Florida teen turned away from dance because of kilt

[Dirk Skene]

I called. Only got a machine, but I left a message asking if an Hispanic, or Negro student showed up in traditional garb if they would have been turned away.

[Nick]

This keeps happening. It's a real-life situation of "those who are ignorant of history...", or at least those who are just ignorant.

[furrycelt]

here are just two threads that covered a similar incident with Nathan Warmack of Missouri:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=14533
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=14534

there was an online petition that was created to support him:
http://www.petitiononline.com/kilt05/

the response was huge. even a politician in Scotland got involved. it made alot of press in this country and across the pond. we need to make sure that this Florida school understands all this. show this administrator that this issue is not to be taken lightly.

it would also be great if there was some way to contact this boys family so that we can show our support and so that they can know that there are hundreds of people behind them.

[McMurdo]

This is what I just sent off:

I am shocked and offended at the discriminatory behavior of one Jeanne Ballentine, Principal of
J.E.B. Stuart Middle School.

It is inexcusable in this day and age where diversity and personal
expresion are so valued that a Middle School principal would turn away a
student from what is arguablly the most important dance of the
year because he was wearing a symbol of his heritage.

She must have known how important it was to the student Miles Johnson,
as he had worn the same outfit a year prior without incident.

Shame on Principal Ballentine for ruining what should be an
important and positive day in a young mans' life.
I just wish that when I was Miles Johnson's age that I had enough
pride in my heritage to wear the national dress of Scotland.

What kind of message is being sent to the students when
discrimination of this sort is allowed to go uncontested?
The Duval County school district does not have a dress code
for dances like Johnson's; it said it is up to each school
to determine what is allowed.
Would it not have served better to allow this young man his
cultural freedom?

Mr. Johnson and his family deserve at least an apology from
both the Duval County school district, and Principal Ballentine.


Yours
Glen Allardyce

[Skweres]

Boycot pants!

[ardchoille77]

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

[TimC]

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

[cavscout]

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.

[Avonlea22]

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.

[brandycr]

Sounds like yet another occasion for "The Kilted Rabble" to rise up and be counted. Wonder how much the principal would like receiving 1000 emails about kilts and diversity?

Thats what I said ried to find the school last night but couldnt .If anybody finds it post the link.