Many believe that sagging pants began in the prison system, where belts are not allowed to be worn because they can be used as weapons or as a method to suicide. Hip-hop artists implemented this, and it rapidly became popular among the youth.
Requiring students to wear uniforms or conform to dress codes is a practice that some private schools have used for many years to help maintain order. Recent episodes of violence in schools, however, have led to an increasing interest in bringing uniforms and more stringent dress codes into public schools as well.
This form of fashion statement is contrary to the way most African-American men dressed up to the late ‘80s. In some places, local politicians passed laws prohibiting young men from sagging in public places. Several cities have banned sagging and issued fines to persons who show their underwear and, in some instances, their skin.
According to SoulfulDetroit.com, “From the 1900s to the 1920s to the 1940s, lapel widths changed, coats got a little shorter, hat styles varied, and then we hit the ‘70s, and everything exploded with color and flare.” This was undoubtedly reflected in the St. Louis area, where most African-American men dressed immaculately and respectfully in those decades.
There was the Black Retailer’s Association, a group that presented the latest fashions and trends to men of color. Those retailers were Wallace Coopwood, Mathew Foggy, Emanuel Bryant’s Esquire Men’s Shop, Joe’s Men Shop, Rozell Johnson’s Rozelle’s Men’s Shop, Phil Montgomery’s Leading Men’s Store, Leonardo’s Men Shop and many more.
Their clothes were of quality but affordable. The community wore them with dignity and self-esteem. There was no arrogance or conceit, but the pleasure of knowing they were symbols of a proud race.
The importance and influence of mothers and fathers in families has been significant, and those who allow their sons and daughters to present this gangsta image in public show a decline in power and authority over our children.
When the Afro and dashikis were in style, many in the black community looked upon them with ridicule and contempt while others saw liberation. I wonder in a few years how we will view sagging. What do you predict?
Please watch the Bernie Hayes TV program Saturday night at 10 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 5:30 p.m. on KNLC-TV Ch. 24. I can be reached by fax at 314-837-3369, e-mail at berhay@swbell.net or on Twitter @berhay.
