"Your Rights and my Rights..." 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about,  THE FREEDOM TO WEAR ANYTHING? Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

  ALOHA FRIDAY

August 31, 2012

　


Your Rights and My Rights


Aloha Folks,

A company called Urban Outfitters recently came under fire for selling apparel (tee shirts mostly) with alcohol-related messages. Now, if I want to wear a tee shirt that shows my drinking preferences ("I don't belong to the Republican or Democratic Party. I belong to the Cocktail Party.") well, I'm over 21. But these shirts are being marketed to teens. Their model wearing the shirt is clearly underage. So, while Urban Outfitters has the right to sell these shirts, they should not try to push them onto teenagers.

Going off on a parallel road from the above, the proliferation of risque and downright filthy tee and sweat shirts that are being advertised in many of the catalogs I get truly upsets me. I like a good double entendre as much as the next person. But a good double entendre requires the use of some brain cells. Too many of the dirty shirts I see advertised (and worn) don't require any thinking to get their message. It's all too clear, and too blatant. A middle finger raised with a message that I won't include in this article.

I have at times been tempted to challenge someone wearing a foul shirt, especially in a public place frequented by women and children. So far I've managed to control myself.

I see airlines and schools telling people wearing such offensive garb that they either must change, or they must turn their shirts inside out to wear them. I only wish movie theatre and fast food restaurants had the same policies, and courage. If you want to buy a Big Mac, toss the "Fu*k You" shirt.

Of course, if parents checked on what their kids were wearing, or what was in their wardrobes, and then tossed out the blatantly offensive items of clothing that they found . . . Ah, but the parents of the kids who wear this stuff probably have better things to do. And better things to smoke.

All right, hold that stool while I climb down off my high horse. Yes, I know things have changed since the Middle Ages when I was a kid. And yes, I know I can't make them change back. But that doesn't mean I have to like it. And if you're wearing one of those disgusting shirts in the ice cream shop when I bring my grand-kids in for cones, well, you've had fair warning.

Okay folks, see you next week.
　

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

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