The NBA Nerd's Cultural Influence

      The apathetic "in your face" style of black culture in the 90's and early 2000's is beginning to die. Having their buddies call them "Carlton" isn't necessarily as much of an insult as it used to be. At least according Wesley Morris, the writer of "The Rise of the NBA Nerd", an article addressing black culture shown through the NBA.
      It wasn't too long ago that if a black male wore nice clothes or spoke appropriately he was referred to as "Carlton". I've seen it happen before, but in recent years the culture has been changing. Some young black males are starting to realize that in order to be treated with the same respect white people receive they have to earn it and become a respectable individual. They have to speak proper English and dress appropriately.
      This isn't an essay about race relations but it is a topic that needs to be addressed. Racism still exists in America, but from what I've heard from many the hatred isn't toward the race anymore. Many people that could be considered racist don't immediately discredit a person because of the color of their skin, many of them hate the culture and the stereotypes many live out. The culture of putting one of their friends down for wearing nice clothes or trying hard in school. I'm not speaking about this subject trying to convey my understanding of black culture, because I've never been in their shoes; but going off of what Wesley Morris said, it seemed as if having nice things and having an education was a very negative thing in black culture in recent years.
      It is my belief that many of the top NBA players dressing like "nerds" is a strategy designed to battle this attitude. Players like Lebron James and Kevin Durant know the clout they have in the black community and the affects they can have on their culture. Black "fashion" changing is something I've noticed in the past couple years before I ever read this article.
      When it all comes down to it, when sitting across from somebody in a job interview in any setting, skin color will be looked past and the best dress and most well spoken will be the person that gets the job, plain and simple. This is a fact of life that I think many in both Black and White culture are beginning to realize and prepare for.