Armour
Armour is clothing adapted for war for protection in battle. It can be seen quite metaphorically in our urban cultures even though it dates way back to the Middle Ages. Putting up your hood on, say, a black Nike hooded jacket is, in my opinion, the modern-day adaptation of a Roman soldier putting on his steel helmet. However, we are not protecting ourselves from deadly sword strikes, but rather more deadly comments. People around you can magnify something so small as a bold colour on a t-shirt by using it as a negative thing. They may like the scrutiny, don’t agree with what you look like and/or enjoy the power of being a bully.
We shop for many reasons, e.g. style, warmth, elegance, but do we ever think about safety when we shop? And what are the perceptions of others when they see what we choose to wear? Are we walking around with targets on our backs, ready to be verbally shot at? Many of us have experienced feelings of intimidation when walking past a group of youths on a street corner or sitting in front them on a bus or train, blind from what’s going on behind us. But if you dress similarly, is that a way of fitting into a location, being a chameleon and not allowing yourself to be singled out? Should the common quote be changed to - If you can’t beat them, be them? These feelings have come from a combination of past experiences and negative press in the media, during a time where mostly young teens are portrayed as hang around in gangs, giving unwanted abuse. I can remember quite well the days where I would go to the hairdressers and get a skinhead hairstyle just for the fact that I was visiting my cousins who lives in Croxteth, a well-known area of Liverpool for crime and young gang rivalry, where self proclaimed areas are defended with guns and knives. Images like these were reinforced in my head from family and again the media. Of course you would be nervous if you looked different. Spiky gelled hair, or coloured highlights, could easily turn into a visit to the hospital, where you have been beaten black and blue. A little ‘OTT’ you may think but the phrase “better safe than sorry” always came to mind with enforces on the safe part.
The same can be said for the music we choose to scroll down to on our iPods. Something which you think is private to you, something only you can hear, could be giving off a non-visual message and again, creating an opening to be targeted. For example, listening to the likes of ABBA, which is classic and well-known throughout the world, gives off different opinions to different listeners. It could no way compare to something in the charts with a loud dub step vibe. So because you chose to press down on that particular old, personal hit, you may be looked at for a split second longer to have something said to you, purely for embarrassment. Would you change something over on your music player just for the fact that someone or to be more specific, a gang of hooded teens were walking past you on the street, or sat behind you on the bus?
Our current Prime Minister, David Cameron, seems to think along the same terms as myself, giving a speech in 2006 saying, “Hoodies are more defensive than offensive. They’re a way to stay invisible in the street. In a dangerous environment the best thing to do is keep your head down, blend in.” I agree with him in terms of keeping your head down, but I can’t help but think that his plan of action, to, I quote ,“hug a hoodie” is a somewhat naive approach of communication with them. Would you go up to a gang a ‘chavs’, giving you abuse and give them a hug ?!. The conclusion of it all may sound like am being somewhat judgemental by giving off the impression that every person in a hood will harm you in some way. Of course am not. However when thinking about people like this walking down the street, my guard will always be up and my mind automatically triggers into safety mode. This is my way of thinking, an urban jungle without a dart gun or hidden traps for the wild animals out there, just my headphones and a hood with the head down for protection.
If we think back to our high school days we felt forced against our will to wear drab, over sized blazers and boring patterned ties with no personality or design. Teachers gave us reasons like - to uphold the reputation of the school or so they knew who was really meant to be on the grounds. Some of this maybe part of it all but rules like school uniforms are set in stone for protection of students from getting singled out by their peers. If children can’t afford the lasted sportswear, if they have to wear something two days on the run, this may result in giving their fellow pupils the chance for pre-adult fashion harassment for their own evil amusement. Look at own clothes day, the day which most of us got existed for, may not have been so special for others. It’s easier to be spotted if you’re wearing something that you wish to, rather than what everyone else is. It’s like a where’s wally effect. It’s harder to find someone if everyone around you is wearing the same outfit.
The same can be said for the music we choose to scroll down to on our iPods. Something which you think is private to you, something only you can hear, could be giving off a non-visual message and again, creating an opening to be targeted. For example, listening to the likes of ABBA, which is classic and well-known throughout the world, gives off different opinions to different listeners. It could no way compare to something in the charts with a loud dub step vibe. So because you chose to press down on that particular old, personal hit, you may be looked at for a split second longer to have something said to you, purely for embarrassment. Would you change something over on your music player just for the fact that someone or to be more specific, a gang of hooded teens were walking past you on the street, or sat behind you on the bus?
Our current Prime Minister, David Cameron, seems to think along the same terms as myself, giving a speech in 2006 saying, “Hoodies are more defensive than offensive. They’re a way to stay invisible in the street. In a dangerous environment the best thing to do is keep your head down, blend in.” I agree with him in terms of keeping your head down, but I can’t help but think that his plan of action, to, I quote ,“hug a hoodie” is a somewhat naive approach of communication with them. Would you go up to a gang a ‘chavs’, giving you abuse and give them a hug ?!. The conclusion of it all may sound like am being somewhat judgemental by giving off the impression that every person in a hood will harm you in some way. Of course am not. However when thinking about people like this walking down the street, my guard will always be up and my mind automatically triggers into safety mode. This is my way of thinking, an urban jungle without a dart gun or hidden traps for the wild animals out there, just my headphones and a hood with the head down for protection.
(photos shoot and styled by me)
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