"Dress to oppress? NO, there's nothing wrong with NBA code" v8(26), p.24 by Darrin Schwarz

Is Hip-Hop culture related to gangster culture? You need to ask yourself this question when considering if the new NBA dress code is discriminating against minorities, in this case young, African-American males. The dress code is only placing restrictions on the ‘thug look’ some players display when they don’t play and sit on the bench or during press conferences. This same look is displayed in hip-hop videos where the artists depict gangster lifestyles and portray a sense of pride created by the environment in which they grew up. These players are upset with the dress code because some old white guy is telling them how to dress. Well, this old white guy is your employer and they are trying to improve an image that has been tainted with acts of aggression on the court and in the stands that is quite similar to the anger expressed in so many rap songs. I don’t think anyone should have to sacrifice who they are. I don’t think the NBA is trying to tell the players how to live, nor are they trying to steal their identity. Although, if some the players believe their true identity is rooted in throwback jerseys, chains and medallions, or ‘bling’, then maybe their superficial manhood is at stake.