The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Opinions

MAGGIE GOODE

Imagine a young man is stopped by a police officer on his way to work. What illegal act has he committed? Did he carelessly jaywalk? Was he walking with an open container?

No. Instead, the officer pulled the man aside because he was wearing baggy pants.

This could happen if Atlanta City Council members pass legislation that would penalize people who wear clothes that expose their underwear. Councilman C.T. Martin wrote the original legislation to ban baggy clothing last August with hopes of bringing the issue into public debate.

And the public has responded with strong conflicting viewpoints.

This baggy-pants debate has received considerable national media coverage. Dr. Phil himself recently addressed the issue on his daytime TV show. Twelve states, including Georgia, are in favor of banning such revealing clothing. Atlanta council members may vote on the legislation next month.

Talk of possible violations for such controversial clothing have included fines up to $100 and community service hours.

I am a conservative dresser myself and such legislation would not affect me. But as an informed citizen and a staunch believer in freedom of expression, I must voice how I feel about this clothing catastrophe.

Those of us who have chosen journalism as our calling in life know the First Amendment. I know that besides our freedom to exercise religion and our right to petition, Americans have freedom of speech, or freedom of expression.

In other words, we have the right to drive whatever type of car we choose or wear our hair any style we prefer. This freedom also allows us to express ourselves through the clothing we choose to wear each day.

Legislation that would penalize someone for wearing sagging pants is blatant assault on a person's freedom of expression. A person's choice of clothing - and how they wear that clothing - is a right with which every American is endowed. An attempt to restrict such expression would be like robbing the flag of its stars.

And where do Atlanta City Council members plan to draw the line?

On their crusade to establish a proper dress code for the citizens of Atlanta, will they next ban low-cut tops that reveal cleavage? Short shorts? Tight-fitting jeans? Once they choose to penalize people for certain attire, it's a slippery slope toward banning anything and everything that meets disapproval.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Martin in "How low? Atlantans get a saggy pants forum," (Jan. 15) on his disapproval of baggy pants that reveal boxer shorts and his belief this attire will "take you nowhere. It's not going to get you a 3.8 grade-point average. It's not going to get you a high-paying job ... It's a distraction. It's also disrespectful to older women."

Don't judge a book by its cover.

What we choose to wear to class each day is a reflection of our personality, our character. Or maybe you just throw on the only clean thing in your closet. Many times I have rolled out of bed in my pajamas and worn them to class. Did I perform worse on tests as a result? The answer is no.

Either way, the clothes individuals wear are no indication of their intelligence or promise as future professionals.

For those who choose to support such legislation, I ask you this: Would you feel comfortable if the government told you how to dress each day? Probably not.

The solution to the issue lies not in the legislation but in the respect we as human beings have for each other. It's your freedom to choose the type of clothing you wear each day, but it also is your responsibility to have respect for yourself and for others around you.

- Maggie Goode is a senior from Atlanta majoring in magazines.

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