The Brief: Black Air Force 1 memes poke fun at wearers of these shoes because they are associated with criminals and untrustworthy people.

DEEP DIVE
Nike Black Air Force 1 memes dunk on people who choose to wear these shoes for being suspicious unreliable, or downright dangerous. To many, Black Air Force 1 shoes, which are also known as black forces or black AF1’s, will forever be associated with criminal activity.
Wearers of the shoes are often considered to be shady, untrustworthy, and suspicious. While in some occupations, AF1’s are worn as work shoes, their stereotype as a shoe of a grifter or gangster usually excludes when they are part of a uniform. It’s said that the older and more worn out someone’s shoes are, the less upright they will be.
Black Air Force 1 memes went viral after Drake was pictured with model Malaika Terry, who was wearing a pair. These jokes are particularly popular on Black Twitter.
The phrase “Black Air Forces Activity” can be shorthand for “criminal activity.” It was used in a comedy sketch making fun of those who wear AF1’s.
While many jokes about black Air Forces insult those who wear them, many people lean into the stereotype, proudly wearing black AF1’s and acknowledging their negative connotation.
If you wear black air forces, especially the high tops, you’re crazy 😭
— Skai (@skaijackson) September 28, 2019
The one day I wear black AF1’s to work I get fired 🤦🏽♂️🤦🏽♂️
— Salem Said (@salem_said3) October 2, 2019
shane dawson constantly repeating "im poor im poor" over and over again when his net worth is $12 million makes me want to put on a pair of black air forces and Rob him
— chantel! 🦹🏽♀️ (@reptiliagrl) October 3, 2019
Everyone who commits crimes in black forces finally got them a shoe to wear in court. https://t.co/nPmcf3tdfa
— Ron Stoppable (@_RonDavis901) September 27, 2019
Eating candy corn is equivalent to wearing black forces
— Dr. Raymes Franco, P.D. (@smash_eat_sleep) October 1, 2019
My man had the black Air Forces on, I knew he was about to kill something https://t.co/7YZEJzYUPX
— PAPAS (@ayyeechristian) October 1, 2019
Me with my creased black air forces pic.twitter.com/OcvkU1NdB3
— . (@naixche) September 29, 2019
nissan altimas are the black air forces of the road
— gab🐉 (@gabbyyloo) September 27, 2019
If Black Air Forces took form of a human they’d definitely be 21 Savage pic.twitter.com/gmwU2pl4nX
— liluzivurtmemes (@liluzivurtmemes) October 2, 2019
Black Air Force 1’s are a staple of scam rapper Teejayx6’s wardrobe.
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