What's with these uneducated educators?

[motorman4life]

Sent tonight...
To: rmcclard@jackson.k12.mo.us

Principal McClard,
I was very disappointed to hear of the confrontation revolving around the wearing of a proper Scottish kilt by Master Warmack at your recent Silver Arrow dance event. I understand that this was not a “heritage” event, but there is no reason a young man should not be allowed to wear a kilt for any occasion, including everyday campus attire.

The kilt is a potent symbol of Scottish and Celtic ethnic pride and is regularly worn at weddings as well as funerals and other formal functions associated with military, police and civilian associations. The kilt should never be considered deviant attire and to do so shows not only a lack of understanding, but rejects the principles our country was founded upon. As you are aware, part of being an American is accepting those elements of all our cultures that do not interfere with the safety and enjoyment of others.

If you feel the wearing of a kilt would have been disruptive, the problem is not with the kilt, but with those that would create a disruption if one were to be worn responsibly. Flatly rejecting the kilt is not only an obviously indolent method of dealing with a perceived discipline problem, but it shows a serious lack of faith in your students and your ability to manage them effectively. Infringing upon the rights of one student out of fear that others might act inappropriately is just plain wrong.

If the female participants at your event were allowed to wear skirts or dresses, there is absolutely no reason a male participant should have been prohibited from wearing a traditional tartan or modern/casual kilt. Would you have prohibited an African boy from wearing a dashiki or a Japanese boy from wearing a formal kimono? The fact is, a kilt has been considered appropriate formal attire for men for centuries and to dismiss it like you did completely betrays your function as an educator.

[mudd]

Sent tonight...
To: rmcclard@jackson.k12.mo.us

Principal McClard,
I was very disappointed to hear of the confrontation revolving around the wearing of a proper Scottish kilt by Master Warmack at your recent Silver Arrow dance event. I understand that this was not a “heritage” event, but there is no reason a young man should not be allowed to wear a kilt for any occasion, including everyday campus attire.

The kilt is a potent symbol of Scottish and Celtic ethnic pride and is regularly worn at weddings as well as funerals and other formal functions associated with military, police and civilian associations. The kilt should never be considered deviant attire and to do so shows not only a lack of understanding, but rejects the principles our country was founded upon. As you are aware, part of being an American is accepting those elements of all our cultures that do not interfere with the safety and enjoyment of others.

If you feel the wearing of a kilt would have been disruptive, the problem is not with the kilt, but with those that would create a disruption if one were to be worn responsibly. Flatly rejecting the kilt is not only an obviously indolent method of dealing with a perceived discipline problem, but it shows a serious lack of faith in your students and your ability to manage them effectively. Infringing upon the rights of one student out of fear that others might act inappropriately is just plain wrong.

If the female participants at your event were allowed to wear skirts or dresses, there is absolutely no reason a male participant should have been prohibited from wearing a traditional tartan or modern/casual kilt. Would you have prohibited an African boy from wearing a dashiki or a Japanese boy from wearing a formal kimono? The fact is, a kilt has been considered appropriate formal attire for men for centuries and to dismiss it like you did completely betrays your function as an educator.

Well done! I wish I could write like that.

[Kiltedfirepiper]

how cool would it be to be able to set up camp in front of the school.. of course EVERY ONE would be in kilts... and call the principal to task for his stupidity? interesting to see how this turns out.

"Would you have prohibited an African boy from wearing a dashiki or a Japanese boy from wearing a formal kimono? "

my thoughts ? ABSOLUTELY NOT because some lawyer would start licking his lips for a lawsuit BIGTIME!


we live in a country that is supposedly "sensitive " to ethnic heritage, but look what happens? the only problem is, like in this case the family is "
going to the school board to try and change it" instead of calling a lawyer I know some of you might say thats an overreaction, but we keep seeing it over and over. if someone made a statement by going to court over it .....maybe it would stop happening. I mean other cultures have done it why not us?

[jfellrath]

What I find particularly annoying about this is the comment that: "He is quick to point out though, if dress is something that represents religion, then the school must allow a student to wear that."

No offense to the more religious on this board, but I take great offense to the concept that just because something is religiously-based that it gets preferential treatment to other reasons for doing something. Heritage is surely just as important as faith.

[macgreggor]

What amazes me is the distraction line....has anyone else seen the dresses which the young ladies almost wear to these functions? I know I am an old fart but the only ladies who would dress like many teenage girls nowadays ( he says in a peevish voice) were those of "dubious virtue"!

macG

[macgreggor]

In the queue,

Mr. McClard,

I was most disturbed to hear of your decision to ban Nathan Warmack from the dance your school held recently. I have no information as to whether his attire was indecent (suggestive or inadequate) but I will give the benefit of the doubt to the young man. A kilt, well and proudly worn, is no less formal than a tuxedo or dinner jacket and slacks. If the student body can treat an out of the mainstream outfit with aplomb, the parents of said student have no problem with the kilt and the school board agrees, I would think that an apology and permission to wear the kilt outfit at future activities is in order.

Thank you for your time,

[Prester John]

Hey no offense taken. Faith is heritage, after all.

Like I said, just make it a religious article of clothing.

Then who can argue?

Besides, it's a cloth with a bunch of crosses woven into it. What could be more Christian than "putting on" one's cross? As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ! (Gal. 3:27)

Very Orthodox,.

FYI, I picked this little info gem up recently somewhere. Sorry I can't remember the reference.

The tartan has also been considered a religious garment.
In ancient Ireland and Scotland, the Leabhar Breac, multi-colored tartan, sewn in cloaks called brat (pronounced braht) were worn by druids.
When Christianity came to Scotland, the tartan became the vestment of priests, and was transformed into a cloth with eight colors, known as The Robe of Offerings. Eight colors indicated that while officiating, the priest was superior to the king, who wore seven colors.
Sacred vessels of the Eucharist were covered with two veils, the inner of pure white linen, and the outer of checkered silk called a siric brec.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

And mine (too bad I can't mention the company by name, but I would need to get some approval for that!):

Dear Mr. McClard,

I am writing to express my disappointment at your decision to prohibit young Mr. Warmack from wearing his kilt to the "Silver Arrow" dance. The kilt is a very traditional garment with a long history of acceptance and is well respected worldwide, as well as being worn in many different parts of the world. To refuse to allow the wearing of a kilt because YOU think it is a distraction is small minded and shows both a lack of knowledge about the kilt and a lack of tolerance for the young man's heritage. Given your own surname, I would have expected at least a pause for thought on your part. If I can wear a kilt as my daily wear as a senior manager in a global financial institution and not have it be a distraction even when dealing with clients, then I would think that the youth at your school would find it little problem. I urge you to reconsider your position.

The school board has given you very broad powers in determining what is appropriate for a student to wear. Unfortunately, in this case you have caused the very thing you were trying to prevent, namely a distraction to the school and student body. You would have provided a better role model for the students by accepting the wearing of the kilt with the respect that young Mr. Warmack was showing his heritage by wearing it.

If you would like to learn more about the kilt, and the wearing of it, I encourage you to contact your local St. Andrews society, local pipe and drum band, or visit http://www.xmarksthescot.com, a website devoted to the tradition and wearing of the kilt.

Sincerely,
Rob Irons

[Robin]

Mine...

Dear Sir,

Kilts are worn by proud men who respect and value ancient roots and history.

The kilt and those who wear it earn respect.

Thank you for reading.

[Archangel]

Religion has priority over culture because the general rule is that a "heaven or hell" issue is more important than a social ostracization (sp?) cultural issue. Kilts are not universal in Scottish culture so it becomes a weak argument (made stronger, by the way, James, with the decision to kilt the new Scottish regiment).

My letter to the principal:

I understand that you've recieved a number of emails regarding the barring of Nathan for wearing a kilt. Let me be among the number who believe that you have erred. If the newspaper article is correct, then there was no reason to bar him. I recognize the article may have left some details out. However, the article seems to indicate that he was wearing it respectfully and traditionally.
I was born in Scotland, wear a kilt, and cannot fathom how it can be such a distraction so as to ban Nathan. I wore one as a child, at my wedding, at my Canadian citizenship and many other times. There are marines in Iraq wearing kilts. Yes, it would be a distraction if the rest of the student body is undisciplined but my experience is that is not the case when it comes to a kilt. In any case, you have blamed the victim and owe him an apology. The article mentioned the Grad ceremony, it would be appropriate to okay that event.