Du rag

A silk-like material worn around the head of black males as a fashion statement. It wraps around the skull, with a small flap hanging down in the rear, over the neck. Du Rags originated in prisons in the 1970's, to try and simulate the long hair of a (male)female inmate, so the (male) males, could easily tell them apart. It was originally black, but many colors are in use today. Now banned in most prisons of today, Du Rags have moved into main stream black fashion, and the use no longer signifies any sexual connotations. Court cases in New York City have supported the use of Du rags at work, when employers complained that it was not "appropriate". Black men have even been seen in a business suit, coming from work, wearing a du rag. Bald Black men (with no braids) also wear du rags. A du rag, under a baseball cap, it also gaining popularity. The word derivation is "Hairdoo rag"