In September, the Associated Press reported that many cities are regulating the fit of the citizenry’s pants and fining or jailing those who fail to meet legally adopted standards.

Take a look at what’s acceptable and what’s not in Flint, Michigan.



Of course, Flint was an early adopter of economic fear and anxiety: Once a hub for the US auto industry, the city has suffered in recent years from dramatic disinvestment and depopulation. At its peak, General Motors (GM) employed more than 80,000 people in Flint; currently, it employs fewer than 8,000.

Though a Florida judge ruled a similar law unconstitutional, Flint Police Chief David Dicks wasn’t moved, and told a reporter that Florida law had no bearing in Flint.

Dicks said his officers would make arrests “if the underwear is exposed. We’re not going to sit here and let that happen in Flint.”

Finally, Dicks softened and backed off from his position after the ACLU threatened to sue, arguing that such rules are racist and will cause young African-Americans to be targeted for harassment.

Is the ACLU correct? Here’s an excerpt from guidelines given to students at one Tennessee high school: Students wearing sagging pants “will be placed in detention on first offense and suspended for repeat violations.”

The school?

Blackman.