Another highschooler barred from prom.

**macwilkin** · 25th April 05, 06:24 AM

My heart goes out to this young man; he is obviously proud of his heritage, and from the picture, his kit was quite "squared away" and the kilt was not just an "attention getter".

As an educator myself, I am ashamed for the school officials who have shown such bad judgement and lack of common sense in this case.

Hopefully the Scottish organizations in MN are rallying in this young man's defence, and I personally would be willing to write the school district in question and express my disagreement with their actions. I will also pass this along to our St. Andrew's Society's listserv.

Cheers,

Todd

**tomcherv** · 25th April 05, 06:48 AM

If you read the newspaper article, http://www.twincities.com/mld/pionee...l/11467595.htm, the school administration has already received several letters, and I'm sure many more are on the way. Barbara Humphrey rallied many of her friends to let the school know exactly what they felt. There are many proud of their Scottish heritage in Minnesota. I went to our local Tartan Day celebration this year, though not as a participant.

Barbara Humphrey, mentioned in the article, was a strong advocate for the Minnesota Tartan. (I've seen it in person - it's quite nice) She is also the MC for the Minnesota Tartan Day. Visit www.tartandaymn.org for more info.

When reading the newspaper yesterday, which included a nice photo probably taken by one of the parents, my wife couldn't believe the school officials did that. Neither could I. The article actually made the front page, and was the first article I read.

I suppose I should make a post in the newbie section just to say hi.

**awoodfellow** · 25th April 05, 06:52 AM

and we, as emissaries of the heritage of Scottish Traditional Dress, are we willing to let yet another travesty against Scottish highland wear go unchecked?

there is a young man out there whose eagerness to show his Scottish heritage needs to know Xmarks exists and there are hundreds around the world who would take a stand beside him.

As a group we should enundate the media in Minnesota and at the least petition an apology from the Osakis school officials.

it must start somewhere.

[edited]

apparently it has started.

Let Freedom Ring!

ambrose

PS... after toms post, i have since emailed tartandaymn.org and the TwinCities Press expressing my thanks to Barbara Humphrey for her support of Eric and the Scottish population at large.

**macwilkin** · 25th April 05, 07:25 AM

Thanks for posting that article, tomcherv; I'm not surprised at all that Barb has "led the charge" in this incident; From what I've know of her, she will have the school board apologizing to the young man in no time!

I plan on writing a letter to the school district this afternoon expressing my displeasure.

Cheers,

Todd

**bubba** · 25th April 05, 08:19 AM

It's just typical bureacratic garbage. Make a rule, then hide behind it when it blows up. It takes months to decide Highland attire is formal enough? Not bloody likely. Those administrators are just cowards looking to save their own asses now that they're in the hot seat. They should simply be fired for gross incompetence. If something this simple is too much for their brains to handle they have no business in education in any capacity beyond janitor.

**Galant** · 25th April 05, 08:37 AM

What we have here is PC induced fear as stimulated by ACLU and the likes.

The word of the day is 'equivocation'.

The school knows that kids these days want to get away with wearing anything and everything. They want the kids to be well-dressed, therefore, they put out a dress code. So far so good. Here's where the PCIF comes in. Not being allowed by the laws of PC to use their brains and make distinctions, they believe that they cannot make value judgments on different types of clothing. Heck, 'value judgment' is almost a swear-word in PC culture. Ignorant of the kilt or just not caring to even think about it, they see allowing such to be an 'exception' and if they make one then they have to make many.

What we're assuming is that the people who are in charge of our school and other governing and influential bodies have that rarer and rarer commodity - common sense.

I'd be all up for getting in their face on this one because if no-one does anything on these issues, groups like the ACLU and other nations' equivalents, will slowly make life ridiculous.

**Colin** · 25th April 05, 09:41 AM

I guess Scottish and Celtic culture are one of the expendible ones that we don't mind insulting and ignoring. Godforbid, we be shown the same respect as the nationalities that scream racism to get whatever they want. I wish people would see that if we want exceptance for one nationality and culture, we must except them all. Past sins and grievences of of races and cultures aside, we all all here in the present day, just looking to embrass a part of our past and those that came before us.

What would have happened, if some one of sigkh faith had shown up in full gear, including turban, and the if the school had a no "headwear" policy for that prom. Do you think that in this day and age that that student would have had to watch from the sidelines and eat dinner alone? Not a chance, nor should he have. This boy, his family, his date and her family are owed a serious apology.

**Doc Hudson** · 25th April 05, 09:48 AM

Haven't you figured it out yet Colin?

It is alright to discriminate against Western European Cultures. Especially Celts.

**macwilkin** · 25th April 05, 10:30 AM

Actually, the Sikhs & the Scots are kind of in the same boat...Sikhs are frequently discrimated against because of their Kirpan, or ceremonial dagger worn under the shirt. Sikh members of the Khalsa, an order of the Sikh religion, wear the kirpan as a reminder of their fight for social justice & freedom.

After 9/11, the Sikhs received a good deal of anti-Muslim attitude because of ignorant people who assumed the Sikh turban was "Arab" -- one Sikh in Phoenix was actually murdered for such stupidity.

The Sikhs & the Scots have a lot in common -- both good soldiers, and Sikh & Scottish regiments served together in a number of wars -- and the Sikhs have even taken to wearing the tartan!

Cheers,

Todd

**Geoduck** · 25th April 05, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Galant

I'd be all up for getting in their face on this one because if no-one does anything on these issues, groups like the ACLU and other nations' equivalents, will slowly make life ridiculous.

Actually Gallant, I believe that the ACLU would be completely behind teh student in this situation. Not to go off topic, but I would actually say that they would be invaluable help in any case of discrimination.