A group called the Black Mental Health Alliance of Massachusetts is behind a controversial ad urging black youth to pull up their sagging pants.

In the ad, a black police officer sternly advises against the divisive style by mentioning some staggeringly harsh consequences; including a $300 fine and up to three years in prison!

For sagging your pants?!

From All Hip Hop:

The video, targeted to young urban dwellers in Massachusetts, is the brainchild of Dr. Omar Reid.

Dr. Reid, President and Founder of BMHAM, said the video’s purpose was to address the growing issue of young men walking in the streets, without regard and respect for themselves and their community.

“This is just the beginning of our public strategy to encourage parents, schools, police, social service agencies, housing agencies, faith-based organizations along with men and women in our community to take a collective stand and tell our young men and boys to pull those pants up,” said Reid.

Check out the ad below:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_M__gx8rhI

Thoughts on the ongoing debate over sagging pants?

Is it really appropriate for our community to support further criminalization of our youth, based on a style choice?

Is it fair to incarcerate a young person over sagging pants? Is that how we look out for Black youth?

Sound off below!