LOL I remember back last year in Spring Oaks Middle we had a uniform of Khaki pants and white polo shirt. That sure sucked. Now I've moved on up to Spring Woods High so I can basically wear whatever I want except for little gang related color beads colored in the following combos: Black & White Red & Blue Black & Blue Black & Red I think that's all. BTW, our basketball team enforces the strictest code in the district. No jewelry, hats, rings, headbands, elbow bands, wristbands, knee bands, chains, or those arm sleeves that Allen Iverson wears. He (Head Varsity Coach) wants us to be dressed the same (our warmup shirts that say "Spring Woods High Basketball" and our shorts") because he thinks we look more professional. I agree with him on that one, because whenever Ike or Nimitz rolls into the gym (or heck any other team besides ours for that matter) they're all outfitted in jeans, t-shirts, headbands, necklaces, etc.. He also thinks we should pull up our shorts. He says we shouldn't try to be thugs like allen Iverson but instead stay fresh and clean like Stevie Franchise. Oh yeah, the other day one dude on NorthBrook high's team got told by the ref in the middle of the game to pull his shorts up or else he'd be sittin on the bench the rest of the game.....I have no idea what that had to do with the original topic but, hey whatever works and gets you a free post. ------------------ Charles Barkley on TBS on the "fat track" poll: "What? 47% said I'd gain more.....why those.....they better be glad this is a family show."
Let me enlighten you Rocketman. A suit is dress clothing which most consider professional attire. Bandanas, hats, and t-shirts are not dress clothing and are certainly not considered professional attire. The fact that Calvin wears strange colored suits simply means that he has strange taste, it does not change the fact that he is dressing in professional attire. ------------------ "Somebody DO something out there." -Bill Walton
Did anybody see that halftime interview with Odom, Miles, and some other dude? You'd think they could at least try to half way dress professionally and tank their gang colors for just one night. Goodness... ------------------ "Somebody DO something out there." -Bill Walton
Although I disagree with some things and I can see both sides to this, I must agree with Timing. Like it or not, people are judged by their appearance. I did not see the interview, but the way it sounds like Miles and Richardson were dressed does nothing for my arguments to a few idiot people I know that (for the most part) NBA athletes are professional, respectable people and not all of them are in gangs. When you are in the spotlight, you should take precautions that you are not perceived in a negative way. Those two did nothing to further the image of the NBA. ------------------ "Salt Lake City, Utah. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villany." --Olaju-Won Kenobi, to young jedi Steve (Fran)'chiseWalker
I don't think they should have to watch out for anything. It's not their fault that just because they wear a certain color clothing, and happen to be black people immediately assume they are in a gang. That is just ignorance, I don't have a problem with what they wore, that is just a ridiculous comment. And to use the copout "Well they have to watch what they wear, it can represent them in a negative light. . ." is something I just don't buy. Let me enlighten YOU Timing, just because you immediately think that 3 black guys wearing normal clothing are wearing their "gang colors" doesn't mean that it is right. And not wearing a suit? They were visiting a studio for 2 seconds to talk BASKETBALL, they weren't talking stock market! Sometimes I wonder about people. . . ------------------ No sleep and no trade info make RocksMillenium something, something! [This message has been edited by RocksMillenium (edited January 27, 2001).]
Why should a couple of young guys be expected to dress professionally when they're not doing anything related to their job? They were just there for a quick interview. ------------------
Boy, I hope gang members don't start wearing dress suits and other professional type clothing... how could we identify them? We'd be screwed! ------------------ "Of course, everything looks bad if you remember it!" Homer Simpson
I agree with this statement wholeheartedly. But I also think that just because they are young and black, a group which has been subject to stereotypes for many years, doesnt mean they werent fitting some stereotype or another. I just look at the facts. They were wearing all one color clothing. This either means they like that color, it was a coincidence, or its gang related. Add it to the fact that someone might have thrown up some signs at the very end of the interview, and this is obviously bad for the NBA's image. ------------------
Guys, hip-hop culture is mainstream now. Remember the days in the early 90's when there was actually a distinction between "pop" and "R&B?" That disctinction just doesn't exist any more. Hip-Hop, rap, even gangsta rap has infiltrated mainstream culture. Even cute acts with white kids like Britney Spears and N'Sync use major hip-hop elements in their music. Any of you guys live in New York or another major metropolis? See the kids walking around? The whole baggy-jeans-drawers-showing thing used to be a black-culture quasi gangsta thing. Not anymore. Hip-hop culture will always have major elements of gangsta culture, and hip-hop has been infiltrating mainstream "pop" culture for a while. My point is, gang-related wear isn't about specific gang status like it was in the early 90's. Nowdays it's just popular wear. Like it or not, this is what a lot of kids want to wear, black or white. I cannot say how satisfied I am that Allen Iverson, the public's favorite thug to hate, is a successful, hard-working player who demands respect because he makes his team win. He is determined to the point of self-sacrifice. He doesn't have to be a glowing, Michael Jordan "I've been coached in midwestern accent" interview-giving poster boy to single-handedly lead his team to domination. Tattoos, jewelry, and all. Is it possible that the fact that the Clippers Jerseys are red playing into this at all? [This message has been edited by Nolen (edited January 27, 2001).]
