Is this really an issue to pass laws over?

Question

OK, Atlanta is looking at banning people wearing baggy pants and letting the boxers show. Let me first say I hate the pants, think it looks ridiculous BUT I do not see why this is a “lets pass a law” issue.

Even more outrageous is the ACLU claiming this is a racial issue and police will be doing racial profiling. WHAT? This is a teen boy (and occasionally girl) issue. I see whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, and native americans all wearing this “style”.

Would love to get your input on this. Is this a government issue? Would it be racial profiling? If we pass this can we also outlaw “HOTTIE” mid-drift t-shirts? If we pass this, what outfit or style would you like to see banned?

Just so that you know, this is not about gangs, and this is much more than a school saying it isn't allowed. This would make it illegal in Atlanta to wear this type of clothing.

QUOTE
The amendment, sponsored by city councilman C.T. Martin, states that sagging pants are an "epidemic" that is becoming a "major concern" around the country.

"Little children see it and want to adopt it, thinking it's the in thing," Martin said Wednesday. "I don't want young people thinking that half-dressing is the way to go. I want them to think about their future."

The proposed ordinance would also bar women from showing the strap of a thong beneath their pants. They would also be prohibited from wearing jogging bras in public or show a bra strap, said Debbie Seagraves, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia.

The proposed ordinance states that "the indecent exposure of his or her undergarments" would be unlawful in a public place.

Answer 1

It's really not a racial issue -- though under Supreme Court determinations, there is a valid legal claim that it has a racially discriminatory effect -- so, it's a valid (if weak) argument.

A better angle of attack is 1st Amendment freedom of expression, since clothing has already been recognized as expressive content and thus protected.

I think it's ridiculous that the legislature has nothing better to do than waste time trying to pass laws saying how people can dress -- but such is the reality when the govt is trying to control every aspect of people's lives.

Answer 2

Every generation has their own stupid, outrageous "look". Just after I graduated high school, the mini skirt became popular. The dean of girls made every girl in school go to the gymnasium, get on their knees, and if their skirt didn't touch the floor, they were sent home. When I was in grade school, blue jeans weren't allowed if that tells you how old I am. Whatever happened to dress codes in school?

It is definitely not a racial fashion although I think it started in the rapper scene. I do believe they are unsafe. I live in a very small town and have seen several teenage boys loose their pants. They don't appear to be embarrassed by this at all and just reach down and pick them up while they are walking along. Hysterical!!! Some of them wear other clothes under them probably because this has happened to them before or their cool underwear was in the laundry.

I think if the schools would not permit them, the parents wouldn't buy them for their kids. I wonder why the parents let their kids go out like that in the first place.

Answer 3

This "LAW" is part of the 'ANTI GANG WAR" police are fighting in every major city in this country.

In my city there is "operation bulldog"
IF you LOOK like a gang banger they WILL stop you, detain you.
IF you have a colored rag, you WILL go to jail.
IF you have a bull dog tattoo, you WILL go to jail.

The baggy pants ARE the UNIFORM of the gang banger.

look at it this way.

How do we know a skin head is a skin head?

Shaved head, Doc martins, Flight jacket = SKINHEAD.

Same with the baggy pants.

Answer 4

No, The government should stay out of our private lives.

If this passes, I say anyone over 12 that wears crocks should have to serve 25 hours of community service for each offense.

Answer 5

We have bigger issues facing the country than this. Let's hope this is a passing fashion trend and we can use the pictures to embarrass them later.