What did sagging mean in slavery?
“Some white masters would rape their African male slaves; subsequently, the victims were forced to wear their pants sagging so that their masters could identify them for future attacks.
The style was popularized by skaters and hip-hop musicians in the 1990s. It is often claimed the style originated from the United States prison system where belts are sometimes prohibited and there can be a lack of appropriately sized clothing.
A manner of wearing pants or shorts below the waist, revealing some or all of the underwear.
In researching the practice, it was learned that sagging one's pants was associated with slavery. Male slaves were forbidden to wear belts, causing their pants to sag, making it difficult for them to run away.
The history of sagging
Sagging has murky origins, with some claiming it comes from the U.S. prison system, where belts aren't allowed, while others say it was born out of improvisation, since kids couldn't afford tailors. It is generally accepted that the style was popularized in the early 1990s by hip-hop artists.
“Sagging” started in U.S. prisons in the 1960's as a result of restrictions being placed on belts and shoestrings due to the high risk of inmates using them to commit suicide or inflict harm on other inmates or guard.
Both Farmer and Floyd said they started sagging to imitate the way their favorite rappers dressed in videos. But today's hip-hop stars no longer sag, and that's the primary reason sagging has gone out of style, fashion experts say.
The real origins of the sagging fad did come from the American prison system, but not as a signal that the wearer was up for a bit of action. In actual fact, prisoners were often given uniforms that were several sizes too big for them and due to suicide prevention efforts behind bars, were not allowed belts.
sinking, wasting (away), weakening, wilting, withering.
Most sources report that sagging pants began in the prison system. Belts are not allowed to be worn, due to the fact that they can be used as weapons or as a means to suicide. This resulted in the ill-fitting generic pants, too large to stay up on their own, to ride low on prisoner's hips.
Is sagging pants black culture?
It's fashion for them and the sag is our fashion.” Smith acknowledged that some of his peers who wear sagging pants go to the extreme. “Some of us do take it to the max, but it's not like it's to the ankles,” Smith said. “It's part of black culture now, but whites and Puerto Ricans wear the sag, too,” he said.
Sometime in the late '80s or '90s, certain young men of the hip-hop generation started wearing their jeans beltless and letting them sag a bit below the waist.
There are occasions when an inmate with a little too much attitude or a heavier than usual rap will be cuffed for the trip to see the judge. In that case, deputies have been known to advise inmates to keep their hands deep in their pants in order to hide the cuffs and not prejudice their case.
In fact, some landowners would send their slaves to markets or to specific yards, where they could pay a trader to whip them. There, the punished people received what was called 'nine-and-thirty', i.e. they were flagellated thirty-nine times.
Basic garment of female slaves consisted of a one-piece frock or slip of coarse "Negro Cloth." Cotton dresses, sunbonnets, and undergarments were made from handwoven cloth for summer and winter. Annual clothing distributions included brogan shoes, palmetto hats, turbans, and handkerchiefs.
Women were abused by crew members and rape was common. The physical conditions, fear and uncertainty left many of the captives totally traumatised and unable to eat. Some preferred death and took their own lives. Disease and brutality took their tolls.
Numerous escaped slaves upon return were to face harsh punishments such as amputation of limbs, whippings, branding, hobbling, and many other horrible acts. Individuals who aided fugitive slaves were charged and punished under this law.
