Pink: the color of cotton candy, bubble gum, "It's a Girl" balloons and the shirt of the young man sitting in front of me in geography the other day.

Only his shirt was neon.

It took all I could do to pay attention to the lesson about cultural barriers and not stare at the wonderful pinkness of this person's Polo shirt.

It couldn't have been more conspicuous if it were adorned with glitter (or anything that sparkles, because that's just distracting).

I've got nothing against you, Former Pink Shirt Guy (as my friend Sharon and I call you), you just gave me something to ponder between scribbling notes and staring into space.

Not only do I have nothing against you, but I commend you, Former Pink Shirt Guy, and all of your kind.

It's about time that males started utilizing their right to wear any color they want, even if it is a stereotypical feminine hue.

The power of pink has permeated men's formal, casual and sportswear stores up and down the mall.

Every store, from the super-preppie Abercrombie and Fitch to the musically-energized Hot Topic, has begun to carry men's styles in pinks from neon to powder.

It brought a smile to my face when I saw a teenager in the mall wearing a bright pink shirt with scrawling black letters that informed all on-lookers that all his black shirts were dirty.

A reason for the recent introduction of pink into men's, as well as women's wardrobes, is the reversion of popular styles to those of the "anything goes" '80s, when Lionel Richie was "Dancing on the Ceiling" and it was "cool" to flip up your collar.

Also, I've got three words for you: "Pretty in Pink."

So why aren't more guys picking up on this latest trend?

(Hey, no one fired The Donald for sporting his pink tie on "The Apprentice," and everyone loved Cam'ron's pink SUV. That is before he sold it.)

My theory is guys generally shy away from pink and other pastels because those colors are normally associated with everything pretty, frilly and female.

And for obvious reasons.

Let's face it, no guy wants to be accused of wearing his little sister's clothes.

I've got a solution for all you fellas out there looking to take the pink plunge but hoping to avoid the above situation: steer clear of too many pink accessories, and avoid styles that are too tight or flamboyant.

Pink has become such a big deal that high school students in the north have been banned from wearing it because school officials are afraid that color has become associated with gang activity.

Can't you just see the Pink Patrol rolling up to the local 7-Eleven wearing pink ski masks?

Pink is far from being banned from schools in the south, as there is often a lapse in the time it takes for styles from New York City and other big cities to trickle down to us.

If you are concerned about getting picked on if your buddies find out you purchased a pink shirt, just tell them the color is salmon because fish are manly.

Although, I did hear from a guy who isn't afraid to wear pink that the color is on the way out and by this time next year it will be replaced with purple.

Rindy Metcalf is a junior journalism major from Bossier City and serves as a news editor for The Tech Talk. E-mail comments to rdm018@latech.edu.