On ‘Butt Out…’
I’m not sure of the origin of saggin’. According to Judge Greg Mathis saggin’ came from a prison culture that restricts imprisoned persons from having belts so they won’t use them as weapons. People also propose saggin’ originated in prisons as a sign that homosexual activity was welcomed (in that area).
Understand, I’m not writing this piece to judge or condemn anybody. I only mention the above in case it’s true, so would be saggers are aware of the “come and get my booty” message they may be broadcasting.
I’m also not one of those folk who attribute or connect the social and political struggles young African people in this country face to their saggin’ pants.
History doesn’t support that line of thought. Medgar, Malcolm and Martin all young, African men who were assassinated for taking on many of the same problems we are dealing with right now, had their pants pulled up around their waists when they were shot down.
Saggin’ was the style when I began buying my clothes. I’ve worn my jeans a little below my waistline for as long as I can remember. “A little below my waistline,” like maybe an inch; that’s saggin’.
This other thing, though, wearing (more so carrying) pants midway to the butt cheeks or all the way below the buttocks, so that almost your entire butt is out, is something completely different.
My criticism of the ass out style, for lack of a better word, isn’t an attack on the fad fashion or anyone’s freedom of expression. It’s an attack on sensibility.
Carrying your pants as you walk around makes about as much sense as: wearing shoes that don’t have soles, sitting in chairs with no seats, a pigeon walking up steps, having friends you can’t trust, chewing your food, but not swallowing it, sitting in a classroom for hours, but not paying attention, getting on the Howard Frankland with your gas needle on “E”, owning a racehorse with no legs, buying a vacuum that doesn’t suck, drying your clothes before you wash ‘em…
I’m not a fashion critic. Don’t desire to be one. So, I won’t attempt to criticize the fashion aspect of the ass out style. I am a man, though, a man who associates with stand up men from the block to the boardroom and in between. That qualifies me to say these two things.
Having your ass out ain’t the most masculine look. And the slightest possibility that that look could be a “come and get my booty” invitation is more than enough reason for any man who isn’t homosexual not to want to be ass out.
Salute!
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