Luxury Brands and the Black Dollar

Why luxury brands will continue to be the demise of black culture

Leeching eyes pierce against melanated flesh without an uttered word. Complexion does the talking here.

Many luxury stores have you labeled and prejudged before a foot is set in the door. Un-welcomed stares turn into your every move being traced around the store to spotting clenched bags from other patrons as you pass by.

​These same luxury stores are now coming under fire for their blatantly insensitive ‘cultural mistakes’ 

Burberry Noose Sweatshirt 

Gucci Sweater That Resembles Black Face

Prada Black Monkey Key Rings

Dove Ad Campaign and H&M Racist Shirt

Yet many continue to give their GREEN where their BLACK is unwelcome.

But why…Is it for acceptance, reassurance, success?

Yes.

​It all comes down to three vital attributes.

Community (Acceptance)

When a black person wears designer, why is it then that the authenticity is questioned?

Accepting that someone from the same cultural background is “better off” financially seems unlikely to most within a society. There is always an underlying skepticism that brings people to question the financial status of another. The constant competition to one up or be better than the next will be a battle that will never succeed.

Self (Reassurance)

​Say hello to debt… spending an entire paycheck for…a name is the “norm” for most. These labels are the modern day brand that is voluntarily etched upon ones body.  The hate spewed within this society promotes majority to look outward for acceptance, even if that means going in debt to perceiving to be something they are not. 

Society (Success)

​Having designer has always been a symbol of “success”, in reference to entertainers in the industry donning prestigious labels.

Many feel as though that having the “look” of success and perceiving to be a certain way ties into the ‘acceptance’ many strive for. This notion comes from constantly striving for the same reassurance internally.

Once acceptance, reassurance or society’s version of success is no longer is an accomplishment, is when it will be recognized that these big name companies need the black community more than they need them.

​These big name brands DO NOT, HAVE NOT, WILL NOT care about black and brown people. They design, they create, they mass produce, they issue an apology to save face towards a culture they never intended to create for. These brands create for people who look like them, with no regard to this diverse society.

Start by shopping putting your money where your dollars are respected and appreciated.

​Will you continue shopping with these big brands? Let us know in the comments below.