Image by Getty Images via @daylifeCollective Amnesia, Control Issues, and Damaged Goods by Terry Howcott
As we are comforted with the beautiful feeling one gets from this spontaneous, middle-of-the-street post-Katrina love reunion, we are forced from that natural high to learn that certain "Black" Louisiana legislators - influenced by awfully strange bedfellows - would have this young man ticketed $175.00 because his pants are hanging below the waist.
One thing that continually gets this writer's goat is the apparent amnesia afflicting a sometimes treacherously critical population of people.
These are some of the same folk who in their own youth, wore strange items around their necks, afro picks hanging out of their hair, and bell bottomed blue jeans that dragged across the ground until they generated layers of dirty strings that carried the stench of dirty concrete.
This was certainly a reflection of profound struggle with youth sense of dignity and self esteem.
Read entire essay and view gallery @ www.terryhowcott.com – Ravaged Cultures
tags: identity, african american, sagging, youth
What you fail to recognize us that having a pick in your hair isn't quite the same as someones underwater/ buttocks/ crouch being exposed to the public. So, u don't see an ordinance against that being different than indecent exposure. Just call inappropriate inappropriate and get off the racial persecution train.
ReplyDeleteEven though I do agree with the above comment based on the fact that races other than black sag as well, and it is not an issue of race, I don't agree that sagging is indecent. There is no law against being able to see a woman's thong when she wears low rise pants, so why against sagging? Also I believe nobody is offended when seeing someone in a bathing suit, so I don't understand why one would be offended by sagging especially when in some cases people in bathing suits are more exposed.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the comment about the bathing suits..... It's the old farts about my age and older that have such an issue with this.... Some Fashions, Come and Go, actually MOST of them Do.... This one has been around for a Very Long Time.... People need to stop being so uptight and just get used to it :)
ReplyDeleteSorry, I'm not trying to be argumentative, but I would appreciate voicing my feedback please.
ReplyDelete1] Please can't we all just STOP with this darn "racial" thinking/feeling/speech.
We are 1Race... Human!
We may have differing cultures, languages, dress, food, dance, etc... but we are ALL 1Race. Forgive me please, but I'm just beyond sick of the "racial" crap.
Hasn't history taught us anything?!?!?
Our cultural differences are meant to UNITE us in appreciation of the beauty of one another. Humans are 1COLOUR... "Flesh!"
Our skin tones are a GORGEOUS & AMAZING Monochrome Rainbow.
We are all just a "cup of coffee"; some like their coffee black, no milk no sugar.
Others don't like coffee so much. They prefer a late, mostly just white milk/cream. Everyone else is somewhere in between. How awesome are our differences?!? I personally LOVE them :)
Secondly, as for the subject of Saggy pants... it's simply a "Now" fashion statement that originated LONG AGO with prisoners who were stripped of their belts/dignity for the social misfit outcasts that they are, attempting to maintain their 'cool'.
So, on the one hand to state that fashion trends come & go, yes, you could not be more correct with that; however, is it essentially just to tell people, "suck it up & get over it 'cause this is the currently accepted trend amongst the masses of youth today"???...
At one point in every humans life we each & every one of us start off young & grow old. I know, sometimes it's hard to imagine that old folks were once young, foolish & immature (LoL) but the point is, most humans grow into mature, wiser, elders. As a race, we have strayed far too far from respecting & learning from our elders. Especially in terms of right vs. wrong, moral vs. immoral, patience, respect or self, others, nature, & so much more that comes with time, experience, knowledge, & understanding.
So please keep in mind that not too long ago especially in the US, people were segregated according to their skin tone & the masses accepted this. Right vs. Wrong?!?!?
Strictly speaking of fashion...
What of the time when women wore corsets to "appear" as though they had an hour-glass shape? This required their rib cages to be broken in order to slowly day-by-day tighten the corset to achieve a smaller waistline.
Fashion like prejudice & discrimination, truly are amongst some of the truly stupidest of human creations & generally accepted practices.
Of course this is just my individual humble opinions. No ill or harsh judgement intended... sorry to anyone who is offended, I'm just sharing my "FFYT" [Food-For-Your-Thoughts"]
Take Care & Be Aware!
CrysAli :)