A bill that has been introduced by state senator, Don Barrington, R-Lawton, has not seen much support throughout the country, and rightfully so. Senate Bill 13, known as the “hoodie bill,” is nationally recognized as the bill attempting to ban hoodies. 

To be clear, Barrington’s proposal is an extension of an Oklahoma law that stretches back 90 years, making it illegal to use a mask or hood to hide one’s identity for nefarious purposes. It was made law during the height of the second Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. “The bill is not designed to ban hoodies, but to prevent the wearing of masks or disguises in the commission of a crime,” Barrington stated. He was also adamant that the phrase “hoodie” is not directly in the bill. 

Sen. Barrington believes that the law will protect law-abiding citizens, “not limit their rights.” Its intentions are to combat crime and make public spaces safer for everyone. 

The problem is that this bill is so utterly vague and seems nearly impossible to enforce. SB 13 criminalizes the wearing of robes, masks, or other disguises to commit crimes. Could someone who was just simply wearing a robe to go to the grocery store be arrested on the spot because they were suspected of committing a crime? Does the First Amendment not protect them and allow them to wear what they choose under the clause of freedom of expression? 

So many questions can be asked about this bill, but not many answers are coming out of Birmingham’s office.   Not to mention, the targeting of specific groups of people will only increase because of this bill. Many are furious about this proposed bill, especially considering the shooting of Trayvon Martin, who was wearing a hoodie. After the trial, hundreds of people protested by wearing hoodies and it has since become the ubiquitous symbol against police brutality against unarmed black men. 

Several pastors in Tulsa, Okla. have stated that they will be preaching this coming Sunday wearing hoodies, instead of the traditional robes, to protest against this ambiguous bill. 

Senate Bill 13 will be considered during Oklahoma’s legislative session in February. It has to be heard and then passed out of committee during that time to move onto the full Senate. 

With all kinds of racist, sexist, homophobic and genuinely terrible things going on in America, right now, let’s hope that this bill will fail. The last thing this country needs is another piece of legislation founded on the principle of discrimination.