Keeper of the Home
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Atlanta May Ban Baggy Pants (not for especially young readers)

I live in Atlanta, battle with my 13 year old stepson daily, and can I just say, "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord"!!!

This is definitely a step in the right direction.  Personally, I do not believe that censoring clothing goes against the Constitution, nor should it cause racial uproar, but it will!

Have a blessed day!

~Farrah

Atlanta Considers Banning Baggy Pants

By Associated Press

ATLANTA - Baggy pants that show boxer shorts or thongs would be illegal under a proposed amendment to Atlanta's indecency laws.

The amendment, sponsored by city councilman C.T. Martin, states that sagging pants are an "epidemic" that is becoming a "major concern" around the country.

"Little children see it and want to adopt it, thinking it's the in thing," Martin said Wednesday. "I don't want young people thinking that half-dressing is the way to go. I want them to think about their future."

The proposed ordinance would also bar women from showing the strap of a thong beneath their pants. They would also be prohibited from wearing jogging bras in public or show a bra strap, said Debbie Seagraves, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia.

The proposed ordinance states that "the indecent exposure of his or her undergarments" would be unlawful in a public place. It would go in the same portion of the city code that outlaws sex in public and the exposure or fondling of genitals.

The penalty would be a fine in an amount to be determined, Martin said.

But Seagraves said any legislation that creates a dress code would not survive a court challenge. She said the law could not be enforced in a nondiscriminatory way because it targets something that came out of the black youth culture.

"This is a racial profiling bill that promotes and establishes a framework for an additional type of racial profiling," Seagraves said.

Martin, who is black, said he plans to hold public hearings and vet the proposal through churches, civil rights groups and neighborhood organizations. The proposal will get its first public airing next Tuesday in the City Council's Public Safety Committee.

"The purpose of the paper is to generate some conversation to see if we can find a solution," Martin said. "It will be like all the discussions we've had around the value of the hip-hop culture. We know there are First Amendment issues ... and some will say I'm just trying to put young black men in jail, but it's going to be fines."

Makeda Johnson, an Atlanta mother of a 14-year-old girl, said she is glad Martin introduced the proposal. She does not want to see a law against clothing, but said she thinks teenagers are sending a message with a way of dressing that is based in jailhouse behavior.

Atlanta would not be the first city to take on sagging pants.

Earlier this year, the town council in Delcambre, La., passed an ordinance that carries a fine of up to $500 or six months in jail for exposing underwear in public. Several other municipalities and parish governments in Louisiana have enacted similar laws in recent months.

___

Information from: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com


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Comments

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by gokings13


This should scare us to death.

This is the first of MANY steps to Socialism.
Karl Marx, Adolf Hitler, and Stalin has the same views.

If parents can't get their kids under control, then they need to look no further than themselves for the lack of early discipline. If the children will not obey, then they need to be turned over the the police for correction.

Just because some people CHOOSE not to parent doesn't mean we who DO CHOOSE to parent want the government to tell us HOW to parent. One good look at the corruption in the government should tell you they don't know Jack Squat on how to raise kids!!!!!

This is a dangerous piece of legislation.

There are already laws on the books for public indecency. Enforce those.
Laura


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Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Jonash2004


*sigh* I have to agree with Laura on this one. What next??? The government really should stay out of it...this is a moral issue, not a civic one. Next they will fine me for wearing skirts, and thus 'imposing' my religous veiws on others when I go to the store. :(

They have uniforms in schools, uniforms at work, how about uniforms EVERYWHERE? No one could offend anyone, ever ....

At least when you see thongs and bra straps, you have an idea of what caliber of person you are dealing with!

Ashley


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Thursday, August 23, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by a1health


Laura,
I agree with you to a certain extent. In Atlanta, there are many single Mothers who send their children to be raised by either daycare workers, schools, or other family members. They are not able to teach their children the correct way to do things. Or, in my case, my stepson did not live with me until he was 12 years old. For 12 years he was raised by a Mother who was often absent and tried to be their friend instead of Mother. He was taught that appearance choices are a freedom and that whatever he feels like doing is fine. So, the parents should correct their children to realize that not everyone wants to see others underwear, but they do not. At the same time, it is not fair to the rest of us to see these said person's underwear. Should we be punished for the parents not taking responsibility in teaching their children self-respect? Also, in Atlanta, we are a very racially mixed culture. This began with the rap scene, which one of the largest rap labels is located here. They are role models to all of these parentless children roaming the streets. If they are modeling baggy pants, risque clothing, violence, and drugs then the children will follow. If a law is the only way to make people understand that they cannot do whatever they want when they want to, without thinking of the rest of society, then it should be implemented. I will not ever complain about the fact that underwear of any type will be diminished in mine and my sons vision.
Blessings,
~Farrah


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Saturday, August 25, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Kitty


Im not sure about the whole state, but I know here in our little town, if your caught wearing this type of pants, man women or child, you get a ticket. The whole thing is kinda iffy, I mean taking away some rights, but I sure was tired of looking about peoples drawers. LOL
Good post
Kitty


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