Thursday Thoughts: Tell ‘Em Why You Mad, Son!

Let’s delve into something that is apparent in the sneaker culture today. Every day we get sneaker news about release dates, future releases, samples, sneaker collections, celebs rocking sneakers, etc. Whether we think the news is good or bad is always up for debate. So let’s talk about…

What other Sneaker Addicts do with their sneakers.

A few days ago, I had a little Twitter rant about the whole Fran/FTS basketball thing and burning the South Beach LBJ’s afterwards. It wasn’t really about the whole what they were doing ordeal, more to do with the responses and comments people were throwing at them.

Before we move on, let’s start with this. That was some of the worst 1 on 1 basketball I’ve ever seen. If it was a joke the way they were playing? They made me laugh, if they were trying, still, made me laugh. I rather watch episodes of One on One than watch them play another game. (Anyone remember that show? Yeah, I barely do too.)

Now onto what I’m focusing on and is this…

“really lame. that arrogant you’d just waist money like that.”

“thats some bs you could of sold me them for 5 bucks not every one can afford shoes to burn….. gimme a thumbs up!!!!!!”

“These shoes are highly sought after, why the would you cop them if you gonna f**king burn them? I don’t really care about your loss or sacrifice, you took them away from the guy who went to cop them and the cashier said sorry we’re sold out. smh, I just lost a lot respect for you guys. Ya’ll just put the whole sneakerhead community to shame, made it look like we’re all snobby little college kids with 6 digit trust funds.”

Let’s hit these points real quick. Was it pointless to burn them? Maybe so. Does it suck if you really wanted the shoe and watched them burn? Sure.

I think people have to realize though is this…At the end of the day, they’re just leather or some other material. It’s really not that serious. A lot of people viewed this video and thought to themselves, “these guys are arrogant” or “should have donated to charity.” When I viewed it, I saw it the same as my good friend Big Harry thinking “Letting folks know that it’s all just leather and rubber.”  People get WAY too uptight when someone does anything to their shoes.

Let’s reflect on this, remember when TokyoMike did the infamous shooting up of a sneaker? Bullet holes and all, sparked comments of giving to charity and being stupid INSTANTLY. The thing is though, why does it bother you? People can say all they want how Fran/FTS should have donated them to charity or sell them to someone who really wanted them but let’s be real, who are you to tell someone else what to do with their items? Am I defending Fran/FTS and TM? Guess I am.

Hear me out for a minute in case you’re thinking that I’m an idiot for believing this. To everyone who tells others “you could have donated them to charity,” is that really a valid argument? There are people all around the world who waste money on whatever they want to and for what reason is that? To do what they want with it. What did Fran/FTS and TM do when they bought their shoes? Did what they wanted with them. One thing about the charity statement is there are plenty of people who tell others they should have donated when in fact, they don’t donate to charities themselves. Sound a little hypocritical? Yes, it is.

Another point is it takes away from fellow sneakerheads. What about the guy/gal who buys extra pairs to “put on ice?” Does he/she get a pass because they are just sitting there? In many people’s minds, yes, they do because they are in a way being displayed or being used by a sneakerhead. I think that’s bogus and to me, it doesn’t take anything away from fellow sneakerheads. These aren’t the only people who have destroyed sneakers intentionally I’m betting.

I have a few more things to say but I want to hear everyone’s thoughts on the whole ordeal. NOT OF JUST THE VIDEO OF THE BUNRING OF THE SOUTH BEACHES but all instances where people should have “donated” to charity or they are “hurting” the sneaker game. I’ve seen people even hate on others for wearing certain shoes in the rain… Really… Come on, at the end of the day, THE END OF THE DAY, they belong to someone and people can do what they want with them AND they’re just shoes.

Does it bother you if someone does something to sneakers that they own but you want? If someone plans on trashing a pair of shoes, should they donate them to charity first?

I think we know my answer on this one, it doesn’t bother me, I don’t really care. If I buy a pair of shoes and decide to place it in a fish tank so the fish can swim in it, who are you to tell me that they are coveted by many and I should have donated to charity? They’re mine, I paid, I am entitled to do what I want with them. I do want to hear opinions on this but I also want people to know, if you tell others they SHOULD HAVE donated to a charity, make sure you are a charitable person yourself otherwise you’re just a hypocrite. Even then, you should get off your high horse and let them do what they please.

Side note: They are selling the shoes and donating the proceeds to charity… And of course, people still aren’t happy.

Like they are saying, “Hype KILLS.”

Written by Jordan Rainey (@Jawrduhn)

(See something in the sneaker culture that catches your eye and drives you crazy or impresses you? Send it to JJHKNOWS@gmail.com(topic only), and it could be used in a future Thursday Thoughts. Credit will be given if the idea has not already been planned or submitted by someone else. Remember, it can be anything sneaker related. Put “Thursday Thoughts” as the subject.)