Florida teen turned away from dance because of kilt

**Skweres** · 17th May 07, 07:09 AM

Boycot pants!

**ardchoille77** · 17th May 07, 07:16 AM

I think it is pretty sad that we live in a society that decides what is appropriate, and what is not. I think the kid had more than the right to wear his kilt, and if I had been the parents of this kid, I would have refused to make my child change, and definitely fight the school. It is about freedom of speech and expression, not just about the kilt.

I would have have rather my son not go to the prom and stand behind his conviction, than bow down to a school because of a dress code.

Mike

**cavscout** · 17th May 07, 08:03 AM

I think it is pretty sad that we live in a society that decides what is appropriate, and what is not.

Let's be honest, each and every one of us makes a judgment about what is appropriate or not. And truthfully, it is the Principals responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the the kids. So to say it's wrong for society to make judgments is not the way to look at this.

The problem is this Principal made a call that was based on lack of knowledge. If a kid had wanted to come into the prom dressed in a giraffe costume, I'd want the Principal to prevent that. It's not a costume party and the purpose of the prom is to expose the kids to a formal, elegant event (hardly a place you would expect to see a giraffe

) A giraffe would create an "circus" (sorry

) atmosphere that would take-away from the event that some kids and their parents probably paid to give their kids. I'd not be happy if some kid took that away from them because HE wanted to wear a giraffe costume.

We have to make judgments everyday, and to say that if someone doesn't like something they just don't participate is not correct either. We can't live in a free-for-all world where people can do whatever they want because unfortunately, there are people who lack GOOD judgment. We all have to live together, we should all be courteous of each other and police ourselves by using good judgment and courtesy. To demand that others give way to your desires when your desires take away from theirs is not fair either.

To be clear, the Principal made a bad call. There's no reason the kilt should have been denied. She did do her job, mis-guided though she was.

**TimC** · 17th May 07, 07:27 AM

It's amazing to me that this is something that we see happen over and over again. I guess its true, history has a way of repeating itself, especially when ignorant people are placed incharge.

-Tim

**Avonlea22** · 17th May 07, 08:09 AM

Ignorance is bliss.

It's easy to assume these people are ignorant, but I think a better usage of words would simply be uneducated. I know it's hard to believe that in our educational system that our teachers and administration are uneducated (well...maybe it's not too hard to imagine), but that seems to be the case with these events.

I'd love to know why people think wearing a kilt is "inappropriate" for any occasion. If they were truly educated, then they would know that the kilt is a traditional garment. They would know that it's not a costume. And, they would know that kilts are worn every day by many people.

Ugh. I can't even think straight anymore.

**Nick** · 18th May 07, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Avonlea22

Ignorance is bliss.

Ignorance is only bliss to the ignorant.

**brandycr** · 17th May 07, 08:21 AM

Ah thank you .Need to vent lol .

**thescot** · 17th May 07, 08:39 AM

I wonder what the reaction would have been if a student showed up wearing a dashiki citing his own heritage. I think I know.

As a teacher (I detest the term educator as if being a teacher were somehow beneath contempt), I find that our educational system is rife with incompetents and petitr bureaucrats who thrive on "policy." Actual education is not very important, in case you didn't know that already.

I'll bet ole Jeanne (hmm, French spelling. Coincidence?) would shrink from the suggestion that she had been racially or ethnically discriminatory.

On the other hand, ole Miles can take this as a lesson in life. Sometimes that's the way things go, and you have to deal with small minded people. And often they are in positions of power over you.

Just ask Ron.

If this is the worst he has to deal with this year, he's a very lucky young man.

Now, let's storm the friggin' school and hang the witch--while kilted!

**Arlen** · 17th May 07, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

Insert Everything theScot said...

I agree.

It's sad and it should never have happened, but it is a life lesson.
That said I've emailed the School board with my complaint and passed the word around various communities and friends.

I hope to God no Principal ever tells any of my sons they can't wear a kilt to the prom.

**Jimmy** · 17th May 07, 10:02 AM

The Scotish papers reported this incident today saying Miles chose to wear the Black Watch Tartan when he read about some of the regiment's soldiers being killed fighting alongside Americans in Iraq.. Miles says he knows about the proud tradition of the Black Watch, he will tell anyone who will listen that he is part of the Gunn clan but he wears the Black Watch tartan with pride.
Regimental secretary Lt. Col. Roddy Mitchell said Americans should be proud to be associated with the regiment, he added 'One's heritage is an important part of one's life and that we are sory this young man has not been allowed to wear the kilt'

Ashameful incident from the school head