Posted on 08/29/2007 6:29:22 PM PDT by blam
Saggy trouser ban hit by race and liberty row
By Alex Spillius in Washington
Last Updated: 1:49am BST 30/08/2007
Plans to ban low-slung, underwear-exposing trousers have provoked allegations of racism and the restriction of personal freedom after councillors in Atlanta declared it should be the first major city to tackle "offensive dressing".
Critics of the planned ban have claimed the measure would allow police to target young black males
Officials want to impose a $100 (£50) fine and community service for offensive dressing after complaints not only of indecency but of lowering the image of the black community, where the fashion began.
For several years, American youths, male and female, have worn oversize trousers around their hips, or even lower, in a trend exported overseas - not least to Britain. Held up with a belt and periodic tugs, they often reveal boxer shorts or, in the case of girls, thong underwear.
Critics have claimed the measure would allow police to target young black males. "This would establish an additional type of racial profiling," said Debbie Seagraves, of the Georgia state branch of the American Civil Liberties Union.
But at a heated meeting in Atlanta, the division was between old and young - or, perhaps, between non-hip and hip. In America few issues have divided the generations as strongly since the start of rock 'n' roll.
The motion was proposed by a black councillor, C T Martin, who has described sagging trousers as an "epidemic" that is a "major concern" around the country.
"I don't want young people thinking half-dressing is the way to go. I want them to think about their future," he said.
He was supported from the large audience by James Allen, 76, who said he would start a "belt brigade" to patrol the streets for inappropriate trouser-heights.
"It bothers me as a black man," he told the meeting. "They dress down. They talk down. Some of the things they do are downright lowdown. It sickens me. We need to teach them in a way they will become prospects, not suspects."
The elderly and middle-aged in the hall then displayed some of the poor behaviour they bemoan in the young, booing and hissing 19-year-old James Fancy as he pulled his shorts down to expose striped boxers, while his friend Tabby Chase, 30, stood up to reveal a bra under a fishnet shirt. Someone was heard to mutter: "Disgusting!"
Both underwear flashers held up a sign saying "Clothes are not a crime". They were supported by Jimmy Person, 34. "Maybe young people should be more tasteful," he said, "but let young people decide for themselves."
The meeting ended with the council members showing their age, or perhaps their wisdom, and setting up a task force to look into the issue further.
I wonder what signal that sends to your fellow inmates when you're in prison...
>>This fashion just screams, “kick my @$$”.<<
I think that isn’t the message most people hear.
So now being black is EQUATED with having your trousers down around your @ss.
When and where will the cultural stupidity of certain African-American people ever end?
Let the thugs wear their drawers in this way. They look like the buffoons they actually are (easier to I.D. the gang bangers, carjackers, and drug dealers), and it makes it easier for “the man” to catch them when they commit their crimes.
“Wow... what race are trousers?”
It depends on what color they are. :)
Next up: The Atlanta City Council establishes a modest dress code for the Peachtree Road Race (I better not give them any ideas).
However, what it says is "here's my ass, do what you will with it". If that's what you want to say, knock yourselves out.
IMO, we older men should start dressing like that. ...unless, of course, you’d rather continue to see us in yellow plaid pants pulled up too high.
I know someone who watched a kid walk across McDonald’s parking lot with full hands. His pants drooped further and further until they finally fell all the way down. There was nothing he could do, his hands were full. My friend laughed his head off at him.
If that’s what’s considered “cool”, I am thrilled to be square. I have seldom seen any more just plain stupid fads in my life. Everything else aside, it just looks plain old retarded.
And a woman of 30 wearing a fishnet top over a bra for everyday street wear?
Please, can someone tell me where I can move to where class and common sense haven’t been banished and where stupidity and buffoonery aren’t the rule?
What I really don't understand is how race figures into this. Sheesh, probably 9 out of the last 10 kids I've seen dressed like that have been white. Why do these racists continue to try to make every issue about race?
I simply meant that the exposed undies are an enticing target, much like someone bending over.
I realize this is sophomoric and would never actually do it (the comment about guns comes to mind), but I couldn’t resist.
If my posts seem odd, try mentally adding a /sarc tag, then they might make more sense.
:^)
“A wide stance.”
You’re absolutley right and the way they have to walk is most laughable.
For someday in the not-too-distant future, when that boy will grown up and have a family.
Just when he thinks all is safe, one day his mother will come for a visit.
He will have the scare of his life when she tells her grandkids: "C'mere! I wanna show ya somethin'!"
And she will proceed to pull out......
the photo album! < cue horror movie music>
When I was at the DMV to get my license renewed, I experienced the height of sagginess. A hispanic young man in line ahead of me had his britches completely below his ass, cinched up with his belt at thigh level. I can't begin to express how stupid this looked. No one in the entire room commented on it; it was merely "yutes" expressing themselves.
However, again, what it says to the world is "I've already dropped my pants for you". It's a prison beeyotch thing. It's not something to strive for.
There shouldn’t be a city-wide ban, but black leaders should be denouncing this style of dress. And then blacks complain that they can’t find work. Well duh. Try speaking proper grammar and dress appropriately instead of looking like an extra from a BET rap video.
>>What I really don’t understand is how race figures into this. Sheesh, probably 9 out of the last 10 kids I’ve seen dressed like that have been white. Why do these racists continue to try to make every issue about race?<<
Inside the city of Atlanta this is largely a black, male thing. And even when adopted by white kids, its still a hip hop style and thus associated with black culture.
Its kind of like the the reaction to rock and roll before it became trans racial - many of the early critics focused on it coming from black culture and being adopted by white kids “acting black.”
But that does obscure the other arguments - 50’s parents wouldn’t have liked rock and roll if it had come from Mars or if Pat Boone had invented it. Likewise Rap and its associated styles would be disliked by many parents no matter where it came from.
I’m sorry I misread your post.
I think they look about as cool as a swallow tailed straight jacket but if the kids want to dress that way then it is their business and no one elses.
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