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This is absolutely ludicrous.

I think, above all, people will express themselves however they want to express themselves. In regards to “marketing” to gang affiliations, gangs will always find a way to appropriate colors, logos, brands, and different sorts of apparel as their own.

Gang violence or the increase thereof should not be misappropriated to Companies in this way, as Councilman Comrie is doing. Communicating with the public and the community should be more of a wholesome effort between companies, their communities (yes, even including councilman like this, City Mayors, Governors, etc), and their consumer.

Councilman Comrie is just pointing the finger at New Era Cap and other companies, like Akademiks, in response to increased gang violence in his community. But really, going after companies doesn’t stop the violence – if a gang calls itself the “New York Yankees” will the team have to be dismembered? What if they start calling themselves the Comrie’s? The point is that gangs will make anything and everything their own.

Instead, why not focus on all that we can do as citizens to educate ourselves and teach and support our future posterity before they become gang members?

I still think people are missing the fundamental point here... first of all, it's not an either/or situation. We can EITHER go after companies OR have better policing and holding parents accountable? No. You can fight gangs on multiple fronts. The police aren't going "Really? We're going after the clothes? Alright! Pack it in, boys! We're off the hook!"

The point is that these companies are promoting gang culture and selling gang apparel to people who may not realize that they're essentially marking themselves for death by wearing it.

And does that mean they should be banned? No. Probably not. BUT does it mean they should be called on that? Absolutely.

Here is another for you. What if 80% of the clothes we wear have gang affiliated colors. Then what...wear a burlap sack. We should focus on holding parents responsible for their delinquents youths and not companies.

Tell you what... put on one of those harmless t-shirts and that harmless hat and go walk around in one of those neighborhoods. Let's see what happens!

Also: chicago listener - that's a good idea.

brian! here is a citizen reporting project for you. get people to report on gangs across the city and across the years.

get long time ny'ers to reminisce and report on the history of gangs. which gangs existed, when and where?

create a timeline, an interactive map, showing how gangs changed with populations. irish italian jewish russian jamaican african-american latin.

mix in some historical reporting on what the gangs were up to. compare the violence of previous decades with what's happening now.

You're claiming that

Guns don't kill people, T-shirts kill people.

Gimme a break!

I don't think he believes that the hats will promote gang activity. I think he's argue that it puts non-gang members who buy these products in danger. It's war, and it doesn't make sense to buy the uniform if you're not a soldier... unless you don't know you are buying a uniform.

In all fairness, I don't think any of this means that he doesn't understand the root causes for gangs. If they could just make gangs go away, they would. Since they can't, this is just one way to avoid innocent casualties.

In case anyone is interested in the Daily Show interview with Council Member Comrie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdhfyWbJhAk

I totally disagree with your guest regarding gangs buying clothes due to the color. That is not the root of the problem. He needs to focus on the break down of the family structure and what it will take to eradicate gangs. Forcing companies to stop printing certain color or emblems is totally missing the ball. Even if these companies complied and stopped making these items of clothing then these gangs will just replace these items of clothing with something else. Then what..go for those companies as well. This solution is ridiculous. However I do applaud the gentleman for bringing up the discussion on how gangs are sores and we can't let it fester any longer.

I doubt the Council will ban the apparrel, however they can use the power of the bully pulpit to put pressure of the producers of these clothes by highlighting the negative influence the clothing has. This doesn't violate the First Amendment. For those that don't think shirts like these don't have an effect on youth mentality, you don't know youth. There is a culture that is fed and nourished by the various mediums of fashion and entertainment that peddle the gang mentality. This apparrel feeds into that. The Council is certainly within its bounds to at least make a public complaint and ask that these clothes not be sold. If a kid really wants a "stop snitchin" shirt, let him paint the words on himself.

Sorry, hats don’t make a gang. Lack of family and family support do. Where the hell are the parents of all these gang members? A community that actually cares about its youth can also go a long way in gang prevention. Blaming companies that are trying to make a cheap quick buck aren’t going to fix anything in the big picture….

He didn't come out looking great on the Daily Show because he has no sense of humor. That piece was hilarious!

While I think it's despicable that these manufacturers market gang garbage I wouldn't agree with a legislative ban. However...any group has the right to put pressure on them to stop. First amendment runs both ways.

But I think the councilman would spend his time better trying to combat the reasons why this lifestyle is attractive to the youth

Councilman Comrie has it backwards. They should make them cheap and available to everyone. The symbols loose their meaning when they are no longer associated with one group.

His voice is really annoying - I need a peak or a valley - monotone monotone monotone BLAH!

Hey.. will this COUNCIL-MAN offer HIS services to
organize the local parents to GO to the stores, and SURVEY the MERCHANDISE at the local stores?

It's a two way street. BOTH sides need to work together.

F* the first ammendment

we're living in George Orwell's EURASIA (1984) Today....

Legalized torture.
Semi Legal elections

Need I say more?
(check out the blogs)

Council man Leroy Comrie should find something better to do with our money and taxes. Has forgotten that we have something in this country called the first amendemnt rights. As long as there is a market for a product the does not harm anyone, no one should interfere.
Mr, Comrie can you use your time to make sure that the gang themselves dealt with instade of the cloths. Getting rid of the gangs is the only solution. Can think of how easy it is to change colours.

The point is they won't experience that mother's fury or get shot - they will just make more money. Why should corporations be allowed to profit off of gang culture? Isn't it enough that the music industry does?
I believe in the 1st Amendment but I don't think this falls under that category. Why are these corporations promoting gangs? $$$!!
Isn't this a problem?

This guy was also the one who proposed a voluntary ban on the "n-word". The Daily Show did an interview with him and needless to say, he didn't come out of it looking that great.

Oh of course she was lying...just a bunch of PR corporate speak..

this guy is an elected offical?

his monotone speaking voice is unbelievably annoying.

It sounds like they did A LOT of research... she sounded like she was struggling, and I'm not surprised. Lying is hard.

this flak has guts for coming on the radio, but i don't believe a word she's saying. they didn't do research!?!?!

how much do these hats cost?

They should make a hat for the city council.

definitely let them sell whatever they want and then let them experience the fury of a mother whose child was killed over a baseball cap.

I think the show is running out of ideas

Well, it would be wrong to ban these clothes... but how about a surgeon general's warning: "Wearing these clothes increases your chance of death in certain neighborhoods."

calm down no one is talking a banning anything!

i think a better question would be why is thug culture celebrated in our society.

are thugs the new cowboys, pirates etc?

What ever happened to freedom of speech? While I certainly do not aprove of gangs the time spent on talking to this issue seems better served by actually getting at the core reasons of why someone would join a gang.
Why not also ban:
Soprano T-shirts
R-rated movies
Those violent video games
All of those offensive boardwalk t-shirts - you know the ones that say F_CK You and the like
$200 sneakers
gansta rap music
and while we are at it grandstanding politicians.

I can't believe NPR is giving this non-issue more than 2-3 minutes of air-time.

Businesses have a First-Amendment right to put whatever they want on a t-shirt and sell whatever color hat or shirt they please.

I would hate to see the Council buy into, and validate, the logic of criminal gangs by holding hearings on the colors and designs on hats and shirts.

Better to spend your time meeting with people in the community and seeking better avenues for these young people. lack of hope is the problem, not gang colors.