Sneaker game f***ed up? No, not really.

You see, sneakers are inanimate objects. They cannot realistically be a game. There is nothing to play here. You use sneakers to play games; on the hardwood, concrete, and blacktop. But sneakers are not a game.

Greed is the game being played right now, and you, as consumers, are the pieces being played with. The worst part? You let it happen — like a moth to the flame. No f***s are given by consumers so long as said consumer gets their pair; right?

“We’re going to make enough Yeezy’s for everyone.”

By saying this they made you believe that you would be able to get a pair. By saying this they made you believe that your ability to obtain a pair meant that now, you wanted a pair. By saying this, they lied straight to your face…and then you said, “I’ll sell my pair.” You’ll come back with the “respect another man’s hustle” line, I’ve heard it before. However, there is nothing to respect by taking something away from someone else only to then say they can have it – for the right price. Yes, there are idiots willing to pay for it. But at the end of the day, it’s all the same thing. From both sides…not just one. It’s greed.

“Did you somehow forget that we all once wore K-Mart specials?”

This isn’t even about Yeezy’s though, that was just an example. Consumerism has clouded the judgement of consumers so vastly that it’s even hit the blogs. Sites once known for integrity and breaking news are now publishing bulls**t pieces about sleeping with a THOT at a sneaker unveiling event and how hard it was to wear some K-Mart specials for a week. Don’t you realize that the majority of our audience is full of impressionable young teenagers only seeking some way to fit into society? Did you somehow forget that we all once wore K-Mart specials? Do you not understand what “lead by example” means? You’re leading them down a path of selfishness and blind devoutness towards a brand(s) that couldn’t care any less about them. That s**t is cult-like.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not some sensitive prick that thinks everyone should receive special treatment, and most political correctness is ridiculous. I firmly believe that everyone needs to work hard and earn their keep. However, I am someone that grew up wearing K-Mart specials. It wasn’t a struggle though. Yeah, I was made fun of by the privileged kids, and yeah people said my shoes were whack, but that wasn’t the struggle. The struggle was at home, with my single parent working her ass off so she could provide a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food on my plate. Spaghetti with ketchup and butter was a regular staple in my house (a one bedroom apartment); that’s struggle.

“It’s just hard to sit here and watch people get led around like herds of sheep.”

I fully comprehend business – I run one myself. However, I’m not sinking to desperate levels to keep myself or my site’s content or brand relevant– we aren’t just stirring up some s**t. I’m also not brainwashing readers into only enjoying and accepting products that feature a Swoosh or Jumpman when there are so many great options out there to choose from – especially from a performance perspective. It’s just hard to sit here and watch people get led around like herds of sheep, being told what’s cool and what isn’t.

It’s sick, having to watch people hold the value of inanimate objects such as shoes above the life or well-being of another person. And all because the privileged have spun wearing K-Mart specials into something so horrendous that no civilized human in society should have to endure the pain of lacing a pair up on their feet.

Sneakers were meant to be functional attire. It’s great to enjoy and admire something such as sneakers. To be self-sufficient enough to own a few hundred pairs is awesome; I should know, I used to own a few hundred myself. But to make it seem that if you are unable, or unwilling, to rock J’s or Nike’s then you’re less of a person. That’s just foolish.

People should be promoting a positive message and teaching the next generation that it shouldn’t always be about money, but rather the passion. These brands, the blogs, the community are only glorifying the fact that there are – quite literally – economic levels to this whole sneaker thing. Instead of teaching how to ethically obtain the things you want in life, they are teaching you that the quick and easy route is the best route. Taking advantage of someone’s passion or desire in order to gain profit off of them — this game is played by all sides. With this self destructive structure things will only get worse way before we can even fathom them getting any better.

Sneaker game f****d up? No…not even close. People are.