The discussion about regulating what kids can wear, or not wear, to<br />
school has been around for a long time. While typically associated<br />
with private schools, school uniform policies have started to make<br />
their way into public schools as well. As you can imagine there are<br />
plenty of proponents on both sides of the issue. It is not hard to<br />
guess what the kid's opinion on this might be, but we might actually<br />
be seeing signs of that changing as well. While most of these<br />
'uniform' discussions have been focused on younger children, it is now<br />
spreading on to our nation's college campuses.<br />
<br />
I have never met Morehouse College President Robert Franklin, but<br />
there are things about him that I definitely like. He is someone who<br />
apparently thinks that the character, respect, and yes, the appearance<br />
of a person is still very important. Franklin has20made his opinion<br />
more than just talking points at a fundraiser. In fact, he has put his<br />
words in practice on t he Morehouse campus. According to a recent<br />
article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Franklin has begun giving<br />
every freshman a new coat and tie in what he hopes will become the<br />
beginning steps of realizing these elements of character. Obviously,<br />
it takes more than a coat and tie to build character, but it is a<br />
great start. And, more importantly, he is attempting to make this<br />
fashion statement with a generation where maroon blazers and ties may<br />
not be the first choice of the incoming student. In fact, like many<br />
incoming freshmen in schools all over the country, Franklin has had a<br />
few that prefer the look of bagging and sagging rather than button up<br />
and bucks. And, in what is good news to those who prefer required<br />
dress, the students are basically in support of Mr. Franklin's<br />
initiatives. Many of the students have stated that they are proud to<br />
don the new attire in order to be a part of the Morehouse legacy.<br />
<br />
We should not be surprised at the outfits showing up in so me of our<br />
schools. The sense of fashion failure is not only in our schools, but<br />
in our everyday lives as well. We have come to a point where it<br />
sometimes seems we do all that we can to look as bad as we can in<br />
public. Like Mr. Franklin, I am no fan of the sagging pants look. I<br />
have to struggle not to laugh every time I see someone sporting this<br />
look. With one hand on their waist band, and the crotch of their pants<br />
resting comfortably=2 0a few inches above their knees, the look reminds<br />
me of a circus caricature. They are of average height, but their<br />
seemingly short little legs make them appear as a side show act. But<br />
still they stride along, acting as cool as they can as long as they<br />
don't have to actually run or step up.<br />
<br />
But it's not just the 'show your drawers' look that needs a change.<br />
Fashion in general seems to be stuck in a funk where individual style<br />
has taken the place of individual pride. All you have to do is take a<br />
trip to the mall and you will see styles that are beyond belief.<br />
Anything from Victoria Secret wannabes to those who make Homer Simpson<br />
look like a real GQ kind of guy. The late Mr. Blackwell, of the 'Blackwell'<br />
s Worst Dressed List' notoriety probably thought each year that style<br />
had reached the bottom only to see it sink a level lower for the next<br />
list. I'll admit that this criticism of how people dress these days<br />
is coming from someone who was raised in the seventies. Need I say<br />
more? The seventies era was many things but a high mark of fashion and<br />
hair design it was not. I still cringe when I see a photo of myself<br />
and wonder what was it that I thought looked good. Thankfully, I grew<br />
out of it in time and adapted a more acceptable style. Most do.<br />
Unfortunately, some do not.<br />
<br />
As with everything that we do, individual style is something that we<br />
are encouraged to embrace from a very early age. I'm alright with that<br />
as long as that 'style' does not mean that I have to see every pair of<br />
underwear east of the Mississippi River each time I go out shopping.<br />
Educational venues are a place to do just that; to educate. But, we<br />
all know that there is much more to be learned in life than the three<br />
R's. There is a fourth 'R' that is just as important and that R<br />
stands for respect. It is encouraging to see that there are still<br />
people out there who recognize the opportunity to touch young people's<br />
lives as Mr. Franklin has decided to do. A maroon blazer and tie may<br />
not be the ideal outfit for everyone, but for this group of young men,<br />
it seems to be the perfect fit.
