Prada, Louis, Gucci

Name brands. Price tags. It's slowly controlling our lives, especially the youth. What is really aggravating about our generation is the high degree to which we hold up materialism. We're so engulfed in wearing all of the latest name brand clothes, we lose sight of our priorities. I remember a facebook status that caught my attention:

• Polo Shirt: $150
• Concords: $180
• True religion jeans:$210
• The look on your face when you still get no girls: Priceless

Though the prices may not be concise, it still proves my point that we've invested way too much money into temporary, material items.

In a sense, we can't blame ourselves. It is what we are exposed to on TV shows, music videos, magazines, newpapers, etc. Our generation also has a strong bond especially with artists and their music. Young people identify with them through their music, inadvertently making them our role models.The people we hold up as our role models idolize these material items so it sends the message: Why not us too? Celebrity boast about their millions of dollars while flaunting their multiple houses, cars, clothes... and the list goes on.

It has gotten to a point where it is almost sickening. Within the African-American community, it is especially abysmal. We're only convinced about the value of something based on it's price and prestige. Why? There's nothing wrong with treating yourself from time to time, but if $700 shoes are priority over paying your rent, there is something wrong. Even in less extreme cases, there's a ridiculous correlation between pricey name brands and a feeling of worth and legitimacy. The part that worries me the most is that people have been killed over such items. Shouldn't that raise some sort of attention? Shouldn't we just take a step back and think about what holds real values in our lives? Jessie J got it right, it ain't about the money.

You may say that I'm uncultured or uneducated when it comes to higher fashion but what happened to looking beyond the name brand? Why preach on and on about how we want someone with a great personality but we've become blindsided by what they wear, not who they are? Personally, the designs of the majority of these brands are pretty boring. Nothing spectacular in my eyes. But that's just a personal preference. The point of the matter is that these things hold no value. They are just things. Forget about the bragging and the big spending. Focus less on channeling your happiness on material items. You maybe missing out on something or someone more important.