|
Busting The Sag
Define Sagging: a fashion trend for wearing pants below the waist to expose one's underwear, practiced by (young)
males.
Why are our adolescents busting the Sag? Some of our youths are practicing wearing their pants down low, showing
their under garments like it is a fashion. It makes it seems like we the parents can not afford a belt to hold our children's
pants up. It also sensationalizes a fad that not presentable in the corporate world.
Sagging is merely a fad that our youths and some adults are demonstrating to show different ways of being in with
the crowd, to gain cool points with their peers, or to make a fashion statement. This style evolved in prison, where inmates
were not allowed to wear belts for fear they may hang themselves or use as a weapon. It then was exported to the streets on
or around 1995 as a statement of African American solidarity as well as a way to offend white society. Once our adolescence
saw that rappers were wearing their pants sagging our youth started to imitate the look. Rappers and our youth took sagging
to a superior level. Because society dictate who doe what and when, this was also a from of showing we can do what we want
to do, and dress how we want to. In the process it has caused a tremendous burden and strain on the school system.
It is teaching the youth way of disorienting themselves from the appropriate way to dress in shirt and ties. The
actually attempt to blend the two and end looking totally disgraceful, as if an event was over and it's the end of the day.
As we go to instill in our youth that they you should try to create their own identity copying and that another person's
style isn't always best. We realize now that the sag originated from inmates in prison. The prisoners that wanted to have
their pants sagging. A select group only identifiable by others involve in the same sinister activities.
The other prisoners who were straight would try to pull there pants down or put their hands in their pants. This
was a sign to let other men know they were into the men and to make them aware of what they were about to get themselves into.
First of all, the baggy pants, or sagging, as it is called originated with prisoners, who were not given belts, so their pants
sagged. It also was a true indication that you were gay and that you either belonged to someone else or were available to
anyone interested. This is the gist of the sick and demoted way of life in prison. This behavior should not go any further.
There is no way to stop it in prison but should stop in there.
In addition, many hip-hop-inspired fashion labels, starting with Cross Colors and Karl Kani and now with Sean John
and Roca wear, began making strides in the marketplace and culture by designing jeans cut specifically for blacks. (Other
labels designed for whites were often too tight, so people bought them several sizes too big to fit better.) This style was
never about status in the way a Stetson hat was or a Gucci hat is now. Instead, it could be read as hip-hop's ability to redefine
the culture around it. As are influential group in society, it is high time of hip-hop to lead the youth to the trails of
positively. It is up to this group because the have the ear of a nation or at least the future of the nation.
In Conclusion, the baggy pants originated (at least in concept) from an eccentric American youth translation of old
African culture blended with exaggerated street fashion of the sagging. Clothing in various branches of American culture has
long since bridged social, gender and racial barriers. What once may have been unique to a particular culture often becomes
commonplace among like-minded individuals as a show of solidarity. This may very well be the fad that is here to stay. I believe
that with this fad couple with sex and smoking blunts, we as parents are facing monumental challenges are refocusing our youth
for a more productive future.
Reference
Colson, Lori. Racial Identity 2005
Skordas, Jennifer. Teens Sagging Jean Not Just For Gangstas.
Salt Lake Tribune. 15 October 1995 (p. B1)
Deslatte, Melinda. Louisiana Bill Would Ban Low- Slung Pants.
Associated Press . 13 May 2004
Holmberg, Mark. No Support Here for Droopy Pants.
Richmond Times Dispatch. 2 August 1998
|
