i didnt understand that short scene where arthur and shannon and a couple other kids go to the local sneaker shop and buy some jordan t-shirts. i didnt get how arthur said the local drug dealers would give them money just cause they were on the basketball team so they could buy stuff and "keep up with the stylin'" why did the drug dealers do that? i dont get it?
shareIt happens, I think for the most part they do it so when the guy makes it they'll be there to say "remember when" and be in the posse and reap the benefits of being their boy, it's common knowledge how rappers and ball players take their boys with them into success. But sometimes, the drug dealers either used to be in the same spot with the same potential, or just wish that they had and so they actually help these players who are trying to make it but are too broke to get some good sneakers and whatnot.
shareThe drug dealers come from the same neighborhood and went through the same struggles as the kids. Most inner city drug dealers aren't trying to reap havoc on the world they just want money, that's it money. So instead of letting the kids from their neighbor struggle and miss a couple meals, they give them little sneaker money and money for food, no alternative motive, they're not trying to be in their entourage when they make it, just want to help the kids out.
shareI believe it’s also an informal public relations move for their “business”. Drug dealers realize the ballers are lionized by some of their classmates and they wouldn’t want the ballers to denigrate them to their peers. Even if they were not ballers, I think giving money and things to the underprivileged in the hood may be viewed as a PR move that will pay off once they become older and users…. I read “The Blindside” recently and the book stated the local drug dealers would buy Michael Oher shoes and clothes and he didn’t even play organized sports at the time. In fact I believe there’s a line in the movie where one banger states he’ll buy Michael some new shoes.
shareThere is also a lot of gambling involved with inner city high school sports and money buys influence and information.
shareWatch the TV Series "The Wire" and get schooled on the streets, foo.
share