After reading Rise of the NBA Nerd: Basketball Style and Black Culture, I am left wondering - what was the point of this article? I believe that one point was to emphasize transformation in African American culture. However, I do not see how this very small percentage of the African American society could possibly represent the culture as a whole. Also, it is not just the African American basketball players that are dressing as nerds and adapting to this new "hipster" fad. The nerd look has become very popular in the young adult community as a whole - not more or less in any one race. Here are just a few examples of the "nerd" style among different races:
White/perhaps Italian?
African American
White
Asian
So you see, I do not believe that the NBA nerd situation is really a racial issue. However, it is an adequate representation of a generational "character trait"if you will. I think that this transformation from nerdy bully-victim style into something that's cool and unique expresses a certain quality about my generation. It breaks down stereo-types and strives to allow people to express themselves however they want to. Granted, this style is hardly promoting "individuality" because it has become so popular. But honestly, I think the NBA stars are just going along with new trends and styles. Let's think logically here... What human being doesn't look good in a well-fitting button up and a fashionable bow tie complete with appropriate accessories? No one. Anyone looks better in a bow tie. So why does this need to become an article, much less an argument? It doesn't.
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