General Larry Platt, From Civil Rights to Pants Police

By Rashod Ollison Posted Jan 14th 2010 04:24PM

When you risked your life in the 1960s, marching for civil rights that young folks now take for granted, you typically don't give up trying to reach them. One strategy is to write an insanely catchy ditty about self-respect called 'Pants on the Ground.' And what better way to reach people -- millions of people -- than to perform it on 'American Idol'?

That's exactly what General Larry Platt did. The 62-year-old Atlanta resident was the last "performer" on Wednesday night's 'Idol.' And the producers certainly saved the best for last.

Looking very much his age, Platt stood before the 'Idol' judges, including Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, decked out in jeans and shades. He spat out the lyrics in a syncopated rhythm, the edge softened by his slightly hoarse Southern accent: "Pants on the ground / Pants on the ground / Lookin' like a fool with ya pants on the ground." Platt is obviously from the old school of black performance, so he made sure to throw in a few shuffling moves. Though a bit stiff, homeboy managed to drop down into the splits. James Brown would be proud.

As expected, Platt quickly garnered his 15 minutes of fame with clever remixes of 'Pants on the Ground' posted on YouTube within hours after his Idol appearance. Watch the Original:

Although his performance was quite funny (Blige was cracking up throughout), there was something kind of poignant, even sad about it. Here's a man, a former foot solider in the Civil Rights Movement who was beaten in the historic 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Ala., reduced to buffoonery on a hit talent show.

But elders in urban communities have been parroting Platt's message for years: Pull your damn pants up. Sagging pants, a look that comes from prison culture, has been a bone of contention for authoritative figures, parents included, for more than a decade. The look suggests slovenliness and a lack of self-respect. Even President Barack Obama urged young men to pull their pants up in a speech given in July at the centennial celebration of the NAACP.

But even before Obama had something to say about low-slung pants, several U.S. cities, including Miami, tried to push legislation to ban the look.

However, if backed by just the right beat, Platt's 'Pants on the Ground' could be the hit that gets the message out there. After all, it doesn't take much to generate a smash on the urban charts these days. All you need is a catchy hook, and Platt already has that. At the very least, he could score a hit ringtone with 'Pants on the Ground.'

But given his back story of dignified resistance in the face of personal and civil indignities many of us could only imagine, it's a shame Platt had to become a clown to get a message across. Still, it needs to be heard: "You look like a fool with ya pants on the ground."

Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, general larry platt, GeneralLarryPlatt, pants on the ground, PantsOnTheGround

Comments

(33)

Thursday 14 January

By Denise

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It's weird you thought he looked like a clown. I thought he was fantastic - total fun, had a good song, and did his thing. I don't think he took himself as seriously as you must have taken him.

THAT was entertainment!

By Tina

I agree with Denise. I didn't see a clown. I thought the General was great. His catchy upbeat song delivered his message well. .

By Sheesh

I saw a group of kids the other day with their caps on sideways, cheap-ass bling around their necks, and holding onto their belts so their pants didn't fall down around their ankles.

I've never seen such a STUPID-looking crew of morons in my life.

Do they dress that way so they WON'T get jobs??

By Candy

The only clown here, is the author of this article.

By Fuhgeddaboudit

Man, I hear ya...we've got clowns like that in my town, too. I wouldn't hire those donkeys if they were the last donkeys on Earth.

By chrislee2

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Great another William Huff

By Randy

I don't think he came off as a clown at all! He used humor to make his point & there is nothing wrong with that.If only some of the guys realized that the whole low slung pants thing means "My butt is available" in prison then they might reconsider!I think that is much more degrading than using wit & a chatchy ditty to get a point across.And I also applaud Mr Platt for ALL that he has done in his life.

By Jackie

I totally agree with you. It was not only entertaining, but oh so meaningful. I am tired of looking a pants hanging below the butt. I also applaud general Platt for all that he has done. He is fantastic.

By Playa

Ha! He totally reminds of Grandpa in The Boondocks!

By Rosie

I don't think he looked like a clown, I am 62yrs old, and I give him credit for getting up there, and making his point. Pants on the ground, ya lookin like a fool. He was absolutely right, because they do look like a bunch of fools.

By Jennifer

I love, love, love this guy!!! I am officially obsessed with his song, too and I am totally getting the ringtone of this when it drops.

Friday 15 January

By cheryl

I LOVED him.He was funny and classy, yet sent out a message.He
is the best.

By thumbsie32

I agree with the post that states that the only fool was the writer of the article. He is right on and deserves nothing but praise. The parents of those that wear thier pants on the ground are the fools

By Diana

I disagree that he looked like a FOOL? He was an older gentleman who obviously wanted to get a message out. He was on an entertaining reality show audition. He came up with a fun song. Lighten Up

By Bonny

He was not a baffoon or a clown...He was delivering a message to a specific audience. God Bless him for his effort to maybe send a subliminal (or maybe not so subliminal), message out to our youth.
I am of his age group, and a white professional woman, and I thought he was teriffic!!

By dbm48412

Wake Up People!! YOu just don't want to hear about looking like a FOOL??? He was putting it mildly!! I wouldnt be so mild in my version of that song!!

By Rocky

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Rashod Ollison, get a life. The General wasn't a buffoon or a clown. He is doing your job. He's telling the fools to clean up their act and be somebody. If he records it, I'll buy it.

By Dianne

I watched and it seemed to me that (General) Larry Platt was genuinely liked by all the judges and he was treated with respect. I liked him and of course I totally agree with his message. None of us here seem to feel that he was any sort of buffoon - the writer is obviously the only one who feels that way. I hope Mr. Platt will make some money off 'Pants on the Ground.'

By michele

A "Clown" ????? Sweet cakes, you are either too young or too shallow ( both? ) to "get it."

This man is anything BUT a clown or pathetic.

He got his message out there in biting satire: Pull up your pants, display some dignity and respect for yourself AND your race and stop looking and acting like an idiot.

This man did not stand on the front lines of the civil rights movement so that younger generations could walk around with their gangsta asses hanging out of their pants. GOOD FOR HIM !!!!!

Look at the old newsreels of the young African-Americans who marched for civil rights: They were well dressed, clean and dignified. In their appearance and resolve, they DEMANDED respect. Do you get it YET???

I only hope that General Platt had the forsight to copyright his song.

By Jan

I thought the man came across as anything but a buffoon! I teach teens and the battle of the sagging pants is a constant one. This guy has got it right and I think Gen. Larry Platt Rocks!!!
I would love to know more about him. Is he homeless? This being downtown Atlanta, I wondered about that. He didn't axactly look too spiffily (?) dressed. If he is, I would love to find out that the show or Simon and Randy did something for him in some way. He just seemed to be a gentle old soul with a lot of character! Loved it!

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