Fubu’s website (http://www1.fubu.com/) doesn’t say what FUBU means and they predominantly list black entertainers as endorsers. Be aware that there are many misspellings of people’s names (Koby Bryant, Cliff Robertson(?), Busta Ryhmes) in order to keep it real.
Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Personally, I’m not comfortable in clothing with big-ass logos all over it.
Well, no. I simply think that a fellow would look rather silly wearing an image of a performer who probably wouldn’t wish him well if they crossed paths in real life. Or he would look as if he were ignorant of that performer’s opinions.
But if they admire his MUSIC…what’s the big deal?
I mean, I just think that the idea that someone shouldn’t wear something they LIKE, because of skin color is pretty damn silly, unless it’s some religious thing.
Like I said, it’s like saying Black shouldn’t wear Gap…or Old Navy.
But then, I don’t like big name labels either…especially Aberzombie and Bitch…
Oh, and I didn’t mean to sound so harsh…
Thank you folks for all your varied viewpoints. I feel that I have a somewhat wider view of this phenomenon.(Yike, I damn near spelled the capital of North Korea.) I found this thread again with some difficulty after Manhattan moved it.
Guinastasia:
I am not sure that people are just saying that whites shouldn’t wear FUBU. The question, and the answers, are a bit more nuanced than you imply.
The original question ultimately boils down to a much more complicated issue of race relations. I am not sure how to articulate the issue, so bear with me: If most “well-meaning” whites believe that racial segregation is wrong, how can we support segregationist movements among blacks? If we say “it is up to them,” then doesn’t it follow that it should be up to individual whites and groups of whites whether they want to allow blacks into their towns, organizations, and workplaces?
FUBU does mean “for us, by us.” To say the clothes are “for us” is a pretty clear statement of who the designers want to be wearing the clothes. So, FUBU is segregationist by definition.
Yeah, it’s a free country and all, but given the choice, I probably wouldn’t wear FUBU. Why would I? At worst, I would be supporting a segregationist movement in which I do not believe. At best, I would be wearing clothes that would annoy many of the people I share a subway car with.
Papmurf: I think that “cracker” is a bit older than that.
QUOTE:
More than simply a regional slur, “cracker” carries the implication that the person is a racist, and is sometimes applied to any white person perceived as harboring racist sentiments, regardless of class or geographic particulars.
There are theories tracing “cracker” to the crack of a slavemaster’s whip, or to “corncracker” (slang for country folk, who presumably ate a lot of corn). But the actual source is almost certainly the much older slang sense of “to crack” meaning “to boast or brag,” first seen around 1460, and its derivative “cracker,” meaning “braggart,” which appeared around 1509. The earliest use of “cracker” used in the “poor white” sense discovered so far bears out the connection. In a letter written to the Earl of Dartmouth in 1766, an observer named Gavin Cochrane, referring to bands of outlaws operating at that time in the Southern U.S., noted: “I should explain to your Lordship what is meant by crackers; a name they have got from being great boasters; they are a lawless set of rascalls on the frontiers of Virginia, Maryland, the Carolinas and Georgia, who often change their places of abode.”
Hmmm…well, since you put it that way, I agree. I truly dont’ see why you would WANT to wear it anyway, if they don’t want you too.
However, if someone DOES, that’s their choice. Whatever floats your boat.
I don’t think that’s what the “For Us” means, it means “for our benefit.” Meaning “Now it’s our turn to have a lucrative fashion empire like Ralph Lauren that is being run by and will benefit blacks.” I don’t think it matters who buys and wears it, as the money is green no matter who it comes from. 
I think it’s some good looking stuff, but I’m too old to be parading around in hip stuff like that.
Sorry to get in on this late.
Just my 2¢ on “wigger”.
I think it’s a ridiculously offensive euphemism.
I always took it as shorthand for “look at the white kid acting like a nigger.”
Some people may use it in jest, but I’ve heard it too many times by people who just don’t like black people and consequently people who imitate their culture.
It’d be one thing if they were calling these kids “whack”
(ie: white + black) that, to me, wouldn’t seem as offensive.
Grendel
The “Saltine” comment I stole from the Chris Rock Show, I didn’t really think that’s where it came from. But, I didn’t realize that it had such a history behind it. That’s pretty cool, I have learned something today, and can therefore go back to sleep. Thanks.
-Murphy
Re: Wigger, Whack. I dont think so…
I prefer Wafro-Wamerican.
“The clothes proclaimeth the man” - Hamlet
Be yourself, there’s no one better at it. - Bil
I have to agree with Vogue on this…this black owned business would be pretty silly to not be interested in selling as many of their wares to the largest amount of people as possible. And indeed I have not heard or seen anything from the company that would indicate they are anything but pleased their products appeal to a larger segment of the population. Actually I’d be willing to bet they feel rather lucky. Many companies go to quite a bit of trouble attempting to expand their demographics.
Needs2know
Common sense would dictate that. However, you commonly hear about Denny’s getting sued for discriminating against blacks, for what reason I can’t fathom.
This is somewhawt off the subject, but the first time I saw someone in a FUBU jersey, I thought the initials were FUBAR…
I can’t for the life of me remember where I read about this, but I the article definitely said that “for us” meant that the clothes were supposed to be worn by “us.”
Boy, that’s some rigorous proof that I just offered, eh? :rolleyes:
Guinastasia – me too! I don’t think everyone knows what FUBAR is. To me it’s Fucked Up Beyond All Reason.
And really, so now even CLOTHES have some kind of racial barrier? Can I just shoot myself now? This race shit gets so damn stupid! Oh, my, don’t wear THAT or that means…
Just cut the shit.
I look white but I’m probably one of the biggest “melting pot” chicks you are ever gonna meet. Take a little wander through my genetic tree and you’ll find almost every race, creed, religion or whatever people are currently using to differentiate themselves from one another.
Let’s just pull our heads out; we have more in common than we have in difference. WE are. Wear what you like. Be who you are. This crap about “this music” or “this clothing” is only for “white/black/green” people is nothing but perpetuating the very crap that so many us are trying to overcome.
I’m sorry to go off on a rant but this just grates on me. I’m so tired of having one relative tell me to do/not do something because it honors/dishonors my “heritage”. My true, real “heritage” is all that I am. I encompass it all.
Okay, I’m getting off my soap box. Sorry Slythe if I posted too many “blue” words. I don’t want to get this thread kicked but I had to say my bit.
I know she has black ancestry, that is my point, she doesn’t * look black * [Oh man how I hate that comment!] But she still was wearing the shirt, and anyone who might LOOK white could still want to support the ** idea ** of black business and BE black or NOT.
I’m with Byzie on this, except she’s cool and I’m NOT. Wear what you want. I hate designer stuff and all that it usually means anyway. The only ‘Name’ I care about besides my own, is the New Balance shoes I wear, since I have crummy feet.
That was exactly my point to begin with. I mean, I get so sick and tired of this acting “black” acting “white” stuff.
Like I said, I’m white. I read an advice column about a young African American girl who was trying hard to study and get good grades because she REALLY wanted to become a doctor, and it was her dream. Well, her friends told her she was a sell out, and she was “acting white.”
How does one act “white” or act “black?” I mean isn’t that statement right there basically racist?
What threw me was a Russian gent, approximately 65, who could barely speak English, attempting to purchase a printer from me, while dressed fully in a red and black cotton Fubu jumpsuit, with matching red and black Fubu sneakers.
–Tim