4:31 pm
Keas
The other day while going home from work I encountered an interesting young lady. I had just walked out to catch a taxi. While I was walking towards the bus stop, i noticed her. She was a slim, short, brown girl. I imagine most men would think her attractive, not wow, but, she was dressed neatly and nicely and she looked pleasant. I noticed her particularly because i took interest in the handbag she had strewn over her shoulder. That's how i am, i love accessories, anyway, since i liked her handbag i decided to take in some more of her outfit.
The handbag that started 
the next series of events was a beautiful brown guess handbag. This was part of an outfit that included, mini Guess Jeans skirt, brand named, blouse, shoes, and belt to boot. Her hair was well maintained and she had her nails both feet and hands done and of course she wore the latest fashion. I thought to myself cool, she doing well for herself. Anyway, we both caught the same taxi, i got in first and got as comfortable and she came in behind me. She sat down and smiled, then proceeded to touch the taxi man. What happened next was what sparked this post, the words that came out of her mouth after words literally shocked me. This expertly dressed young lady touched the taxi man and say "driver a 60 dollar me have enuh, me nuh have no more".
the next series of events was a beautiful brown guess handbag. This was part of an outfit that included, mini Guess Jeans skirt, brand named, blouse, shoes, and belt to boot. Her hair was well maintained and she had her nails both feet and hands done and of course she wore the latest fashion. I thought to myself cool, she doing well for herself. Anyway, we both caught the same taxi, i got in first and got as comfortable and she came in behind me. She sat down and smiled, then proceeded to touch the taxi man. What happened next was what sparked this post, the words that came out of her mouth after words literally shocked me. This expertly dressed young lady touched the taxi man and say "driver a 60 dollar me have enuh, me nuh have no more".
What on earth!!! I couldn't help it, i had that shocked aghast look on my face i could literally feel my mouth wide open looking on her. After i got over the shock i nearly died laughing. I had to call a friend on my cell phone to distract myself because i really never want her to realize i was laughing at her, cause I'm not a fighter. Its ridiculous, the clothes she had on was worth a lot more than the $70 taxi fare. I was like, 'you're kidding me right' i couldn't believe it. But then its so typical. Have you ever been to Passa Passa or any of those street dances? Those girls that live in the 'ghetto' and bawl that "government nah do nutten fi dem" are dressed from head to two in the latest fashions and in the most expensive outfits and they are the same ones who claim they can't afford the school fees and pay the light and water bills. Their priority instead, is to make sure that they are perceived as the "hot girl" who can "hold her man" and can "walk out inna the video light". It's such a tragic state of affairs. This desire to be the Hottie Hottie Jamaican girl wins out over logic and sense. I blame some of that on the music, I'm listening to the radio right now and I've heard, in the past 10 minutes numerous songs about who is hot and hotter than who and have more than who and better than who...and more of the same. It's really sad though. I'm glad i never grew up in that kind of situation with that kind of mentality. Thank you mom.
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4 comments:
vwry interesting article. I'm not sure how jamaican music influence how women dress, it might be the other way round. Meaning, the songs are not 'up to par' with what listeners want to listen to then they (djs) can expect to sell far less album. I think how a person dresses/act is their personal decisions. You mentioned the ghetto girls, have you ever seen any of the uptown girls trying to look like dat? know dem try to conceal the fact that they do have money and maybe have it all. But, its the poor innercity people that once they get a little change they run to guess outlets or wherever and spend it all, not thinking about about baby feeding or etc. Its really disgusting. Muscians are to be blame for soemthings, but people are just plain idiat if dem decide to listen to music and influence dem life as such. Where I reside, the richest usually drive the ugliest cars, shop at the cheapest places and have lots of take outs, where as you can know the people who are facing it hard as they are the ones that are usually blinged out, revving around in the latest fashion and trying to impress others.
P.s sorry patios tied into english, long time nuh type patois.
i do agree with u that people do influence the music, social commentary, but i guess its some sort of never ending cycle--- music influence the people, who in turn influence the music...and it continues...some pressure is exerted on other people in the "ghetto" who react by joining in on the fad they have to fit in...rich people dont have anything to prove, person's are are struggling and making a little money have everything in the world to prove so they have to show what they have. its sad, yes but, sigh what to do what to do...
true yakeisha. Do you think this is where lack of education comes in? I have a feeling, becuase these inner city kids didn't grow up on sound education, hence lacking self confidence and esteem, they try to build it up with clothes and the latest fashion. Whereas, the richer, upper class segment of society are comfortable with themselves, they wont let musicians determined their fate, and they dont care who thinks they are hot or not as their money basically is their companion.
I think a lack of education probably helps to perpetuate it. There arent really any choices, fit in or get out...but i've seen people who have gotten an education and because they had to tough it out and work hard,no help from anyone, now that they have it, they flaut it because they want everyone to see that they can make it without help.So it seems to be a confidence and self worth issue but i'm not so sure its directly as a result of a lack of education.
Prob lack of education was the root of the problem many many many years ago but now its become part of the culture, especially with the music helping to cement things, so even if the motivation is different it ends up that these inner city residents are going to keep on doing what they do because it has become such a norm...its part of the culture now, and like the original post says,its the music that helps to cement this culture thats why Passa Passa and all those dances are so popular its just become the norm...
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