The dictionary informs us that sagging means
To lose firmness or vigor, and another definition
States sagging means to droop or settle from
As if from pressure.
But I am want to wonder if the message conveyed
by young Black male America doesn’t have a
Deeper meaning more than a current faddish fashion.
Cause from what I see most saggers are misogynistic,
Vulgar, and lack stock in the pocket.
But perhaps at my age I miss the point.
I miss the point that pants purchased two sizes
Too big is not an economic choice made to save
Money because junior will grow into them.
I miss the point that young Black Americans who create and then drive popular culture forget who is in the drivers seat
As their style is copied, co-opted and made mainstream.
Sagging once co-opted has no meaning.
You see from a once vociferous invitation to kiss
Ones hind parts has evolved to just look at my butt,
See my dirty shorts, see how sloppy I can look cause
What used to be hip hop is now hot to drop.
I miss the point that having to hold your pants
While you try to walk is cool but you claim you’re not
Handicapped.
I miss the point that you are afraid to rise above
The crowd and start a new style become innovative and change it
Before it becomes mainstream like the trendsetters of old.
Ragtime, Jazz, Blues, Motown Sound, and Philly Sound.
But then that takes talent and forethought.
So when are you gonna wake up and shake up a culture
that you once drove by your drive, imagination and
Inventiveness or will you continue to ape the new ape man and play cheetah to his Tarzan as he chuckles, laughs, and then howls all the way to the bank.
Hillfiger don’t like you and if you daddy is wearing Armani and
You can’t even spell it. I miss the point.
The ball is in your hands it’s time you got into the game.
Sagging is a foul shot.
Three pointers are made by those confident in themselves.
I believe that you can do better, why Don’t you?
Or have I like many of you missed the point.
Great job Marion! This is the honest to God truth. So many of these men who wear their pants like this promts the police to prey upon them for drugs and other mischief. And the sad part about it, they think it's cool. Marion, you remind me of a political mya Angelou. Great job!
Reviewed by Christopher Sims (Reader)
Reviewed on May 20, 2003
Hotep Queen Marion,
Great poem! I haven't read a poem that attacks the nature of young Black men wearing their pants as such. It is good that you chose to do so to open their eyes to the reality of the way that they sag their pants.
I am a young black male myself, though of Generation X not Y. My generation is the generation that first started the sagging trend. When we started doing it it was innovative and a little bit creative then. We didn't wear our pants so low to where our boxer shorts, etc., could be seen.
I work at a middle school and I see what you see all the time. It amazes me to see young black males wearing their jeans so low that they have to hold them up. That defeats the purpose of sagging. It's been taken to level where it needs to stop.
I feel your pain Queen.
Keep writing and speaking the truth.
Peace and Strength always,
Christopher D. Sims a.k.a. Universoul
Reviewed by Julie Gaskins (Reader)
Reviewed on March 30, 2003
Ms. Marion,
Wisdom is all over this poem. Thank you.
Julie
Reviewed by Birdie Houston (Reader)
Reviewed on March 18, 2003
Super write Marion this really stood out ! I enjoyed the read. Oh and it`s ok to read that one story I wrote in Sunday services or Sunday school : )
Reviewed by na na (Reader)
Reviewed on March 9, 2003
Marion, enjoyed the write. You sure know what you are talking about. So many make poor choices just to be cool; not realizing
tht the "cool" ones who set this trend are already involved with something else. Bill
:) Goodness, you've made so many points, this should be on billboards across America!! You have put all the angst I have against the fashion look of "sagging" into a succinct, coherent piece, Marion!! Excellent write! I would love to see a piece done on ridiculousness of dressing young girls in Brittany or Christina outfits, forming and compressing their individuality into...paper dolls of acrimonious self-worth.
Young men were meant to run--after the girls, from the cops, whatever. When I see these guys trying so hard to look cool, I like to see something make them run. It ain't cool falling on your face trying to hold your pants up.
Exploring the impact of literary icon Flannery O'Connor's noted legacy on the cultural realities of modern-day America, the world, and a certain author.
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Great poem! I haven't read a poem that attacks the nature of young Black men wearing their pants as such. It is good that you chose to do so to open their eyes to the reality of the way that they sag their pants.
I am a young black male myself, though of Generation X not Y. My generation is the generation that first started the sagging trend. When we started doing it it was innovative and a little bit creative then. We didn't wear our pants so low to where our boxer shorts, etc., could be seen.
I work at a middle school and I see what you see all the time. It amazes me to see young black males wearing their jeans so low that they have to hold them up. That defeats the purpose of sagging. It's been taken to level where it needs to stop.
I feel your pain Queen.
Keep writing and speaking the truth.
Peace and Strength always,
Christopher D. Sims a.k.a. Universoul
Wisdom is all over this poem. Thank you.
Julie
tht the "cool" ones who set this trend are already involved with something else. Bill
Erin
:)