Rappers: Pants on the Ground and Tatted Up

 











The only thing conservative about me is the way that I dress.  That's it.  It's my own personal preference not to show cleavage at work, wear short shorts, and pierce my navel.  I am a fan of self-expression, and have seen it all.

However, as a parent to two young African American boys, I'm not a fan of the recent trends that I’ve seen popping up among some Black artists, who many young African Americans look up to as role models.  The most common trend is sagging pants and the latest trend is getting tattoos on the face. 

To defend my first point of sagging one's pants, last year's American Idol, Larry Platt, became famous for singing “Pants on the Ground” and argued that men should pull up their pants, rather than let them sag.  It seems that since this song hit the airwaves, a lot of men have sagged their pants even lower.  Pants are so low on the ground these days, that you might as well walk in your draws.  


(Quick rant.) "Yes, take them off and walk in your underwear.  I think I would prefer seeing that, than you trying to stumble up the street, while holding your pants.  What is the point in wearing a belt if your pants are way below your waistline and tucked under your butt.  Not to mention if they are skinny jeans." Exhaled. 

Mashaun D. Simon wrote an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution about dress code entitled, "Morehouse dress code seeks to ‘get back to legacy.’"  In the article, he quoted Dr. William Bynum, vice president of the Office of Student Services, as saying, “We know the challenges that young African-American men face.  We know that how a student dresses has nothing to do with what is in their head, but first impressions mean everything.”

There's got to be a limit or intervention with what is and isn't appropriate and what some would deem "cute," "funny," and representing the "streets."  Now, the latest fad is to get "tatted up."  Recently, Atlanta rapper Yung LA had the internet buzzing about his Duck tattoo on his face.  He recorded one hit song, wasn't yet signed to a label and went out and got "tatted up."  Facial tattoos are becoming a fad. 

I'm calling on young Black male artists, sports figures, fathers, and professionals to set the standard for what is and isn't appropriate.  You can wear your pants a certain way and not be seen as Steve Erkel.  I also believe it takes a village to raise a child, and when I see young brothers sagging their pants, I become embarrassed.  I want to pull up their pants for them.  It's not cute or professional.  It’s tacky.  In 2009, Pharrell Williams, the lead singer of N.E.R.D., began removing his tattoos and concealing his body art in order to become more marketable. Recently, Rapper 50 Cent has been quoted in several publications on how ridiculous it is for young people to get tattoos on their faces because they become less attractive to advertisers.

I understand that at ages 15 and 16, you're trying to fit in with what's hot.  I had a Jehri Curl when I was younger, wore different color socks, backwards clothes, and big hoop earrings.  Getting a tattoo on your face is permanent, and it will limit the job opportunities that young folks may receive in the future.  I'd encourage kids to slap a fake tattoo on their faces, just to see what it would look like before getting a permanent one. Please tell your children not to let a fad label them or pigeon hole their success.

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Photo (Top): http://rapfix.mtv.com
Photo (Yung LA): http://theurbandaily.com

Come to Jesus Meeting at Work.

I think at least three times a year, co-workers should have a “Come to Jesus Meeting” at work.  These could be meetings where everyone comes together and sings Kumbaya, or makes any attempt to join hands and be present in unison.  Let’s face it, you’re usually at work more than you’re at home, so it’s always good to at least be cordial with one another.

 

Work is much more productive if you get along with your co-workers, than if you despise them.  Be the first to speak up and offer a truce in the workplace.  Environments can often become stale, unproductive, and down right funky.  Instead of feeling miserable, call a "Come to Jesus Meeting.”  It’ll make for a better work environment and a better you!

Awkwardness on an Elevator: Don’t Just Bob Your Head to Elevator Music

The next time you’re on an elevator when the door closes and it’s just you and another person, or several people, I dare you to say something. Elevator rides can be the most awkward and uncomfortable environments on the planet, and the music doesn’t help the silence.

You’re in a small confined space where seconds feel like hours, and you can’t wait for the doors to open to inhale what you believe to be fresh air. Instead of fixating on the awkwardness, do something about it. Take time to tell someone you like their shirt, glasses, or shoes.

I’m a believer that opportunities and partnerships can be developed on elevator rides. These partnerships can lead to networking opportunities. You never know who will be in the elevator with you, and it could change your life for the better.

The next time you’re taking the elevator up to the 15th floor in silence, break the ice and say something kind to brighten someone’s day, and possibly further advance your career.

Published Elephant Journal.

Think Green: Living in a Nightmare Economy

Let's face it; standing in the unemployment line is devastating. Nation wide, it's no short line either, wrapping around like The Great Wall of China. Getting the infamous pink slip can be terrifying, but even with the devastation of losing one's job, some people are turning their lives around and doing some serious soul searching to make sure that their next job is their dream job.

Is it possible to find your dream job? I posed this very question to Kim N. Carswell, who specializes in career transition and resume branding, "It is a very provocative question because most people want to work, feed their family and that's it. In other words…regain their dignity after losing their job. This is like the 2009 Box Office hit "Up in the Air", where a traveling executive's sole purpose was to fire employees. These times are a wake up call. This is a rebirth. After the global economy breakdown, we were forced to acknowledge that the era when one could work at the same company for thirty years has vanished."

But can you get a dream job in this nightmare economy? Kim believes that you can find what you want even in this tough economy by adding personality to your resume and searching for green jobs. "Although the current job market is full of talented, well educated professionals, it is easy to get discouraged with the job search process, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. No, it’s not a train; it's an opportunity to rebrand yourself for the vibrant 'Green Job Market'," she insists.

According to Newsweek magazine's 2009 Green Rankings (http://greenrankings.newsweek.com/top500) of America's Fortune 500 largest companies; Hewlett Packard, Nike, and Starbucks received top ratings for their environmental performance and changes in operations. Kim continued, "Keep in mind that all companies need marketing, accounting, communications and so on. Next time you go shopping look for the Energy Star symbol and visit their website to see if their hiring. So, let’s explore a positive approach to regenerating your employment dreams. Take a past or present downsizing, layoff, or outright termination and dream…Dream Green."


About Kim N. Carswell: Specializing in resume writing and personal branding for professionals in career transition, Kim N. Carswell, author and Chief Executive Consultant of Persona Affairs, brings forth cutting-edge marketing strategies and introduces the power of resume branding in a tough and dwindling job market.
Carswell’s new book, Resume Branding 101: Strategies for Getting Noticed in 10 Seconds or Less, guides readers to determine their true market value while creating an "employer friendly" resume. Visit: http://www.personaaffairs.com

Published in Elephant Journal