Sagging Pants And Tattoos: Fads In A Political Culture
Most if not all cultures, have fads that come in and go out. Fads are usually customs or styles that people are usually interested in for a limited or short period of time. When I was growing up, I was one of Jheri’s kids, because I had a Jheri curl. Most people misspell Jheri curl, by either spelling it Jerry curl, Gerri curl, Jerri curl or Jeri curl. Nevertheless, the Jheri curl, bell-bottom trousers or slacks and platform shoes were the fads, in my youth days, and, many of the elderly people of my time, thought I, and all the other youths who dressed like me, were crazy and looked like fools. But, fads have always existed, within any political culture. Whether, they are in the dominate culture or a subculture, fads come and fads go. In our present culture we have the sagging pants and tattoo generation. It appears to be very difficult to find a person without at least two tattoos. Most of the women whom I have observed, have a tattoo or two, and, it does not matter whether they are educated or uneducated, black, or white, Hispanic or Asian, Christian or non-Christian, tattoos seem to be the fad of the day for both sexes. I have seen both guys and girls with tattoos all over their bodies, and, I sometimes wonder, who is going to hire them with all of those tattoos? The other fad of today is, sagging pants. Now most people think that sagging pants is an African American thing, but, it is not. It is a thug thing. If one wants to project the image that he or she is a thug, then such individuals will let their pants sag. I have observed several males and females who consider themselves to be thugs, with their pants sagging, from all racial backgrounds, especially in the inner city areas. However, I will admit that it appears to be more prevalent in the black community. Something else that I have noticed, is that most of the sagging generation, appear to want to be rappers. I have seen white boys running around looking like Eminem, and blacks guys running around flipping and flopping, trying to be like the rappers 50 Cent, or Snoop Dogg. What the sagging crowd fell to realize, is that the evolution of sagging pants, started in America’s prison system. In the prison system, men who let their pants sag, were usually sissies, punks, or downright homosexuals. They would let their pants sag in order to get the attention of the other inmates, because sagging pants implied to others, that these sissies were game for any type of homosexual activities. Therefore, young men in our culture who let their pants sag, should ask themselves the question, ” whose sissy am I ” ? Quite naturally, as these young men develop and mature, they will probably grow out of the desire to wear sagging pants, just as I grew out of the desire, to wear the Jheri curl. bell-bottom pants, and platform shoes, because fads come and fads go. However, I would hypothesize that the vast majority of the individuals who wear sagging pants, wear them, either because they are trying to imitate the rap superstars, or they trying to project the image that they are thugs. But notice, how many of these individuals, are always trying to be thugs, but, cannot hold down a job. Always trying to be thugs, but, never been in a fight. Always trying to be thugs, but, hiding behind some woman’s dress tail. Always trying to be thugs, but are super sensitive and emotional like a woman. I am very much aware, that many of us may be offended by seeing some-one’s underwear, but, let us all hope that the fad of sagging pants and tattoos shall pass as well. After all, what did our parents say about our fads or styles of dressing?
The Bowtie Professor Speaks!
Tags: African American Males, Prejudice Attitudes
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 29th, 2010 at 9:54 am and is filed under Politics And Education, Politics And Race Relations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Professor Bowtie, I personally do not even compare a Jheri curl, or the bell-bottom trousers with the sagging pants or tattoos. I am not trying to sound or be a prude, but seriously, bell-bottom did not show any part of your undergarments. The image I perceive of sagging pants is being a bum and a juvenile delinquent. As far as tattoos, those fools are going to have them for the rest of their life…wrinkly sagging skin with tattoos…very appealing hmmm
It amazes me how young men thing its cute to sag, yet that trend started in prison. It was a sign telling others they were ready for it to b taken. Some young men now a days actually know the true meaning of it, but because the media portrays it as ok (Wayne, Wis Khalifa,Tyga,etc.) they continue you to do it because the multi-millionaire’s are able to..Well they need to sit down and realize they’re are not the people they see on television.
It also amazes me how getting pregnant at a young age and being a mother has become such a fad. Young girls are popping out babies, like they buy jewelry. Carrying them around like they’re an accessory. I swear this is going to be the new baby booming season! Its getting to the point where its ridiculous.
I hate seeing sagging pants as much as tattoos. As the year passes by, new trends come in touch with others to change the way a person dresses. It could affect a girl or a boy. I don’t understand why people try to sag when their pants are almost to the ground. Seriously, you might as well just not even bother to wear pants, stick with shorts or something. It is just disgusting to me. Every time I go to the store, I see an individual with their pants sagging and then they would try to pull it up or hold it by the waist so it doesn’t completely fall. Why go through all that trouble? Just get yourself a belt and put it around your waist so you don’t have to keep pulling your pants up! On the other hand, Tattoos have been a new trend and that doesn’t bother me as much because everyone practically has it. Although, I hate seeing people with tattoos all over! That just creeps me out! And I too wander how they get hired for jobs. When an individual sees another individual with new styles, they want to copy the same thing to become cool. I don’t know why a person would want to do that. Because, if you can’t be YOURSELF then who are you?
I tend to agree with you Bowtie Professor on certain aspects. The whole sagging pants thing is unprofessional and disrespectful to the people there around. Growing up my father all told me he better not ever see me wearing my pants like that or he was going to pull them down to my ankles, and have me walk around in public. I had a Father in my life to show me how a man should dress. I wonder if the young men we see walking around with the sagging pants had some sort of male figure to show them how they should dress. I don’t have a problem with tattoos. I do have a problem with people who take a little too far. Walking around looking like coloring book is not cool to me. I think tattoos should put in places that can be covered up with clothes that’s my opinion.
M-W Corey
I can agree that every generation has its fads , but at least back in the days they were at least pretty descent. As generantions go on things that “are in ” seem to get worse and worse. Regardless what generation it is, its sad to say/or read someone say that its fine or its a fad to sag or seeing young adults sag. The situation on it is that people now of days take it to extreme to where there pants are below there behind , you can see their boxers, and them having a hard time walk because they can’t keep there pants on. But every person or parent raise there child differntly. I know that i wouldnt allow my kids to sag and i can only hope that they wouldn’t try to get a tatoo without my permission. But if they were , the would have to wait til 18 years of age . Thats just my opinion, not everyone would agree, like what i say but everyone has a different opinion
I personally feel that a lot of people who sag does not know where it began at. I can not follow a fad or fashion trend as some people may say, that gives the wrong impression, nor looks good. I rather be me. I feel that sagging is not cool. I was taught that your underclothes is a private thing. I was in a class one semester and we had a class debate on sagging and one guy got so mad, he did not come back to class. Tattoos is a form or art. Both males and females are getting into tattoos along with piercings. I personal have a couple of tattoos myself. I do that if you have certain tattoos on your neck, face it could hinder a person from attaining employment, therefore a person should think before they get a tattoo.
I believe sagging is a “fad” that like you said many people go through. But what people don’t realize when they are doing this; is that people do get offended or feel digusted by watching someone walk around with their underwear showing. What these “thugs” should realize is the history behind this fad and see truly if this is what they like doing, instead of just trying to immitate a hip-hop artist, or rapper. Tattos are also a fad that people go through, that sometimes can really make your life difficult. It’s alrealdy difficult trying to find a job in this economy, now imagine how much more difficult it can get when you present your self to an employee and you have tattos. First impressions are the most important and I believe showing yourself with tattos doesn’t make a very good first impression. So people should think twice before getting a tatto.
mw 7:05
I believe that tattoos are a very big fad in this day and age. I personally do not have a tattoo, but thats just because I really cant think of anything or feel strongly about anything that i want on my skin for the rest of my life. For some, and most, it is a way of expression. Ways to show what they are passionate about. For others, they just did it because 1. they think it the cool thing to do, or 2. they got completely wasted and well you know. I would personally never choose to get one, but i dont think they always look bad. I mean, if someone wants it on their body forever, let them. Its their life, their body, and they have to live with it. I think in the future they wont be as popular, but i dont see that happening for awhile.
Definitely agree. I can’t stand when I see guys/girls sagging. I don’t want to see your butt. I Don’t understand the point of it. If its attention their wanting… Well there getting it, but its not the attention I would want brought to myself. Even all these people covered in tattoos. Now I can understand one tattoo, but really having multiple ones makes me look the other way. Im not sure how some of these people get jobs. The ones who do sag, and are covered in tattoos probably think its wrong of us to judge. It is, but we just don’t want our world to go bad. God made us the way he wanted us to be made, so why go attack our bodies like that. The sagging just does not represent our nation. Is this what we really wanna be known for?? Lets hope certain fads fade fast!
I personally have a huge problem with guys in sagging pants . I once had a boyfriend that use to embarrass the heck out of me sagging his pants while walking beside me. It is very prominent in the black community for men even girls wanting to be guys to sag. I think its pointless to walk around holding them up just put on a belt !. As far as tatoos I feel like one or two is ok but now days men and women are getting full sleves(tatoos covering the arms) or even in the face. I believe the “fads” we are having today wont go away especially because tatoos stay with us forever and most of our generation looks up to celebrities and if the wannabe thug celebrities dont stop sagging and getting tats its always gonna be the cool thing to do.
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