@NYSSenAdams
It was a nice day in New York City yesterday so I was on my bike, riding to Prospect Park.  Being in the Outdoor Advertising field I’m constantly scanning the landscape for new ads and potential clients but one billboard in particular caught my eye.  The copy read “We Are Better Than This.  STOP THE SAG.”  The text was accompanied by an image of two presumably young black men wearing their pants low enough around the hips to expose a large percentage of their underwear.  The ad was paid for by New York State Sen. Eric Adams whose face also very prominently adorns the ad.

The billboard is apparently one of a series that has sprung up around Brooklyn in recent weeks.  The board that I spotted on the corner of Fulton Street and Vanderbilt Ave is less than two blocks from Fulton and St. James Street, the now gentrified locale of Biggie’s hustle.

“The sagging pants culture represents an immature disregard for the basic civility, courtesy and responsibility that our young men should display,” Adams said.

I have a major beef with the billboard.  Although I think the “fashion” trend is sloppy, embarrassing and borderline indecent I do feel even the youth should be entitled to “Freedom of Expression” guaranteed by the 1St Amendment.  If they chose to express themselves as in such a poor presentation its their prerogative. Some would say Adams is exercising the same by buying the ad.  However, he is doing so under the pretense of his public office and thus not guaranteed such right.

These days, while I consider him one of my heroes, I tend not to agree with much of Russell Simmons says but his comments about the campaign back up my point.

“I like Sen. Adams, but this is wrong-headed and a waste of time,” said Simmons. “This is the latest example of adults trying to repress the creativity and individuality of kids. Why would kids want to dress like Sen. Adams? There is no connection to saggy pants and the ability to succeed. Just look at what buttoned-up America has done to the rest of the world and each other. Why can’t kids be different?”

The entire campaign is foolish and politically motivated to rally support among African American voters with that Old-School mentality visibly outraged by the sagging fashion trend.  What Adams and so many fail to realize is this latest incarnation of low riding jeans is in fact inspired by the grunge, whiteboy skateboarder/ rockstar not incarcerated inmates. Bottom line its hip hop and to focus on African Americans is unfairly picking on an easy target.

“I wish he wouldn’t focus on African-Americans and instead talk about all races,” said Jeffrey Tweedy, vice president at Sean John. “Many different people are involved with this trend. It’s not just black kids. You can go to Washington Square Park and see skaters wearing tight Levi’s in a similar way.”

Exactly my point.

“AKOO stands for A King of Oneself, so we certainly promote excellence, noted Jason Geter, AKOO’s co-founder. We encourage all young men to carry themselves in a respectable manner to decrease the chances of being singled out or judged in society. When it comes to fashion, always remember to dress for the occasion.”

SOUND OFF:  Leaving your feelings about the fashion trend aside for a sec, Do you feel like Sen. Adams has unfairly targeted the Hip Hop inspired, African American youth?  

Quotes via: NY Magazine