Comments on: “Bon chic, Bon genre” or why Congolese men rather starve to death than look cheap.

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Sat, 15 Mar 2008 03:16:33 +0000

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By: Look rich or die tryin’. « young and hungry

Look rich or die tryin’. « young and hungry — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:54:32 +0000

[...] Congolese blogger known as Papa Shongo explains: Although this may seem ridiculous to most of us, showing off (which this really is) has [...]

By: Philippe

Philippe — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 03:25:03 +0000

Very good point papa shongo, i give you credit for that…

By: Marian

Marian — Sat, 26 May 2007 23:33:41 +0000

Papa Shongo,
When you told me that Congolese people would rather spend money on looking good rather than making a better home or life for themselves I thought you were kidding. I can only say that it’s a wide spread phenomenon among black people around the world. I grew up in Houston, Texas and my family and most of the people I know there are the same way. They pour money into clothes and cars that they can’t afford yet they live in the worst parts of the ghetto. I remember when I was growing up, my cousins used to be embarrassed by me. I didn’t have Nike’s or Addidas because it wasn’t important to me or my mom. I wore Ked’s which frequently got me laughed out of the park.

Anyway, the same can be said today. Most of the famous African Americans still won’t be caught dead without they’re designer threads and all the people of the ghetto who watch they’re every move are not far behind them. What disturbs me about it is that we don’t work on owning houses or spend as much on our education. For most, looking good equals success. I was always taught to get my house straight first before I try to show off. If you have a beautiful car and clothes, shouldn’t you have the education and house to match? I don’t knkow I’m just putting it out there into the universe.

By: Papa Shongo

Papa Shongo — Thu, 24 May 2007 18:46:29 +0000

David, I really appreciate your comment on this article of mine. It seems however, that there’s been a mix-up as to the identity of its author, essentially me (Shongo Massamba) and not Emeka Okafor the NBA player. Apparently whoever posted this on BOing BOing goofed about the actual author of the article. Sorry to disappoint, i’m not Emeka Okafor …I played basketball in high school though ;-D

By: David Goodwin

David Goodwin — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:14:04 +0000

Emeka:
You are now intellectually the most impressive pro athlete I’ve encountered. This post raises an issue that has long concerned me RE: low income individuals, but which most people are to frightened to broach.
Schilling and the other athlete bloggers I’ve read come across as, at best, well-connected fans. Your work attains the level of poignant social commentary, impressive for any writer to produce, let alone an author whose day job is to put a ball in a hoop (and in your case, to keep others from doing same).
Thanks for sharing this insight from a place that feels far off, but through globalism, isn’t that far from any of our doorsteps.