were at the competition and some pics from the event. Oh and don't forget, if you don't have a pair hot kicks to sport at least keep what you have clean. ~Peace.