Anthrax, botulism, cholera, hepatitis, and baggy pants: All epidemics.
Wait, baggy pants? Has wearing them really become so widespread? For the past couple of years different states have taken that notion into consideration.
On August 23, in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta city councilman, C.T. Martin, proposed an ordinance that would make baggy pants that show boxer shorts and thongs illegal.
Martin states that baggy pants are an epidemic that is becoming a major concern around the country.
“Little children adopt it, thinking it’s the ‘in’ thing,” Martin said. “I don’t want young people to think that half dressing is the way to go.”
Brandon Flowers, 20, a junior cardiopulmonary science student from Vero Beach, agrees with Martin.
“I have friends that wear baggy pants,” Flowers said. “I think they need to wear a belt or pull them around their waist.”
Flowers said he liked Martins’ ordinance, which proposed that people who wear baggy pants and expose their underwear should be fined. He said this ordinance is also seen in his hometown.
“I had a friend in Vero that got a ticket for wearing his pants below his waist,” Flowers said. “I didn’t object to it at all.”
However, not everyone feels the same way as Martin.
Savin Burns, 20, a junior animal science student from Tampa does not see a problem with baggy pants.
“I know a lot of people that wear baggy pants,” Burns said. “But it’s up to them to wear what they want to.”
Burns is happy that he can wear whatever he wants and there is no law against it, but he also does n0t feel that the trend has reached epidemic proportions.
“Not an epidemic, but a fad,” Burns said. “Because, like hairstyles, clothes are going to change.”
Kurt Kedroe, 22, a second year graduate finance student from Miramar feels the same way.
“I see it as a style people choose to do,” Kedroe said. “It is very prevalent.”
Kedroe feels comfortable wearing what he wants and believes others should feel comfortable doing the same.
“I feel that whatever they choose to wear is their decision,” Kedroe said. “Unless it’s nudity I don’t think it should be a law [against baggy pants].”
Some students do not know that Martin is not the first person to try and get an ordinance for baggy pants. Earlier this year, the city of Delcambre, La. passed a fine ordinance of $500 or six month in prison for exposure of underwear.
When Steven Pargett, 18, a freshman psychology student from Corona, Calif. found out about this law he was shocked.
“I think the law in general is absolutely ridiculous,” Pargett said. “Six months in jail sounds like you were caught with drugs in your baggy pants.”
Pargett thinks the repercussions of this law are too extreme and does n0t see how anyone wearing baggy pants affects lawmakers.
He said if this ordinance was passed in Tallahassee then some FAMU students would be outraged.
“I think it would generate a lot of anger around the FAMU campus if this law was passed in Tallahassee,” Pargett said. “I don’t think the student body would stand for this act moving any further.”
On the other hand, Kenneth Kelly, 20, a junior business administration student from St. Louis Mo. agrees with the law.
Kelly thinks that if the law just outlaws the showing of underwear, then it is appropriate.
Unlike these students, FAMU crime prevention officer, Sherri Luke, feels neutral to this and any other law that she would possibly have to enforce.
“As a law enforcement officer I am charged with upholding the laws as written,” Luke said. “This does not mean that I have to agree with the particular law, just that I have to enforce them without prejudice.”