You Ain't Got These
OK sneaker culture show half-documentary, half-promo.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
You Ain't Got These
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that You Ain't Got These is a documentary show that focuses on sneaker culture: why people collect and covet sneakers. Each 10-minute episode focuses on a particular aspect of the culture, how it evolved, and what it means. A lot of airtime is dedicated to the idea of sneakers (or fashion in general) as a status symbol, and some aspects of the show could be seen as advertisements for specific brands.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Actor, writer, and director Lena Waithe (The Chi, Master of None) hosts YOU AIN'T GOT THESE, a documentary series about sneaker culture. What is sneaker culture? It's when people take the buying and collecting of certain styles of shoes very seriously, and there is a large community devoted to the once underground niche interest. Each episode explores how sneaker culture ignited and evolved, why it exists, and how it manifests in pop culture and everyday life.
Is It Any Good?
Quibi's 10-minute episodes are a nice match with the documentary-collage format: It's a good amount of time to dig into one particular aspect of a subject without stretching it out too much. That said, You Ain't Got These feels padded out, with about half of each episode devoted to interviewees talking about how buying sneakers gives them status, but not really exploring the social implications of why that is. Without digging into the downside of commercialism and the "money equals confidence" equation, You Ain't Got These seems more like PR than a true cultural documentary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about sneaker culture. What is sneaker culture? What's the difference between sneaker culture and just buying a pair of shoes?
Did you learn anything about sneakers that you didn't already know from You Ain't Got These? What was it? Is there more to sneaker culture than you realized? Are there aspects of sneaker culture they don't talk about on the show?
How does the value of sneakers increase? What are some of the ways you see sneaker values increase on the show? Why do you think people covet sneakers as much as they do?
TV Details
- Premiere date: April 6, 2020
- Cast: Lena Waithe
- Network: Quibi
- Genre: Educational
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Hip-Hop Evolution
Frank, fascinating history of a music genre, culture shift.
-
The Defiant Ones
Mature, insightful docu about unlikely hip-hop partnership.
-
Project Runway
Check this one out before sharing with fashion-crazed teens.
For kids who love fashion
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate