Jordans: Not Just Any Shoe

Riana Vocal, International Studies Academy, Wat it do, ISA? (February 2007):

It seems like two or three pair of Nike Jordan basketball shoes come out every month.

The name Jordan comes from basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles and was a five-time league MVP.

You can buy Jordans in almost any shoe store, and lately, everybody seems to have a pair. But not a lot of people are wearing the Cardinal Sevens, which are cardinal- and white- colored Jordan Sevens (Nike Air Jordan VII) that came out last year.

It’s weird, because almost everyone at ISA now has the Fire Reds, a version of the Jordan Fives (Nike Air Jordan V) that came out before Christmas. If you look at any of the other shoes that were released before the Fire Reds -- like the Cardinal Sevens -- almost nobody has those.

I think the reason why most people have the newest Jordans is because they were worried about saving up their money to get Fire Reds and not spending money on the older styles. They wanted to be able to get the latest shoe.

Most kids are so concerned about the latest trends that they buy every new pair of Jordans that come out and stop wearing their old ones.

Another version of the Jordan Fives, released in January, is all black with a little silver in them. Everybody is talking about them and talking about when they’re going to get them. That’s mostly all you hear around school and out of school.

If you really think about it, most people get Jordans because they want to be in style and because everybody else is getting them.

Signs that you see in the mall also persuade people to get Jordans. Signs show a picture of a pair of Jordans and they tell you when the shoes are going to be released. When I see those signs, I want those shoes and I’m sure that’s how other people feel, too.

Signs like that don’t just want you to have nice shoes; they’re trying to make more money off of people.

Jordans are very expensive shoes. They cost anywhere from $135 to $175 depending on size and what they look like, according to Nike.com representative Tianna Esparza.

Usually kids work hard to get the money from their parents, or some kids may have jobs to get their Jordans.

Being in style doesn’t always mean you have to spend more money. It depends on what style you want to dress like, because there isn’t just one kind.