Hoodies.....

[Ward-Minter]

Just heard on the news that in a village where the decent folk, who are being terrorised by youths in hoodies, are taking it upon themselves to wear hoodies. It is an attempt to make hoodies "uncool" to quash the youths wearing them.

It is similar to our gay community using terms for themselves only like "p00f" or "fag" which if used by the straight community is an insult. Likewise the dreadful term "n1gger" openly used by some black sub-cultures describing themslves, is a racist and insulting term. The power of words to lessen the inpact of prejudice societal values.

The question is will the old folk wearing hoodies work, or will the hooded thugs just laugh?

[WaldoMcFroog]

This has already been done in some south coast town and I believe it was quite successful - it was reported about six months ago, so I guess someone else is copying the idea because it works.

Another trick that has been used it to play classical music in places where you don't want kids to congregate. Can't remember where that was done though.

[Buddy]

What a brilliant idea - turning the the tables and fundamentally making the perpetrators look silly.In every example you have given I can see the reverse logic.Very clever.

[january_bug]

WM - this was dicussed WEEKS ago on here, I'll try to find you a link to the thread.

I think old people wearing hoodies can't really be likened to gay or black slang, although I see where you're coming from.

I have a lot of time for the old people who've taken it upon themselves to "fight back" but it's obviously not addressing the heart of the issue. Until that is properly identified and addressed, despite the brave actions of these small groups, many weaker (I mean through not fault of their own weaker) elderly people (and in fact people of all ages) will continue to be intimidated by these gangs.

Plenty of groups in society wear hoodies, it's the covering of the face to hide identity that makes people look suspect... after all, if you're doing nothing wrong you've got nothing to hide.

For the short answer - no it won't make the blindest bit of difference to the gangs, but it will make the hooded grannies and grandads feel better - and that's the main thing. It MIGHT gain them a wee bit of respect from the younger people, but the general attitudes of gang members won't be changed by this.

[VINNY100_2]

Yep its been done months ago!!..Waldomcfroog,the music was played in Brighton.(:)