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How Did Materialism Affect Young African Americans

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The progression of materialism in the media and advertising has a major affect on young African Americans which can cause poor money issues. In a materialistic society, young African Americans aim to gain a sense of importance through buying expensive things and owning the latest whether it be celebrity shoes, pricy clothing, high-tech electronics, or luxury cars, that we can show off to our peers in hopes of impressing them. It is almost as if young African Americans are brainwashed to not only have the best, but to drag one another into competition, boasting about what they have and daring the next to top it. As a result of that competition, young African Americans who do not meet the “expectations” of their peers are humiliated and ridiculed so harshly because they do not own a pair of four hundred dollar jeans or two hundred dollar shoes. Today’s society is so brainwashed by what they see on social media and advertising that they will spend their last just to fit in or try to look like something or …show more content…

Because of this flaw, young African Americans will continue to be trapped with a materialistic mindset that will continue to hurt them financially. Young African Americans are highly influenced by african american celebrities. During a phone interview with Green Bay Packers Safety, Ha Ha Clinton Dix, he stated, “I always wished I could afford the fancy clothes and nice shoes when I was in school. I would spend all of the money in my account just for some new Jordans. Now that I made it to the NFL making good money, I am able to buy whatever I want but I learned the responsibility of saving and budgeting my money because it could run

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