A Sneakerhead Foot Fetish
My deeply rooted obsession with sneakers
I have always been a Sneakerhead (retro Jordan’s mostly) but not for the popular reasons. My obsession with sneakers is so deeply rooted in the soil of my life, from association with music, style, culture and sports, all the way to current affairs and important moments in my life.
Every time I lace up a pair of fresh retro’s, it brings back a sense of nostalgia. I can vividly picture the moment I wore them, the game I played in, and most importantly what cookout I was heading to.
There was nothing better than showing up to your girlfriend’s family cookout in a freshly washed Pontiac blasting Fresh Prince Summertime, then stepping out in a nice outfit with a fresh pair of kicks. Or better yet, the feeling of invincibility when you put them on.
As a kid when I got new sneakers I wanted to race everybody. For me, always to the corner and back. I wasn’t allowed to go off my block. See, sneakers for me aren’t just a way to showcase my style. Sneakers are also a way to hold on to the memories of my youth (so long ago).
I can remember what sneaker I waited in line for on a Saturday morning outside of Foot locker in New York (Jordan Taxi 12’s) my all time favorite sneaker. I can remember the smell from the hot dog roach coach right next to the stand selling boot-leg DVD’s.
I also remember the look on my father’s face when I walked in wearing that same shoe, before he gave me the nod of approval. Although my collection is huge now, I still find joy in every pair I wear. So please don’t think because I value and adore a tennis shoe, that it makes me any less intelligent.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite for us Sneakerheads. If asked, the true Sneakerhead can breakdown the look, the name and the reason for being in almost every shoe he or she wears. They can describe the color way as well as every individual part of the sneaker.
To me that’s creativity in a nutshell. It also shows a great appreciation for culture through individuality. Speaking of culture, growing up in Philly the big craze was getting the newest Jordan a few days before they were to release in the stores.
If you had a “hookup” and were able to get your hands on a pair before they released, you were the man. Well, at least for a few days until they hit stores for purchase. I used to do everything from cleaning steps, shoveling snow, walking dogs to breaking down and begging my parents to get them. Like Malcolm X said, “by any means necessary.”
There was an unwritten rule that you never show up to the ball courts, Hoop it up tournament, nor the famous Sonny Hill league wearing the same sneakers you plan to hoop in. To this day I still live by that rule.
Even though the shoe game has changed dramatically, the premise is still the same. Going from one to stock, one to rock. To a few to sale, a few to keep. Changing from plain one or two colors. To multi color with vivid cartoon imagery
The shoe game continues to evolve, and so does its audience. As we usher in a new generation of style and self awareness, I am glad to see the culture grow and mend broken relationships. I am a sneaker head and will forever be. How about you?
CRE 23
