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Stop the Violence Over Sneakers

On January 7th 2012, 19 year old D.C. teen David Lee Robinson was robbed and shot to death over a pair of Nike Zoom Rookies after leaving a party with his cousin. From the feedback we have been getting from our sneakerheads in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia Metropolitan area, robberies and murders have become part of the sneaker culture in certain neighborhoods out there, and KicksOnFire.com finds this very disturbing.

We love our sneakers and we work very hard for them. Some of us find some pretty elaborate ways to come up with the money to get our sneakers. Stealing and killing will never be and should never be a person’s way of getting kicks. Some people blame the robberies on the fact that so many of the most sought after sneakers, especially Nike and Jordan sneakers, come in very limited numbers. Due to limited numbers not everyone is able to get a pair. Match that with resellers selling these same sneakers at prices sometimes more than double the retail price,  it keeps the sneakers out of the hands of people who can’t afford to get them if they are sold out in stores.

It is not a sure bet that releasing more sneakers in stores would stop people from getting robbed for their sneakers, so the best thing to do is just raise awareness to stop the violence over sneakers. Stop the violence, the riots, the looting and let’s stay CIVILIZED. A life is way too precious to give up over any type of sneaker or any other material object. Lets not let our love for sneakers and the sneaker culture take a dark turn like this again. Stop the Violence Over Sneakers! Make sure you Retweet and Like to spread the word!

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WesManTooth 5 pts

Does anyone know how to spell anymore?

MrwakeUPPPP 7 pts

Every body that keep saying if Nike do this or Nike do that needs Mental in Physical help those are the people that you called hype beast its a difference between a sneaker head in Hype beast. No what yall need to do is stop acting like yall don't have no home training in just go home. If you camp out in didn't get the shoe go Home simple. Maybe next time you will do some thing more important than to what for a simply pair of shoe. Think about killing some one over some Jordan 11s than when you die you have to answer to God rather you care or Believe in him or not.

Another reason I'm glad I live in Canada.

Slickback right on that 1. i admit i myself make alot of money and its still hard to get kicks because stuff gets sold out 2 and 3 months in advance. like the up and coming yeezy 2 the retail is 250 kool ima get those as if. man the mark up on them is insane at 2500 a pair and what is nike doing? nothing im about to just boycot the whole sneaker movement cause its just wild on the way people are getting over. make more sneakers or else more will follow.

It ain't Nike's fault, fuck that. Stop acting like fucking animals people! The scumbags that rob old ladies for $40 are the same that rob people for their sneakers. They're just lowlife SCUMBAGS! It's human nature to hate on people who have what you can't afford. So Nike should supply the public w/ endless quantities at affordable prices?! It's a business, not a charity. If you can't have what you want, that's life- deal w/ it.

i think that nike should just internet release but that really would help cause you can still get rob in the streets . maybe supply for the demand would be the best thing

sneaker crimes that are committed are mainly by black people. they can't act like civilized citizens in their own communities. very sad.

People keep saying nike should release more shoes dat will stop the problem. No dumbass stop constantly spendin yall hard erned dollars on companies dat dont give a shit about you. Nike dont give a damn about use nike take our money from there product in let use fight over it becaues they know we will. If i have to what in a long ass line spend alot of money for low quilty ass shoes becaues the quilty went down in nike period just forget it. People who claim nike should produce more shoes in call them self sneaker heads you one indeed just a sneaker in your head no brain the true meaning.

Oh yahe bet if a book store was releseing the bible or free education niggaz wouldnt kill or camp out. Oh yahe its not nike fault dummys its yall fault if you dont get them you dont get them go home in educate your self in stop acin like gorillaz in monkeys. Oh the peopel dat say increase demands no dumbasses go home in start thinkin increase you intelligents. In its not just blacks IT MAINLY blacks kilin each other off.

let me spit some knowledge on u dumb niggaz thats how we act niggaz then get made when you get called one. To stop the violence over sneakers is to start savein yo money or pay yo rent youll take a life over a pair of sneakers. The lord said thy shall not kill in here you niggaz go killin people for shoe dats not even worth taken a bullet for. If god forbide sombody rob me for my shoes at gun point ill just give it to em because i got god on my side in there isnt a shoe in the world worth killin for. I know niggaz forgot who he is because there god is micheal jordan or the nike company dat can carless about you. In the people dat claim they need to increse stock just sayin da because thy wasnt on the recivein side of the bullet. They need to stop showin relese dates for ill kicks in let people find out for they own selfs.

Its the culture, not the limited number of sneakers. It is wrong to kill/steal for anything. Tom Ford loafers are very limited but you don't see people being killed for those. And they look better then most of the stupid sneakers out there. Why havent I been shot buying my loafers? Think about it.

That what they want us to do is fight and kill each other over material things. Don't you think its funny that they only make a certain amount of shoes, and keep us wanting more. I don't think Jordan is in control over his brand, and company as he thinks. Someone else is making the decision's or there would be more pairs for sale. Hurt across the country for Jordan , and Nike shoes WOW. A mother is crying tonight cause she lost her son over greed, stop the violence please. From on sneaker head to anther......LOVE

at the end of the day there just sneakers ppl..a human life is way more important than some damn sneakers.we have to be better than this people..

Is this wat the world has come to....to rob and kill people over shoes...spend a month campin outside just for a shoe....start riots and fights over a shoe...is it really worth it...this has just really became sick and disgusting...u only live once so whats the point...some people cant even afford a shoe while we have people spending $200-$500 for a shoe instead of buying something important like food or paying ur bills...and yes it is nike and jordans fault for hyping up a shoe so much that they want people to fight and die just to have them....this is just sad

AND US REAL FUCKIN SNEAKERHEADS NEED TO TAKE A STAND AND PROTEST AND STOP BUYING THESE FUCKIN SHOES BECAUSE AS LONG AS WE DO THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP LIMITING THE AMOUNT AND BOOSTING THE PRICES . IF YA'LL WONDERING Y IM MAD IS BECAUSE IM FROM DC & PG AND ITS CRAZY WHEN THESE FUCKIN SHOES COME OUT AND THESE STORES LIKE FOOT LOCKER FEEL LIKE THEY CANT TREAT YOU ANY KIND OF WAY AND WE PUTTING MONEY IIN YOUR POCKETS . THESE PPL IN NIKE AND JORDAN DONT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT ANYBODY DYING OVER THERE SHOE BECAUSE IF THEY DID THEY WOULD OF SPOKEN OUT AND MADE CERTAIN ARRANGEMENTS TO STOP THIS . MICHAEL JORDAN, PENNY, ETC AND THE REST DONT GIVE A FUCK ABOUT NOTHING ACCEPT CHECKS THESE CRACKAS GIVE TO THEM IM SORRY TO ABOUT MY REMARK IM NOT RACIST BUT ITS THE TRUTH, AND THIS SHIT NEED TO SAID

I agree 100%.  I'm a New Yorker but currently live in B'more.  I will admit I've waited outside both PG Plaza and another mall in MD twice for Jordan releases.  The thing is, I'm old enough to remember when I had the original releases of these retros in the 80's/90's.  Yes I am a business professional BUT still have a love for sneakers, definitely not a hypebeast.  My point is that on both occassions @ these MD malls, 1,000 dudes were outside while stores probably had maybe 50-100 pairs max. Kids, moms etc were outside in the rain @ 4am and security guards etc kept looking at the crowds like 'these stupid n***erz".  Not to bring race into it, but it's only our black ppl that keep acting like monkeys for these kicks.  I left once it started raining. I refuse to wait in the rain @4am for sneakers with white folk looking @ me like I'm a dumb f**k, especially when I know I'm way more educated than these security guards are lol... PLUS I used to work for Nike in Europe and know hw much 1) Nike/Jordan doesn't care what black folk do and 2)the cost to manufacture the shoe isn't more than $20.  Black folk will always lose with this mentality.  I REFUSE to ever support this f***ery again!

Fuck that the violence is terrible and i totally agree and im from DC ... but im tellin you kicksonfire if they want to stop the violence these manufacturing companies that are all the sudden making money off our culture . Jordan and Nike who boosts the prices of shoes with material not even withstanding and durable for two years . If your going market these shoes like that then you need to make and distribute more shoes period . And you websites need to make your information more accurate when informing us sneakerheads whether certain shoes going to be limited instead of waiting after the fuckin shoe has already been released now were looking stupid . I been wearing jordans and the best of best nike since i could remember im 21 now and I'm going to say this " I HATE THIS CULTURE NOW BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE THESE CORPORATION ARE DOING THIS TO SHOW HOW CRAZY US BLACK PPL ARE OVER SHOES " FUCK NIKE AND JORDAN

They Really Should Just Release More Pairs Of Sneakers I Really Think That Will Stop The Problem

sneakers in the dmv are like jewelry up north and down south............ like a chain in ny, you buy it you gotta protect it........... if nike sold the shows at just 40% more than what they actually cost to make, we wouldnt have this problem........ but then again even if nikes were cheaper in general, cats would find another pair of over priced shoes to buy.............. in that since, we all need to get our priorities together.........

Maybe if they stop makin midnight releases for jordan and it probably would happen

general releases cure that problem real quick!!

just sell all limited shoes online so you will have know problem the rest is up to the individual to decide where and how they are going to rock there shoes. lets be real its america

When some new hypebeasts do so much talking and hoarding it gets crazy, prices rocket then kids get robbed, bring back the old days when it was about the sneakers not the hype, STOP THE VIOLENCE GUYS.

yo hypebeasts breakin the sneaker code no blood 4 sneekaz

There isn't one pair of shoes ever created that is worth killing over. The problem is that people don't know how to Love. 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 We can't blame Nike. People need to love one another and be satisfied with what the Lord has blessed them with.

nike , reseller , hypebeast . look how many people to be ROB , OR KILL . FOR THOSE GALAXY FOAMPOSITE ....

Someone shot up a mall here in Oakland, California when the concords released. 1 fatality, 2 or 3 wounded .

thats exactly why i cant ever get a good shoe from nike or jordan they never have my big ass size i wear a size 11 nobody ever has my size i might switch to adidas idk.........

My nigga size 11 is not big unless yur a chick or some shit cuz I'm 15 and wear size 10 On another note no offense to this kid May he RIP but he's a stupid every nigga in the hood knows u shudnt rock yur fresh kicks anywhere, specially where theres gonna be fiends. And definitely not in a subway station if that's what he said. Take them shits off and put them in yur backpack and then put yur mess up kicks on. Cuz I'm guessing he wore them shits to school and obviously he wasn't Finna get robbed there And if he didn't, carry a backpack wit u anyways

Nvrm just read he was comin from a party That's some shit

All nike gotta do is release uh whole fukn bunch of em!... Enough for everybody and some lefft ova's!... It uh be one big foamposite release party at every mall!!...

blame that guy in the pic with the four boxes in his clutches

I'm from Maryland and it sucks to say but all the dtlrs in the good get the best shoes there are two dtlr getting the galaxy foams around my way and they both are hood places either I don't get them or I get stabbed for them

Hey, which DTLR are getting them?

Minnesota Ave DC and Mondawmin Mall Baltimore

people are saying NIKE is responsible for someones conscious decision to rob and kill someone?? ...not sure if i agree

you should make a bracelet like the sneakerhead bracelet to spread the word

There way to limitted and over priced and too much hype... People get anxious , people gets violent when they dont get a pair

Thank you for saying this! It has been needed to be said for so long! And to those who blame this on Nike and say its their fault; just stop it. Yes, Nike perpetuates the violence through their limited supply for incredible demand. However, the problem unfortunately starts with the Black community. When you elevate f***ing sneakers over human life, something is drastically wrong. Many people who spend their money on these sneakers don't have enough money to provide for those that depend on them; or instead of being responsible with their hard earned and much-needed money, squander it on these ridiculously priced sneakers.

You were making a valid point until you brought race into it. Black people aren't the only ones craving sneakers, choosing sneakers over their bills, or buying overpriced sneakers. People of many races are making these bad choices. There are even non-black looking ppl in the photos in the article! Don't dilute an otherwise good point of view with prejudice and racism sir.

Of course its true what you say about people of other races buying Jordans too, no sh*t. What I'm saying wasn't racist, I was actually repeating what Black community leaders have been advocating for a long time. No one can argue that this is a problem primarily in the Black community; its largely African Americans that buy these sneakers and largely African Americans that value these sneakers over everything else (from their own family's well being to the innocent lives of others). Just check out the comments on the pictures KicksOnFire posts on their Facebook Page and tell me this isn't a problem in the Black community. Get real. I point it out so ignorant individuals can hopefully see that they perpetuate this problem and decide to get their priorities straight for the sake of our community. Or we can ignore this problem and continue to let Black people put these sneakers over livelihood at our expense and Nike/the government's profit.

yeah yeah black this black that.. In some cases yeah blacks, not only (blacks) but ppl rob 4 anything. @ the sam time nike still sould produce more. u hav a billion dollar industry. But only want 2 drop i'm guessn 500-5000 pair and you have over atleast millions of people waiting 2 buy. Same ppl who support nike$$$? it's simple. PRODUCE MORE IF IT WASN'T 4 US BLACKS, NIKE WOULDN'T B SHIT TODAY! so i'm like this i'm tired of the hype the long waits n line sometimes a long wait 4 nothing. On that note, hate 2 say it again fuck nike/jordan.. No disrespect 2 ppl who still on this hype shit fam, i was a victim. Is it really worth it anymore? Getting rob, waiting, price sky rocket, nike corp teasing, and laughing while we look like clowns and shit?

The black community is NOT to blame for sneaker violence in DC, Ignoramous! Its the fact that poverty is so high and common in the part of DC where the victim was murdered. In actually the Metro stop where the young man died has been experiencing a high rate of robbery the past few months, this one case just involved sneakers being stolen a women was actually raped there not to long ago as well.

They should just make more pairs. Point blank. Make the sneakers more available to meet the demand and you can decrease stuff like this.

Definitely Nikes fault, they could easily make more pairs but no.

i agreeeeeee with A Pimp Named Slickback that is the main problem with this issue and them brands should be more responsible!!!

Easiest way to stop sneaker violence would be for Jordan Brand and Nike to make the supply equal the demand. They'd obviously make more profits if there was a bigger number of each shoe made. It's tearing up the community and straightup embarrassing.

totallyyyyyyyyyy agreeeeee that is the main problem!!!

And the resellers that go out and end up buying 10 to 20 pairs to scalp on eBay nd sneaker forums for double, triple, sometimes 5 times the box price.

dont matter if they made 500,000 ppl want it for free that's why they rob