I went to the outlet malls upstate and drooled over all sorts of unnecessary goods probably manufactured in Third World sweatshops. All I really needed was a pair of boots but…they had to be Timberlands and after that was said-and-done, I ended up leaving with a little more.
My family came here with nothing and for the most part we are maybe one or two paychecks away from the same which is a scary notion once so immersed in the American dream; or over-consumption nightmare depending on one’s personal stand.
Yet, it is that very question of over-consumption that usually beckons and remains unanswered, because in the context of my assimilated dream, my culture has become one of freedom, freedom to shop for as much as I want so long as I have the money or credit line to do so.
The previous is the attitude of a greater percentage of Americans, those with myopic views too wrapped up in ethno-egocentricities. As it is, America consumes 25% of global resources, meaning that our steadfast way of life accounts for a quarter of worldwide consumption and we only account a small portion of the earth's population.
Materialism to en extent equates to a certain level of security but quality of life is not to be confused with lifestyle. When do we as immigrants forget our humble beginnings and adopt material hording, senseless consumerism, and material status quos as a steadfast way of life? Does the mall-rat syndrome affect us immediately or is the whitewash process a slow one?
In all honesty, I have never shied away from an unneeded pair or uniquely faded jeans or an extra pair of spiffy shoes. However, over the last few years I have slowly but surly begun the process of cutting back, negotiating between needs and wants, and considering the environmental impact of my oftentimes disassociated desire for every cornerstone of American material life.
When was it that the bamboozling of name-brands start to confound me? How early on was it that my every step in the Diaspora become synonymous with Nike, Guayaberas gave way to Hilfiger, and Clorox begin to lighten my pigmented cultural center?
How has Clorox® affected you?
I used to be one of those people who thought money and material things would bring my happiness.. until I ran out of things to buy and was still miserable as ever. I discovered that the more I gave up and freed myself of material things and ignore what society says we NEED in order to be successful and happy, the happier I ended up being!
Great blog..
I hear you Bob, there always seems to a new thingamajig to buy, a revolutionary late night infomercial must-have, a new rhinestone encrusted name on a garb which reads status quo etc, etc.
However, none of these ever seems to come packaged with a happiness guarantee and so like pack rats we continue to build our material middens to no avail.
Thank you for your comment.
Thanks for this post, Yusef.
Growing up in a situation similar to yours (working class, usually a few checks away from being broke, etc.)
I've always been frugal and just never really bought into the need to go for material things...I slipped up here and there over the years, but at the end of the day, i need to guarantee that i can survive and live, etc.
and like you, i dont buy the latest gadgetry, etc. i mean, why when it will be upgraded the next year....
so im fine not having an IPOD, MP3 player, the latest Blackberry, etc.
it's all about being economical and frugal, and if i dont need it, i dont buy it.