Well, here we go again. I am about to offend most young folks and many black adults, although I feel I must.
And I do not suggest that my generation is the standard by which the present age group should be judged. But I do have a problem with young men showing their undergarments or rear ends, and young girls appearing to be half-naked.
Years ago, views of manhood suggested dressing like cowboys, businessmen and athletes, but not like prisoners. Many students and young people’s behaviors can be linked to their manner of dress, which is an integral part of the hip-hop culture, and unfortunately for some, a gang-banger state of mind.
A number of communities have attempted to prohibit sagging pants. Last year the Virginia House of Delegates passed the so-called “droopy drawers” bill that would have fined anyone $50 who wore their pants so that their underwear was visible in a “lewd or indecent manner.” That bill was later killed by a Senate committee.
Louisiana House Bill 1626, also known as the “Baggy Pants Bill,” states: “It shall be unlawful for any person to appear in public wearing his pants below his waist and thereby exposing his skin or intimate clothing.”
In the town of Opelousas, wearing saggy pants is considered a misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine and up to 6 months in prison. In Florida, a similar proposal was called racially discriminatory and the bill was rejected.
While sagging pants originated in the U.S. prison system, it had nothing to do with homosexuality, as is commonly believed. The custom was originated because some of the prisoners were issued clothing many sizes too large and belts are not allowed.
Many school officials are directly concerned with student clothing. Most educators and administrators want and expect students to stick to customary traditions of modesty, cleanliness, and neatness and to dress in a respectful manner. Some suggest that low-hanging pants and gold-capped teeth promote a thuggish image. And girls clad in low-rise jeans and tank tops, bare midriffs, exposed undergarments, see-through clothing, tight pants, tattered blue jeans and exposed tattoos are just as outrageous as guys in droopy pants.
I believe parents have a responsibility to rearing a child to the best of their ability, to instill discipline and to prevent gang-related violence, but not suppress student individuality and personal freedom. I understand protecting children and selecting their style and fashion is a much harder challenge today than a generation ago. But parents are far from powerless. Ultimately, nothing comes into the house that they don’t permit.
It begins and ends with the parents. Parents have tools to control what their children wear because the parents buy and pay for the clothes. Parents have often ignored warnings of gang activity and sexual transgression, but they also have the matter of responsibility. Parents should develop dress code enforcement at home that target baggy and low slung pants and bare midriffs. And, as a last resort, parents and guardians can dress the children themselves.
A family has no one to blame but itself for bare midriffs and baggy pants. These are my thoughts. What do you think? Please don’t be brutal!
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.