Pants On The Ground

Trends That Need To Die #1: Saggin.

As I drive down the street, go to the grocery store, sometimes even in church, I see young men and some older cats that truly should know better, participating in a trend that really needs to die. I’m talking about saggin’. Saggin’ is the practice of wearing your pants well below your waist down across the middle of your butt. Not only does it look silly but it shows the world that either you’ve done time; about to catch a case or you’re ready for some “deep impact”. Saggin’ is not fashionable and those who perpetrate by perpetuating this trend are nothing more than mindless lemmings being led to certain death; metaphorically and in some cases quite literally. Think about it. If you’re on the block supposedly handling your “business” and something goes down, how quickly can you respond if you have to pull up ya pants before you break out? You can’t.

This unlikely fashion trend has even sparked a music career for 62 year old activist General Larry Platt. You remember him; the old dude that appeared on American Idol, performing his own original song, "Pants on the Ground". Unfortunately, Platt was ineligible to continue, due to being well over the show's 28 years old age limit. His performance went viral and even inspired perennial AARP eligible quarterback Bret Favre to burst into song following a tough win.

Saggin is a control technique originating in criminal justice system. Most prisons don’t allow belts or anything else that can be used as a potential weapon or as a noose. It’s a way to keep prisoners in line and prevents them from harming themselves or other inmates. Sagging pants also keeps those that are fleet of foot from running away. Why do you think most wear orange jumpsuits or scrubs and slip on sneakers? I’ve also read that it’s the way for openly gay convicts advertise their preference. If your pants are already half down, it won’t take much to serve up the rest. I guess that’s being locked down and on the down low.

When I see young brothas tugging at their pants, trying to keep them from falling to the ground it reminds me of women trying to keep the back of their skirts from flapping up while they walk. Better yet, a toddler running to mommy with their pull-ups lingering about the ankles. Either way it’s just plain silly and if you knew how ridiculous you looked you’d pull up your pants. I’m not alone in this reflection; there are cause groups on Facebook urging members to sign a petition against the practice telling “saggers” to just pull up your pants. I know trends come and go, but this is one that never should have happened and it’s been around far too long.

When you have to constantly pull your pants up to keep them from falling down or grip your jock to hold them up in the front, why bother? If you think so much of your draws just wear them and nothing else. Hold up, strike that; there are already too many women walking around in nasty pajama bottoms and tap pants in public, I don’t want to encourage men to do the same. I mean, have our youth gotten so lazy that they can’t even bother getting fully dressed? Is it too much trouble to pull up your pants put on a shirt—all the way and buy a belt?

I remember my father telling me to make sure I had a belt on no matter what. He’d say, “You don’t want your slacks falling down do you?” I didn’t and I acted accordingly. Now days it seems like looking as if you’ve spent time in “California” or about to take an extended stay there is on point.

And it is; the point is at the top of that fitted dunce cap you should be sportin’ with ya saggin jams, white tee, flip-flops with knee socks and checkered scarf when it’s 90° in the shade. Just remember to rock to the side.

I finally decided to write about this topic because I’m just sick and tired of seeing it wherever I go and when I got a text message that can best be summed up like this. If you take saggin’ and flip it backwards what do you get?

Still think it’s cool? Ok, see ya get back from Cali, in about five to ten.

Now Let It Breathe.