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)

Friday 15 January

By Bob Miller

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IT USE TO BE ONLY CLOWNS WORE BIG BAGGY PANTS AND BIG SHOES WITH THEIR CAPS ON SIDEWAYS......I GUESS THAT TELLS US SOMETHING ABOUT MANY OF TODAY'S YOUNG PEOPLE......PRISON TUFF GUY'S ??.....NO !!.......CLOWNS ??......YES !!

By Laytha Collins

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My heart aches for Mary J. Blige. Yes, she is rich and made her money in the Rap industry. But she thought it was respectful to laugh at a gentleman who went through so much so she could be where she is today. Maybe, maybe Ms. Blige will get her label to record this ditty and get the message out to our YOUNG BLACK MEN but then again it is our YOUNG BLACK MEN that support the Rap industry.

By Patrick

Brava, Ms. Collins.

Very well spoken...thank you.

By Joella Mortimer

I had to reread the article twice. Mary J. Blige laughed throughout his performance? Talk about disrespect..... Ms. Blige, without his actions, you may right now be in the master's house cleaning and cooking. Better yet, you may be in the fields picking cotton or some other crop. Here is your chance to right your wrong! Record this rap with General Larry Platt

By Amanda

His audition wasn't sad at all - it was fantastic! He got a message out whilst being funny and entertaining...and no one was making fun of him!

he deserve whatever fame and money he gets for his performance.

Good on ya, General!!!

By brian

I find it kind of disrespectful to call yourself a General when you are not. I have been to the hospital before, but I don't get to be called doctor.

By brobarneswill

Great way to make a point.I love this guy. Having lived through the same time period as Larry, I have always kind of wondered why the younger black culture has developed the way it has, with the slang words and phrases, you know what I'm talkin' about fool! My opinion is that this type of language sounds similar to the slave talk that used to exist in the US. Younger people should have more respect for the history of their people and talk properly. The rest of us respect and admire black people and would like to see them respect themselves.

By ksmith

cant agree that he looked like a clown...looked like a very gutsy high class gentleman who was smart enough to figure out how to get a valuable message across many lines...cultural, generational and hopefully more!

Saturday 16 January

You're right, would not describe him as a clown. He's a man of substance, from what little we know of him. But, whatever happened to the black youth of America? Is that all we can expect? The stereotypical jive-talking mumbo jumbo. I believe in higher education and self respect. Not seeing a lot of that. Language is a gift from above, don't abuse it just because it sounds cool. Is that all there is, is that all there is?

By Dale

Let's see, Rashod. I believe you are a youngish African American, right? What have you done lately for Civil Rights? Marched? Been beaten? Jailed possibly?
And the "General" is a buffoon.....

Sunday 17 January

By rock

General, outstanding message. As an african american and veteran of the military, it absolutely pisses me off at the way our black youth(and other young kids of differant nationalities)seem to think that your pants hanging below your behind with your underwear and behind showing makes you look respectful. Too many youths out there with no respect for themselves or anyone else. General, if your song inspires just 1 youth to pull his dam pants up, u have done your job. And as a civil rights marcher..u have my total respect sir!!

By RFF Foundation

General Larry Platt is a courageous, wonderful, talented and caring MAN! He carried himself with PRIDE and DIGNITY! So many have been inspired by what he did on American Idol. Children in schools are singing his song and many are pulling their pants up. I have waited 20 years for this horrible fad to end. THANK YOU GENERAL! The author has totally missed the importance of what General Larry Platt has done past and present proving himself to be the buffoon with his shufflin statements! WAY TO GO GENERAL YOU ARE A HERO!!!!!!! THE ANCESTORS ARE SMILING!!!!

Friday 22 January

By ryanspirit

Clown?? Buffoonery?? Are you kidding me? Larry Platt is a genius. He came up with a fun, catchy way to deliver a much-needed message about a "fashion" trend I've long wished would see its last day. One can only hope that the popularity of this song will help those with their pants on the ground to realize that they truly do look like fools walkin' around town that way. You should be saluting General Larry Platt, not disrespecting him with words like "clown."

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