Dallas: You don't want other men seeing your ass, after all.

[mondo joe]

:eyes:




From http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15534306

Morning Edition, October 24, 2007 · Saggin' — young men wearing their pants with the waistband closer to their knees than their hips — has been around for years. But a growing number of adults are deciding they've had enough. In Dallas, an interesting mix of politicians, hip-hop artists and white businessmen are announcing a citywide campaign with a simple message: Pull Your Pants Up.

[liberalmuse]

1. Like that's going to work.

The whole point of this type of fashion is to shock and piss off adults.

[mondo joe]

4. Yeah. But I wonder what is implied by this ad if "others dudes" see your behind?

[Golden Raisin]

10. You know perfectly well what is implied.

"other dudes" is not even subtle code.

[mondo joe]

13. Well, I'm guessing it means don't let other men see your underwear clad ass because

they'll what...get off on it? Rape you?

I'm clear that there's something homophobic about it - I just don't get the specifics.

[MADem]

20. I thought it had its roots in 'prison culture' where the clothes are a poor fit and they don't give

you a belt, so ya won't kill yourself.

I know that there's this style of perambulating that is supposed to accompany the costume, a sort of "strut" to make it seem cool, but to my old eyes, the kids who dress in that fashion look like ...well.... er.... fucking idiots.

What's even sadder is the absurd amount of rhinestones/diamonds fashioned into hideous genuinely tasteless and ostentatious jewelry, as if to say "See, I am RICH" (even though this thing is turning my skin green because I got it at K Mart).

But I suppose every generation has to "express themselves." If you aren't looking like a bozo in a porkpie hat and a raccoon coat, you're trying to look cool sporting a zoot suit, or a poodle skirt, or a ducktail'duck's ass haircut, or tie-dyed tee shirts and hiphugger bellbottoms...or that a disco white suit....or wearing your underwear outside your clothes, and rosaries as necklaces, a-la-Madonna...

It's all MARKETING. What these clothes say about their wearers is that they are easily led and anxious to belong. They're floating along with the fashion crowd, part of a group, and comfortable in so being. Kids get pissed, though, when you point that shit out to them--they're all UNIQUE, you see! No one, before them, ever thought of wearing their pants down to their knees...really!!!

My advice: Take LOTS of pictures. They make excellent blackmail material in later years!!!

[sendero]

22. I heard,,,

.. that it was from prison culture but that is was an announcement of sexual availability.

Whatever it is, it's pretty stupid IMHO but I don't agree that there should be a legislative solution like some have tried down here.

[devilgrrl]

2. Well, it is a stupid fashion statement but I'm confused about the current outrage...

where were these jerks back the early 90's when the trend started?

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. They were fussing about Women In Pants

And before that, two piece bathing costumes and those awful bloomers.

[lynnertic]

19. the pants didn't sag nearly as much then.

It was more of a waistband thing than a full moon.

[Eric J in MN]

3. I'm more comfortable with an ad campaign than with laws against showing underwear. NT

NT

[KG]

5. you'd think this country didn't have any REAL issues to deal with.

:eyes:

[ooga booga]

21. Take your medication and relax -- everything's fine.....

War is peace
Freedom is slavery
Ignorance is strength

Don't worry. Be happy.

[donsu]

6. what I've never understood - low slung pants are like hobbles

like high heeled shoes are hobbles

like China's bound women's feet were a hobble

etc.

not being able to run (or fight) with pants falling down or the need to use one hand to hold them up to run (or fight)

true, we shouldn't have to run or fight but.. why be hobbled?

[mondo joe]

7. So far the only thing that has convinced me that physics might be wrong is how some of those pants

stay suspended in the air.

[Drum]

8. lol

fun graphic!

[LoZoccolo]

12. That advertisement is a lollercoaster! n/t

[cigsandcoffee]

9. I wish them success.

That hanging-down pants thing is the stupidest thing I've seen since those 80s jackets with all the zippers on them.

[alphafemale]

14. Yeah. But that only lasted a few months.

The falling down pants thing has been around for over a decade.

[cigsandcoffee]

18. A decade too long, IMO.

How does anyone with pants like that expect to get a job? Good Lord.

[Ellen Forradalom]

15. you gotta go to the myspace page and hear the rap anthem

of the pull your pants up movement.

[ooga booga]

16. Dallas -- on the leading edge of something at long last!

Dallas never seems to lead on ANY social front. It's interesting that this particular issue is a big deal now. Personally, I'd also like to see less of the exposed underwear fashion statement. So, I'm not opposed to this initiative. More power to 'em.

Of course, it's very "Dallas" though to find an "against-the-unspoken-man-code"/homophobic angle.

[OKNancy]

24. I heard the NPR story.. it's about pride

Most of the young men, when asked, had no idea it was a fad mimicking prison attire. ( taking the belt off)
The rapper who did the song wants the young men not to mimic prisoners. Since there was no way
they could pass a law they decided to go with what works: rap and a bit of ridicule

[tomreedtoon]

25. What about men who are proud of their asses?

I don't know that there are a lot of them. I certainly hope there are more things to be proud of in my life. But for some men, their ass is all they have. Shouldn't they be allowed to display what they think is their best side?

And what about women? Why can't they show their asses in outfits? (Well, they do, but they're mostly fabric-covered.) I propose a ruling on Ass Neutrality.

[lonestarnot]

17. And how's that war on Christmas going?

[undeterred]

23. Its sloppy, not cool

You don't have to read sexual innuendo into it.