In case you missed it, the tiny town of Timmonsville, S.C., located approximately 70-miles outside of Columbia, S.C. is making national news. There’s always a slight, nervous feeling in your stomach when you hear South Carolina made national news, because often, it’s for something utterly ridiculous. In pure S.C. fashion, we haven’t failed to disappoint in the “utterly ridiculous” category once again, all because of a new town ordinance that has banned sagging pants.
In Timmonsville, S.C., if you’re caught wearing sagging pants, trousers, or shorts that intentionally show your underwear, you could face a warning, then after the third offense, you could face penalties ranging from $100 to $600. In a 5-1 vote Tuesday night, in favor of the new ordinance, town officials claim they are looking to maintain decorum on the streets. The Timmonsville council also claims the new ordinance will help kids make better choices.
We understand that Timmonsville is a small town, and they probably don’t have much else to do. However, let discuss why this ordinance is simply, what us South Carolinians love to call, some Bullshit.
- The last thing any city in South Carolina needs, is a reason for police officers to approach young men who are not committing a crime or violating any laws. Yes, I said not violating any laws, because we already have a precedent in which a courtdecided a Miami, Fla. ban was unconstitutional in 2008 after a teen was jailed for a night. We have a terrible issue in this country that has yet to be addressed properly, and that issue is racial profiling. An officer approaching a young man because he saw his boxers, is merely another reason to stop and question a young person who isn’t committing a crime.
- Why is it that this town council could only create an ordinance that looks to criminalize youth? Let’s think about what they said for a moment, “the new ordinance would help kids make better choices” – are you f*cking serious? As a town, was there not a way to establish mentoring programs for kids? Or how about an etiquette program for boys, or a youth summer program that actually teaches young men the importance of looking their best. Instead, this group of lawmakers decided to take a fad that is primarily popular among young men of color, and label it as a crime.
- Hey Timmonsville, one thing we know about South Carolina is how much some people love their confederate flags. There are tons of people who find this flag highly offensive, yet i’m willing to bet, the revenue from confederate merchandise valued in the millions. We wonder if the town of Timmonsville would consider banning all confederate clothing, decals, etc – besides – I feel like this ban would help white people make better choices.
- How exactly are police going to define these “baggy pants” measurements. Will there be a special set of rulers? Is it practical to say that if we can see four inches of your ass, you will be fined but, if we see an inch of an ass, that’s not a violation?
- Where will these types of ordinances end? What happens when people get sick of seeing bra straps, or thongs that sit above low-waist jeans? How about if we can see your underwear through those thin stretch pants? I’ve seen people, especially women, who have offended me with much worse clothing than saggy pants, unfortunately, it seems like these “decency laws” are geared toward fashion related trends that mostly criminalize young black men.
Timmonsville, S.C. , I hope Charlemagne tha god gives you Donky of the Day – you deserve it.
http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Saggy-Pants-Law-Unconstitutional.html
Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion
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