Message to Tennessee on saggy pants: Butt out

Memphis Commercial Appeal ^ | 4/8/12 | Wendi C. Thomas

[getgo]

I have absolutely no problem with a dress code either for schools or places of business whether applying it to workers OR patrons.

[cripplecreek]

We had a dress code when I was in school. For girls, skirts needed to be at least knee length. For males, no shorts were to be worn etc.

[Savage Beast]

I was standing in line at a fast food counter. In front of me was a young black teenager lounging on the counter with his pants below his hips, his lower regions covered by boxer shorts. When he saw me looking at him--I was trying not to stare or register any disapproval--he politely brought his pants to his waist and stood up straight. I thought it amusing--and endearing--that he was polite enough to do this.

Of course schools should insist on a dress code. And pants below underwear is a lousy style trend.

But on the other hand, teenagers rebel for a reason, and, in this case, it was encouraging to me to see this teenagers respect for his elders and for convention played out in his behavior.

[Savage Beast]

I was standing in line at a fast food counter. In front of me was a young black teenager lounging on the counter with his pants below his hips, his lower regions covered by boxer shorts. When he saw me looking at him--I was trying not to stare or register any disapproval--he politely brought his pants to his waist and stood up straight. I thought it amusing--and endearing--that he was polite enough to do this.

Of course schools should insist on a dress code. And pants below underwear is a lousy style trend.

But on the other hand, teenagers rebel for a reason, and, in this case, it was encouraging to me to see this teenagers respect for his elders and for convention played out in his behavior.

[Savage Beast]

After making the above post, I wondered why I had. I think the reason is this:

At a time when evil forces are fanning the flames of racial divide, it is important for us to focus on all that unite us as people.

Another anecdote occurred to me:

On our high school class trip to New York, some of us boys went wild in the hotel and wrote all over the walls and doors of our floor with white chalk.

The cleaning woman--a black lady--hit the ceiling! She chastised us, wagging her finger, and told us to clean it up.

I was the ringleader. I spoke politely to her--was careful to say "Yes Ma'am," and did as she said. We began cleaning up the mess.

At which she complimented me and said: "You can tell children from nice families. Now you boys know better than to do this."

We all replied "Yes Ma'am," and cleaned it all up.

My grandmother, who was raised in the South, always insisted that we say "Yes Ma'am" to our elders, regardless of race or anything else.

BTW: in France, if you want good treatment in the hotel, such as extra towels, address the cleaning woman as "Madame".

In Germany, say "Gnädige Frau."

[Savage Beast]

After making the above post, I wondered why I had. I think the reason is this:

At a time when evil forces are fanning the flames of racial divide, it is important for us to focus on all that unite us as people.

Another anecdote occurred to me:

On our high school class trip to New York, some of us boys went wild in the hotel and wrote all over the walls and doors of our floor with white chalk.

The cleaning woman--a black lady--hit the ceiling! She chastised us, wagging her finger, and told us to clean it up.

I was the ringleader. I spoke politely to her--was careful to say "Yes Ma'am," and did as she said. We began cleaning up the mess.

At which she complimented me and said: "You can tell children from nice families. Now you boys know better than to do this."

We all replied "Yes Ma'am," and cleaned it all up.

My grandmother, who was raised in the South, always insisted that we say "Yes Ma'am" to our elders, regardless of race or anything else.

BTW: in France, if you want good treatment in the hotel, such as extra towels, address the cleaning woman as "Madame".

In Germany, say "Gnädige Frau."

[oh8eleven]

Officials should ban any & every facet of THE culture that is destroying America.

[UCANSEE2]

We had a dress code when I was in school.

And common sense, and morality, and responsible parents, and good teachers, and no racism.

[cripplecreek]

When the class of 1980 had t-shirts made up that said “Kick ass class” they had to turn them inside out.

[freeangel]

How did I know Wendi Thomas was black?

[getgo]

When I went, no jeans of any kind, girls skirts at knne lenght or below, no “tight” sweaters for girls (that pretty much sucked”, no sneekers except in gym class, no more then one button undone on shirt or blouse amd after a warning boys would be sent home if their hair was to long. DA’s were allowed but the hair had to be properly combed.

Now you have an idea of my age. This was a public school.

[who knows what evil?]

Officials should ban any & every facet of THE culture that is destroying America.

Amen. The lax dress code can now be seen in the workplace...flip-flops, bare feet, shorts, really low cut blouses on overweight women, jeans, etc...

[Conservative4Ever]

Ahh yes, I remember those days...good times...good times :-)

[newzjunkey]

Legislators are not elected to be the fashion police, particularly when the style is likely a passing fad.

This "fad" has been going twenty years.

[Gaffer]

I wish they ALL wore baggy pants so low, they had to use both hands to hold them up. Can’t grab a gun before you can.

[oh8eleven]

The lax dress code can now be seen ...
... anywhere in America including church; on any day, even holidays.
We've become a nation of irresponsible slobs.

[who knows what evil?]

We've become a nation of irresponsible slobs.

You nailed it.

[TexasSecede79366]

really low cut blouses on overweight women
So you're not against low cut blouses but you want to designate who wears them?
--- and baggie pants have been around since the 40's sans the boxers. Ducktails and butt cracks were the fad.

[DesertSapper]

Logical as is it to wear clothing correctly, this is NOT the business of the state. An enforced school district dress code would address this at the correct level.