Students challenge ban on Gothic clothing

[killer_asian_Dax]

Originally Posted by Lapin

One disgruntled parent translates into a hell of a pain in the arse for the school. That one parent will come in constantly and make the most annoying self-righteous calls to the school board at every oppurtunity. They will make the school miserable because they are not getting their way and they never learned to suck it up.

It's getting harder and harder for the school to take up for the students because the parents will make their lives horrid if they don't feel they're being paid enough attention to. At one of my secondary schools, a particularly annoying mother tried to have another student suspended for wearing an ankh. She claimed it was satanic.

I remember the teacher looking at her as she ranted (there were several students present when she stormed in) as though she were mad. Her son looked like he wanted to crawl into a hole and die, poor thing.

WOW!

That's all I have to say is just.....WOW!!!

[TopHaggardDoll]

I don't really care if these kids don't define Goth in all it's true gothy glory. Everyone has to start somewhere. What bothers me more are the ignorant comments coming from adults in regard to these children.
Children NEED to express themselves....no matter how silly. Aslong as they aren't violent or taking drugs or whatever in school, I don't see the issue.
When can we see proper school rules?....ones that actually help and protect students. Rather than concentrating on something insignificant, they should be concerned about issues such as bullying...maybe even....*GASP* The GRADES!!! of the students. Maybe you know...TEACHING! the students *ohmyGod!whatdidyousay!?"
Mindlessy segregating subcultures never did anyone any good.

[Renatus]

I remember once at a school board meeting we had an extremely disgruntled parent. He was yelling at the school board and by the looks of it looked like if he left the room he would return with a shotgun. Everyone in the room was left a tad bit shaken.

[LadyLucretia]

Originally Posted by LadyStardust

But . . . but I actually kinda LIKE Hot Topic. I don't claim that the clothes are the definitive in goth or anything like that . . . hell, I have no idea WHAT the clothes are supposed to be. I just like them because they're 'fun.' That's my catch-all term, by the way. 'Fun.'

Doesn't the quality bug you though? I find that even the stuff on clearance is way overpriced considering that the blacks all fade to green in a few months, their "corset tops" have cheap boning that warps easily, and $40 for a sweatshirt? They were always on the lower end of goth clothing, but I have stuff from 5-7 years ago that looks decent and has held up. I go in there now and feel how thin the fabrics are, and how gaudy the designs are, and it's like a different store.

[LadyStardust]

Originally Posted by LadyLucretia

Doesn't the quality bug you though? I find that even the stuff on clearance is way overpriced considering that the blacks all fade to green in a few months, their "corset tops" have cheap boning that warps easily, and $40 for a sweatshirt? They were always on the lower end of goth clothing, but I have stuff from 5-7 years ago that looks decent and has held up. I go in there now and feel how thin the fabrics are, and how gaudy the designs are, and it's like a different store.

I have to admit, I'm poor as all hell. I can count on one hand the articles of clothing I own that are over $40. As overpriced as some of that stuff is, it's cheaper than the kinds of things I REALLY want, which are about $200-300 bucks a pop. Ever hear of the saying "Wine tastes on a beer budget"? Yup, that's me.

[ForgetThisLostLenore]

I like some of the stuff from Hot Topic. That's almost where I started 2-3 years ago, But I have things from there that fell apart after a year. It annoys, because it cost so much to fall apart so easily.

[LadyLucretia]

Originally Posted by LadyStardust

I have to admit, I'm poor as all hell. I can count on one hand the articles of clothing I own that are over $40. As overpriced as some of that stuff is, it's cheaper than the kinds of things I REALLY want, which are about $200-300 bucks a pop. Ever hear of the saying "Wine tastes on a beer budget"? Yup, that's me.

I have very expensive couture tastes. So, I sew my own couture! A sewing machine is cheaper than a designer gown, and you get so much return on it. And ebay is my friend - amen for 50% off Victorian bustle skirts. Most of my outfits are a combination of vintage/thrift store finds, self made items, and premade stuff I got great deals on. Example:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...IV/dfdafda.jpg

Hat: $11 at thrift store
Jewelry: about $10
Shirt: made it myself for about $12
Corset: $70, direct sale from designer
Skirt: $10 on ebay
Purse: $20 in Chinatown
Gloves: $10

Total: less than $150, spent over a period of like 4 years. Sorry, but I'm still gloating over pulling that together for so cheap .

[Vyvian Blackthorne]

Originally Posted by Renatus

For me I don't really mind if you buy Hot Topic stuff as long as you know what Goth is really about.

G_G I second this.
Goth Forever

[obscurite_beautee]

Eh, lets just all go to places naked! After all, you can't really conceal anything anywhere....well maybe a couple places but it would be painful...After all, we were born naked, yes? If they don't like the clothings, then goddamn lets just be naked....You could give them the options, "Either this clothing or no clothes, what is it gonna be huh?"...

[LadyStardust]

Originally Posted by LadyLucretia

I have very expensive couture tastes. So, I sew my own couture! A sewing machine is cheaper than a designer gown, and you get so much return on it. And ebay is my friend - amen for 50% off Victorian bustle skirts. Most of my outfits are a combination of vintage/thrift store finds, self made items, and premade stuff I got great deals on. Example:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...IV/dfdafda.jpg

Hat: $11 at thrift store
Jewelry: about $10
Shirt: made it myself for about $12
Corset: $70, direct sale from designer
Skirt: $10 on ebay
Purse: $20 in Chinatown
Gloves: $10

Total: less than $150, spent over a period of like 4 years. Sorry, but I'm still gloating over pulling that together for so cheap .

That is very cool! I think the problem is also that I live in a rather small city, and they have SHIT in terms of decent clothes. The only time I can get anything cool - second hand or otherwise - is when I'm out of town. It is a LOT easier if you live in a big city.

[Anarasha]

Living here in Denmark has it's advantages -.-
No dress code as long as your clothing is covering your private parts o.o
Personally, I find this kind of dress codes foolish..
Why forbid gothic clothing? It won't work like they want it to, anyway o.o
Oh hey, let's forbid pop, hip-hop, rap and skater clothing next o.o you know skaters are killers o.o that skateboard of theirs hold a 10 gigaton nuclear charge! O_O Which automatically makes the skaters some kind of secret terrorist project seeing as they can actually CARRY that board :P

[LadyStardust]

I knew it!! Those skater punks are aiming at world domination!!

[badteccy]

!. They look like idiots.-
2. You don't have to wear black to practice Wicca.

[BlackGothicRose]

I still wonder why do people automatically assume that people who wear gothic clothing are Wiccans (or Pagans or Satanists for that matter)? Where or when did it originate to the point it becomes a statement? I always thought gothic clothing has nothing to do with religion. It's just a style!

I find it interesting that some people assume that if a person wears gothic clothing it means that this person would be led to either illegal activities or behaviors. For example, some parents would think if a child wears gothic clothing they would assume he or she is involved with baby sacrifice or killing black cats or {insert odd activity}. These very people give us, who enjoy wearing gothic clothing and makeup, really bad rap for absolutely no reason. It's different if a person who is gothic but actually performs terrible actions such as murder or thievery or even child abuse. Clothing has nothing to do with these behaviors or activities. It goes true for any other groups like hip hop and punks. People need to get through their heads that they need to look at people's behaviors or activities rather than appearances. Appearances are nothing to be judged! It's sad that we live in a world where people judge each other based on misconceptions or misunderstandings. But I believe all of us can make a difference if we try our best to demonstrate that we aren't axe wielding murderers or devil worshippers as they would depict us.

[crucifix]

Originally Posted by NachtSorcier

Schools are always going to challenge it, but this pissed me off:

Amaris -- a soft-spoken sophomore who said she'd never been suspended and had never received a grade lower than a C -- argues she has a right to her style of dress. She said her clothing is part of her Wiccan religion, a neo-pagan, Earth-centered faith.

Being Wiccan does not equal dressing goth, never has, never will. Adhering to gothic fashion is a choice, being Wiccan does not have any bearing on how you dress.

yes, this is very true. I hate it when people want to call goth a religion. Like we worship the "goth goddess" or something. I am actually pretty agnostic, in fact.

[LadyLucretia]

Originally Posted by BlackGothicRose

I still wonder why do people automatically assume that people who wear gothic clothing are Wiccans (or Pagans or Satanists for that matter)?

Well, in that article, it is the "goth" girl who is claiming wearing black is part of her Wiccan religion. I don't know where *she* got it from, but I'm sure other people will read it and take the statement as more credible than it is.

. People need to get through their heads that they need to look at people's behaviors or activities rather than appearances. Appearances are nothing to be judged! It's sad that we live in a world where people judge each other based on misconceptions or misunderstandings. But I believe all of us can make a difference if we try our best to demonstrate that we aren't axe wielding murderers or devil worshippers as they would depict us.

If people ever change it probably won't be in our lifetime. You're better off just accepting it and ignoring/dealing with it. Appearances will matter in every level of your life; it's a game we must learn to play.

[KontanKarite]

So....

I'm just wondering. Can anyone tell me why it's OKAY, nay, a good IDEA to ban "gothic" fashion sense in schools? In fact, any fashion for that matter? I mean, obviously running around naked isn't really a good idea, but despite that.... WHY?

LET them embarrass themselves. But my question still stands. WHY ban a fashion sense?

[thedoll]

simply put? fear.

[Beneath the Shadows]

Originally Posted by BlackGothicRose

I still wonder why do people automatically assume that people who wear gothic clothing are Wiccans (or Pagans or Satanists for that matter)? Where or when did it originate to the point it becomes a statement? I always thought gothic clothing has nothing to do with religion. It's just a style!

It's a complete 180 from the days when people saw someone dressed all in black they'd say "Bless me Father, for I have sinned..."

[CptSternn]

And now we have this...

http://www.ksat.com/education/14349880/detail.html

Student Loses Battle Over Long Locks

EAKEY, Texas -- The Leakey School Board on Monday night voted unanimously against allowing a high school senior to keep his long hair.

Ben Jamin Daly, 18, says he is growing his long locks because his religion, Rastafarianism, prohibits him from cutting it.

But apparently board members don't agree with Daly, who called the decision an injustice.

"I thought right is right, but obviously, I'm wrong," he said.

Daly was represented at the meeting by Fleming Terrell, an attorney for the San Antonio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"We really didn't know what to expect," Terrell said. "We didn't know where the board stood. I tried to give them a good idea where the law was, where the policy was."

Terrell said she will review Daly's options and see what steps, if any, to take next.

But Daly and his father vowed to keep fighting.

"He was born here, raised here," said John Daly, the student's father. "He wants to graduate and enjoy his senior year. I mean, that's a big deal. It's not over."

In the meantime, Daly will continue to be taught in isolation and will not be allowed to participate in school activities.

It was not known when Daly would have to cut his hair.


Anyone who says America is the home of the free isn't a Muslim dressed in goth attire with long hair.

[gothicusmaximus]

As I was nearly expelled from high school myself, I can attest that, in regard to all matters within the jurisdiction of a secondary school's administration (And believe me, they love to spread their jurisdiction around), the student forfeits all so-called 'inalienable' constitutional rights. The system is designed such that asshole principals, superintendents, and what have you can make an example of whoever they want.

[LadyStardust]

I don't know what it's like in the United States, but here in Canada, there have been several instances where high school administrations have tried to force teenagers to change things to suit the norm. Those with a spine, and the support of their parents, have fought it all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, and have often won. Especially since this case deals with religious freedoms, there's no way he would lose should he fight it. At least up here.

[KontanKarite]

Originally Posted by thedoll

simply put? fear.

That is NOT a good enough reason for ANYTHING.

[raggedyanne]

fear is the reason that motivates all human behavior. They fear what they do not understand. They do not understand their students, and therefore fear them, so they create rules to help them control what they don't comprehend.

[Beneath the Shadows]

Originally Posted by raggedyanne

fear is the reason that motivates all human behavior. They fear what they do not understand. They do not understand their students, and therefore fear them, so they create rules to help them control what they don't comprehend.

I must not be human, then. Fear doesn't motive my behavior, booze does.

Wait, that's not a good thing...

I made myself sad.