Are We Iran?

Published Aug 31 2007, 09:56 PM by Wendy Kaminer

        Half naked women are common sights in city streets every summer (and all year round in warmer climes.) We argue about whether this skimpy, sexualized public attire represents the rise or fall of feminism, but there’s virtually no dispute about its legality. So when municipalities start criminalizing baggy, underwear exposing jeans, generally associated with young black males, you know legislators are motivated by something other than a concern for decency. Young white women are not arrested for letting their bra straps show (in addition to a fair amount of flesh.) But as the New York Times recently reported, in some localities, young black males may be arrested for showing their boxers.

        Yes, baggy jeans are condemned for imitating prison wear and glamorizing prison culture, as Times story stresses – but that simply means that they’re worn to send a message, (however disturbing or offensive,) which only makes banning them all the more illegal. In a culture preoccupied with fashion “statements,” the expressive nature of clothing is difficult to deny. When clothing is condemned precisely because authorities don’t like the statement it makes, the offense to the constitution is clear. I hope these laws are challenged. Courts may overlook some restrictions on clothing in public schools, (the Supreme Court has recently cut back on student rights,) but I like to think that even this Court would hesitate to approve clothing restrictions in public streets. In America, as opposed to, say, Iran, we’re not supposed to take the job of clothing police so literally.

Filed Under: criminal justice, culture war, First Amendment, free speech, indecency

Naked Came the Carpenter

What's So Bad About Soliciting Sex?

1 Comments

jerry said:

Well I can't disagree with you, though I really want to. However, related, at Salon in Broadsheet tonight they are discussing a ban on "designer vagina" surgery. For many reasons various women have been upset by these surgeries, but while they mention things like potential risks, the main reason for the upset appears to be that they don't like the idea for "political" reasons. http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/2007/08/31/designer/index.html While I freely state that many doctors seem more motivated by money than by their patients, I am uncomfortable with interference between patient and doctor on "political" grounds. I think that way lies bans on abortion, and potentially bans on other surgeries or practices that might offend someone. I personally would like to ban tattoos, and most if not all piercings. Whose body is it anyway?

September 1, 2007 4:59 AM

Follow the Boston Phoenix

All Blogs

Phlog (1,416)
Outside The Frame (303)
Dont Quote Me (516)
On The Download (2,157)
Talking Politics (1,518)
Laser Orgy (31)

Filed Under: criminal justice, culture war, First Amendment, free speech, indecency, popular culture

Boston Phoenix
Guilty until proven guilty
Published 6/26/2009 by HARVEY SILVERGLATE
Freedom Watch

Boston Phoenix
State Court Bench Loses One of Its Best
Published 6/11/2008 by Harvey Silverglate
By Harvey Silverglate The Massachusetts judiciary – and as a result, the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts – are about to lose one of...

more by Wendy Kaminer

Second Lady | August 30, 2008

Hillary's Harpies | August 27, 2008

No We Can't | July 10, 2008

Anti-Noose Laws | May 19, 2008

It's a Crime to Lie to MYSpace? | May 16, 2008

See all articles by: Wendy Kaminer

Latest Comments

The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion - Was Chicago School Board President Michael Scott Snitching On Valarie Jarrett? Tuesday, November 17,...

By publius on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Tisei, Gay, By The Way - Although it might be news to Boston news reporters who don't talk to Republicans, the Senator's orientation...

By Peter Porcupine on 11-21-2009 in Talking Politics

The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion - Spilot, can you elaborate?

By Adam Reilly on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion - Oh, puh-leese Adam, give it a rest.

By spilot113 on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Obama's Fort Hood screw-up - First of all, the only thing that will "save" this country are free thinking individuals, not...

By Thomas on 11-21-2009 in Dont Quote Me

Latest Comments from Free For All

Are We Iran?

1 Comments

jerry said:

Leave a Comment