Gay Fashion is the New Straight Fashion
Series: Youth Radio's the Best of "What's the New What?"
From: Youth Radio
Length: 00:02:55
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Piece Description
Youth Radio's Mark Anthony Waters used to hear straight guys in his inner-city neighborhood whisper about his style on the bus. Now, they're copying his look, trading in their blue jeans, white T-shirts and Nikes for, "big shiny sunglasses, sparkling necklaces, tight-legged jeans and a cute shirt"- a style once considered gay in his neighborhood. He says that the trend is influenced by hip-hop stars like Pharrell, Kanye West and Cam'ron sporting the fashion-forward style on TV. Though the world of hip-hop fashion is obsessed with looking and acting tough, Waters finds that, "there is nothing tougher than being who you are, without apologizing."
This story is part of Youth Radio's Best of What's the New What? series, which asks what new trends in youth culture are replacing old trends. In short: What's the New What?
Broadcast History
8/25/08 Broadcast on NPR's Day To Day
Transcript
Gay Fashion is the New Straight Fashion
Mark Anthony Waters,Youth Radio
SCRIPT:
What’s the new what? I say, gay fashion is the new straight fashion… in the hood, that is. And that’s what makes it new.
In ghetto neighborhoods, male fashion has always been about blending in. I know you’ve seen the look before: white T’s, blue jeans, and Nikes. Keak Da Sneak even recorded an anthem dedicated to the boring uniform of the street…
MUSIC: Bring up Keak Da Sneak’s White T’s, Blue Jeans, and Nikes…roll under
I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing the white T look. I’m all about big shiny sunglasses, sparkling necklaces, tight legged jeans…and this cute shirt I spotted at one of my favorite stories: DD’s Discounts.
AMBI: hangers skidding on the rack.
TAPE: Look at this! Oh my gosh, I’ve been looking for this shirt forever… (more ambi)
The straight boys who used to whisper about me on the bus h...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:The Best of What’s the New What is a series produced by Youth Radio looking back at the most interesting and provocative trends of 2008. Mark Anthony Waters explores the intersection of fashion, youth culture, and identity, reframing what it means to look tough, and reminding us that the best fashion is always dangerous.
OUTRO:Mark Anthony Waters' commentary was produced by Youth Radio.
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirt, Blue Jeans, & Nike's | Keak Da Sneak featuring E-40 | Counting Other Peoples Money. | Moe Doe Entertainment | 2003 | 03:24 |
| Stronger | Kanye West | Graduation. | Roc-A-Fella, Island Def Jam | 2007 | 05:11 |
| What Is Love | Haddaway | What Is Love. | Coconut Records | 2003 | 04:11 |
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Posted on February 20, 2009 at 07:43 PM | Permalink
Review of “Gay Fashion is the New Straight Fashion”
Mark Anthony Waters does a great job explaining why he thinks gay fashion is the new straight fashion. The interviews with both his nephew and the professor from Duke provided great insight into the subject. It was obvious from the narration that Waters had done plenty of research. The script was well written, and the music was blended flawlessly. However, I wish there had been more interviews, because I really felt that two interviews didn’t do the story justice. All in all, it was a very well done piece.
Adjectives: Interesting, Fresh, Real