Religious jewelry: expressing faith or being trendy?
Religous jewelry such as bracelets and necklaces have become very popular over the last few years at Lakewood. (BYRON BOYKINS/SNN)
By MALCOM ERVIN
SNN Staff Writer
When sophomore Eyana Holmes’ grandmother saw her wearing rosary beads one day, she immediately told her to take them off. Holmes said her grandmother thought they were disrespectful to the Catholic religion.
“Since I’m an obedient child, I took (them) off,” Holmes said. “‘Til this day it’s still on my (dresser).”
Like Holmes, some Lakewood students are wearing religious jewelry just for style, not necessarily because it’s part of their religion, a fad that started last year.
A lot of people are wearing rosary beads as well as what they refer to as a “Jesus piece” – a beaded necklace that has a medallion with Jesus’ face on it. Another popular item is wooden bracelets with pictures of the baby Jesus, the Blessed Mother and saints on it.
Holmes said she bought the rosary beads from Tyrone Square Mall and she didn’t mean it to show disrespect. A lot of students buy these items at a beauty supply store or even a corner store.
Some people see it as a fashion trend like sophomore Corey Johnson. He calls his chain the “Jesus piece,” which he purchased at Tyrone mall.
“I was walking in the mall and I came up to a store called Italian Gold,” says Johnson. “I asked the store clerk what’s the cheapest piece of jewelry you have. That’s when she introduced me to the Jesus piece.”
Johnson says he gets a lot of attention from the chain. “Soon as I walked through the hallway a lot of people looked at it,” he said.
Johnson says his chain represents style and his love for Jesus Christ.
“Mainly for Christ - the style is just a bonus,” says Johnson.