Hoodies: In Defense of a Cozy, Ubiquitous Garment

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Monks wear hoods. Football players wear hoods. Medieval noblewomen swished around their chilly castles in hooded capes. Outdoorspeople winterize their heads with stand-alone hoods or hoods attached to jackets, coats and sweaters.

I wear pullover sweatshirts, hoods up or down, all winter. Nothing's better for keeping the neck warm.

But now "hoodie" evokes fear: a young man, often assumed black or Hispanic, who will snatch your purse, rob your convenience store or worse.

Seventeen-year-old Trayvon Martin, carrying iced tea and Skittles, was described by his alleged killer as wearing a hoodie. No gun, no knife, just a hoodie and the color of his skin. Or maybe not even that, since it was nighttime.

Understandably, hoodies have become the battle flag. Last week a Million Hoodie March took place in New York. On Sunday, Floridians wore hoodies to church in support - and then, I'll wager, stashed them after dark. Geraldo Rivera has espoused the cause.

Teenage boys and men of all races are being urged to abandon their hoodies lest they arouse suspicion. A sign inside the door of the ABC store in Aberdeen informs customers that hoods and helmets must be removed. I asked the clerk if this is enforced. Yes, she answered.

Still, I wonder if she would tell me - a gray-haired white woman - to remove mine on a wet, cold day. I will test this.

Other articles of clothing carry questionable/negative/historical baggage. Remember Hitler's brown shirts and Mussolini's black shirts? Baggy, low-slung jeans spell rap-hip-hoppers. Gangstas wear dark shirts and light ties. Women burned their bras. Overalls denoted "Hee-Haw" farm boys until Sarah Jessica Parker donned a pair over a sexy tank top.

Ski masks inspire dread. But really, we can assume a person wearing a ski mask in the middle of Manhattan on a July afternoon is up to no good? Yet I have worn a ski mask when walking the dog on a frigid Vermont morning. Should I be confronted?

With tensions running high, nobody wants to go on the record. I spoke to two small business owners who admitted they are suspicious of anybody (I'm not buying that) wearing a hoodie, man or woman, sun or rain, day or night. "They look like they're trying to hide something," one clerk said.

It doesn't help that drawings of suspects by police artists often show hoodies. Or that thousands of commemoratives have been printed with Martin's photo.

Or that "the 'hood" refers to neighborhoods where gangs may hang.

Therefore hoodies have become the de facto thug uniform, no less than black and white stripes or orange jumpsuits identify prison inmates.

I'm guessing criminals (also called hoods) will ditch their hoodies for something else. Remember outlaws of the Old West, who tied bandannas over their mugs?

Stockings are so yesterday. Zorro masks are so day-before-yesterday. Maybe fedoras pulled low on the brow. Or turtlenecks rolled up over the face.

Banning hoodies won't stop muggings, any more than banning concealed weapons prevents shootings.

Let's fight the stereotype. Kids wear hoodies. I wear hoodies. Nice teenage boys of all races wear hoodies, as do not-so-nice ones with no criminal intent. Nothing feels better than pulling on a hoodie after emerging from the cold surf.

Just make sure your hoodie is light-colored. The grim reaper wears black.

Contact Deborah Salomon at debsalomon@nc.rr.com.

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BigE 1 year, 1 month ago

Thought about wearing mine at the reservoir today, but I'd hate to get shot because of it. Oh well, off into the Goodwill pile it goes.

emb6683 1 year, 1 month ago

"Monks wear hoods. Football players wear hoods. Medieval noblewomen swished around their chilly castles in hooded capes. Outdoorspeople winterize their heads with stand-alone hoods or hoods attached to jackets, coats and sweaters."

And hoods wear hoods.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago

A tragic case where a young man has lost his life, I have great sympathy for his parents as I have a son the same age. I am also disturbed by a rush to judgment (ala Duke Lacrosse) by the media, Rev's Al and Jesse and numerous other "leaders". My deepest hope is that true justice prevails, not justice as prescribed by the black panthers. This young man's death has been turned into a circus and there are many who should be ashamed by their efforts to get their face on tv and also to churn this into a racial frenzy. There is only one "truth" and I hope that comes out. I also hope (but have my doubts) that if Mr Zimmerman is found to have done nothing wrong that cooler heads will prevail.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago

I have seen several headlines that indicate this shooting has sparked a dialogue on race. I disagree, a dialogue has 2 participants with each willing to hear the other side out. That is not what I have observed. It seems so many people on the left are trying to get a piece of the Trayvon pie. The president with his "if I had a son comment", to the previously mentioned and predictable appearance of the Al and Jesse show to the many elected officials showboating in hoodies. We should expect more from our leaders, they should be encouraging all to be calm and let the justice system do its job. Of course the anti gun lobby is trying to get in on the act.

JER 1 year, 1 month ago

Ms. Salomon: I understand the point you are making in your article. However, I disagree with some of your logic. Hoodies are inanimate objects. The context under which they are worn is what is up for discussion. I agree, a hooded sweatshirt on a cold blustery winter day is a logical choice. A hooded shirt to pull on after departing the ocean, lake, river or pool makes perfect sense. On the other hand, wearing a hooded shirt in 85 degree weather is a fashion fad that has its roots in the gang culture. Just like wearing pants pulled down to expose ones underwear is a fashion fad with roots in gang and prison lifestyles. It's supposed to look "cool" or "bad" or whatever the current jargon is. And everyone wants to avoid being a nerd (except, of course, actual nerds). Using your example of the ABC store: I would guess that you would, upon entering the store, remove the hooded portion of your shirt from your head before you started shopping and would return the hood to your head as you departed the store. I would look at this as common courtesy to those around you, just as guys should remove their hats when entering a building. To bring this to the point: if you don't want to be mistaken for a thug, don't dress like a thug. Wear apparel appropriate to the time and place you find yourself.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

I'm going to wait and hear the rest of the story before I give my opinion. Horrible tragedy for all involved. I think too many people are taking sides before they get as many facts as they can. Yes it is an emotional issue, however, I have to agree with fugitiveguy that his death has brought out many opportunistic fame/media hounds. That is a real shame.

Pinecrest has dress code rules and in some bigger cities the students must have mesh back packs . That's the world we live in unfortunately.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

Also guys: remove your hats when dining...I know this is golf mecca but save your hat for outdoors.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

If one were to rob a bank one might wear a hoodie and sunglasses to conceal one's identity-I agree with JER-trying to look gangsta will get you noticed.

MikeNC 1 year, 1 month ago

Ever see American Gangster? Remember what it was that lead to Denzel Washington's demise? He tried please his wife, he went against his own "golden rule", don't call attention to yourself. Diane

fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago

Also, thousands of young black men are killed every year, by a very large percentage by other black males. My guess is that they were just as precious to their parents as Trayvon was yet I doubt any of us knows their name. If black leaders really gave a damn about dead young black men they would address the thousands of deaths and not just the one that gets their face in the media. They are a disgrace.

debsalomon 1 year, 1 month ago

For Jer and EMB6683: Thanks. You make some good points. Only problem is....hoods (the bad kind) wear sneakers and jeans, too. Should I eliminate those from my wardrobe? As for pulling a hood down when entering a store on a cold or rainy day, I might or I might not. Depends on state of hair. Thankfully, I only go into the ABC store once a year, at Christmas, for a bottle of Southern Comfort. Great with lemon, in hot tea, for a bad cold. for TUFELHUNDEN: Wearing a hoodie and dark glasses to rob a bank is like carrying a sign that says "Hand Over the Money." Surely robbers are onto that. At least in a suit and tie they have a chance.

Thatcher 1 year, 1 month ago

JER-- You make some interesting points. The facts of this case are still evolving, and we should all wait for the facts to come out before rushing to claim "racism" or that Mr. Zimmerman is guilty. Unfortunately, many have already assumed racism (the usual folks like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the Black Panthers). In fact, the Black Panthers have offered a bounty for the capture of Mr. Zimmerman (who is half hispanic, and half Jewish). Zimmerman's gated community, which is only 47% white (the rest hispanic and black), had sufferred a rash of break-ins. To me, whether Mr. Martin was black seems less relevant than whether he was a stranger in the community, or wearing a hoodie. This entire case is tragic, and hopefully the police will get to the bottom of this. Be well!

RmeMP 1 year, 1 month ago

@ JER:

good post; see, we CAN agree on things :)

@ Ms. Salomon:

as former law enforcement, i can tell there is a VERY good reason the ABC store (amongst others) require patrons to remove their hoods - it's so the cameras can have a good look at you in case you are there with bad intentions. I ASSURE you, it is not so they could have a look at the kind of "hair day" you are having :)

in this particular criminal case, PLEASE wait and let the MULTIPLE investigations conclude before making a judgement. as FugitveGuy said earlier - REMEMBER THE DUKE CASE!!!

skylinefirepest 1 year, 1 month ago

Deb...I've seen several pictures of you but I've never noticed one in which you had your blue jeans hanging down below your butt!! When you wear your hoodie to that store you mentioned how about hanging your jeans way down low and call me...I'd like to see the reaction from the storekeeper to that!! Personally I wouldn't see you as a threat that way but it'd be very likely that I'd be rolling on the floor laughing and might get stepped on.

emb6683 1 year, 1 month ago

A monk, a football player, a medieval noblewoman, an outdoorsperson, Deb Salmon and a hood walk into my store, each wearing a hood. The monk, with his brown robe, is easily identifiable as a monk and is no threat. The football player, with his shouler pads, is easily identifiable as a football player and is no threat. The medieval noblewoman, with her chain link vest (or whatever) is easily identifiable as a medieval noblewoman and is no threat. The outdoorsperson, with his/her down quilted jacket and skis over the shoulder is easily recognzable as an outdoorsperson and is no threat. Deb Salmon, a 40 something white woman, is easily recognizable as a 40 something white woman and is no threat. The hood is not easily identifiable, and is therefore questionable. And, sad to say, if he is a young black man, he is perceived as a threat.

fugitiveguy 1 year, 1 month ago

Its very dissapointing that so many seem to want this to be about race. It seems we've learned nothing from the Duke case where so many convicted those boys long before any testimony had begun and as we later found out, total fabrication. Particularly despicable was the behavior of the Duke faculty. People breaking their neck to jump on the racism bandwagon, again. Have you who seem determined to make this about race ever thought that the hoody worn in certain settings (85 degrees, 3am at a convenience store) might be just as menacing whether worn by a person of any race? Of course not.

geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago

Deb, read Juan Williams in today's WSJ.

JER 1 year, 1 month ago

RmeMP: Thanks. I agree with your comments as well. I think most of us are saying pretty much the same thing in that we should reserve judgement until all the facts are available. A most interesting fact was revealed today when video of Mr. Zimmerman arriving at police headquarters in handcuffs and exhibiting no signs of a broken nose or trauma to the back of his head.

JER 1 year, 1 month ago

geoffcutler: I read the Juan Williams piece in the WSJ and I agree with almost everything stated in the article. I differ on his theory of "failed schools". At a minimum, it is a combination of the schools and the student that have failed, but that is a subject for discussion another place and time. In an effort to be "politically correct" and not offend anyone, we have, as a country, danced around many of the facts that Mr. Williams presents. I commend him for shining a light on the problems facing blacks in this country. His actions will help solve those problems much quicker than those who seek to find excuses rather than solutions.

geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago

JER We find common ground yet again. I also agree with your assessment of "failed schools." But, Juan points to the sources of these students in his piece. My guess is when you were a student, you came to school well trained in how to act and behave...by your parents.

AFCHIEF 1 year, 1 month ago

How come we didn't hear Al and Jesse when this happened!

by AFCHIEF

debsalomon 1 year, 1 month ago

For Thatcher: Half Hispanic, half Jewish? I can't believe this is being said on the blogs. I have even heard it on TV, but not recently. What, in the name of God, does George Zimmerman's RELIGION, whatever it is, have to do with this??? Would you identify another alleged criminal as half Canadian, half Methodist? I realize that police and other descriptions often include race as a means of identification. But religion? I don't even want to print the word this suggests. Perhaps you meant no offense to anyone but think about it. Half Chinese half CAtholic? Half Native American half Southern Baptist? Would you repeat those descriptions? Let's take a deep breath and start over. And for EMB6683: Thank you, Thank you. Seventy-something, not fortysomething. As for the low-rise jeans....Noooooooooo. My grandsons would be horrified.

geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago

I've gotten used to the provocative cartoons of Eric Carlsen, printed in The Pilot. Wednesday's, however, was particularly disgusting, and served no other purpose that I could see than to fan flames of racism. Too bad.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

Jewish is not just a religion Deb.

debsalomon 1 year, 1 month ago

Really. Then what is it?

BostonYankee 1 year, 1 month ago

geoffcutler agree! The cartoon was very inflammatory. Where is the outrage concerning the Black Panthers bounty on George Zimmerman? Spike Lee erroneously tweeting Zimmerman's address? Will Obama phone the parents of the 13 year old Kansas City boy who was doused with gasoline and set afire by two 16 year old African Americans because he was white? One of the attackers uttered, "This is what you deserve. You get what you deserve, white boy." Where is the national outrage over this attack that happened on March 4th? Imagine if a white supremacy group placed a bounty on the heads of these two attackers?

Mythreekids 1 year, 1 month ago

There is some validity to all your opinions and some invalid ones. Wdd101st...check out the story of the Vermont Teacher who was killed over the weekend by a 'white husband and wife' who lured her out of her home with a lie. Point...atrocity is not limited to one race. Crime is not committed by just black folks. However, if you go into any store in Southern Pines, a black kid will be followed around much quicker than a white kid, especially male, with or without a hoodie. As an adult, I have left a store because while browsing, a clerk (the same one) kept following me around asking if she could help me. And, I happened to be there with a friend/co-worker, (who happened to be white) because we were shopping for Angel Tree at Christmas, who was not approached one time. Some things just don't happen to caucasians like they do black people. Doesn't matter that it is not acknowledged. Stuff happens. It is a reality of American life. We have to teach our male children that they must always go the extra mile to stay off the radar because they are held to a different standard of accountability in area of their lives. For instance, during last presidential campaign. Field rep was speeding on Penn. Avenue (about 50 in 35 zone, he says. Police car meets him. He slows down because he thought he was going to be pulled over. Didn't happen. Police car turned around and stopped two black males walking down the same street. It was summer and they did not have on hoodies. The hoodie is so not the issue here. Black on Black killing is no more sickening that any killing. But if you leave home with a gun, the inferred intent is to use the gun. Folks, it may not be what we want it to be, but it is what it is. Doesn't matter what skin tone, incidents like these need to STOP. No race is immune to bad behavior. Whether you are Bernie Madoff or the cop in NY who raped a young woman at gunpoint, or the policeman who beat a black male in southern pines while he had handcuffs on. Harsh Racism still exists in our country. The only way it will dissipate is individuals, like you and me, learn to respect each other's differences and still treat each other with civility. I hate this kid is dead. But I regret more that I have to teach my kids that they will always be looked at differently by many because of their skin color. And, so, they have to always be on their guard. And there is no freedom in that. Have a great day, folks. I will always treat you with the respect that I would hope to receive from you, no matter your skin color.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

Doesn't that help to create a home grown mistrust of other races then?

Mythreekids 1 year, 1 month ago

Absolutely not. Especially because of our family history. What they are taught is respect for and acceptance of themselves, regardless of what others think. And, not to be surprised or hurt when they are judged based on their color. They are not taught to fear or distrust. But they are taught to value themselves and to never be ashamed of themselves. If we don't teach at home that they are not inferior, who else is going to do it.

teufelhunden 1 year, 1 month ago

True. I understand what you are saying now.

JohnChappell 1 year, 1 month ago

A long time ago this state passed an anti-mask law. The cause of it was hoods, not hoodies. Masked gangs of hooded murderers, calling themselves Christians, had been terrorizing and killing people they didn't like. Most of the time they went after people of color, but they went after homosexuals and Jews, too.

So North Carolina unmasked the Ku Klux Klan. Having unhooded the hooded, should the state now unhoodie the hoodied?

Hoodies are currently fashionable, but they can also be frightening, especially if worn with sunglasses as demonstrated on the floor of the House of Representatives.That aspect of alarm could even be why hoodies are in style.

None of us really knows right now just what took place that night in Florida, except possibly the man who pulled his trigger. Maybe he was scared. Maybe that hoodied young black teen was just as scared as he was.

Considering how many black men and women have been murdered over the long years by supremely confident whites, anybody of color could be justifiably fearful – especially at night, with white men on the prowl.

That's the real shame of it.

MikeNC 1 year, 1 month ago

JohnChappell 7 minutes ago ....Considering how many black men and women have been murdered over the long years by supremely confident whites, anybody of color could be justifiably fearful – especially at night, with white men on the prowl. That's the real shame of it.

Are you speaking of current times about white men on the prowl and those of color should be fearful? Are you serious in what you just said? Somehow I must be reading this wrong... Mike

geoffcutler 1 year, 1 month ago

Juan Williams points to some interesting statistical- and current- data in his WSJ column on just who is killing whom.

JohnChappell 1 year, 1 month ago

I am speaking about living memories in people I know whose family members were murdered. Sure, things are better now; but neighborhoods, churches, and many parts of life remain racially divided. Do we really want to live in a vigilante nation?

Make fair the conditions of life, and there will be not need to be fearful. Every time you see a gated community, you see a monument to fear.

OldSpook 1 year, 1 month ago

To expand on AFCHIEF's posting;

In January of 2007 a young couple, Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian went out on a date in Knoxville, Tennessee. On their way home, they were attacked and abducted. The man, Christopher, was raped. He was doused in petrol and set on fire. Eventually he was shot. His mutilated body is dumped on a railway line. He was the lucky one.

Channon – the girl – was not only forced to watch the rape and horrific murder of her boyfriend, she endured several days of being beaten, gang raped and sodomized. After being forced to perform fellatio on of her attackers, they forced her to drink bleach to destroy DNS evidence. They took turns urinating on her, they she was strangled to death and stuffed into a bins where she was eventually found days later by shocked police.

The photos might give you a clue as to why you have probably not heard about this case in the mainstream media and why the national and international press have not gone near it despite its obvious newsworthiness.

That’s right, the victims are white and the perpetrators are black, and that does not fit into the media’s simple narrative structure which holds that whites are the racist oppressors and minorities the blameless sufferers of that oppression.

Even the staggering amount of black-on-white race crime and other cases like these (you think I am exaggerating? Check out The Wichita Massacre. Bet you have not heard of that either) cannot dent the media’s self-censorship on this topic.

This is a crime of almost unbelievable cruelty and viciousness. The question is why was was not reported in the national and international media? Where was the outcry about this truly horrific crime?

Hoodies: In Defense of a Cozy, Ubiquitous Garment

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