CULTURE VULTURES AND THE ART OF THE STEAL by s. beeks

Most of you have seen Marc Johnson’s interview on theskateboardmag drawing attention to his observations of recycled trends and the identities within the subculture. While skateboarding appears to have had it’s own face, that image has always been the product of cultural movements influencing it. Originally serving as a substitute for surfing, the act of skateboarding evolved to create an identity of it’s own. As time moved on the activity spawned a uniform, resulting in the influx of punk rock, deadheads, and a cast of other social outsiders, and the uniforms became trends. Spandex and neon colors of 80’s pop bands. Big pants and white t’s of the underground rave culture in the early 90's.  Preppy athletic wear in the mid 90’s. And currently the three music sections of punk, classic, and rap. They’re all uniforms that have never implied the conveyed the  originality of the skateboarders wearing them, and the industry recognizes this.  In order for skateshops to remain in business, the majority of their profit comes from the sale of soft goods like shoes, jeans, woven tops, and accessories. The amount of product is significantly larger than the small selection of t-shirts and fanny packs sold in the 80's because rebellion is no longer an identity, but a costume. There is a gap between the act of skateboarding and the appearance of skateboarding, and 90% of the time those people spending more time selecting the right pair of "plant" socks to match their tie dyed 666 shirt than finding the right concave and wheelbase of their deck  aren't engaged in the activity of skateboarding for the same reasons as you.  

Dressing up like something doesn't make you something no matter how many times people "like" the thing you're impersonating.