July 19, 2008
Lynwood to Residents: Pull Up Your Damn Pants!
We haven't decided if this idea is racist or stupid. Probably a healthy mix of both.
South suburban Lynwood, in a move aimed at cleaning up their image to attract development, has passed an ordinance against baggy pants. That's right, you had better buy a belt because if you want to walk around town with your underwear hanging out, you're going to get slapped with a $25 fine. Huh, we didn't know our grandpa was on the Lynwood town board. Mayor Eugene Williams told the Trib that he "cannot attract major retailers when young men are parading around half-dressed."
"I know I'm going out on a limb by doing this," [Williams] said. "It's a hot topic right now—everyone wants to talk about it, but I really hope it does some good."
American Civil Liberties Union spokesman Edwin Yohnka is worried that the ordinance is targeted at one particular group:
"One of our concerns is that we know who wears baggy pants; it appears these are efforts to have more police interaction with young men of color," he said. "Let's see if they start pulling over plumbers for their pants."
Next up on the Lynwood agenda, an ordinance to keep those kids off the damn lawn.
[Trib, photo by mmmmarshall]
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phh. fuck that.
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While you're at it, take the fucking price/size sticker off your baseball caps. Are gangbangers taking fashion tips from Minnie Pearl now?
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I think the fact that Lynwood's governing body is so damn stupid as to think this is effective governance is more to blame for the woes of the community than even the most appalling visual underwear.
Harassing people for their manner of dress doesn't make a community one iota safer.
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this is ridiculous. can we fine girls who wear things that show their 'tramp stamps?' people who wear the t-shirt that says "your mom says hello"?
and on and on. baggy pants aren't the problem, people.
but what *is* with that size sticker thing? how does a trend like that get started?
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So who wants to go to Lynwood tonight? I'm thinking about wearing my finest leopard print thong and sagging my pants so low my balls are visible.
Any idea what the fine on that would be?
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He's wants this ordinance because he wants to attract major retailers.
Well, any major retailer who was on the fence about Lynwood, after hearing about the droopy drawers and this brilliant plan, will likely go elsewhwere.
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While the merits of this ordinance may be dubious, the fact of the matter is that the mayor Eugene Williams is himself african-american. For god's sake we have our native son Barack Obama, a mixed breed like myself, running for president of the US. It is time to move on from this reflexive everything is racist, bull. It helps no one. I don't want to hear any uncle tom crap either. If the people of Lynwood which is approximately half african-american want to wear their pants around their ankles and don't want their mayor enacting ordinances like this they can vote him out, plain and simple. What's racist is assuming the african-americans of Lynwood are incapable of regulating their own government. If you think this is a stupid ordinance then say so and state your reason why and leave the crap about you thinking it is racist out. The fact that none of you realized eugene williams was likely an african-american name makes me think none of you have a non-white bone in your body so keep your faux-indignation to yourself.
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I personally encouarge gang bangers to continue the saggy britches
look. Its great walking down the avenue in Logan Square, returning the hard looks of gang bangers knowing that if something were to jump off, I could topple them over easy with one punch or shove. I mean how the heck can you fight with your pants down!
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i don't think it's *necessarily* racist. i think it's stupid to ban/fine people for their clothing styles/choices. it makes for a slippery slope, is all.
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I'll make an obvious point that a few commenters have implied.
This ordinance, if enacted, is clearly unconstitutional.
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^^^^
I don't think it is "clearly" unconstitutional. Why are we even talking about this if it's so clear?
I think Seanfeld said it best. If you don't like it, vote the guy out.
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"if you can't afford the ticket, buy a belt and 'click it!'"
"don't want the fine? Pull the pants above the hip-line"
"If the pants don't fit, you cannot aquit!"
My future Johnny Cochren (spelling) quotes.
But, really, I find this 'law' silly and friviolous (and,again, spelling, sorry need more coffee)