dress code overload!
Say policy is discriminatory
Students say policy oppresses girls, minorities
A dress code enforcement push at Boston Latin School has spurred a new protest movement at the troubled exam school, with students demanding changes to the policy, saying its heavy focus on girls’ attire and sexuality, as well as rap styles, discriminate against female students and minorities.
A recently issued school bulletin states the existing dress code will be enforced as of Nov. 1. The four-paragraph dress code bars any see-through garments, spaghetti straps and leggings worn without shorts or skirts. It also bans all hats and “gang-related clothing or colors” and states that waistbands must be worn above the hips.
“After reading it, it seemed it was mostly addressed to girls and people of color,” Liliana Severin, a junior at BLS and a member of the Students Advocating for Gender Equality Club told the Herald. “It enforces the sexualization of a young girl’s body. It’s unacceptable to be teaching them that at a young age, especially considering we have 12-year-olds at school.”
More than 500 students have signed onto the change.org petition that was launched Friday, demanding that Interim Headmaster Michael Contompasis and Boston Latin reconsider the dress code. The latest demand follows last year’s student anti-racism campaign that led to federal and city investigations and the resignation of the prestigious school’s two top administrators.
The petition argues that the school dress code reinforces “a patriarchal society where men can decide whether a female’s clothing is appropriate or inappropriate” and that girls’ bodies are “sinful temptation that needs to be covered up at all costs in order for others to focus on their education.”
Severin said she believes the policy — not girls’ clothing — has “oversexualized” young women’s bodies.
“It is completely ridiculous,” Severin said. She noted while girls can’t wear leggings unless with shorts or skirts, boys wear identical form-hugging garments as part of their football uniforms.
Boston Public Schools confirmed students were issued a notice reminding them of a long-standing dress code policy that will be enforced starting next week. The policy also bans any clothes displaying profanity, drugs or alcohol or sexually explicit or suggestive material, “or that is determined by the Head Master or designee to be potentially disruptive.”
“The policy is intended to promote a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff; and teaches students about expectations for appearance in professional settings,” the BPS statement said. “Boston Latin School respects the power of student voice and encourages students to share any concerns about school policy directly to school administrators.”
BPS said there is no change to the policy but administrators are reviewing the student handbook policies over the next few months and would welcome student feedback.
But students said they were shocked the policy is being revived without their input after last year’s controversy over racial discrimination.
“It is odd for Michael Contompasis to bring this up considering what we have just been through,” Severin said. “This seems like a regression rather than a progression.”
Severin said her group is considering whether to stage a protest Nov. 1, with female students wearing leggings to school.
“I am frankly disgusted that something like this is happening at my school. Catering towards making sure that boys are not ‘distracted’ by female bodies is frankly horrifying and sexist,” one student wrote in the change.org petition.
“Females shouldn’t have to moderate what they wear because of me (a male). It’s not their fault, it’s our fault,” another wrote. “I just want to have an environment that respects both sexes and is not a patriarchy that legit gives me an advantage. It’s just not right.”