As a sneaker fan, I have witnessed many violent and rude acts upon purchasing sneakers on release day. Why do sneaker companies only release a limited amount of shoes? Is it the sneaker companies fault that there are violent outbreaks every time a sneaker releases?
I don’t think so. It is materialism and the way it has evolved into insanity. We as consumers create the hype that results in violence. Not only do we need to tame ourselves, but also what we value. What do you value? Sneakers over life?
Most of these flashy celebrity athlete kicks range from $150 - $300 bucks and that’s steep. Even though there are numerous accounts of riots, stabbing, shootings, and killings, these sneakers still manage to become sold out of retail the first day they release.
Celebrity endorsed and rare sneakers have caused a ruckus throughout history. Many people have been strangled, stomped, stabbed, shot, and killed over materialism. When was the last time you robbed, shot, or killed someone for their sneakers? I propose that we boycott limited release dates. If no one is in those hectic lines, no one will be hurt, or worse; killed.
In 1985, Detroit, Shawn Jones, 13was shot after five youths took his Fila sneakers. In 1989, Baltimore, Michael Eugene Thomas, 15 was choked to death by his friend James David Martin, plagued by the obsession for Jordan’s. “It’s a shame when you work hard to reward your son with what he wants and someone takes his life over a pair of sneakers, Jones Mother stated, It’s just sad.”
In 2009, Long Island, Roman Gill, 17, and around nine attackers punched, kicked and eventually stabbed the unnamed teen deep in his ribcage. They stole the boy’s sneakers and cellphone and ran away. In 2010, Madison, Ke’Andre Frazier, 17 began kicking and beating Lorenzo McKittrick, 16. Frazier stomped on his head until McKittrick was dead for black and red Jordan V’s.
In 2011, violence erupted across the country at shoe stores as people tried to purchase Nike's new retro Air Jordan sneaker. In, 2012, a Maryland mall was evacuated & locked down after sneaker fight caused near-riot conditions inside the mall for Nike’s new Foam tennis shoe.
Sneaker fans all across the east coast have already started camping out two weeks early for the release of the “All Star Galaxy Foamposite Ones”. There is no doubt that there will be some kind of riot or trampling incident.
Jordan the top seller of sneaker fads had this to day, "I thought I'd be helping out others and everything would be positive," he says. "I thought people would try to emulate the good things I do, they'd try to achieve, to be better, nothing bad.
I never thought because of my endorsement of a shoe, or any product, that people would harm each other. Everyone likes to be admired, but when it comes to kids actually killing each other" -- he pauses -- "then you have to re-evaluate things."
It’s one thing to be a sneaker connoisseur but quite another thing to be a lunatic. If we boycott Nike, they may reconsider their marketing strategies. However, if we go along with the punches, that not only puts our individual lives in danger, but changes the mood of millions of consumers who kill or get killed for a pair of hot sneaks.
