Did I Just Get Dress Coded?

For our final action project of our class called Argument we talked about how history correlates with argument and how in order for anything to happen we had to argue. We learned about the admedments and how some of them are wrongfully places or don’t even really matter much anymore.  For this action project we were given two options we could have either chose a political issue to amend or we could have chose something in our student handbook to amend and to make right. Keep in mind that when amending you can’t erase an admedment that was already there you can only add on to it.

The Roaring times, Dress Code Controversy,  Megan Armenta, September 26 2017.


DID I JUST GET DRESS CODED?

In the GCE handbook I stumbled across a section that marked “Dress Code”. In this part of the document I saw what I would normally see in the GCE handbook. “GCE Lab School staff and students strive to create a community which does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression.” In the same paragraph they contradict themselves and state that “At the same time, clothing reflects the educational environment and therefore should not be  offensive, provocative, or disruptive to instruction. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly and modestly in clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment.

“Inappropriate” includes clothing that is designed to be erotic or suggestive of violence, clothing that reveals underwear or excessive flesh (i.e. chest, midriff, upper thigh or buttocks), underwear worn as outerwear, and clothing with offensive messages. Students may not wear clothing with pictures or messages related to alcohol or illegal substances. Shoes are always required, unless a classroom activity requires otherwise. If there is any doubt as to what is appropriate for school, we expect that students will defer to the judgment of GCE adults.

If a GCE adult has concerns about a student’s clothing, they are asked to contact the Head of School, who may consult with the School Counselor or advisor in order to determine the best course of action.”

This rule is not fair because for one mostly targets people who identify as female and wear feminine clothing. It says that students should not wear clothing that is distracting or provocative, but what exactly do they mean. The definition of erotic is relating to or tending to arouse sexual desire or excitement. Why do they think that just because someone is expressing themselves as a person that that means that they are trying to sexually arouse people or distract people. Also, this rule makes feel like they have to hide who they actually are to try to confide in the rules.

Evidence

There was a student who is a sophomore and she wore a top that showed her belly button. They called her to the side in private and told her that she should put on a jacket because the top would be distracting and not right for school. In my option I think they personally targeted her because she had more profound feminine features because I saw other people with crop tops and they did not get called out for their clothes.

Close relation

The first amendment states that  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” This amendment relates to my amendment because it is saying how you cannot prohibit someone from expressing themselves and their beliefs.

GCE Dress Code Syllogism

Premise1:

Students should feel comfortable at school and be able to express themselves.

Premise2:

But, students should not be wearing clothing that is provocative and erotic.

Conclusion:

If students are caught in this action they will have to wear GCE clothing.

My Dress Code Syllogism

Premise1: Students who are expressing themselves and wearing what they like are being ridiculed for their actions.

Premise2: Students are feeling pressured into dressing like everyone else because they are afraid to be called out by staff

Conclusion: If students are not wearing clothing that reveals private areas and that is according to the weather they should be able to wear it.

Apossing quote:

GS stated that “If we let students dress how they want it will be distracting to the class.”

I said : “students/staff should not be so focused on someone’s clothing that they fail to pay attention in class because that means that you get distracted easily”.

Peer Approval

SS, approval.

GS, approval.

LM, approval.

I think that this project forced me to actually read the code of conduct for GCE. If I would have never read this I would have never known that some of the principles are not just. It was fun to look and try and find ways that I could amend something with out taking out things. Mostly I think I was just interested in finding ways to overpower the code of conduct.