What is 'Sagging?'

If you've ever wondered where the fashion of sagging pants came from, you might be surprised to learn that it has a long and controversial history. Sagging pants are trousers that are worn below the waist, exposing the underwear or even the buttocks of the wearer. This style of dress is often associated with hip-hop culture, but it also has roots in the prison system and the skate scene.

The most common explanation for the origin of sagging pants is that it started in U.S. prisons, where inmates were not allowed to wear belts for safety reasons. As a result, they had to wear oversized uniforms that would often slip down their hips. Some sources claim that this was also a way of signaling sexual availability or submission to other prisoners, but this is not supported by evidence. In fact, sagging pants in prison could make one a target of ridicule or violence, rather than an invitation for sex.

However, sagging pants did not become a mainstream fashion trend until the early 1990s, when hip-hop artists like Ice-T and Too Short adopted it as part of their image. They were influenced by the street culture and the skate scene, where sagging pants were also common. Sagging pants gave them a rebellious and tough look, as well as a sense of freedom and comfort. Sagging pants also allowed them to show off their sneakers and their underwear brands, which became symbols of status and identity.

Sagging pants soon spread to the wider youth culture, especially among young men of color, who saw it as a way of expressing their individuality and resisting authority. Sagging pants also became a political statement, as some activists argued that it was a form of cultural expression that should be protected by the First Amendment. However, not everyone was a fan of sagging pants. Many older people, conservatives, and law enforcement officials viewed it as a sign of disrespect, delinquency, and criminality. They blamed sagging pants for causing social problems, such as school dropout, drug abuse, and gang violence.

Over the years, several attempts have been made to ban or regulate sagging pants in various settings, such as schools, airlines, public transportation, and local communities. Some places have imposed fines or even jail time for wearing sagging pants, arguing that it is a form of indecent exposure or disorderly conduct. However, these measures have been challenged by civil rights groups and legal experts, who claim that they are discriminatory, unconstitutional, and ineffective.

Sagging pants have also evolved over time, adapting to different styles and preferences. For example, in the early 2010s, some celebrities like Justin Bieber popularized the sagging of skinny jeans, which gave them a more fitted and sleek look. Sagging pants have also been worn backwards or with multiple layers of underwear or shorts. Sagging pants have also been embraced by some women, who have added their own twist to the trend.

Sagging pants are not just a fashion choice, but a cultural phenomenon that reflects the social and historical context of its wearers. They are a way of communicating one's identity, attitude, and mood. Sagging pants are also a source of controversy, debate, and criticism. The fashion of Sagging pants are not going away anytime soon, as they continue to evolve and influence new generations of fashion lovers.

It is part of the psychology of human beings in regard to individualism and how they relate to a larger social setting, not to mention the sense of rebellion particularly among young people.  Be it as it may, the style eventually fades as young people grow older.  Dress is a big part of sociology and psychology. It gives a glimpse of how humans interact with each other and portray their individuality while at the same time seeking attention from others.  

However, it is important for those who sag to understand that their display can be offensive. No one wants to see people's underwear or booty hanging out. It is just not a prudent thing to do especially if one is in school, church, or in a professional setting.  Moreover, situations can develop when others may cross the line and engage in sexual misconduct when they see a sagger. Displaying one's buttocks can be primitively interpreted as an invitation to sexual advances so one cannot be surprised if another makes a comment or may inappropriately touch or try to touch. Furthermore, those who sag, particularly minors need to be aware of voyeurs out there who love to secretly film buttocks. They may follow a sagger or use a lens to take photography from afar. These images can then end up online or in pornography circles.  

What do you think? Post your comment below on Disqus.  Be sure to follow the rules so your comment can go through.  

References:

- The Real History Behind Sagging Pants - Menswear Style

- Sagging Pants | Snopes.com

- Sagging (fashion) - Wikipedia

- Where Did Sagging of the Pants Originate? - Belowest

- Where did the fashion of sagging pants come from? (2024) - Fashioncoached

Happy 40th Hip Hop

I said a hip hop, Hippie to the hippie,

The hip, hip a hop, and you don't stop, a rock it

To the bang bang boogie, say, up jump the boogie,

To the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.

With these words from the song "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill gang a new genre in music began that would capture generations to come.  "Hip Hop" would be born.  Hip Hop is believed to have been born in a housing project in the Bronx on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on August 11, 1973.

Here, a resident who goes by the name "DJ Kill Herc" used the building's community center to host parties.  During one party he scratched records and began to "rap" or rhyme over the beat as African American and Puerto Rican party-goers break danced.  Other words used for "rap" are "emceeing" and "spitting."  

This new music would capture the interest of the Black and Puerto Rican youth of the Bronx and would spread like wildfire throughout the city and eventually the globe.  From there, other rappers adopted the style and began to add to the new genre.  The genre began by using melodies and samples of disco music set in repetition while one rhymed to the beat.  Consecutive rhyming would later be called, "flow."  Rapper "Rakim" is often given credit for developing this term and using it in his music.      

As the genre developed, newer styles were incorporated such as, “The Chant,” “The Syncopated Bounce,”“Straight Forward,” “The Rubik’s Cube,”“2-5-Flow,”“sung rhythmic style,” “percussion-effusive style,” and “speech-effusive style.”  Each rapper of the past and today use one or more of these styles in his or her music.  Hip Hop would eventually be divided into two "schools", the Old and New.  The Old School Hip Hop uses basic rhyming with words that have less syllables while the New School uses more complex rhyming and more syllables with a faster tempo.


From the Sugarhill Gang, Rakim, Afrika Bambaataa, Run DMC, MC Hammer, Vanilla Ice, the
Bestie Boys, to Notorious BIG, 2pac, NAS, Eminem 50-cent and Jay Z; Hip Hop has grown into a huge cultural force that is global.  Rapper "Eminem's" success has shown that the genre is not exclusive to African Americans and Latinos, but also non-Hispanic Whites.

The genre has often been criticized for its dramatic transformation from a simple way of using words with music for fun, to the glorification of violence, misogyny, hedonism and sexual perversion.  Some attribute this to record labels attempting to profit from using this glorification to sell the music.  Nevertheless, the music has also been used to spread the Gospel.  Both Protestant and Catholic Christians are using the genre to promote the Gospel and Christian values.

Today the genre celebrates 40 years and is believed to be losing its popularity due to artists who are not as attractive as those in the past as well as the commercialization of the music.  Originally, the music was used for fun and then became a platform to voice the problems of those growing up in the "hood" or urban areas.  Today it is used to make profits by artists using gimmicks to entertain audiences.  

Source:

http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/birthplace-of-hip-hop/

Y'all Got me Fired!

Cooking sensation and TV personality, Paula Deen is in hot water (pun intended).  While being deposed in a video, she acknowledged using the "n" word (n*gger) to describe an African American robber who put a gun to her head at a bank.  On the Today show, she told reporter Matt Lauer:

“It was 30 years ago. I had had a gun put to my head, a shaking gun, because the man that had the gun to my head was unbeknown to me a customer at my main office. . . That man was so frightened the day he put the gun to my head. He was a customer. I had gone out on a limb for him and gotten him a loan, and he was frightened I was going to recognize him.”

This revelation has caused an uproar against Paula Deen.  The Food Network decided not to renew her contract, Walmart and a food company have dropped her as well.  QVC and other companies are weighing in the matter and waiting to see how things go before making a decision.  Last week, Deen was scheduled to appear in the Today Show but cancelled due to exhaustion.  However, she posted a video on youtube.  She rescheduled her Today Show appearance and gave an emotional explanation of what happened and asked for the forgiveness of all.

The situation is indeed grave.  She used a word that has a lot of bad history.  Black slaves were abused with that word.  Even after the Emancipation Proclamation and civil rights achievements, African Americans were still called by that racial epithet.  The word has a lot of evil behind it and I understand why some are upset and calling for her head.  However, a word is a word.  It is how we live our lives that define us, not what people call us.

I applaud Paula Deen for apologizing and being truthful to begin with; however, this scandal will be very hard to come back from. What is troubling is that Hip Hop artists make money by using that word and variations of it, yet their sponsors do not drop them nor is a big fuss made. I think the word's consequences should be equally applicable to all who use it regardless of race or gender.

It is not fair that African Americans can use it with each other, but if a Caucasian or member of another race uses it, they are seen as racist.  African Americans must stop using the word if they are to have credibility in their insistence that the word is racist and offensive.  Hip Hop artists and others must be held accountable for using the word.  Its use must not be tolerated by any race.

I personally have never used the word despite growing up in New York City where the word is used constantly in urban areas where minorities are the majority.  To this day, I admonish friends and young people on the streets when I hear that word.  I understand the whole "free speech" thing, but why would you use that great gift to offend others?  Why not use "free speech" to do positive things in society?  Free speech does not have to be negative.

In any event, Paula Deen should be forgiven.  Her fans will support her regardless of what happens.  We have to remember that she said this years ago and was honest about it.  We all one time or another have said something we want to take back.  Jesus is all about forgiveness.  Deen has already shown remorse and her business is taking a hit.  She has to take time out to reflect on this and move on the best she can.  Americans will eventually forgive and forget.  

Source:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/paula-deen-racist-comments-n-word-caught-on-video_n_3467287.html
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/paula-deen-thanks-food-network-getting-fired-220300407.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula-deen_n_3505468.html?ref=topbar
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2013/06/26/paula-deens-bank-robber-gives-his-side-of-the-story/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula-deen-today-show_n_3501825.html
http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2013/06/paula_deen_after_today_show_ca.php
http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/paula-deen-cancels-today-show-appearance-1200500523/


***UPDATE*** June 27, 2013
Target and drugmaker Novo Nordisk have just dropped Paula Deen from their business.

Source:  http://news.yahoo.com/target-cuts-ties-deen-drugmaker-155520343.html


***UPDATE***  June 28, 2013

Sears, Ballantine Books, and JC Penney have joined other companies in dropping Paula Deen.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/28/paula-deens-new-testament_n_3518997.html