"Urban" Culture Overkill

[ClassyLady]

There has been something that has worked my last nerve lately and rather than start a new thread, I'll just post it here. I think that it may fit in with the original tone of the thread dealing with Hip Hop Culture.

Recently, I have read a few articles discussing "Why Good Girls Like Bad Guys." In this month's issue of Essence, there is a feature on this. There are pictures of a seemingly professional woman with her man, the thug. He is wearing a t-shirt, baggy jeans, and Timberlands. And, I was watching Comic View a few nights ago and I regret it. They were doing the infamous remix when they cut in on five comics all telling the same jokes. Several women were talking about how they want a "thug."

My problem with both of these is their definitions of "bad guys" and "thugs." Basically, theys have defined anyone who follows urban fashion and has embraced a hip hop culture as a bad guy. This really annoys me. Clothes alone should not dictate who we consider to be a bad guy. My boyfriend wears baggy jeans and Timbs every day and he is most definitely not a "bad guy." As a matter of fact, almost every one at my school dresses in the same manner. So, is this a college campus full of thugs and bad guys? I seriously doubt it.

It is a real shame that someone can be a thug or a bad guy by wearing some baggy pants.

[Sahara]

Thanks, Steeltrap for the link. I also listen to Moontaxi.com. I usually listen to the 'Speak Easy' station. They need more variety, though. You'd think only twenty jazz songs existed.