As a teen, it was cool to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Although the phrase "what are those?" was not of popular usage during my teen years, there were still those who'd make it apparent that one was wearing out of date or no named branded clothing. For me, my time of no longer caring about keeping up with the latest fashion trends occurred during my Baby Phat and Southpole cleaning spree. It was here that I emptied my closet of these "outdated" fashion brands due to the ridicule I faced from my peers. "Who wears that anymore?" they would say as I passed them by in the halls of my depressing high school or out on the streets. It was here that I realized that there will forever be the possibility of popular things, including clothing items, going out of style. As my peers went into the age of Aeropostale, and the halls became filled with people wearing the word Aeropostale from head to toe, I simply shrugged and kept it moving. I had grown into the age where conforming was just no longer my thing--as it remains so today. It irks me when I shop with people who search their hardest for that one item with a signature phrase or insignia on it; watching as they spend their hard earned money on items that will soon become things of the past. An old friend of mine would only purchase tank tops with the American Eagle Outfitters' symbol on it, regardless if the tanks we found in other stores were similar or less expensive.

I too know of others who are only willing to buy purses from specific designers and then go on to brag about it as if they had just won a contest. But I guess in many ways that is exactly what it is to some--a contest, one that allows them to place their successes upon specific items that they can afford. A contest that allows others to see that you are doing fairly well, well enough to continue adhering to the status quo, or well enough to "keep up with the Joneses" as the saying goes. A contest that tells those around you that you are doing supposedly better at life then they are.

When did the American dream become a thing of ownership--of owning designer clothing or feeling the need to purchase something sooner than others? There are people with the newest Jordan sneakers on their feet and the latest iPhone in their hands, who are complaining that they cannot keep up with their bills or save up enough to take their family on a nice vacation. When did we as a society start worshiping things rather than paying attention to those around us?

Many are under the impression that obtaining these name brand or well known objects help to define their status within society, placing their value in the hands of inanimate objects, and on the thoughts and opinions of others. We are living in a time where many go into a frenzy to find their lost cellphone or stolen sneakers, but are able to turn their heads away from the violence and destruction happening within their own neighborhoods. We must stop putting the importance of having things rather than time--time that could be used to spend with those dear to us.