Dallas' anti-saggy pants crusader to appear on 'Dr. Phil'
03:24 PM CST on Monday, January 28, 2008
By RUDOLPH BUSH / The Dallas Morning News
rbush@dallasnews.com
While you’re at work this afternoon, some folks at City Hall will be tuning in to Dr. Phil.
After announcing a crusade against saggy pants last year, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway is hosting a viewing party for the Dr. Phil episode he stars in along with Al Sharpton and some kids who sag.
After the show airs, Mr. Caraway plans to moderate a panel with kids from Lancaster High School and discuss how to get students to pull up their pants.
The whole affair marks the high mark of the anti-sagging movement that has seen billboards and rap songs dedicated to keeping pants around the waist.
______________________________________________________________
Did anyone watch this? I sure did.This show was certainly hotter than my crock pot last night. What started off as a healthy conversation about the dress and self respect of young men, turned into a shouting match concerning the responsiblity of Hip Hop and race. Not suprising considering the fact that you have recruited a hightly conservative African American, a distrought white mother, a group calling themselves the "Hip Hop Government", an approval seeking friend-father and a blacl single mother with like 5 kids. Oh and lets not forget our celebrity guests, Al Sharpton and ATL based Hip Hop group, the Ying Yang Twins.
One thing that I noticed last night. Dr.Phil wanted to have a open conversation with African American people..but he had to throw a white person in there to offset the fact that this thing was about race. Considering that the Hip Hop Government stated numerous times, "The word saggin is niggas spelt backwards." And as I continued to watch, the one thing I noticed is that the tension seemed to be turned inward as many people got heated about what they considered to be self respect. Do I let my pants hang low or do I pull them up? If I let my pants sag..am I gay or I am straight? If I sag, will I be profiled or will I be overlooked?
It was no suprise to me that the more conservative older African Americans saw it as a degradation of character, but what about the middle aged father with teenage sons? Did the suppressive culture lighten his judgements of the saggy pants generation. Well apparently, because he was proud to demostrate his guilty pleasure of wearing his pants just a tad bit below his waist line. The white woman seemed so suprised at the shouting...she had to interject several times to bring the conversation down from sonic boom.
Now I must admit this...I loved what the Ying Yang Twins had to say. While people have to blame Hip Hop for all that is wrong in the world, the truth of the matter is this, you do control what you let affect the enviroment around you. If you dont want to enter your house..you provide yourself with a roof. One of the Ying Yang twins so politely stated, " You have internet blocks and tv blocks." and he is right. And one of them made a remarkable statement to one of the children who made a smart a- comment and I quote, "If Im not concerned about my future than what is it to you." The twin said something to the effect,"Do you pay bills, still live in your mama house and not take care of yourself. You are still a child and need to keep your mouth shut." AMEN!! So despite the shouting match between the Hip Hop Government and Ying Yang twins, there was alot of great discussion.
But the question I want to ask is this? As a culture, when are we going to stop looking at all the superfical and non-important issues facing our race. Quite frankly, the fact that my husband is rocking some loose fitting Sean John is the least of my worries. My concern is him becoming the man who God has called to be and help lifting him to reach his destiny. Fashion or any other material thing will never compare to the value of your soul and what you do with your life.
A young men and women need to be taught the value of thier life. It's time to look past the exterior and begin to look inward. As a race, as a people and especially as believers. There is a great need for people to lay down thier lives for our young african american people. They are in desperate need of the Gospel. But quite frankly, it doesnt begin with you trying to change thier exterior.
Dallas' anti-saggy pants crusader to appear on 'Dr. Phil'
03:24 PM CST on Monday, January 28, 2008
By RUDOLPH BUSH / The Dallas Morning News
rbush@dallasnews.com
While you’re at work this afternoon, some folks at City Hall will be tuning in to Dr. Phil.
After announcing a crusade against saggy pants last year, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway is hosting a viewing party for the Dr. Phil episode he stars in along with Al Sharpton and some kids who sag.
After the show airs, Mr. Caraway plans to moderate a panel with kids from Lancaster High School and discuss how to get students to pull up their pants.
The whole affair marks the high mark of the anti-sagging movement that has seen billboards and rap songs dedicated to keeping pants around the waist.
______________________________________________________________
Did anyone watch this? I sure did.This show was certainly hotter than my crock pot last night. What started off as a healthy conversation about the dress and self respect of young men, turned into a shouting match concerning the responsiblity of Hip Hop and race. Not suprising considering the fact that you have recruited a hightly conservative African American, a distrought white mother, a group calling themselves the "Hip Hop Government", an approval seeking friend-father and a blacl single mother with like 5 kids. Oh and lets not forget our celebrity guests, Al Sharpton and ATL based Hip Hop group, the Ying Yang Twins.
One thing that I noticed last night. Dr.Phil wanted to have a open conversation with African American people..but he had to throw a white person in there to offset the fact that this thing was about race. Considering that the Hip Hop Government stated numerous times, "The word saggin is niggas spelt backwards." And as I continued to watch, the one thing I noticed is that the tension seemed to be turned inward as many people got heated about what they considered to be self respect. Do I let my pants hang low or do I pull them up? If I let my pants sag..am I gay or I am straight? If I sag, will I be profiled or will I be overlooked?
It was no suprise to me that the more conservative older African Americans saw it as a degradation of character, but what about the middle aged father with teenage sons? Did the suppressive culture lighten his judgements of the saggy pants generation. Well apparently, because he was proud to demostrate his guilty pleasure of wearing his pants just a tad bit below his waist line. The white woman seemed so suprised at the shouting...she had to interject several times to bring the conversation down from sonic boom.
Now I must admit this...I loved what the Ying Yang Twins had to say. While people have to blame Hip Hop for all that is wrong in the world, the truth of the matter is this, you do control what you let affect the enviroment around you. If you dont want to enter your house..you provide yourself with a roof. One of the Ying Yang twins so politely stated, " You have internet blocks and tv blocks." and he is right. And one of them made a remarkable statement to one of the children who made a smart a- comment and I quote, "If Im not concerned about my future than what is it to you." The twin said something to the effect,"Do you pay bills, still live in your mama house and not take care of yourself. You are still a child and need to keep your mouth shut." AMEN!! So despite the shouting match between the Hip Hop Government and Ying Yang twins, there was alot of great discussion.
But the question I want to ask is this? As a culture, when are we going to stop looking at all the superfical and non-important issues facing our race. Quite frankly, the fact that my husband is rocking some loose fitting Sean John is the least of my worries. My concern is him becoming the man who God has called to be and help lifting him to reach his destiny. Fashion or any other material thing will never compare to the value of your soul and what you do with your life.
A young men and women need to be taught the value of thier life. It's time to look past the exterior and begin to look inward. As a race, as a people and especially as believers. There is a great need for people to lay down thier lives for our young african american people. They are in desperate need of the Gospel. But quite frankly, it doesnt begin with you trying to change thier exterior.
Meet me on the block
its going down
your eyes as you lower your
visual opinion of me.
Never mind, the fact that you live
just like me
full of hopes, dreams
and life full of limited possiblities.
How dare you judge me by the length of my pants from my ass.
Who are you to determine my class, my status or my place.
When you live like a pauper in your mind.
Meet me on the block
its going down
your eyes as you lower your
visual opinion of me.
Never mind, the fact that you live
just like me
full of hopes, dreams
and life full of limited possiblities.
How dare you judge me by the length of my pants from my ass.
Who are you to determine my status, my place or my class.
When you live like a pauper in your mind.
Woe to the man who is racist and blind.
