NAACP making baggy pants bill a 'racial' issue?

Sen. Gary Siplin, the Orlando Democrat sponsoring the controversial "baggy pants" bill, says the NAACP does not understand the issue and is turning it into a racial issue.

“The NAACP's position on this pro-family, pro-education and pro-employment ‘below the waist’ bill fails to understand that the Florida legislature has a constitutional obligation to provide education to our children," Siplin said a statement. “Schools teach our children how to read, write, and do the math. They show them how to type and how to drive. Unfortunately, too many of our middle and high schools aren’t teaching the one critical element kids need to succeed. And that’s self respect."

“Allowing kids to imitate and promote a fashion in our schools that began in prison to advertise an inmate’s sexual availability is not only inappropriate, it’s unconscionable. Our children deserve better.

“I find it puzzling that a legendary civil rights advocacy group such as the NAACP would oppose this fine bill. Although my concern about saggy britches did not begin as a racial issue – I’ve seen black and white kids alike don their pants below their waists - it appears the NAACP is determined to make it one.

“The legislation is designed to teach our children discipline and respect for themselves and others. The notion that it will lead to more arrests because of a provision for out-of school suspension upon a 4 th warning is ludicrous.  Kids need to know there are consequences for their actions, and they’re given three chances beforehand to get that message.

“The purpose of school is for our children to learn and graduate and eventually provide for themselves. And it is the latter that includes teaching all of our children to dress appropriately for employment and future opportunities down the road.

“The first impression these children should be taught to leave shouldn’t invoke intimate romps behind prison bars.”

Comments

Was the NAACP created to protect the rights of black kids to wear drop pants? They should be ashamed of themselves. CC should be embarassed to be supporting the NAACP's position.

[Debbie]

Very well said. However, it is a shame that we have to deal with this as a legislative issue. This should be a school enforcement issue and quite frankly, three opportunities is too much. I personally know of other schools (not in Florida) that instituted a dress code that most of the kids balked at initially. The schools enforced it with no exceptions and guess what!?, problems have diminished and the kids are conforming. Those that arrive inappropriately dressed are dealt with AT THAT TIME. Spare me the 'they need to express themselves argument'. Express yourselves after the school day as you see fit. Just like the rest of us in the real world must do.

While I definitely agree that dress is important (baggy pants and underwear, string bikinis for the girls showing etc.), the onus should be on the school boards to enact and enforce. Parents also need to step up and stop expecting everyone else to play the bad guy.

hey sen. siplin - well DUH, welcome to the world of conservatives who are shouted down at every turn by race-baiters and poverty-pimps (as noted by black US Rep. JC Watts) who only see issues thru race-colored glasses

"And it is the latter that includes teaching all of our children to dress appropriately for employment and future opportunities down the road."

Opportunities like jumping a fence while running away from reporters...

How can anyone be expected to do that feat with baggy pants?

As usual, the NAACP has to throw out the race card. If we could get rid of them and the Jesse Jackson's and Louis Farrakhan's of the world, we might actually make some real progress. Instead, they have to stir up racial issues where none exist.

Can't believe I'm saying this, but Siplin is right. The NAACP is terribly out of touch on this issue.

3:56: Well, this is a black Democratic Senator and a black Democratic House Sponsor who are puzzled by the Democratic NAACP. Your attempts to equate this to conservatism is naive and foolish.
Go read some more Daily Kos and keep drinking the koolaid.

It time people stop thinking that you can out source or legislate good parenting. Simply put, if you want to pass a law focus on the parents that allow their children to practice indecent exposure. Fine the parents and teach them what it means to teach their children values of societal decency. I'm sure after a few $50 dollar fines parents will get the message. I think all laws dealing with the behavior of children (those below the legal age of 18) should be focussed on parental punishment. Afetr age 18, then they are adults and all laws should apply "directly"

4:20: It is appropriate that you posted your message at 4:20. You obviously wore baggy drawers in high school, which explains why you can't speak proper English.

Nuff said!

"Sen. Gary Siplin, sponsor of the controversial "baggy pants" bill, says the NAACP does not understand the issue and is turning it into a racial issue.

You picked up on that all by yourself did ya?

… simp

INSURANCE!

FENCE!

How about...

A FENCE COVERED BY INSURANCE AND GUARDED BY GUY'S WHO WEAR BAGGY PANTS!

[bdiddy]

I agree. The NAACP is hurting the progess of African Americans. Good job by the Senator to speak up.

[Rodger]

the evening I went to the movies and saw my son there with his friends and their pants hangin as low as they were is the night he came home to find his moms and sisters short sun dresses hanging in his closet. he wanted to no where his clothes were and i told him he wouldnt have a problem with the dresses falling down. he didnt get his clothes back for 2 weeks. and we have no problem anymore. just because the naacp wants to keep the black kids down doesnt mean the white kids have to follow in their lead.

[R.A.K]

Well put Sen. Siplin. I think that the bill should be passed because it send the right message to our children to dress appropriately. Sagging your pants is not a expression of fashion, it is a disgrace. Students do not yet understand the ramifications for not dressing for success at an early age, & that why u see more & more students leaving schools not being PREPARED for the real world. THE CORPORATE WORLD.....NAACP listen up & rather than trying to make the front page, support the bill

[jackie]

Microwave Charlie would support any issue to obtain more votes. NAACP should be ashamed, every issue appears to be racial, according to blacks. Charlie,the NAACP and anyone thinking this is a racial affront are stupid and create more problems. Maybe more blaks do look like bums. Is this what they are saying? I guess so to get involved.

[Craphonius "C-Monk" Jackson]

Them skeezers best not make me pull up my draws

[Kathryn]

Why any parent of any race would want their child to dress like someone in prison is beyond me. We have a responsibility to our youth to teach them proper societal manners. What you do in the privacy of your home, if it doesn't involve harming others or yourself, is one thing. But to enter into public disrespecting yourself and those around you, whether it is with language or clothing, does fall to the parents of these young people. When I was young I had a healthy fear of my parents. They didn't use corporal punishment often, but I was just as afraid of disappointing them as I was of getting a spanking. And my boys were raised the same way. I, as a parent took responsibility for my children and their actions until they became adults. What a shame this generation has lost their sense of responsibility to these kids. What it says about us as a country, that our government has to step in and tell people how to dress is very disheartening.

[june]

Do more blacks wear baggy pants? Do more blacks take on the role of prisoner, wearing baggy pants? Is that what the NAACP is saying. I never noticed race in connection with baggy pants. They all looked the same. Going no where>

[Barbara]

I saw a white boy with baggy pants just yesterday and he looked just as stupid as any other color person with baggie pants.

[Barbara]

Did anyone see the video of how many weapons can be hidden in those pants. Black person or any other color. they still look stupid. You can see the crack in thier butt on most of them.

5:16, I like your style. :~)

The NAACP is fast losing credibility and should take a hint from Aesop's "The Boy Who Cried Wolf." I'm getting tired of hearing about "racism" where none exists. Believe it or not, some of us white folk actually don't care about a person's skin color.

I agree baggy pants shouldn't exist, but the legislature should not be wasting their time with this. District school boards should enforce their policies, and more importantly -- their parents should fulfill their responsibility to society and teach their own kids about discipline and self respect.

Kinda funny though, a black rep is complaining about NAACP turning this into a racial issue. Welcome to every single minute of our lives.

[Dr_Dug]

Fire him...!! He merely tested the waters to see if he could get caught. He did and now we know he's a potential threat. Get him away from the little girls and fire him!!

[dadetigl]

Beatle haircuts, Afros and Mini skirts were going to ruin the children in the 60's. Leisure suits were going to ruin the parents in the 70's. Disco clothes!! It's just a fashion statement. Fashion is cyclical, so this droopy pants thing will pass. I had long hair in the 60's and 70's. What's left is not long anymore.
I don't like the droopy pants look much either, but the more people with their own agendas gripe about it and try to legislate it, the longer the cycle will last. If you quit talking about it, the rebellious aspect of droopy pants will pass and they'll move onto something else. That's the scary part. Fashion is cyclical. Our children may bring back Leisure suits. Imagine your 6th grade son heading off to school in one of those.

[Tony]

Nowadays many kids are coming from the north wear low wearing jeans are perfectly accepted, especially in the inner city. It represents a thug life and many of these kids think that's cool. Many of them have already spent time in juvi and some of them are on probation as it is. It's a status symbol. The worst part about all of this is that you can't look at the adults for guidance anymore. THEY are the ones wearing them low too. Adult rappers still wear them and the kids see it and find it acceptable...and the adults don't seem to think anything is wrong with it. The NAACP needs to change their focus on to make kids make it in the world. They breed a disillusionment that the "freedom to do, say, and wear whatever you want" will get you wherever you want. If that's the case than they need to open their wallets and give these kids money when their actions tell employers that they shouldn't be hired. It's not about racism. It's about how you present yourself, how you come across. Show an attitude and give an attitude and I wouldn't hire you.

[beva]

adopting a STRICTY dress code with a voted upon uniform seems to INCREASE not only a better looking campus, but LESS discipline problems, less theft,
BUT the KEY is ENFORCING and MAINTAINING the code. ALL MUST buy into it. I HAVE seen it work..successfully...for years.

[gtekeeper7]

I AM NOT SURE OF THE NAACP POSITION. I,VE HEARD THAT TEHEY OPPOSE THE BILL. IF IN FACT THEY DO OPPOSE TH BILL SHAME ON THEM

[A Little Public Decency Please]

While I never promote the idea of expanded government, I do laud Sen. Siplin's stance on this matter. Unfortunately, it is our job as parents (those of us that have children, that is) to teach our children things long before they ever set foot in school. Things like respect for their fellow man, respect for themselves, and respect for authority.

My father did a job I could never do: He was a principal at an elementary school. Why could I never do that? Because he did that job in the '60's and '70's, when parents took an active role in their children's life and taught them the principles I outlined above. Now, the average child raises themselves, which is a sad testimony to our society.

Sen. Siplin is not afraid to call out the NAACP, an organization that I have often felt fosters the "remember, you are a VICTIM!" mentality in its' constiutents. If parents -- of ALL races -- took an active role with their children, this action by the legislature would be unnecessary.

It's time to stop idol-worshipping the thugs that dress that way, as most of them are a bad decision away from being broke or in jail. Having pride in your appearance and having respect for people are two things that will never go out of style.

Oh look, the NAACP is playing the race card yet again. I've always known that the NAACP is racist, and here is proof. They always insist that the white man is putting the black man down, yet here we are, trying to do away with a ridculous and trashy fashion trend, and they immediately throw down the race card.

[Daniel Chancellor]

Sen. Siplin is incorrect -- this trend was not started to signal sexual availability.

http://www.snopes.com/risque/homosex/sagging.asp

[officer]

As a retired officer, I say let them wear thier pants hanging down. When they commit a crime, it makes it difficult to run from us with one hand holding up thier pants, and easier for us to catch.

Them? You mean teens?

School Uniforms.

Problem Solved!

NCAx2P needs to be laughed off the political stage. Those subscribing to this organizations approach at this point are doing nothing more than allowing themsleves to be marginalized. What a pathetic self agrandizing bunch their misleaders have become. Enough already.

NAACPWRTPUTP - National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples Who Refuse To Pull Up Their Pants.

Is that too long?

(I)

Why can't the schools have a dress code? A reasonable dress code that would be uniform throughout the state. This is not a race issue and I am getting a little tired of calling the race card so often and at times unwarranted.

Do you think when these ancesters to Africa were sold by their relatives in to slavory they new they counld not get their pants to the top of their rectum?