We Are What We Wear, We Wear What We Are
In the song “Wing$” written by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Macklemore symbolizes the story of his youth to represent the negative effects consumerism portrays in our society and youth pop-culture. The song exemplifies the search for identity and personality within society and trying to fit in with the “cool kids”, even if it means sacrificing one’s own beliefs and morals. He sings about how Nike sneakers are a symbol of prestige and without them, people may feel like outcasts.
Macklemore calls out Phil Knight - the founder of Nike shoes and his line of Jordans - for his mastermind genius manipulation and power over societal norms. At the beginning of the song Macklemore is convinced that he will finally be a cool kid after purchasing his new Jordans but by the end realizes they are just another pair of shoes with no significant meaning. By using Nike he symbolizes expensive and premium items that people desire when in reality the quality and value is not actually superior to cheaper competitors. Nike shoes are an effective symbol because of the association between Nikes, the advantage in sports, and being cool around friends is generally accepted in our culture. Although I was never a huge ‘sneakerhead’, I have felt like this song has challenged me regarding my past decisions as I realized the truth of Macklemore’s implicit message. Prior to the release of this song had always worn Nike sneakers to try and fit in my surroundings. It got to the point where I would wear Nike shorts, shorts, socks, and shoes almost every single day searching for euphoria and confidence, so when I first understood the meaning of this song it hit me on a personal level.
Many of my peers and I would implicitly compete with each other and flaunt our expensive items to show superiority similar to many other children in our culture. The obsession with social status had created this kind of boasting culture in today’s youth, and like many others today, I was following along with this “mob” mentality. I would feel confident about myself only if I wore at least 3 articles of Nike clothing to school on any given throughout my childhood until early high school.
I am my own true person now - I never ever just go with the flow. In spite of getting teased at school I usually, wear New Balances, Asics, and Sandals and it makes me feel even more confident about myself to know the haters do not bring me down. Macklemore taught me to define myself with what I wear, instead of letting what I wear define me.
