An Atlanta politician is trying to get the whole city to hike up its damn pants, proposing a ban on baggy trousers in the city where hip-hop currently lives the loudest. The ACLU is calling it racial profiling, while city councilman C.T. Martin says the proposal is merely “like all the discussions we’ve had around the value of the hip-hop culture”:

While the penalty or fine for violators has not be determined, according to Debbie Seagraves, the executive direction of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, the amendment will not survive a court challenge. “This is a racial profiling bill that promotes and establishes a framework for an additional type of racial profile,” Seagraves told the AP. Martin, however fired back at Seagraves, stating, “The purpose of the paper is to generate some conversation to see if we can find a solution,” he 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 rights…and some will say I’m just trying to put young Black men in jail, but it’s going to be fines.”

While there’s undoubtedly a racial undertone (when isn’t there in America, or in hip-hop?), apparently the ACLU forgets that plenty of poorly dressed white folks are also letting their asses hang out, and on the one hand I’m all for not being forced to stare at someone’s crack against my will. On the other hand, I feel like I’m watching that episode of the Fresh Prince where Uncle Phil thinks Will wearing that knock-off prison jumpsuit is going to lead him down the wrong path. Anyone who thinks baggy pants or exposed thongs are an “epidemic” is showboating, an imbecile, or both. Teachers, leave those jeans alone.

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