Is this racial profiling?

[Revoltingest]

Maybe it is racial profiling.
I only see white kids doing that here.

 

[Sylvan]

Probably the fact that this choice of fashion is typically seen only with black males.

As has been pointed out in many areas of this country this no longer the case. It seems to be far more age-defined. Especially here in portland skater kids with skinny jeans AND ridiculous levels of saggage, with a white belt tightly secured around 4-5 inches past the hips. What I don't understand is how these people can stand to walk around with this binding around their upper thighs, making them only able to shamble in a zombie-like manner and unable to say.. run and catch a bus (have seen this.. always amusing..).

As a gay man I have always been fascinated by the sexual undertone of this practice. At first, when people were only showing a little peek.. it was like ok now I know what kind of underwear you are wearing and therefore can more accurately mentally underdress you.. thats kind of hot.. Then the waistline moved lower and lower and now my impression (when the offender isn't so young as to make the thought pedophilic) is a distinct one. Clearly putting the belt line below the point of your actual junk, so as only to be concealed by the front layer of your oversized t-shirt (which makes you look like a 10 year old btw), is some kind of invitation having to do with said junk. The question: Is this an invitation to fondle or to punch?

As a law this is obviously a political ploy. I like the billboard though..

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I actually heard through a friend, who has a cousin who spent years in prison, that this "fashion" started out in prisons. I was told this is (was?) a way for certain prisoners to, er, shall we say, advertise their rear-ends to potential suitors.

If that is true, the hilarious irony is that the original meaning of presenting your butt like a baboon in this fashion has been lost to the seemingly homophobic young men trying to imitate this thuggish fashion in the cities and suburbs, outside of prison.

 

[Valjean]

Like most ghetto chic It's a celebration of poverty, of wearing ill-fitting hand-me-downs or thrift-store bargains.

 

[McBell]

Probably the fact that this choice of fashion is typically seen only with black males.

But what you claimed is not a fact.
In fact, there seems to be no distinguishing race or age group that suffers from the issue brought up in the OP.

So i fail to see how it is "racial profiling".

 

[waitasec]

all sorts of kids from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds seem to be having a problem with keeping their pants up...

so what who cares...?

 

[McBell]

all sorts of kids from all sorts of ethnic backgrounds seem to be having a problem with keeping their pants up...

so what who cares...?

Seems that Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, "cares" enough to create a bill in an attempt to control it...

 

[Poisonshady313]

I actually heard through a friend, who has a cousin who spent years in prison, that this "fashion" started out in prisons. I was told this is (was?) a way for certain prisoners to, er, shall we say, advertise their rear-ends to potential suitors.

If that is true, the hilarious irony is that the original meaning of presenting your butt like a baboon in this fashion has been lost to the seemingly homophobic young men trying to imitate this thuggish fashion in the cities and suburbs, outside of prison.

No sir, it's not true. (snopes ruled on this one.)

It did start in prison, NOT THE HIP-HOP CULTURE, because inmates wouldn't be allowed to have belts

It's that simple.

 

[Poisonshady313]

Here it is, everyone:

snopes.com: Sagging Pants

 

[Neo-Logic]

This bill will never pass ANY rational basis or any standard of tests the court has set or the equal protection clause once challenged, that is if it even makes it through at all.

This bill seems more sexist than anything because I doubt any cop is going to cite a hot woman wearing something short and tight that shows her thongs way too much or ladies who wears tank tops that shows their bra-straps. Also, the bill doesn't address women who don't wear bras whose hard nipples are popping out or how about guys/girls who wear jeans that are a size or two small and have their butt-cracks showing?

The bill seems arbitrary and selective in nature.

 

[waitasec]

Seems that Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, "cares" enough to create a bill in an attempt to control it...

maybe because he feels impotent in another area of his life and he seems to be overcompensating

 

[freethinker44]

I don't think it's racial profiling. Maybe ten or fifteen years ago it would have been, but not now. I think it is just someone who can't accept changing fashion trends. I am sure the way they dressed when they were teens was just as filthy and disgusting to older adults too. This makes me want to go there and walk around a public area in a speedo or something. Cause strangely, that would be legal because it falls under a different context than underwear yet covers less and is no more or less clean.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I wouldn't call it racial profiling, as it is common for people of any race to do it.
An attack on rights and liberties, yes, as you have to ask what harm does it really do to see someone's undergarments (and why are you looking that long/staring at them if it bothers you that much?), and what good would it accomplish?
I would hesitate to call it sexist, despite it specifically making it illegal for men and not women even though women are also known for showing off their undergarments. But it just seems to be straight up oppressive, no other labels necessary.

 

[McBell]

maybe because he feels impotent in another area of his life and he seems to be overcompensating

Or he thinks that this is an issue of utmost urgency in order to protect the citizens of his great state from....


well, from something!!

 

[gnomon]

I think the most effective way for Mr. Holmes to put an end to the trend is to start adhering to the trend himself. Get his friends to start adhering to the trend. Get old people everywhere to start following the trend.

That would put a stop to it.

 

[Kathryn]

Like most ghetto chic It's a celebration of poverty, of wearing ill-fitting hand-me-downs or thrift-store bargains.

No, no, this fad started in prisons. In prison you are not allowed a belt, and are often given ill fitting clothing. Thus the fad.

It's also an urban legend that it's tied to homosexual "advertising" in the prisons. It simply started with the belt issue.

 

[Twilight Hue]

i don't like what they are into. the skinny pants are those tight ones? if so, they pull them down too. it's disgusting how someone can walk in public having their pants half down. i can never understand such thinking.

From what I understand its a social statement like Afro's were in its heyday in the 70's. It implies that society can kiss their ***. Also, why is it almost always a democrat that proposes such stupid legislation all the time.

 

[Copernicus]

Here it is, everyone:

snopes.com: Sagging Pants

It may have started there, but it was spread through gangsta rap--hip hop. Snopes.com confirms that.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Also, why is it almost always a democrat that proposes such stupid legislation all the time.

I'm sure you really don't want to compare, or maybe you do, but both parties are guilty of unnecessary and unconstitutional laws.

 

[Gharib]

All new fashions appear ridiculous or shocking to those used to traditional, older fashions. Our current, conservative dress would have been seen as 'disgusting' by our ancestors.

quite true. call me old fashion then because i will not walk with my pants half down.