Colin the Iconoclast

**Cherub** · 16th October 08, 01:27 PM

Well I think it's a great thing for him and You that he's wearing the kilt, I just hope the world has smartened up some since a few month ago when a Boy got sent home for wearing a Kilt on His Schools Heritage Day and is was His Family Tartan!!

And I wish I could feel as proud as you and that I had a Boy to go with my darling Little girl But thats the way the genes mix.

**English Bloke** · 16th October 08, 03:02 PM

I have strapping sons of 20 and 16 who think I'm barking mad and a daughter of 2 who couldn't care less.

I encourage them all to strive for individuality, to be sheep dogs not sheep. My sons have cottoned on (although kilts are my thing and don't feature with either of them) and my daughter definately knows her own mind already.

Originally Posted by Sionnach
Stones! to make a father proud!

You're right, they do make you proud. More power to your boy!! (and the VP should 'ave a word with himself).

Kids eh??

**Alan H** · 16th October 08, 03:23 PM

THe Vice Principals job is to maintain order. At least around here, anything that has the slightest possibility of creating discord, disorder and chaos is the Vice Principals enemy. Serenity is his goal, He'll settle for "no arrests on campus, today".

A kilt is different, and therefore automatically suspect. Better to say "no" and stop any vague chance of conflict and distraction, than to say "yes" and have to clean up afterwards.

It stinks.....not the vice-principals of the world, they don't stink, what stinks is that Vice Principals have to actually DO this to at least ATTEMPT to let some fraction of the kids in their schools learn something.

**Sionnachdubh** · 16th October 08, 06:01 PM

Good on the lad! I am glad someone stood up to the public schools kilt tyranny. I had a friend who was arrested for wearing a kilt pin in your typical Claidheamh mhor design. They claimed it was a "weapon".

**Howard Clark** · 16th October 08, 07:28 PM

My son Ben (13, 8th grade) has worn his kilt to school a couple of times. I made him a very simple four yard in Black Stewart (almost) wool. It takes a lot of courage for an American kid of junior high age to wear a kilt to school. You should be proud of the lad, I am !

**Phogfan86** · 16th October 08, 07:56 PM

"...and a daughter of 2 who couldn't care less."

Sounds about right, which is why I'd rather spend time with just about any two-year-old than most grown-ups I know. However you are, that's how they take you and love you. Little kids are just the best.

**Sionnach** · 16th October 08, 08:22 PM

So many great commnents. I've been sharing them with Colin as they come up. Thanks for all the posts.

**thistlelass** · 17th October 08, 06:15 AM

Way to go Colin!!!

**Panache** · 17th October 08, 07:47 AM

First off, I think it is wonderful that your son wants to wear the kilt "just like Dad".

When I ask my son what he wants to wear and says "A kilt" it always makes me smile.

However I am concerned about this part of your post

Originally Posted by Sionnach

... Last night he mentioned to me that he had asked his teacher at school if he could wear his kilt sometime. She is of Scottish heritage and didn't see a reason to say no, but just to be sure she sent him with his question to the vice principal. He said- not a good idea as it would distract the other students. Now I am not for bashing the VP-(so rest easy Palin and Biden, this time), I understand, just the same I checked the dress code and no mention of kilts, just maintaining a nice personal appearance. Colin tells me he may wear it anyway on one of the early release days. Stones! to make a father proud!

highlights mine

The question now isn't about Colin wearing a kilt.

The question isn't about your son's self confidence (which is understandably admirable)

The question is one of respect.

The Vice Principal's permission was asked and they declined. To wear his kilt to school now would be to show no respect to the Vice Principal, and by extension, his school's administration.

I think here on X Marks the Scot we have equated a kilted man to always be a gentleman. A big part of being a gentleman is consideration for others. Colin may have a fine time wearing his kilt to school but the V P had concerns and said no. If he chooses to disobey it says little about those that wear the kilt.

May I suggest that perhaps a "Back to School Night" , School Fair, Walk-a-thon, or other school function would be more appropriate times for your son to wear his kilt to school.

This is what my son has done the past couple of years (our whole family just attended a walk-a-thon all in red shirts and Loud Mcleod kilts). His kilt has been a hit with his peers and the school staff, and because these were special/fun occasions they were not a disruption (or concern) to the school.

Just my thoughts

Cheers

Jamie

**ThistleDown** · 18th October 08, 01:05 AM

Sionnach, what Jamie has said is so well said! I was brought up wearing a kilt at school in Scotland. When I moved (back) to Canada in my mid-teens I thought that wearing a kilt would show my individuality and would be accepted. My school in Vancouver didn't rule against me, but advised against my continuing. My father (whose advice had always wisely been to "follow your heart") agreed with the administration. It was a shock to me, at first, but I allowed adult pressure to prevail out of respect for their experience and position. I guess that was a product of my earlier schooling, too, but now I am grateful. I learned that there is a place for everything and that some places are not for everything.

I wore a kilt most often with friends outside of school for more than three years and trousers (!) the rest of the time. The respect I gave was returned many-fold. When I moved back to Scotland for university I reverted to the kilt and, with the exception of a few years spent exclusively in Ireland and England, have done so ever since. All these many years later I am not a rebel in my own mind --or in the minds of others.

Best wishes to you and Colin,

Rex