Colette Robicheaux: Dress code sends message of prejudice

By: Colette Robicheaux Columnist | Opelika Auburn News
Published: September 14, 2009

When we went back to school last month, almost everything was the same.

The hallways are the same as they were last year, most of the teachers are the same, and (unfortunately) the lunch food hasn’t changed much either.

But one thing is different, and that’s what pretty much everybody was buzzing about: the dress code.

Now, of course, it is fully within the school’s rights to restrict what we wear during class.

I understand that, and some of the new rules are pretty common sense.

Girls can’t show too much skin, clothes can’t be too tight, no obscene slogans on t-shirts.

But a few of these rules aren’t quite as straightforward, and that is what people are really getting upset about.

Starting this year, shirts that extend four inches below the knee are not allowed.

Baggy or loose-fitting pants must be worn with a belt. Men’s style white undershirts are not permitted. Athletic shorts are not permitted.

Spikes, heavy metal chains or other “distracting” jewelry are not permitted.

These are the new restrictions that are forcing people to go out and replace half of their wardrobe, an expensive process that some kids can’t afford.

And why?

Why can’t students wear long t-shirts or baggy pants? Why can’t students wear chains or spikes?

Does the school really believe that we will be so distracted by shiny metal chains that we will be unable to learn?

Or do they want to try and pull an edgier group of students into the mainstream, try to restrict their sometimes unpopular self-expression with a dress code?

If a student doesn’t show any undergarments, why can’t he wear baggy pants or a long t-shirt? It doesn’t make sense to me, and the kids they are targeting tend to be the ones who can least afford a whole new set of clothes.

It isn’t OK to target different cliques of kids, and persecute them just because of their clothes.

There is nothing inappropriate about a spiked belt or a plain white t-shirt.

These are just the trademarks of a few groups of young people who don’t fit into the school’s mold of a “wholesome” student.

I have always leaned to the more preppy, prettier side of fashion, so I wasn’t really affected by the dress code.

But I have heard people talking and I have seen it myself.

This dress code sends a restricting message of conformity and prejudice to students.

I’m sad to say that as far as the dress code goes, Auburn High is teaching kids all the wrong lessons.

Colette Robicheaux is a junior at Auburn High School and writes a column for the Opelika-Auburn News.