Pants Sagging? Go Directly To Jail.

Published on August 30th, 2007

I have to admit that I never understood this ‘fashion’ statement. Why would you deliberately dress so that others would think you are a low class idiot who hasn’t got the brain power to keep his pants up? But go to jail for it? Get real! Too much government control over personal lives for me.

On the other hand, the article indicates rather than being racist laws against blacks and Latinos who primarily wear this, it’s black legislators pushing it. Must be embarrassed by what their people are doing.

But hip-hop is dying, so they say, so maybe this fad will fade away, too.

Are your jeans sagging? Go directly to jail

JAMARCUS MARSHALL, a 17-year-old high school sophomore in Mansfield, Louisiana, believes that no one should be able to tell him how low to wear his jeans. “It’s up to the person who’s wearing the pants,” he said.

Marshall’s sagging pants, a style popularized in the early 1990s by hip-hop artists, are becoming a criminal offense in a growing number of communities, including his own.

Starting in Louisiana, an intensifying push by lawmakers has determined pants worn low enough to expose underwear poses a threat to the public, and they have enacted indecency ordinances to stop it.

Behind the indecency laws may be the real issue — the hip-hop style itself, which critics say is worn as a badge of delinquency, with its distinctive walk conveying thuggish swagger and a disrespect for authority. Also at work is the larger issue of freedom of expression and the questions raised when fashion moves from being merely objectionable to illegal.

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# 1 TIHZ_HO said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:35 am

It was explained to me that the low riding pants started in prison – the new guys had to do this so they are more…well…accessible.

That’s what I heard anyway.

What I don’t understand is how do they NOT fall down…is there like velcro involved? Staples?

Cheers

# 2 Improbus said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:38 am

I am all for disrespecting authority but wearing your pants like that just makes you look stupid. I guess I just don’t get the whole “ghetto” thing.

# 3 elbillo said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:53 am

honestly this is ridiculous. to all boomers: imagine if mop-tops, miniskirts, halter-tops had been criminalized………… a threat to public safety ? are you kidding ? if anything the safety goes up because one can’t run in these saggy pants, & can’t hide a weapon either. geez, what a bunch of whiny b&^%’s grown ups are. can you imagine what the flower children of the 70’s would think ? oh, wait, they “sold out”………

# 4 Bob said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:53 am

Its not the look that matters here, its our American way of life, if they can tell you what to wear or how to wear it, then that is a total violation of our freedoms. Its not like the kids privates are hanging out. Its no different than the Goths, or Punks from the 70’s or any other movement including the “long haired hippy freaks” of the 60’s and 70’s. When will these self righteous politicians and their fanatic supporters step back and take the time to learn about history so they can stop making the same mistakes over and over. If they can arrest you for this then every soldier might as well just lay down their arms and walk away because there so called fight for our freedoms is being lost right here in America.

# 5 undissembled said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:56 am

I saw a little white guy wearing his shorts like this in the gym on purpose. I didn’t have to say anything, he was looking stupid all by himself. On a side note. Doesn’t it seem that blacks are like emo kids? Then don’t want to conform to the white style or something.

# 6 jlm said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:09 am

I dont like mullet haircuts, can we throw them in jail too?

# 7 cheese said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:10 am

Great. Now we’re fighting stupidity with more stupidity.

I’m pretty sure the saggy bottom fad started as a result of prisoners who were issued poorly fitting pants during their stay. It’s supposed to make you look prison tough. Kind of like greasing your hair back, wearing a T-Shirt with a pack of smokes rolled up your sleeve. Was anybody in the 1950’s sent to prison for that look? Or for listening to those long-hair hoodlums from Liverpool? Wasn’t one of them Knighted by the Queen? How times change (or not).

# 8 B. Dog said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:19 am

Yeah, those are stupid pants, but I don’t like the “luge look” either:

http://tinyurl.com/yprvwq

# 9 pedro said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:22 am

#3 they didn’t sold out. They grew up. Time for you to do the same.

# 10 MacBandit said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:32 am

Kind of reminds me of the bikini laws in many Florida beach counties. they actually have people that patrol the beach and measure the bikini and the womans ass to make sure the bikini covers a certain percentage. If you are so offended by these things don’t pass a freaking law that takes police power away from real crimes like theft, just look the other way!!!

# 11 Cinaedh said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:36 am

So this is what passes for important in the U.S. today?

# 12 Sounds The Alarm said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:39 am

Shouldn’t this kinda be a self selecting fashion – I mean how well can you run from the man with your knickers around your knees?

# 13 Mister Mustard said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:01 am

Looking like a goddamned idiot who doesn’t know how to dress himself like a grownup is punishment enough. No fines or jail time necessary.

# 14 Bob said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:09 am

At least fads from the the past had SOME sense of style (even if very little).

This fad just looks frickin’ stupid! It’s like, “Hey people, I’m too lazy to pull my pants up. I enjoy having my crotch around my knees”. And if they DO have to run in them, it’s like watching a sack race!

Same with the sideways ball cap. Do kids realize that in those old TV shows Goober and Gomer were made to look stupid with the sideways ballcap??!

Guess I AM an old geezer now…

# 15 Rick said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:15 am

The best commentary on this (meaningless fashion statement, if odd) came from a mom in a group that assembled of parents who had recently had kids. I was one of them. This particular mom said, when she see the young people trying to look like “thugs” with their giant clothes sagging down, all she can think of is a toddler with his or her poor-fitting clothes and saggy diaper…and, well, if a “thug” inspires one to react to him as a toddler, maybe something isn’t working….

# 16 Ralph, the School Bus Driver said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:20 am

If how someone else dresses bothers you that much, you have too much time on your hands.

# 17 Nimby said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:37 am

#11 – Tell us where you’re from – I’m sure we can find your country doing something stupid, too.

# 18 OvenMaster said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:39 am

It’s bad enough that some Black guys have this look. But when White guys try to do the same, it’s just comical.

Bottom line, though, if someone wants to look like a jackass in public and set themselves up for ridicule, fine. I saw elsewhere that this law or similar would also ban women’s thongs from being shown, as well as wearing sports bras while jogging in public.

When, oh when, will the Powers That Be realize that you cannot legislate morality or taste?

# 19 Cinaedh said, on August 30th, 2007 at 6:42 am

#17 – Would you believe Iraq? Have lots of fun!

# 20 mark said, on August 30th, 2007 at 7:22 am

Wait till these kids hit 40 and see pictures of themselves as teens, ha!

# 21 George said, on August 30th, 2007 at 7:22 am

Jeff Foxworthy, last night:

“If your mama is still driving you to school, you ain’t no “gangsta!” PULL UP YOUR PANTS!

# 22 0cool said, on August 30th, 2007 at 7:40 am

Great, more laws. More decisions someone is trying to make for us. If an urban youth wants to look like an idiot, let them! Aren’t jails too full, court dockets too crowded and the cops busy enough to deal with this type of crap now? As long as someone isn’t showing any cheek or skid-marks, who gives a toss?

Really…

# 23 hmeyers said, on August 30th, 2007 at 7:49 am

#22 >>Aren’t jails too full, court dockets too crowded and the cops busy >>enough to deal with this type of crap now?

Quit being so nappy-headed

# 24 iGlobalWarmer said, on August 30th, 2007 at 9:28 am

I’d like to see this coupled with a baseball cap law: if you see some idiot wearing their baseball cap sideways or backwards and they refuse to straighten it out – it’s legal to grab their head and twist it until the cap is facing straight forward.

# 25 RBG said, on August 30th, 2007 at 9:34 am

Other than the little kids who just copy the older ones, these are the same prople who would gladly walk around without any clothes at all. It’s as close as they can legally get to raping women.

RBG

# 26 Barf said, on August 30th, 2007 at 10:21 am

Re: 24 – C’mon, that is personal choice. It is not offensive in any way, funny looking, yes, but nothing bad. The same could be said if someone did not like your face. That does not give them the right to legislate wiping it off of your head!

# 27 OhForTheLoveOf said, on August 30th, 2007 at 10:53 am

#11 – So this is what passes for important in the U.S. today?

Comment by Cinaedh — 8/30/2007 @ 5:36 am

Well… To a certain subset of busybodies and crybabies, yes…

# 28 Awake said, on August 30th, 2007 at 11:05 am

Cute girl + low pants + thong = “It’s good to be alive”
I hope that this law is applied selectively.

# 29 Chuck said, on August 30th, 2007 at 11:07 am

@ # 25 “It’s as close as they can legally get to raping women.”

What? I mean… What?

How did you get to raping women from saggy jeans?

# 30 iGlobalWarmer said, on August 30th, 2007 at 11:39 am

#26 – hip hop style and gangbanger style is almost always a sign that society would be better off without that person as they are very likely to not only be indescribably stupid but also actively dangerous.

# 31 RBG said, on August 30th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

29. Chuck. What? I said “prople.”

Okay: If you check out most of the sexual animals out there, the innate urge to mate is so powerful, it just about takes over their behaviours including to the point where they do battle with each other for this purpose. If you believe humans are animals too… and judging by this blog both in anti-creation beliefs and eye-bulging, dripping saliva lust content… you would have to believe humans share most of the same kind of innate sexual genetics and motivations. That is why people are selective in their sexual behavior, preferring not to have sex with trees and tractors. With unusual exceptions, they prefer the opposite sex. But what’s a guy to do when you just can’t go out and do what you were “selectively” programmed to do because nobody will let you do what you really, really wanna do? For some, you at least try to pull down your pants.

But none of this applies to you and I, of course. Isn’t it refreshing to know that our intellectual capacities have placed us above such puerile thoughts and caveman behaviors?

(Yikes, what a set up…)

RBG

# 32 OhForTheLoveOf said, on August 30th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

#29 – See… I learned not to ask a long time ago…

And this has nothing to to do with hip hop culture. This is about suburban white kids emulating hip hop culture.

I miss the old days of Goths and punks (I’m talking about a time when Goth was home made out of things found at thrift stores and garage sales, prior to Hot Topic and other trendy mall shops).

Is there a youth movement left that isn’t manufactured in a board room by Harvard MBAs? I hate being so cynical.

# 33 nightstar said, on August 30th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

#30 IGlobalWarmer, your a broken record of hatred.

Then from the Rap thread:

“Then you’ve got the whole hip hop, gang banging culture. Personally I think society would be much better off if it became legal to shoot anyone who looks like a gangbanger on site. (Except on Halloween, of course).

Look at the latest product of hip hop: “don’t snitch”. Why would any civilized person want anything at all to do with a culture of savages? ”

http://tinyurl.com/36ju7l

Savages eh… You sir are the epitome of savage

# 34 NappyHeadedHo said, on August 30th, 2007 at 3:00 pm

Certainly no worse than plumber’s butt crack! I’d think the cops would encourage this because it is a bitch to run with pants around your knees.

# 35 Lauren the Ghoti said, on August 30th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

#30 – iGW

Amen. The “style” is actually a good thing, makes it far simpler to detect and steer clear of ‘em.

The one thing more lame and pathetic than white boys dressing like that is white boys making excuses for that whole scene…

That shit’s bad enough to make a body remember Vanilla Ice with fond nostalgia…!

# 36 Floyd said, on August 30th, 2007 at 5:17 pm

#34: Hip hoppera with saggy pants and underwear, and plumbers with butt cracks are both behaving as if they really _don’t_ want to reproduce. At least they’re pruning themselves out of the gene pool…

# 37 natefrog said, on August 30th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

Cops actually like this style… Suspects have trouble fleeing while holding up their pants!

# 38 melgee - 16 said, on August 30th, 2007 at 9:29 pm

i dont see a reason to put them in jail cuz of their look. THAT is stupid. of course, seeing what underwear they’re wearing just by glancing in their direction is just as bad (to me) as glancing sideways and seeing a 100yr old lady with no shirt or bra on. i mean, i just dont wanna see that. or be surprised with it popping out of nowhere. but i cant do anything about that but make fun of ‘em while they walk by. hey, they make fun of goths like me and everyone else, so why not? i just wish the rappers would stop rappin ’bout the same things all the time, with the same beats. “i grew up in the ghetto” “look at that thang” “shake that for me” blah blah blah. all the same. gets annoying too when you’re walkin down the street and some car drives by and that’s all you hear ’til it’s gone for least 30sec. hopin they crash one of these days with that music too loud. (weird…it’s mostly teens =/ ) but…gettin back on topic, i just think it’s a “we dont wanna see that” issue. just like too short skirts or runnin around naked. but whatever… jail still isnt the answer. (i know i sound like a hyprocrite)

# 39 TIHZ_HO said, on August 30th, 2007 at 11:36 pm

I wonder if 20-30 years from now all these guys with the pants will look back on old photos and cringe the same way as many do at the poly leisure suits (with wing collars), platforms and don’t forget the permed afro. I say let them look like the idiots we all looked like! LOL!

I wonder what John C Dvorak looked like in a leisure suit, platforms…and dare I say a perm? PhotoShop anyone?

Cheers

PS Now I’ll be blocked…

# 40 JMB said, on August 31st, 2007 at 12:05 am

I honestly don’t see anyone going to jail for this, jails are way too crowded as it is.

And what is the big deal anyway, stupid people looking stupid.
As far as I am concerned stupid people trying to look smart is a much more dangerous crime. You could call it “impersonating an intelligent person”, and the penalty could be an on the spot vasectomy.

# 41 TIHZ_HO said, on August 31st, 2007 at 4:05 am

#40 I think the idea here is these pants are prone to falling down…and as the underwear is likely to follow…. can’t have all these ‘things’ flapping about in the breeze now can we…

I do recall many years ago girls getting into trouble for wearing thin shirts, no bra…little pointy things…So…?

The more I think about it, most of the girls who did go braless back then were the ones you wish didn’t!

Cheers

# 42 Dauragon88 said, on August 31st, 2007 at 4:34 am

God this is silly. Young people wear crap that older people don’t like. For the love of god, It’s an endless cycle. Why does no one realize this?

# 43 TIHZ_HO said, on August 31st, 2007 at 7:58 am

#42 See #41

Let me try to explain this better.

If you wear pants with the waist band around the crotch level (or below) they tend to do what…fall down.

That’s not so bad if you are wearing Y fronts with the tight elastic waist ’cause Mr Winky is still safely tucked away.

But…

Y fronts aren’t the fashion, boxer shorts are, and they are well…baggy and not very secure AND when the pants go south the ‘ol boxers tend to follow and its “Oh, Hello there its Mr Winky the wiener guy”

If there is still some confusion about the geometry and physics involved perhaps diagrams might help?

Cheers

# 44 Ascii King said, on August 31st, 2007 at 9:57 am

A better question than the nonsense being posted here is, would it be illegal to walk down the street wearing only your boxers? I don’t think so, but showing off part of them is.

As to why they are wearing their clothes like this, because of the prison gangsta style or to show off their peckers, that’s all just stupid. They wear it because everyone is wearing it. When they get older, we will pull out the old pictures and make fun of them for years to come.

# 45 Trev said, on August 31st, 2007 at 11:26 am

In the late 1970’s, I know I looked stupd in my 3″ platform shoes, and I’m ashamed of my prom picture with the ridiculous 70’s outfit I was wearing. There are millions of us like that, too.

I don’t like the sagger style, but banning it is pointless. My teenager wears it and it makes him look stupid and disrespectful in my opinion. But he’ll just have to learn like I did.

I think we should lighten up and deal with the serious issues.

# 46 TIHZ_HO said, on August 31st, 2007 at 7:26 pm

#44 “…would it be illegal to walk down the street wearing only your boxers? I don’t think so, but showing off part of them is.”

What is so hard to understand? Its not about the boxers showing or part of them showing its all about the exposing the Weiner which must happen regularly enough.

Cheers

# 47 Robert said, on September 7th, 2007 at 5:06 pm

First of all the people who are all for the law need to understand that kids arent hangen out there weiners the pants arent low enough and boxers arent going to fall down if you have the comen sence to remember there is a band inside that pulls and keeps the boxers up and some people cant buy a belt with the little money they might have and its a style that sometimes goes too far i admit but why put a person in jail for useing the freedome that america has faught for in the first place. and as for people who think that wearing pants low makes you a thug get some brains its a style nothing more.

# 48 zakk said, on November 28th, 2007 at 6:39 am

man saggin pants are just a dang style ok theres nothing bad about but ya not everyone wants to see ur boxers but then dont look mind ur bussiness

# 49 dcubean said, on January 30th, 2008 at 11:09 am

Remember that real gangsters like “John Gotti” and “Sammy The Bull” dressed in $1,ooo dollar suits, not saggy pants.The preist who molested all those children, and most other pedifiles wear robes, and so called regular clothes (pants pulled up),I think it’s not about who looks stupid; but, who is truly a danger to society. Skinheads wear suspenders and boots, should we outlaw “Dock Martins”, these same boots have been used to kick peoples skulls in!Saggy pants are not being used as weapons to kill,no serial killer that I’ve ever heard of was caught wearing saggy pants(at least not any of the white ones!) Not even the infamous most hated O.J. wears his pants pulled up. All you black boot licking sale outs need to quit trying to please peaple who are never going to except you (Martin Luther King was arrested and beaten and he never had on saggy pants) and start standing up for our young people!

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# 51 Will said, on May 10th, 2008 at 8:07 am

What is it when women show their clevage wear lip gloss and wear tight clothing? Thats called an open invitatin to rape them. If it should be against the law for men to sag their pants and show their underwear then it should be against the law for women to look like a SLUT!!! besides.. you do not hear of men getting rape. Its the stupid bitches!!! so get off the sagging pants issue. If you don’t like to see it then turn your head and look elsewhere!!! You people spend too much time focusing on dumb shit!!

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