Sure, wearing a hoodie might not be the most creative fashion choice — but is it criminal? According to a proposed bill in Oklahoma, sporting a hooded sweatshirt in public might soon become illegal. As the Oklahoma City news station, KFOR, reports, the state already has a law that bans hoods during the commission of a crime; this was intended to combat Ku Klux Klan activity in the 1920s. Now, this new amendment could expand upon the original law, dictating that anyone who wears a hood in hopes of hiding his or her identity, period, will be fined $500.
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According to OK Senator Don Barrington, the state-wide bill he has proposed will “make businesses and public places safer by ensuring that people cannot conceal their identities for the purpose of crime or harassment.” The bill includes some exceptions, such as wearing a hood for religious purposes, Halloween costumes, and safety and medical reasons. But, as Yahoo Style points out, “these immunities don’t include everyday dress. Just walking around town in a hoodie sweatshirt — a style that’s been around for decades — could earn an offender a misdemeanor.”
The proposed law comes almost two years after unarmed Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed while wearing a hoodie. The emblematic clothing item immediately became a symbol for everyone from the Miami Heat basketball team to TIME magazine to Jay Z.
“The proposal is intended to protect law-abiding citizens, not limit their rights,” says Barrington. Furthermore, the senator claims the bill does not especially target hoods, but rather addresses "the wearing of masks or disguises in the commission of a crime." Will this make the issue any less polarizing? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments. (KFOR)