New York State Senator, Eric Adams, from New Yorks 20th District, is on a crusade to end sagging.
Adams launched his campaign Monday in Brooklyn, New York by unveiling several 22 foot billboards that would be featured to combat people from sagging.
The campaign at its core means well, but there isn’t anything inherently wrong with those who choose to sag beyond the fact that it might visually unappealing to some, or even strike fear in those that are less aware that in this day and age anyone can sag.
Some people may feel that those who choose to sag lack intelligence, social ambitions, education, or the ability to step out of their sagging jeans and into a Kitson suit. Which is merely ignorant to judge a book by its cover.
Many use sagging as a means of stereotyping someone based merely on their outward appearance without any substantive conversation with the individual. To outlaw, or even call for legislation to deny someone the right to dress the way they feel most comfortable is a form of oppressing ones identify.
The fashion trend (yes it is fashion) began in the U.S. prison system, in large part due to the inability for inmates to find a uniform that was size appropriate, and also because there aren’t any belts allowed due to the fact of inmates using them as weapons or to hang themselves.
Hip-Hop took and reclaimed the style, the same as they did with the “N” word, making sagging apart of their culture. Which since has been copied by cultures around the globe.
It’s been apparent in recent years that many that the law-enforcement community have used sagging as a means of harassing young Black men and putting those that do sag in one particular category, and that’s they are all criminal and not contributing members of society.
Sagging, just like a mini-skirt, is not meant to be worn in all social occasions, but like the mini-skirt there is a time and place. Most people that participate in sagging understand that sagging at a job interview is probably not the place for that particular attire. However at a club, on the streets, in your leisure time, or amongst friends, like the mini-skirt, sagging has its place.
Assuming that telling young men to lift up their pants because it creates confidence in them is plain ignorant if your means is to uplift and inspire young men, in particular young Black men, to get on a path that leads to greatness.
The anti-sagging sentiment seems more like putting a bandage on a larger social issue. There are other ways to inspire young Black men than telling them to pull up their pants. As long as these men are in their seats at school furthering their educations and getting support from our community while still being able at the same time to freely express themselves through dress is much more important.
With wars going on around the world, poverty and unemployment at an all-time high there has to be more important things for a Senator from any particular district to focus on.
During President Obama’s campaign he stated eloquently, “Any public officials who is worrying about sagging pants probably needs to spend some time focusing on real problems out there.”