The Sag Debate

To sag or not to sag? That is the question that some young men in the town of Delcambre, Louisiana cannot ask. The answer for them is no. In Delcambre, wearing sagging pants is against the law. The fine for the offense, can cost up to $500 and a six-month sentence. Other towns in Louisiana, Georgia, Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut are considering or have already sanctioned this measure. Sagging is the style of wearing loose pants below the waist. It is widely believed that sagging started in prison. Belts were forbidden and clothes were not tailored to size. Another rumor is that gay prisoners sagged their pants to let others know they were available for sex. In the early '90's it is believed that sagging went from prisons to the gangs of Los Angeles. The style "blew up," (to become popular) when the MTV crowd began watching videos. It was then that young men began to emulate this style from west coast rappers like, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. Hey, does anyone remember the Dr. Dre classic, Nothin' But A G Thang.


I find it hard to believe, that after 10+ years, gangsters and thugs are single-handedly fueling the multi-billion dollar clothing industry. It is difficult to ignore that the hip-hop culture has made an impression on fashion, not only in this country but around the world. Brands like PhatFarm, BabyPhat, Roca Wear and Sean John have made and impact in the fashion industry.

My godson, Ryan, wears his pants sagging. He said he sags for comfort. He told me that he and his friends are often profiled because they sag. He told me he tries not to let it bother him, because he's got two strikes against him anyway (he's black and a male). His philosophy is, if not this, then it would be something else. Young black males aren't the only one's that wear sagging pants. White males wear them too. Some blacks look at this as they (whites males) are trying to be black. That view is narrow because this portion of the hip-hop culture has managed to transcend race, culture, and socioeconomic status. It's global. Ryan believes it's worse for young white males who sag, because they are viewed by other whites as trying to be black (which carries a more harsh judgement).

Ryan does agree that those who wear their pants below the butt are stereotyped as gangsters or thugs. "It doesn't mean that they are a thug" he said. He said "being a thug is not always tied to how you dress but more in how you act." To him, wearing your pants below your butt is extreme and looks stupid. He told me that, he prefers to wear his pants loose, mid-butt, but with a polo or 4X white tee-shirt over his pants. But, wait a minute isn't all sagging the same? According to Ryan, no. You would be surprised to know, that there are different sag styles (who knew). Needless to say Ryan made it his mission to illuminate my path to enlightenment (bless his heart).

Style one, sits just below the waist. The pants are loose, but it doesn't require a belt or that you have to constantly pull them up. Style two, sits to the middle part of your butt. According to Ryan, at this point a belt is optional and be prepared to pull the pants up constantly (which he says he's used to). Style three, is placing the pants underneath the butt. A belt is a must. Be prepared to walk like you are either constipated, or you have a tampon lodged somewhere in your nether regions. With this style, guys usually choose to wear either a tucked in "wife beater" (A-style t-shirt) or a shorter t-shirt so that the underwear is visible.

Much to the dismay of many parents sagging has left the confines of city life and has moved to the suburbs. Some people are still of the mindset that only gang bangers and thugs sag. Some view sagging as a threat to public safety . What?! Can someone please enlighten me how wearing sagging pants is a threat to public safety. We are not talking about drunk driving here. Saying that you are criminal just because you wear your pants low is ridiculous. I think the only threat are to the young men who wear them below the buttocks. They walk funny and they look like they are going to trip over themselves. I would be willing to bet, that they are all going to have back problems by the time they are 30.

Jill Fields, author of "An Intimate Affair: Women, Lingerie, and Sexuality" offers a different view of sagging that's worth reading. I'm not against sagging as a whole. I just don't want to see your underwear. That would go for women with thongs too. OK, I admit, when I see sag style three, I just want to run up to him and pull his pants down. I think to myself, what is he going to do, chase me? But seriously, I don't believe sagging should be criminalized, nor do I believe African-American and Latino males should be profiled. Aren't there more productive ways to impact our young people?

Chew New?

I was talking to a friend, who was frustrated about a NEW pack of gum that she bought. I asked her what the problem was. Why would she have a problem with a simple piece of gum? OK, so maybe not so simple. My friend, admitted she got caught up in the package. She said, this new gum looked so cool she had to buy it. Later, she was angry about her discovery about this gum, and to make it worse she spent $1.50 for 15 pieces.

It would appear the gum was not so cool after all. The culprit the NEW 5 gum. They come in 3 cool flavors, Rain, Cobalt, and Flare. The website looks like a cross between, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Men In Black. The website is cool and mysterious. The same look extends to the package. The commercials for the NEW 5 gum are often run on MTV. It seems no secret who the target demographic is.

At any rate I have to give it to Wrigley's, yes Wrigley's. Depending on which side you are on, Wrigley's has either managed to pull off the marketing rip off of the year, or the marketing success of the year. I think someone, in the marketing department, clearly pitched the idea that this MTV generation, had no concept who the double-mint twins were.

Now, to be fair, I have read comments from people saying that, the flavor of this gum lasts longer. Long lasting flavor, compared to what? How long do you really want the flavor of gum to last? Maybe the adults who are buying this gum don't remember who the double-mint twins were either. Hello, does anybody not see this as big as day. Maybe it's just me. Oh but wait... 5 gum is sugar free. That HUGE difference has to count for something. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to compare the old vs. new. It should be made clear that Wrigley's is not asking you to compare. I think they are hoping, that you will be so mesmerized by the new packaging and cool commercials, that every media literate bone in your body, will cease to exist.

I just want to shake the hand of the marketing genius, who literally hit the refresh button. I think they had help from the easy button. Sorry, I do digress. I will not insult your intelligence by telling you which gum in the Wrigley family to compare (hint ends in mint & red). All I can say is, take the taste test for yourself. If you do, please, prepare to do more than stimulate your senses.

Footnote: If you are thinking of ways to get the gum for free for the taste tests, forget it. Wrigley's does not give away free samples. I already tried.