Originally Posted By Mr X Coolest argument against dress codes in general that I've ever read! <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/03/22/muslim.court/index.html" target="_blank">http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WO RLD/europe/03/22/muslim.court/index.html</a> Honestly, who are the courts to decide what a student should or shouldn't wear (okay, I can buy the argument against supposedly "offensive" stuff that has dirty words or whatever, but that's more an argument for Trey Parker and Matt Stone...)? I think dress codes are crap anyway, and we are all subjected to too many "rules and regulations" throughout our lives...but to deny this chick her right to wear clothes dictated by her religion? No way, man.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg wow. I have to agree with the fact that there is now way a school should be saying that she is not allowed to follow her religious beliefs. This is discrimination in its worst form and IMO there is just no place for this in the world today. I wouldn't go so far as to say dress codes are a bad idea though, as long as they are within reason. I have worked in some elementary and middle schools with and without any form of dress codes. In the ones without the girls (many but of course not all) espicially were wearing barly the minimal amount of clothing necessary to cover themselves. I think these lessons should be taught by parents first and formost, but in the case that this is not happening I dont think it is unreasonable for schools to set dress codes that outline what is appropiate.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, in that case, define "appropriate"? I suppose any clothing that would be rejected by some regular restaurant management (or maybe Disneyland, for another example) is okay to reject...but beyond THAT, who decides what is appropriate?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Well, in that case, define "appropriate"?>> The High School my wife went to had no problem defining appropriate. The girls were asked to kneel on the floor and if the bottom of their skirt or dress did not touch the floor, they were OUT of there.
Originally Posted By mickeymeg All I mean is that I think it is ok to have basic guidlines in place saying how short a skirt can be or much skin is too much. I am not at all for making everyone conform to a rigid wardrobe plan, but I have seen cases where this would be a welcome alternative.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer People can wear whatever they want. But like any other right they should understand that how they choose to exercise that right may have an effect on where they can go or what they can do.
Originally Posted By PlainoLJoe <<But like any other right they should understand that how they choose to exercise that right may have an effect on where they can go or what they can do.>> And a school is the perfect environment to teach that.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>People can wear whatever they want. But like any other right they should understand that how they choose to exercise that right may have an effect on where they can go or what they can do.<<< True enough. And well said (and MickeyMeg, I wasn't trying to contradict you...I was kinda trying to say this)... Funny rules in Japan regarding tatoos...regarded as a mafia symbol, many of my friends are refused service at gyms, bathhouses, etc... So, that kinda goes along with TS's point, BUT at the same time I think that's ridiculous as well...but I'm a libertarian at heart. Fight the man! But, this has little to do with the girls school garb, being very modest (perhaps overly so) and certainly "appropriate" for her culture. As for the school argument (that she might be seen as a "better muslim" or whatever), absolute garbage imo. She can wear what she wants, if the next girl wants to cover up more...hey, who's stopping her!?
Originally Posted By TomSawyer >>if the next girl wants to cover up more...hey, who's stopping her!?<< Probably the wall or door that she just walked into - I think the only thing left to cover up is her face.
Originally Posted By SuperDry I can't help but be reminded of something that happened to me at Wal-Mart a few years ago. I came around a corner and down a narrow aisle, and standing there was a female shopper in full Muslim regalia. It was an even more extreme version than shown in the story above - it was the kind where most of the face was covered, so that the only parts of the body exposed were the eyes and the hands. This particular woman's outfit was all black. So imagine coming around a corner and seeing a figure dressed in all black, with only the eyes and hands visible. When you come across something unexpected like that, sometimes it takes a moment to register. The very first thing that came to mind was "Ninja!" and I came to a dead stop and maybe even stepped back, and I'm sure the look on my face was priceless. As these things go, in what probably only took a fraction of a second, I realized, oh, not a ninja, but a Muslim woman in very conservative dress. But she definately had startled me.
Originally Posted By Mr X Gotta watch out for them Wal-Mart Ninja's, ya know... Never can tell how many disgraced samurai might be shopping for bargains, after all.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Did those who are deploring this school's policy really read the article? The dress code was accomodating, just not to the degree that this young woman insisted on. Dress codes in schools are not about regimentation. They are about leveling the field for all students. Read this school's dress code again, and it is clear that there is room for religious conviction, within boundaries set for all students. (The principal who set the code is himself a Muslim.) Whether the student in question wishes to dress modestly or with a flagrant disregard for morality is not at issue. She wishes to flout the established dress code of the school. The solution arrived at (she attends a different school that allows her to wear the dress of her choice) is appropriate.
Originally Posted By PlainoLJoe << The very first thing that came to mind was "Ninja!">> Oh, that was great. thats what I would have thought too.
