Today's Kicks: Reebok 5411

We at OSD enjoy receiving pictures from readers/ viewers of them or others wearing some nice kicks. Check out these pictures sent to us by D. Minors of a youngin' wearing some Reebok 5411s a/k/a/ Freestyle. HOT!!!






Honorable mention:
ESPN-It's the Shoes- Reebok 5411

Today's Kicks: Reebok 5411

Conspicuous Consumption

This is a topic that my family, particularly my mother and I, have debated for many years and I don't think the conversations are going to end anytime soon.

The debate goes something like this:

[Mother Sole Proprietor]: People always want what someone else has and they'll do anything--and I mean anything-- to get it!

[Sole Proprietor]: Some people are like that, but their are those that will say to themselves that they want something "better" and work and save their money to buy that item or product.

[Mother Sole Proprietor]: Yes, that may be true in some instances, but there are always people that are going to "fake it until they make it", by trying to look like they have something, in this case money. Where do you think the phrase, "keeping up with the Jones'" came from?

[Sole Proprietor]: I completely understand your point, but there are some people that don't want to have what the next man has. For example, I don't like walking down the street and seeing someone wearing the same sneakers I'm wearing!

[Mother Sole Proprietor]: Why not?

[Sole Proprietor]: Because I always want to be different and not have the same sneakers or clothing that the next guy has on. It's like going to the prom and two women have the same dress on. To avoid this, many women pay top-dollar to have a custom gown made. It's all about looking fly!

Well, as you can see, the debate can continue ad infinitum and we each walk away having another perspective, but one thing we can agree upon is that conspicuous consumption is something that plagues Blacks.

Mr. Cosby was not 100% correct in his recent book, Come On People, but he does make some valid points regarding buying a child a video game console, $150 sneakers and name-brand clothing, when the child needs his/ her teeth fixed or a tutor.

Do read the article by Ryan Fishman of Slate.com entitled The Sneaker Cult. It offers some good food for thought.

Conspicuous Consumption

Sneakers for Grades

Do you remember when your parents would encourage you to do well in school and earn good grades by promising to buy you a new pair of roller skates or, in my case, a new pair of sneakers? Well, one retailer in Baltimore, MD is doing just that-- encouraging kids to get increase their grades all in the name of receiving a new pair of New Balance sneakers.

Read the full story on WJZ Channel 13's website here.

Sneakers for Grades

Sketchy Dells

We at OSD try to report the news as related to sneakers and from time to time, we receive tips about acts of stupidity involving sneakers and footwear.

You have to read the story about a Mr. Lance Coleman, 46, of Racine, Wisconsin who decided to call Dell computers in Round Rock, TX and pose as Skechers CEO, Robert Greenberg, ordering 8 computers and 4 50-inch TVs.

Read the full story at Financial Week's The Blotter.

Sketchy Dells

Swoosh: Inside Nike

In what many will consider the best look at the inner workings of Nike, CNBC's Darren Rovell is going to take a closer look at Nike by interviewing the man that started it all, Phil Knight.





Program airs Tuesday, February 12th at 10 PM EST on CNBC.

Swoosh: Inside Nike

"Hawaii" Mike suffers from OSD

Mike Salman, affectionately known in circles as "Hawaii" Mike, went on record for Men.Style.com, the online spot for Details and GQ magazines, to talk about his obsession......sneakers. Watch the video.

So, when are you going to record your own confessional and submit it to OSD? You can get to work and send videos to ObsessiveSneakerDisorder@gmail.com.

Get to WORK!!

"Hawaii" Mike suffers from OSD