It's Not a Fashion Statement

"I’m generally indifferent to most stupid trends, styles, and fashions. Neck tattoos? Hey, who am I to judge? Earlobe stretching? Sure, why not? Donald Trump Make America Great Again baseball caps? Heck, it’s a free country. But, seriously, we’ve got to put a stop to young men wearing their pants six inches before their waist. This is making the entire country look bad. A chain is only as strong as its weakest douche bag."

-- Galantly Miller, "It’s Time to End the Sagging Pants Trend"

The Question: "Why do some people, stereotypically African-Americans, wear their pants very low ("sag" them)?"

My Vote for Best Answer:  "That answer about jail is bullshit. They just lie and say it was created in jail to spread propaganda that they think will make people stop sagging. You can best believe sagging has been around as long as pants have. The homeless don't tend to have such high standards when it comes to fashion. I and a lot of other black men sag purposely because we have larger backsides then American clothes are made for. If you look at the behind of the majority of black men and women and then compare it to the backside of white men and women, you will see we tend to have more junk in the trunk. If I was to wear a pant size that fit my actual waist, it would be very tight in the crotch and upper thigh area, therefore I compensate by going one size up... this then usually leads to sagging a little bit but I tend to correspond to it with my belt but then again I'm not trying to cut off circulation in my waist just to make up for a little sagging or make certain strangers happy. When I was working in retail I noticed this with Higher-End Fashion designers (I worked at A/X) with women also. They tended to have to go a size up to fit their derriere into A/X jeans, but since women's bodies are different they just ended up with a waist size too big, but the actual butt size fits perfectly. Another thing is if you ever in your life noticed fat plumbers they've been sagging since the beginning of time, usually with their ass crack showing but nobody ever says a thing about that usually due to them not trying to dominate their own race and culture. There are plenty of things you could complain about that the subset of the majority do but they're too busy trying to dominate what minorities are doing. I wish they would just let us live."

-- Chris Tion

If you're caught between a rock and a fashionable hard place, there is nothing for you to do but "sag" or pay to have your clothes adjusted so they fit right.  On the other hand, if "sagging" is considered a fashion statement, well... hell no.  Not in my book.  It's not a fashion statement any more than wearing a ball cap sideways on your head or not taking the stickers and tags off before wearing it is.  You are not Minnie Pearl, and people are not laughing at you.  Who?  Yeah, I know; look her up if you're too young to remember her.

Having said this, kids will be kids, and they will experiment and try to find their own place in the world.  They should find their own place, though, and not think it appropriate to hijack someone else's poor idea.  But, when you enter adulthood you should strive to be viewed and respected as an adult.  I've seen men well into their 40's still sagging, still wearing their cap sideways, and looking more ridiculous than ever.  The ones I've seen are, typically, skinny white men who are loathed to excuse bad taste due to a non-existent fat butt.  This is, simply, their chosen path.  

Life is all about choices and consequences.  It is all about making the right choices in order to get the desired consequences.  Sometimes you find there is no good choice, and you find your sizable back up against a wall.  Physically, your clothes just don't fit.  People who recognize there is an issue shouldn't judge you.  When you purposefully wear something that makes you look ridiculous, people also recognize there is an issue.  Should they pass judgment?  Of course not, but they will.  Just the slightest shake of their head, but an unspoken judgment nonetheless.

Chris Tion's conclusion is spot-on: "There are plenty of things you could complain about that the subset of the majority do but they're too busy trying to dominate what minorities are doing. I wish they would just let us live."  People have the God-given right to pursue happiness, no matter how stupid a particular pursuit makes them look, how much their chosen "fashion statement" prevents them from getting ahead.  If they haven't asked your opinion, feel free not to offer it.

And, as for my own opinion?  I have mass scar tissue on my tongue from biting it so often.  When I do voice an opinion, I'm constantly reminded to "be sweet."  Being sweet can, sometimes, taste like vinegar.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.