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Femrenoir
Newbie Poster
Username: Femrenoir
Post Number: 10
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:06 pm: | 
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I miss 'seeing' brothers!
It seems to me that brothers have bought into the media's desire to cover up their beautiful bodies, while at the same time sisters have been convinced to bear all. I imagine our ancestors would wonder why we spend so much money to wear clothes that don't fit, and support the stereotypes of our women as concubines and our men as field hands. I admit I've succumbed to showing off the 'legs' at times, but I can't see the appeal of the baggy shirts and pants that highlight the brothers least attractive attribute - okay the calves aren't 'bad', but compared to the rest - no comp! Some of the really loose outfits - starched (ugh!!) make brothers look like clowns (one person's opinion).
Is it just me or does anyone else think we're being bamboozled?
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 512
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:47 pm: |
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Bamboozled. I keep wondering if these guys' loose a$$ pants ever just fall totally to the ground. What the heck is holding them up? And where do they keep their wallets? Why do people just blindly follow these foolish clothing trends? The clothes that some of these designers put out don't even look comfortable. I wear my regular clothes the regular way - no a$$, no belly button, no cleavage, none of that. I prefer to leave something to the imagination. And I wish more ppl would do the same. |
Nels
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Nels
Post Number: 379
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 04:02 am: |
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I'm inclined to believe that if (THE) "ancestors" are left to the wind, then what they (i.e., brothers) wear will truly be irrelevant. Unimportant to say the least. |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 4618
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 07:40 am: |
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While recently riding a CTA bus in Downtown Chicago (which I enjoy about as much as I do sipping a glass full of the Ebola virus), I witnessed a growna$$ Black man walking around with the backside of his pants dayamnear touching the ground. The only reason why you could not see his (probably crusty) a$$ was he was wearing a jacket that was long enuff to cover it.
But that wasn’t the best part. This FOOL had a baby’s PACIFER in his mouth! And it was like he was PROUD of other foks seeing him chew that sucker.
Now. Usually I hardly give a dayam what White foks think about Black people. Really. What the hell most of them know or care ANYWAY?
But when I saw that nikka cooning and samboing in front from White foks like that, I wanted to try, convict and hang his ignant a$$ for treason against the race and conduct unbecoming a Black man. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1012
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:54 pm: |
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>This FOOL had a baby’s PACIFER in his mouth!
Is this a new style? Just last weekend I saw a young brother with a platinum pacifier with (what appeared to be) a real latex nipple dangling around his neck.
Is this widespread??? If so, pass me ABM's bottle of Ebola--I'm thru! |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 514
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 01:45 pm: |
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I thought the pacifier phase was dead and buried. Didn't Easy E or somebody do the pacifier thing in the music videos way back in the early 90's? The loser on the bus was behind the times, among other things. Remind me not to ride the bus in Chicago.  |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 2201
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 03:29 pm: |
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Abm:
So did you grab the offender in the collar and pimp slap him in front of everybody? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 4619
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 05:55 pm: |
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Yvette,
Cheers!
Mzuri,
I remember seeing nikka's sucking pacifers in movies or something. But I don't recall seeing them walking around my parts doing that shyt.
Chris,
I thought about. But the fool probably would have taken out a gun and shot me dead. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4442
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 07:06 pm: |
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Pacifier-sucking mopes have been around for a while now, and have even popped up in some of the movies about the 'hood. To me, the dilemma has to do with whether there is such a thing as "normal" attire. And are the people who sport this minstrel style making a statment to society? Something along the lines that "I may not possess any other clout, but I do have the power to make conventional society disgusted. BTW, I'm surprised that the forked-tongued chrishayden didn't resort to his usual knee-jerk reaction and acccuse all of you posters of self-hate because you criticized these black slackers. |
Jennil
First Time Poster
Username: Jennil
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 04:24 am: |
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I thought the pacifier stage was over with in the mid 90's? I guess everything comes back in "Style." |
Kenology
First Time Poster
Username: Kenology
Post Number: 1
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 04:37 pm: |
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When I read the subject line (Slave Gear?), I could'a sworn this would'a been a thread about Rocafella's 'State Property' clothing line... |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 516
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 26, 2006 - 07:27 pm: |
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Welcome Jennil & Kenology!!! |
Kenology
Newbie Poster
Username: Kenology
Post Number: 2
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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Whoa... Thanks!  |
Rustang
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Rustang
Post Number: 376
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 10:36 am: |
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I just figured that the morons with the pacifiers were making a statement about how well prepared they were to deal with life. |
Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 1059
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, May 27, 2006 - 06:00 pm: |
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I just wished people didn't think this is part of black "heritage". |
Batmocop
Newbie Poster
Username: Batmocop
Post Number: 20
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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Okay... I'ma bite on this one. I wear baggy clothes (close to home) because I'm Skinny (there... I said it!) Hmmm I don't buy into any stereotypes and I don't wear any faddish anything. I wear big T-shirts and Baggy Jeans because they are comfortable. (and yes I wear a belt because my pants would hit the turf if I didn't.) The notion that it is Slave Gear if I understand the premise is saying that We don't think for ourselves and we continually let some commercial venue dictate what we should look like. i.e. "Slave Mentality" I agree that we don’t think for ourselves (our youth anyway) and I also feel that we don't support individuality that seems extreme. I kind of like me and I'm not scared to either hide or show myself off...
http://homepage.mac.com/airneffect/
Jus my 2 cents...
BatMo->
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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 524
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 01:04 pm: |
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Hi BatMoCop! You sound as if you dress like a thug or something. Your wardrobe is fine from what I can tell and you're not that skinny, although you could probably use some stick-to-your-ribs-home-cooking.
I don't mind baggy, it's when you can see half a person's behind that it becomes a problem. And if I saw a thugthing like ABM described I'd probably run in the opposite direction. Maybe someone needs to establish a thug dress code. Yeah, that's it. A book entitled "Thugs Dress for Success." LOL!
Anyway, I'll confess y'all. I'm a slave to silk. All my adult life. Not when I'm kickin it but any type of shopping trip, business meeting or anything where I might be seen - because it's important to me that I look professional at all times. So I'm a slave to Adrianna Papell y'all. |
Batmocop
Newbie Poster
Username: Batmocop
Post Number: 24
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 05:07 pm: |
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Yeah MZ, I'm workin on the rib stickin thing. If I had as much time to eat as I don't have to get my work done I'd be one thick Brotha... |
Kenology
Newbie Poster
Username: Kenology
Post Number: 4
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 07:52 pm: |
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No hatin' on the skinny guys y'all... Like Batmocop, I'm skinny as all hell and I wear baggy clothes too. T-shirts and jeans all day... Though Batmocop is a tad thicker than I am.
Still, it's funny how any style adopted by black youth is always made synonymous with some type of negativity. I think saggin' your pants too far low is a little extra... but a little sag is actually quite stylish in my honest and humble opinion.
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Renata
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Renata
Post Number: 1061
Registered: 08-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 28, 2006 - 09:32 pm: |
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Well, what I'm familiar with isn't really "sagging". It's grown men in their 20's (not teens, who I would forgive for such bad taste in clothing) who cross the street, get on the bus, etc., while holding onto their pants waist (sometimes with both hands) to keep them from falling down. That's a pretty common sight here. The teens wear them sagging. The grown men have something stupid going on that I can't quite explain. |
Tonya
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 2540
Registered: 07-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 10:07 am: |
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"I just figured that the morons with the pacifiers were making a statement about how well prepared they were to deal with life."
Interesting. I wonder if young white men were making the same statement would the white media praise them for their sensitivity and openness, artistry and bravery, for taking such a creative stand. Would such positive media have these men understood (by us all) and then supported by powerful corporations looking to capitalize of off positive media? Would they be singled out and embraced by community organizations looking to make a difference in the lives of the young? Would all of that attention make a difference to these young men ... just knowing somebody cares?
BTW, the sagging clothing is supposed to be a statement about prison and the plight of young black men.
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Rustang
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Rustang
Post Number: 380
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:07 am: |
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I can't really speak for the white media, but, if it were young white people walking around with pacifiers, my reaction would be exactly the same.Black, white, red, yellow or green, that looks stupid. |
Femrenoir
Newbie Poster
Username: Femrenoir
Post Number: 14
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 07:40 am: |
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After I started this diatribe, I began to feel a little guilty. I work from home, and get a lot of my images of black men from 'the media'. Since then I've done some 'research'. I spent the weekend in LA. During my day in Inglewood and 2 days at a jazz/reggae festival at UCLA; I saw one sagging pair of pants (bermuda shorts belted below the boxers). They were on fraternity row, worn by a young man who I am pretty sure was white and trying very hard to stand out. He was also wearing a stylized sailor hat, a sportscoat and sneakers.
I saw lots of young brothers in pants that did not require belts to stay on. The big t-shirts seem to be here to stay, but I am happy to report that if California is setting the trend; the sagging pants and minstrel outfits are out. So, alas, are fitted jeans; as the only place I saw more than a few of those was on Santa Monica Blvd., which my daughter informed me is the 'boys' street. My son explained to me that the large clothes are 'all' about comfort. He said girls are impressed by other things, so why bother. He also told me he read something on the internet about a new anti-establishment dressing trend called 'gutter' something or other where the more disgusting you look the better (wasn't that grunge?), but I didn't see anything like that. The sun was out, but the only outfits I saw all weekend that could be considered 'hoochie' were outside a pool party on fraternity row and worn by white girls. It appears I am the one who was buying into the media images of us. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1013
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:02 pm: |
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I have pictures of my grandfathers from back in the day. No matter where they were going--including to work at a job where they had to change into coveralls--they were dressed to the nines in well-tailored suits, ties, dress shoes, and hats.
Man, those were the days... |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1014
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:07 pm: |
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Here's a pic of one of my maternal grandfather that I am using for some research on him--He's the tall fella in the center back row. (The one w/a cigarette dangling from his hand...)
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Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1015
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:09 pm: |
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Um, that should say "my maternal grandfather"...
Oh, and I hope everyone's been well! |
Libralind2
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 368
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
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All those men are fine Yvette..thanks for sharing.
Welcome to Kenology and Jennil !
LiLi |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1017
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
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You're welcome, LiLi! |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4456
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 01:30 pm: |
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Back in the early 1940s, guys calling themselves hip cats dressed in zoot suits, which consisted of baggy, peg-legged pants that cuffed over pointed shoes, long top coats with wide lapels and broad shoulder pads, long watch chains that hung from belt loops, and wide brimmed hats that sported long feathers. Zoot suits were an extreme version of the hipster style but I remember my big sisters thinking guys were "square" if they didn't wear "drapes" which was what a more conservative version of peg-legged pants were called. Once World WarII started, however, it was all moot because the only suits young men donned were the uniforms that Uncle Sam issued to his draftees. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1018
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 01:41 pm: |
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Hi Cynique! How's Chi-town treating you? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4459
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 02:34 pm: |
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Wassup, Yvette. Nowadays I'm pretty much a spectator of the Chicago scene. Kinda been there, done that. But I'm only a 20 minute expressway ride from the action. All I need is something to pique my interest. The collection of King Tut artifacts are currenly on display at the Field Museum but, guess what? I went to see this exhibit before when it was here back in 1979. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4460
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 02:36 pm: |
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Forgot to mention that I loved that photograph you just treated us to. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 03:01 pm: |
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Glad you liked the picture, Cynique.
There is probably a lot more going on in Chicago than there is here. Not complaining, though--I am not getting out much these days...trying to complete my dissertation this summer. (When I am done, you'll hear my shout from all the way down in Illinois!)
Nice, though, to take a "mental health" day like I am today! |
Yukio
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yukio
Post Number: 1267
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 05:08 pm: |
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cynique: people actually continued to wear zoot suits, both African Americans and Mexican Americans . . . that latter were involved in the Zoot Suit Riots:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/zoot/ |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 4462
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 05:31 pm: |
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I guess those young men who weren't members of the armed forces, still wore these suits during the 40s, yukio, even more so after the war ended in 1945. The famous entertainer Cab Calloway, wore a white one on stage, throughout the decade. |
Serenasailor
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 457
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 03:53 pm: |
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The funny thing about it is that suits cover-up a mans body as well, the same was sagging pants do. Why is it okay for a brotha to wear a suit but it is totally wrong for him to wear baggy pants. |
Yvettep
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 1024
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 08:05 pm: |
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For me it's not a matter of showing skin, but looking neat...like you spent some time on your appearance...and aren't modelling yourself on young men who are known as numbers instead of their given names. That being said, though--and speaking of "Uncle Sam"--there is noting quite like seeing your man in his BDU's. My husband's military years were some of the best...something about the way the folded and pressed sleeves show off the bicepts and the way the bottoms of the trousers are cut. |
Batmocop
Regular Poster
Username: Batmocop
Post Number: 34
Registered: 03-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 08:47 pm: |
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Hey Yvettep, I'm feelin that, but 22 years in BDU's is what made me go baggy!
Batmo-> |
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