Local and national news anchors, administrators, business owners, musicians, community leaders and youth gathered at the Dallas City Hall to attend a special, large-scale summit to take a united front and aggressively address the sagging pants social issue that has been plaguing the Dallas community. The summit provided workshops, roundtable discussions, performances and in-depth discussions on how to change the behavior that coincides with the lack of disrespect and pride that has been exhibited in the community.
District four city council member Dwaine Caraway, addressed the sagging pants issue saying, “It’s something that goes beyond a look or style into the area of being down right disrespectful. I do not want to see anyone’s behind out in the streets, and I know you don’t either. But more than being about taste, it is an issue that is affecting the young black children in our community. You don’t have this problem in North Dallas. This summit is about teaching our children to respect themselves and to be leaders. I wanted to hear from the community about this issue so we invited religious figures, entertainers, students and anyone else who wanted to be a part of this out to let their voices be heard. I could put an ordinance in place where young men would get fined or ticketed for sagging pants like other cities across the nation, but that is not something that I have plans of doing. The problem that I have is the negative light that is cast on our youth which pulls law enforcement into their lives unnecessarily. I’m not trying to lock any one up for their pants. What I want is for the community to come together to solve this issue. That is why we are here; to discuss solutions, not create a bigger problem”.
Among the celebrities who attended the summit to take a stand against sagging pants were: rapper, Dooney Da Priest; rapper, Dez Curley; former Dallas Cowboy, Dwayne Goodrich; actress/activist, Erma P. Hall and radio personality Robert Ashley.
Photos by Michael Savoie Photography
