By AUSTIN HALL
A wise man once said, “Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground.” That man was Larry Platt, who addressed the issue on one of America’s top TV shows, American Idol, and it later became an Internet sensation, bringing light to this nationwide epidemic. Florida House of Representatives listened and added sagging as a violation of the code of conduct.
Sagging is when one’s pants “sag” below the buttocks and display Superman boxers for all to see. The term “underwear” describes what is worn “under” clothes, not showcased for the world to see.
Sagging has been known to directly correlate with a person’s level, or lack of swag. The definition of swag is to cause to sway, sink or sag. So theoretically, the more one’s pants sag, the higher the level of “swag” he possesses.
In 2005, Senator Gary Siplin introduced this idea in hope of making it against the law to wear saggy pants. He wanted to criminalise it making it a second-degree misdemeanor that would result in a fine up to $50 and 10 days in jail. Siplin got sagging in the code of conduct but did not get it passed as a law outside of school.
Florida House of Representatives passed an act, not a law, relating to the code of conduct, adding “sagging” to the list of dress code violations. It states, while a student is on the grounds of a public school, during a regular school day, if clothing is worn that exposes underwear or body parts in an indecent or vulgar manner, the student is subject to disciplinary actions.
For the first offense, a warning is issued and then the principal will call the student’s parent or guardian.
For the second offense, the student is ineligible to participate in any extracurricular activities for no more than five days and the principal will meet with the student’s parents.
For the third or subsequent offense, the student will receive in-school suspension for no more than three days and is suspended from any extracurricular activities for no more than 30 days.
These consequences are brilliant ideas, while the student is on school grounds during school hours. Outside of school, students can wear whatever they want; it would be unfair if it was enforced outside of school, and would be a violation of the constitution. America’s students are entitled to freedom of expression.
Siplin views this as a “pro-jobs legislation.” Sagging is unprofessional. No one wants to hire someone who walks in wearing pants down to his ankles and a giant shiny belt buckle.
School is a place for learning and growth. Everyone who comes to school should look respectable.
Wearing a belt will silence people like Larry Platt, who will have nothing to complain about. Wearing one’s pants around the ankles is impractical. Wearing a belt is easier than hiking them up every 10 steps, it is more of a burden than a fashion statement. That would be like buying a bike that has only the back tire, having to do a wheelie wherever one goes.
So put on a belt because the majority of the population does not care who one’s favorite superhero is.