To be enforced in MASSACHUSETTS?
Arrest, Fines and Jail for Sagging Pants?!?
Blackstonian Editor’s Note:
I was shown this video PSA on Facebook and initially thought it was a joke. After I realized it was indeed serious, I became outraged. I was further shocked that this was coming from Mental Health Professionals who are surely aware of the rates of mass incarceration for Black & Latino boys and surely must be familiar with the School to Prison Pipeline and all the data that clearly indicates WE DO NOT NEED ANY ADDITIONAL TOOLS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO USE TO FURTHER RACIALLY PROFILE, HARASS, SEARCH, ARREST AND INCARCERATE BLACK & LATINO BOYS (and now even some girls too).
The producers of this PSA are apparently attempting to force fit a few MA General Laws in this campaign.
MA General Laws
Chapter 272: Crimes against chastity, morality, decency and good order
Section 16: Open and gross lewdness and lascivious behavior
http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter272/Section16
Watch the video for yourself and if you are as outraged as I am contact the producers of this PSA
The Black Mental Health Alliance of Massachusetts, Inc, (BMHA)
Info@BMHAM.org | Phone: 857-615-8603
http://www.bmham.org/
ME PERSONALLY PRAY THAT THIS LAW HIT ALL OF THE UNITED STATES.ALSO IF YOU ALL START A PETITION I’LL GO FROM HERE TO THE MOON AND BACK TO GET SIGNATURES.. HELL I’LL EVEN GO AS FAR AS MARCHING ON WASHINGTON FOR THIS ONE !! WELL CALL IT MILLION CITIZENS FOR RESPECT MARCH AS A MEANS OF SUPPORTING THIS LAW !!!
I would also like to make it illegal for girls to wear those short shorts that look like underwear with their cheeks hanging out – and no I am not talking about girls in the “hood.” I am talking about my Ivy league campus and the numerous campuses and wealthier neighborhoods I have traveled to across the U.S. as a Recruiter and Admissions Professional. Now, where did this tiny short shorts trend start from? Why are these tiny shorts and tight tee shirt that barely cover the midriff area of the stomach (now in style to be exposed) being marketed to young girls who dictate their fashion tastes from names like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Rhianna? I see them in every major department store and trendy shop – on mannequins from tween to juniors fashions. A girl in this shorts may be so brash to sit down in one of these outfits because of the surprise – we always get a glimpse of the undies or thongs they have on, as we would with a fella with saggy jeans whose long shirt rises with a reach or a stretch. Believe me as a person that travels around to college campuses around the country that this saggy pants look is not restricted to a ghetto prison thug look, the Punk Look … Sags, the Hipster Look … Sags, even the Prep look Sags under that blazer – It just depends on the person, their influence, their style – and yes I am talking about WHITE young men. Trends come and go all the time in fashion from the baggy jean that is now getting skinner to the larger tees that are now getting more fitted – but to profile BLACK and Colored Men (yes Latinos, etc.) and give them a record for clothing… not skin is unconstitutional and immoral.
The police are not to go into the suburbs and enforce this law but rather the towns and cities more densely populated with minorities. The same population that they stop and frisk almost routinely (If a young man is stopped they must empty their pockets or else). Just think about this trend and who it affects. This boy or man could be a student, a father, a leader, a business owner, a teacher – but any record at all jeopardizes their future. This law could potential place young men in a perpetual system of failure instead of using these efforts and funds to educate and inspire through community programs, learning centers and recreational activities that build character. To these “Moral” black organizations pushing this law says: Turn against your own people… and target the young ones first. Disgusting and despicable – more than any view of boxer shorts can be in my opinion.
Pants are made to COVER your ass not show it. These idiots look like fools. This is no fashion statement.
It looks stupid to wear sagging pants regardless of your color. I was a preschool teacher and that is what toddler boys did who did not know how to pull up their pants. They were two and had reason. For teens and men who do it – GROW UP!!!