Ok, now before I get stones thrown at me I am a black female, but this is something that has been bothering me for some time. How come everytime I go through a lower class black neighborhood and people are living in houses that are literally falling apart, they have all these nice huge SUV's, and other more expensive type veichles parked out front? Shouldn't you worry about fixing your house before you go and buy that $50000 dollar SUV?
2006-11-02 04:52:22 · 15 answers · asked by Monique W 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I shouldn't say just black people, because yes I'm sure all races do. But I live in a predominatly black area, and you would not believe how often I see this. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having nice things, but people should get their priorities straight.
2006-11-02 05:24:10 · update #1
I guess its all about what you find more important. I live around some people who have really nice houses and crappy cars. Or they have old beat homes eith nice cars. It doesnt have anything to do with race. All races do it.
Now i guess i can see what you mean after thinking about it. The hip hop culture is all about showing off everything you have. Expensive clothes, cars, houses, etc. But i guess i can agree with you, i mean just because you can afford a 5000 dollar necklace and a 5000 dollar grill, doesnt mean you need it. That is a little wastefull to me, but who am i to judge...I mean you dont NEED spinners on your navigator, or Sean John sewed into eveything piece of clothing you own...but yep i think thats more of the hip hop nfulece which not just black ppl imitate. Its more of generational thing. For example my granddad and brother have cadilacs. My granddads is basically stock. My brothers is lowered, has spinners, speakers in the back, and he wants to put tvs in it. Get the picture? lol its crazy...
peace and love- chai
2006-11-02 05:13:37 · answer #1 · answered by chai 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One black entertainer on TV was asked why he had so much jewelry. His answer was that he was a black guy with a lot of bucks, what do you expect ?
Another said the reason he dresses up in the very best, and drives a big rich car is because when he's away from his slums nobody can tell just how poor he really is.
In other words, some believe the image that you project is more important than the reality of life.
2006-11-02 05:04:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is just how it is. It is not just race but gender... Being a male I have zero interest in a diamond ring. I would only care abouts is worth to see what I should sell it for & get something cool.
Why do white people have boats & 35 foots campers in their driveways that cost more then the houses they are parked at?
Why do people have pictures of famous people on their wall (like actors, musicians, sports figures) when that famous person sure as hell dont have your picture on their wall?
I would agree with your statment as I live in a mixed area & see many with cars worth more then there homes, but as stated above other people do it to. So how they spend their money is not wrong, just different.
2006-11-02 05:08:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think your absolutely right monique! because i'm white people think i'm racist when i say the same thing, but i also live in a predominately black area and it seems like they don't care about there way of living, i see them with brand new $150.00 sneakers, gold jewelry, talking on a cell phone but there walking down the street because they don't have cars, section A is right across the street from our mall and the mall has a hard time with all the stealing they do, i think its because they want high class stuff but don't want to work for it, i know not all black people are like this but the ones who are really make a bad name for the rest
2006-11-02 05:48:49 · answer #4 · answered by AFwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come on Mo, you have to word your questions better. AMERICANS are guilty of foolish spending. We are a nation of CONSUMERS which is why our personal debt to income levels are so high. It isn't among races.....it is a NATIONAL problem.
This is the nation we live in. It is a cycle. They research and advertise to certain markets.........and just like the good sheep that we ALL (Americans) are.....we follow.
As far as what you see in your neighborhood, it's all a matter of education. Not to say that they are ignorant in general, but they are ignorant to what is over all better, and more beneficial. They are ignorant about finances. Odds are when you don't have much of it, you don't KNOW much about how to keep it, grow it, or make wise purchases with the money you get.
But in this media driven world.......there is bling-bling on every channel, and luxurious lifestyles celebrated, and in REALITY the socioeconomic gap is getting LARGER between the have's versus the have not's. So........they just want their little peice of that dream. Though foolish......they just need to be taught. They need to know about investing, retirement plans, mutual funds, stocks, CDs, and things of that nature. They need to learn what purchases appreciate in value versus depreciates.
Instead of being disgusted......why don't you try to teach them. Each one teach one, each one reach one. If not that, then atleast start within your own family, and let it spead outwardly.
2006-11-02 05:47:20 · answer #5 · answered by lilac b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not just blacks that do it, believe me. I chose to drive an older car so i can buy my condominium and have my kid in a nice school and nice neighborhood. I would rather have a nice comfortable and well decorated home anyday.They are putting on a FRONT.
2006-11-02 05:12:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
haha yeah i hear you. I went to a private school and a lot of black folks lived in shacks but had mercedes and escalades. But its not just black people there are people in every race that just have their priorities all messed up.
2006-11-02 06:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by incubabe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that when we get money we spend on things that we do not need because we are "trying to keep up with the Jones ". We are materialistic because we think that is what defines as rich and we need to get that. Unfortunately, you end up losing everything because you could not afford in the first place.
2006-11-02 05:00:46 · answer #8 · answered by danicolegirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I once heard an explanation for this from a black man. His logic on spending more money on his car than his house was that he could live in his car but couldn't drive his house.
2006-11-02 04:55:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
happens in other races too. I know people who have 2 computers,2 cars.& spend a lot of money on unnecessarys,but have there phone,or gas etc, shut off in there home!!! Bad management of income.
2006-11-02 05:00:32 · answer #10 · answered by Tired Old Man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋