Society, Psychology and Pants on the Ground

During a conference call the other day our discussion turned from business to the topic of Pants on the Ground.  The song performed by Larry Platt the 63 year old who at one time marched with Dr. Martin Luther King and is an activist in Atlanta.  He was inspired to write the song when one day he was walking down the street and he saw a guy with a pacifier, baby bottle and a baby walking and his pants were on the ground.  Hence looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.

It has plagued me since his appearance why everyone is finding this so funny?  It has become an instant hit everywhere in society and in pop culture.  Just the other day using the rest room at an Office Depot written on the bathroom wall was the song.  There I was with my pants on the ground reading looking like a fool with your pants on the ground.  Let me say I did not hate the performance and I liked Larry and what he brought to the table.  I just felt his message was more serious and is an important one and didn't understand where I was missing the joke.

We all know Larry is referring to basically the yo boy look.  Pants hanging down below your butt so that your boxers are sticking out and hat tilted sideways etc. etc.  The history of this fashion statement began when young kids in the LA went to prison.  They were so young that the issued prison garb didn't fit and since belts were forbidden the new inmates pants would literally fall to the ground.  This stirred excitement amongst the other inmates and brought on a whole new generation of pedophilia and prison gang rape.  Belts were forbidden because they could be used to hang oneself or another.  This look of hanging pants entered civilian life when these young kids were released from prison and due to lack of funds had to borrow clothes from older siblings which didn't fit and pow!  A whole new look was born.

Through history there have been many looks that have spread through the mainstream.  

1.  The Virgin:  Madonna

2.  The Neo:  The Matrix

3.  Ducky:  Pretty in Pink

4.  Glam:  Any Hair Band from the 80's

5.  The Jimmy Page:  Long curly permed hair

6.  Hippy:  The Grateful Dead

7.  The Fan:  Any face painter, jersey wearing sports fanatic

During our conversation what we discovered about Pants on the Ground is that in this day and age of living in fear it is a way to tell the ridiculous looking fools to pick your pants up.  Basically mommy saying sit up straight and get your act together.  American Idol took this sentiment and injected it into american society like heroin into a fresh vein.  Larry gave America a way to tell these individuals you look like a fool and get your act together.   

In an interview on The View Larry said he hopes his message of personal responsibility doesn't get lost in his popularity. 

One thing Larry did do is now whenever a yo boy is out in public walking around he will self consciously be thinking do they think I am a fool for having my pants on the ground.  Thanks Larry.  America Loves You!