Culture Voice
Diddy's son has a Maybach and only $10k in the bank
By: Crystal P. Smith (follow this member)
Mon, 01/25/2010 - 10:53
Diddy's son, Justin Dior, turned 16 this past week and MTV was there to film it all for an upcoming episode of My Super Sweet 16, which shows elaborate parties thrown for kids with rich parents. Justin's party was thrown Saturday night at the M2 Ultralounge in New York City and of course Diddy was there to spoil his boy with lavish gifts. Diddy bought his 16 year old son a brand new silver Maybach (which costs about $360,000) and then gave him a $10,000 check to open a bank account.
Something's wrong here.
In a perfect world, or at least one that isn't consumed with greed, Diddy would have given Justin the $360,000 to open a bank account instead of spending it on a car he doesn't even really have a use for. But now we know: It's okay to buy a car that's worth more than what's in your bank account. And that it's okay to buy a flashy car when you don't even own a house.
Judging from Diddy's ethics the car was probably just for showboating, but whether or not it was a real gift doesn't matter. It still sends the wrong message, not only to Justin but every kid who will tune into the show when it airs. For the record, Justin is donating the $10k to Haiti to help with the earthquake relief—very noble of him—especially considering money management doesn't appear to be a necessary skill he needs to learn.
Diddy has built an empire but his example of wealth creation puts us back a step one. His character and common sense apparently hasn't grown at all with his success. Why didn't he buy Justin an apartment building, or stocks or even a 3 series BMW?
But on another note, I'm sure Justin will get a lot of use out of his Maybach, especially in New York City, when his driver doesn't feel like driving the old car. Many thanks to Diddy for providing his son and the world with a glaring example of what "new money" really means.
Crystal P. Smith is senior editor and writer at TheLoop21.com, where she focuses on pop culture, gender, social issues and race. She also writes the Culture Voice blog and is working on her first novel.
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COMMENTS
You fail to point out anything that's actually wrong with this. It sounds like a father who can afford it is buying a gift for his 16-year-old son. Do you truly believe that the child of this very wealthy man "only" has $10K in the bank? This is a tabloid approach to other people's lives...but I hope it at least serves your purpose of generating the clicks.
He and his family seem to be well off, and enjoying themselves. Children who will tune in to the show and get the wrong "message" are more victims of their own parents' 1) lack of providing proper context and 2) allowing MTV to usurp a role that is rightfully the parents' than they are victims of Diddy exercising personal choice with his personal finances- the sole purpose of accumulating one's own wealth.
I think the point she's making is that his priorities are off: Money in the bank should be more important than the flash on the street.
Who cares what Diddy does with the money he has earned ? Does he have a responsibility to teach money management to the world now ? Teach your own kids, you be their role model.
Not only does Diddy put forth a negative image for what is important, he also is a stark example of why African American's are not keen on building wealth in this country. It's easy to say that Diddy shouldn't be concerned with the economic plight of regular Americans, however, the same people who argue that will argue about unfair hiring practices, the displacement of wealth, the economic impact of the middle class, the lack of wealth African American's in this country and etc. When you live your life in the limelight, you are subject to scrutiny: all he is known for is the exploitation of other artists, his playboy lifestyle, and his party reputation---not anything positive that benefits society. Diddy is not a good example of African American's of power and wealth and he really isn't teaching his son a good example. I don't care how rich you are, anyone that spoils a child in that matter only hinders that child because he will not know how to make it on his own. Heaven forbid if Diddy were to ever lose that wealth.....
This is a eal term, so don't automatically call me racist, just because they happen to be black. But this is the opitamy of teaching your son the art of being n!gger rich.
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