Coates describes how people were murdered over irrelevant materialistic items such as the newest name brand coats, hats, and sneakers. Due to the fact that black people have been at the bottom of the chain in society for hundreds of years, they see owning trademark items as a sign of success. Blacks are twice as likely as whites to avoid generic brands. They make sure they buy the name brand, whether it is food, clothes, bags, or anything else. It gives them a sense of pride to be able to prove that they can afford these name brand materials. Coates’ encounter with this section of the black experience accentuates the badge in The Beautiful Struggle. Having trademark items makes people feel like they are important. It gives a sense of pride, and it gives black people the ability to say “I have this, so I’m successful” or “I have this, I’m just as good as a white
Coates describes how people were murdered over irrelevant materialistic items such as the newest name brand coats, hats, and sneakers. Due to the fact that black people have been at the bottom of the chain in society for hundreds of years, they see owning trademark items as a sign of success. Blacks are twice as likely as whites to avoid generic brands. They make sure they buy the name brand, whether it is food, clothes, bags, or anything else. It gives them a sense of pride to be able to prove that they can afford these name brand materials. Coates’ encounter with this section of the black experience accentuates the badge in The Beautiful Struggle. Having trademark items makes people feel like they are important. It gives a sense of pride, and it gives black people the ability to say “I have this, so I’m successful” or “I have this, I’m just as good as a white