Florida teen turned away from dance because of kilt

[auld argonian]

I assume that "site based management practices" is just BS for "I'm here, you aren't: mind your own business". Nice...very nice.

reminds me of the all purpose letter that Alexander Wolcott sent to anyone who wrote to disagree with him:

Dear Sir,

you may be right.

Sincerely,

A, Wolcott

Honestly, not unlike some governments, most institutions have gotten hip to how to deal with public outcries about unpopular policy decisions and stall and obfuscate until they blow over. I swear that schools especially have developed a handbook of procedures to defuse bad public relations. The only thing to do is keep bad decisions like this in the public eye in a reasonable way and to work your way up the "chain of command" until somebody at the top decides that they want to make it all go away.

I really don't buy the "...if we let one person do something it puts us on a slippery slope..." argument that institutions try to pawn off on you. It is a crock.

I'm also getting tired of hearing that proclaiming one's ties to Scottish culture or heritage by wearing a kilt is some kind of over-the-top statement. What's the problem here? Someone should demand a very specific reason for these refusals other than some nebulous excuse that it's "against policy" or "it's a disruption". If these administrators have a SPECIFIC reason for disallowing this (and it better be a good one) then they should state it instead of hiding behind double-speak. I expect that they figger that they can just keep making excuses, the event will come and go and the poor student will have to decide whether he wants to go kilt or no and once it's over, it's over and they won the point just by "killing the clock", so to speak.

Try to teach kids to be honest and forthright and then you have to put up with this kind of nonsense on the part of school adminstrators...

Best

AA

[RK-REX]

What he said ***.

Well said.

[irishrob]

Here is what I sent and copied to the local reporter. You know over 35 years ago when I returned to college from my first government job, I was somewhat of an aggravator especially with some of my instructors, but I learned to play the game. I thought I out grew that...maybe yes...maybe no

"Ms. Dr. Ballentine:


This email is to notify you that the response to Mr. Wellen, quoted below has found its way to 6 of the seven continents. Personally, being a former educator, I find it amusing that the principal would use the “editorial ‘we’” when addressing a concern. Since you went out of your way to dismiss Mr. Wellen’s concerns I can only assume that your diversity program does not apply to English speaking, Caucasian students who wish to display an affinity for their forbears or, as noted in the Scotish papers, an acknowledgement of the Black Watch regiment soldiers who are fighting along side Americans in Iraq.


Your actions are a sad commentary on the state of our American educational institutions."

[pdcorlis]

Apply enough pressure and they will blink.

[Jaggy thistle]

He should not have been turned away but from the photo he was not doing the kilt justice !
Tam

[JimB]

Here is what I sent and copied to the local reporter. You know over 35 years ago when I returned to college from my first government job, I was somewhat of an aggravator especially with some of my instructors, but I learned to play the game. I thought I out grew that...maybe yes...maybe no

"Ms. Dr. Ballentine:


This email is to notify you that the response to Mr. Wellen, quoted below has found its way to 6 of the seven continents. Personally, being a former educator, I find it amusing that the principal would use the “editorial ‘we’” when addressing a concern. Since you went out of your way to dismiss Mr. Wellen’s concerns I can only assume that your diversity program does not apply to English speaking, Caucasian students who wish to display an affinity for their forbears or, as noted in the Scotish papers, an acknowledgement of the Black Watch regiment soldiers who are fighting along side Americans in Iraq.


Your actions are a sad commentary on the state of our American educational institutions."

OOOOooo.. I like that!

[Richland]

Young men can wear their pants so low their underwer is hanging out to include their rear ends, and the schools look the other way. They wear gang attire and the schools look the other way. Young girls dress like common street walkers and schools look the other way.

[beloitpiper]

Here's what I sent her:

Jeanne Ballentine, Principal of J.E.B. Stuart Middle School,

When I learned the incident surrounding Miles Johnson during his Middle School prom, I was shocked, upset, and saddened. It is a strong commentary on our society today that a boy is not allowed to wear a culturally acceptable piece of clothing that not only looks excellent, but also celebrates diversity. I asked myself why a school principal, a leader who should be dedicated to education and tolerance, would force a child to hide his cultural pride. Could it be that the kilt was offensive, harmful, or dangerous the learning environment? I cannot think of a way that it would be, but if it was, please inform me as to how.

I am appalled that you would stifle a child's expression like this. It was a harmless, personally meaningful, and cultural way of expressing himself. I hope that you can understand my disappointment, and that Scots and people with Scottish descent everywhere lament the discrimination you have demonstrated. I hope that in the future you can be more sensitive Mr. Johnson's and my own cultural heritage.

-Sincerely,
Gregory Long

[Blu (Ontario)]

Get used to it folks!

The vast majority of people on the planet view kilts as something to be worn by scottish men in scotland... or women of course.

The followers of this board, and those like it, will tend to have a heavily weighted and extremely biased view that somehow - next month perhaps - kilts are going to be the next fashion sensation and accepted globally. Think again.

Kilts are and will remain to be viewed as offbeat, controversial, and by many a form gender bending.

The education system, like many institutions, is set up to condition people to conform. This storey is just a small example of that. The Nathan Warmack storey was the same as are numerous others.

So don't hold your breath...This situation is not going to change anytime soon.


blu

[brandycr]

Sent a email off as well .And Blu dont expect kilts to be the next fashion statement or expect to see them on everyone next month I just expect the kilt to be respected and appreciated and people to be gave the choice of whern and where to wear it thier own no picked for them.