One of the first signs of freedom we get from our parents when we hit adolescence was what we could wear to school. I can remember growing up, looking at High School sophomores dressing up in the latest fashions and style. I remember in elementary school, when kids would be wearing Jimmy Z and Billabong and Quiksilver, along with all those Guess Who? sweaters and French Toast jackets.
[I also recall the Hello Kitty pencil boxes and Lisa Frank stationary, but then I would be digressing.]
I knew then, as I knew now, that what you wore defined how you'd be seen. A book can't be judged by its cover, but it feels real good when you don't have to work so hard to find geometric proofs in a copy of War and Peace when you got another book that says GEOMETRY for Dummies.
I got by for the most part. Mom took care of my shopping needs, finding great deals at the $5 t-shirt store or TJ Maxx. And I was lucky enough to avoid the judgments of the Fashion Police.
[Thank goodness the Flag of the World T-Shirt I wore in 7th grade was still cool. It certainly got me attention from girls who wanted to get a better look at Djibouti, so they'd poke my ribs when they found it. ]
[Ok, I made up that last sentence. ]
There's nothing I like more than being able to look good to some degree. At least when it counts. Class doesn't count, by the way, especially when you're in college and nobody really cares that much when its an 8 am.
I like having the opportunity to put on a shirt and tie after a hot shower and a good shave. I feel powerful, I feel comfortable in my own skin, let alone the blue dress shirt and the black tie. Something clean, something plain, and best of all, something I can wear when I'm 50 without repercussion from the young ones.
I'm sorry Allen Iverson, but I think your opinion's stupid. You're free to make one because you're an American, and you're free to have it shown on TV because you're a rich professional athlete. Heck, all the kids that look up to you will follow it because you're one of the best athletes too.
But at least in this mind, out of this mouth, placed onto these hands that write, your complaints about the NBA's dress code imply so much more. That you don't care about what people think about you is admirable, but that you don't understand one more thing negates all that rightfully make you admired by the gym rats of the world.
You think being comfortable means dressing up like a thug? Fine. Well, the NBA thinks that the best way of inspiring its fans to go to their games and perhaps fixing up its negative image (which, mind you, you were a contributor to because of what you wear) is by having a dress code. Just on the plane. Just when you leave an arena. Not when you're with your family, not when you're out on the town, not when the NBA season's out of season. Get a grip.
Better yet, if you really wanted to show off your influence as a loud, possibly meaningful voice, I'd try to go out onto the streets and make a full attempt at disproving what the majority of America thinks is dangerous and reprehensible. If you didn't kick your wife out of your house naked after an argument, or tried releasing an album filled with profanity and other negative references, you might a decent chance in succeeding.
For Shame.
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2 comments:
Bravo. I love this post.
I've been commented on sometimes for the things I wear - people wonder if I'm trying to show off. Honestly, I have almost no designer or even lower scale designer clothes. Only coats, which, if you're going to have to spend that much money because only that type of material keeps you warm enough in cold weather, you might as well go for better quality.
I digress. The point is that it's not just about "what others think." It's about how you present yourself, and being respectable. I love being comfortable, but I also love my clothes to reflect my self-image, and I don't think it's a crime for me to see myself and want others to see me as respectable and sophisticated. It doesn't mean wearing a business suit every day, but it does mean that people who see that I take care of myself and how I look will also care about me and how I look. That's the bottom line; somebody who doesn't really care about his image has no right to complain about others "not getting it" or not caring about his image. If he doesn't care, others can make whatever assumptions they want; that's the right he surrendered.
I've learned that recently. The second he put yourself a little further into the public's view, his life was no longer fully his own. He gave himself that responsibility, and the fact that he makes such a fuss about it shows that he knows he's being watched. That gives him no excuse. He's allowed mistakes for being human, but what does he really gain by insisting on something that supports a stereotype? I've found this in my leadership position too. I struggle, and I'm honest about my struggles to my brothers and sisters so that they can see me as approachable and not up on a pedestal in my own Christian bubble. That chases many people away. But I'm also hyper and childlike at times; I've been a bit down lately because I feel like I can't even do that among friends anymore, but in the fellowship, it's an easy sacrifice that I'm glad to make because I'd rather be approachable and available to talk to those who really need to talk to someone. That they would trust me and find me dependable is more important to me than a few giddy laughs and some silliness. I don't want to just be the loud and silly girl that people only come to for a few laughs but can't connect with.
Yeah, we're not supposed to judge, but when people know who's watching, they can't feign ignorance and continue with an inappropriate behaviour simply to insist on their rights. Then, it's no longer a matter of "this is who I am" and "who are you to judge"; it becomes defiance, and it's oh-so-superficial.
God bless, hugs and kisses.
Lots of Love,
><> Elizabeth <><
I don't understand your comment about finding geometric proofs in War and Peace. Are you saying you like it better when an intelligent guy wears a plaid shirt and horn rimmed glasses so you know he's a nerd? Or are you speaking about yourself? Of the times when you dress in a way where people can tell who you are without even talking to you? Are you saying that it is better when a person's clothing style matches their personality?
But if you are, then either way, how shallow is that? To want a world where you do not have to judge based on inner qualities but instead judge based on superficialities...
Still though, are any of our choices really our own? We dress up for the ladies and to keep our job, no?
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