I guess only SOME ethnic dress is OK

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Dec 22, 5:45 AM EST
Kilt-Wearing Teen Seeks Dress Code Change

By BETSY TAYLOR
Associated Press Writer

JACKSON, Mo. (AP) -- Nathan Warmack wanted to honor his heritage by wearing a Scottish kilt to his high school dance. Then a principal told him to change into a pair of pants.

What began with a few yards of tartan has sparked an international debate about freedom, symbols and cultural dress. More than 1,600 people have signed an Internet petition seeking an apology for the high school senior.

Scots in the United States are assembling a traditional ensemble they hope the student will wear to the prom, and his family is trying to change the school's dress code policy.

"It's a kilt. It's going to turn heads, but I never believed it would have become what it is," Warmack said.

Other schools around the country also have wrestled with the issue. A principal in Victoria, Texas, ordered two boys into "more appropriate" attire when they wore kilts to school in 1992, saying: "I know kilts. Those weren't kilts and the boys aren't Scots."

In 1993, a student in Fayette County, Ga., was not allowed to enter his prom at McIntosh High School because he showed up in a kilt and refused to change clothes.

And while they weren't trying to dress in kilts, a few boys were allowed to wear skirts to class at Franklin Community High School in Indiana in 1997, when a superintendent said different people express themselves in different ways.

Warmack, a defensive lineman on the football team, lives in Jackson, a growing, largely middle-class city of about 14,000 people about 110 miles from St. Louis.

He got interested in his family's Scottish ties after seeing Mel Gibson's 1995 movie "Braveheart," about William Wallace's battle to overthrow English rule in 13th century Scotland. Warmack reads books about Scotland and visits Web sites to learn more about his family's genealogy.

He bought a kilt off the Internet to wear to his school's formal "Silver Arrow" dance in November. Warmack said he showed it to a vice principal before the dance, who joked he'd better wear something underneath it, and Warmack assured him he would.

Warmack's parents, Terry and Paula, helped him piece together the rest of his outfit, a white shirt and black tie with white socks and black boots.

"We knew it wasn't the formal regalia," his father said. "We wanted it to be acceptable for the occasion."

After Nathan Warmack and his date posed for pictures, principal Rick McClard, who had not previously seen the kilt, told the student he had to go change. Warmack refused a few times and said the outfit was recognizing his heritage.

Warmack alleges McClard told him: "Well, this is my dance, and I'm not going to have students coming into it looking like clowns." McClard later said he had no recollection of saying that, Warmack's dad said. The principal did not return phone calls seeking comment.

The school district's superintendent, Ron Anderson, said McClard has the authority under the district's dress code policy to judge appropriate dress for extracurricular activities, including dances.

"It's mainly to protect from the possibility of a disruption or something that could be viewed as a disruption," Anderson said.

Several Scottish heritage organizations are angry, saying the kilt is a symbol of Scottish pride and considered formal dress.

"To say the traditional Scottish dress makes you look like a clown is a direct insult to people of Scottish heritage and those who live in Scotland," said Tom Wilson, a Texas commissioner for the Clan Gunn Society of North American, a Scottish heritage organization.

Another Clan Gunn member, Beth Gardner, started an online petition seeking an apology for Warmack. It questions in part the notion that the kilt was a distraction.

"From what? From the intense concentration it takes to dance?"

Scottish groups are hoping they can help him to establish a formal Scottish ensemble that more fully reflects his heritage, including pieces that are being handmade for Warmack in Oklahoma, Georgia and Florida.

Warmack said he's concerned that school officials are just waiting for the situation to blow over, and that the policy won't be changed.

"This has picked up a lot of steam," he said, "but it hasn't really gotten anywhere."

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[medicmaster]

Well, I guess I'm not too surprised...you can't take prescription or OTC meds at school anymore, you can't even discuss intelligent design anymore, use the word God, say the pledge of allegiance, bring birthday treats, celebrate holidays...the list goes on.

But we can give condoms out to junior high kids....

[DaSharkie]

But gangbangers can wear gang colors at many schools. :rolleyes:

If anything, this shows the school district's and its employees' complete and total lack of understanding about culture.

And if anyone thinks that a kilt is a skirt, I encourage you to travel to Scotland in Summer and express that opinion to those at the Highland games so I may become thoroughly happy watching them toss a kaber onto your head.

I have a spot of Scot in my blood and it more than completely drowns out the majority of French in my blood. How shameful that I have to admit French lineage. I must go delouse now, and put on my kilt.

[CaptainGonzo]

I wonder if a student of Arabic descent would have been banned from the Prom for wearing wanted to wearing a traditional robe and kaffieh?

[MalahatTwo7]

I wonder if a student of Arabic descent would have been banned from the Prom for wearing wanted to wearing a traditional robe and kaffieh?

A very similar question passed my mind too. I wonder if the principal is of British heritage, from the southern end? May be a wee spot of cross-border animosity perhaps.

[RadRob]

A very similar question passed my mind too. I wonder if the principal is of British heritage, from the southern end? May be a wee spot of cross-border animosity perhaps.

No, they just want to send the message that pants hanging below your a$$ is more appropriate than wearing a kilt. Personally, I would like to see them MAKE kids wear a kilt if they can't keep their pants up. If they want to show their butts, let them do it in a "skirt."

[MalahatTwo7]

I wonder if Da Rev has seen this one yet? He's one o' dem skirt wear'n kinda guys :D as is Steamer. Be interesting to see what their take on this one is ehehehehehe

[Dave1983]

This brings up a funny story from my senior year. The school district decided that boys could no longer wera shorts, but continued to allow girls to wear mini-skirts. So...a bunch of guys from the football team started wearing mini-skirts to school (wasnt a pretty site :D). And when they refused to change and were suspended, some of the parents sued.

Needless to say, the boys were allowed to wear shorts again. ;)

As to the topic, I dont see a problem with a kilt. Prince Charles wears one from time to time, so I guess its "appropriate" dress.

[jasper45]

As to the topic, I dont see a problem with a kilt. Prince Charles wears one from time to time, so I guess its "appropriate" dress.


I’ve seen Prince Charles in a kilt, believe me, there is nothing “appropriate” about that.

[superchef]

It certainly is refreshing to know that people like this principal are running public schools. :rolleyes:

Wearing a kilt to celebrate one's culture and heritage should be something that is encouraged not banned.

[Steamer]

I read this yesterday, and was just a bit more than pissed. On the other hand, I saw his "kilt", and all I'll say is that there is a huge difference between a true kilt and a wrapped skirt. He didn't have a kilt. This worried me as well:Warmack's parents, Terry and Paula, helped him piece together the rest of his outfit, a white shirt and black tie with white socks and black boots.

"We knew it wasn't the formal regalia," his father said. "We wanted it to be acceptable for the occasion." Believe me, that ain't traditional or acceptable to anyone that truly wants to wear traditional dress. A comparative would be for someone to dress as Gonzo said, in "traditional robes" and wraps themselves in a sheet. If he wants to wear traditional Sottish attire, I'm behind the young man 110%, but he shouldn't embarrass himself by putting together a "costume" like they were doing. Formal Scottish attire looks like: http://www.jhiggins.net/root/jhiggins/images/prince_charlie_large.jpg
as compared to this:http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2005/12/22/2002699915.jpg

Like I said, wear traditional dress, but do it right.

[scfire86]

Like I said, wear traditional dress, but do it right.

Well done Steamer. Great perspective on the issue. Do it right, or not at all.

[mcaldwell]

Not to mention, and teenage boy who is going to wear a kilt around a bunch of hot looking teeange girls should definitely wear his sporran. ;)

But Steamer,

I could see a modern casual, but traditional look if it was a casual dance. My last Chief had this look for everyone at his wedding, and it was very nice. Only the Piper was in his Argyll.

[Ladder8]

You can get them here....

http://www.utilikilts.com/


BTW, who is that on the third Photo page?

[Steamer]

Not to mention, and teenage boy who is going to wear a kilt around a bunch of hot looking teeange girls should definitely wear his sporran. ;)

But Steamer,

I could see a modern casual, but traditional look if it was a casual dance. My last Chief had this look for everyone at his wedding, and it was very nice. Only the Piper was in his Argyll.
I agree that a Jacobian shirt with the modern kilt has a nice look, but this told me that it was a formal dance:He bought a kilt off the Internet to wear to his school's formal "Silver Arrow" dance in November. In addition to that, the parents' comment about him wearing white socks with black boots is over the top. That would not be appropriate in any madern set. The second photo in my first post is the young man in his "kilt". I'm not sure where he got the kilt, but he got ripped off. A real kilt rises to just under the rib cage, and this particular piece sits just on his hips. It also appears that the apron wraps to the left (kilted skirt) while a true kilt wraps to the right.

Real kilts aren't cheap (don't get me started on the "utilikilts") often running in the range of $500-600 for a quality made traditional kilt. Mine was made in Scotland, and ran $575. While it seems expensive, a quality military grade kilt is made of heavy weight high quality wool. A quality modern style kilt takes about 8 yards of material, and are hand sewn, including the individual pleats. I can't remember what show it was on, but there was a wedding on TV where they wore kilts because of their strong ties to their heritage. I would have said "Bravo" for them, but they wore the damned things backwards with the pleats in front (no, it wasn't a comedy show).

True Scottish dress is pretty complicated right down to what's appropriate to the time of day the event is held. If the young man was truly wanting to dress in traditional garb, wonderful, but do it right. I'm wondering how much the principal knows of Scottish attire. I know a number of people that would be highly offended to see something looking like a cheap Halloween costume being passed off as traditional attire. With that being said, those same people would be happy to help him put together something tasteful and classy.

As for wearing a sporran, this should get some attention: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/Steamer/sporran.jpg :eek:

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Steamer, I understand your point. Three things...

1. Do you really think that the principal had the slightest idea that he wasn't dealing with a traditional Scottish kilt?

2. I think that this young man may not exactly be a child of affluence.

3. From what the aricle says, it certainly doesn't seem as though this kid was attempting to start trouble and was really trying to express his Scottish heritage.

[Steamer]

Steamer, I understand your point. Three things...

1. Do you really think that the principal had the slightest idea that he wasn't dealing with a traditional Scottish kilt?

2. I think that this young man may not exactly be a child of affluence.

3. From what the article says, it certainly doesn't seem as though this kid was attempting to start trouble and was really trying to express his Scottish heritage.
George, believe me. I've mulled this over in my head many times. To address your questions:

1. I would think that had the principal had an inkling of what Scottish dress truly is, he would have made the point abundantly clear, but who knows? He may have addressed it as he did to keep from appearing overly anal about something that many wouldn't understand the importance, or to avoid being the one to tell the kid that he had been ripped off. I remain curious on that point.
2. I tend to agree, but unfortunately, he invested good money in a piece that was not only ill fitting, but from all appearances, not a kilt at all. As far as I'm concerned, he was ripped off. There are several companies out there that are selling "kilts" that are nothing more than a wrapped skirt. I believe that's what happened in this case.
3. While I doubt trouble was the intent in this case, I remain cautiously optimistic that his intent was truly honorable. I know of a couple of cases where a kilt was going to be worn to a school function because of their heritage, and a mild tempest was created, only to find out later that the true goal was simple rebellion. I have since been cautious over such issues, being careful to not be taken hook, line, and sinker.

With that being said, I wish he would have reached out to any of a number of Irish or Scottish groups that would have helped him put a kit together. Most would have seen it as an honor to help him assemble something that would have been both tasteful and striking. In fact, by the article, it seems that is what is indeed happening.

If he's truly interested in honoring his heritage by wearing the kilt, I applaud him vociferously, but most Scots would see it as near criminal to allow him to embarrass himself by a "hodge podge" rather than something that tastefully reflects his heritage. I truly hope things work out for the young man, but with proper dress, so he can reflect on this later in life proudly rather than look back and see it with regret and as an embarrassment.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

George, believe me. I've mulled this over in my head many times. To address your questions:

1. I would think that had the principal had an inkling of what Scottish dress truly is, he would have made the point abundantly clear, but who knows? He may have addressed it as he did to keep from appearing overly anal about something that many wouldn't understand the importance, or to avoid being the one to tell the kid that he had been ripped off. I remain curious on that point.
2. I tend to agree, but unfortunately, he invested good money in a piece that was not only ill fitting, but from all appearances, not a kilt at all. As far as I'm concerned, he was ripped off. There are several companies out there that are selling "kilts" that are nothing more than a wrapped skirt. I believe that's what happened in this case.
3. While I doubt trouble was the intent in this case, I remain cautiously optimistic that his intent was truly honorable. I know of a couple of cases where a kilt was going to be worn to a school function because of their heritage, and a mild tempest was created, only to find out later that the true goal was simple rebellion. I have since been cautious over such issues, being careful to not be taken hook, line, and sinker.

With that being said, I wish he would have reached out to any of a number of Irish or Scottish groups that would have helped him put a kit together. Most would have seen it as an honor to help him assemble something that would have been both tasteful and striking. In fact, by the article, it seems that is what is indeed happening.

If he's truly interested in honoring his heritage by wearing the kilt, I applaud him vociferously, but most Scots would see it as near criminal to allow him to embarrass himself by a "hodge podge" rather than something that tastefully reflects his heritage. I truly hope things work out for the young man, but with proper dress, so he can reflect on this later in life proudly rather than look back and see it with regret and as an embarrassment.

1. I remain curios on this point as well. However, I wonder if the principal would have questioned someone who was wearing an arguably unauthentic burka?

2. Agreed

3. I cannot agree that this kid dishonored his heritage because he wasn't truly authentic. It may have been hodgepodge. But do you suppose that they may have the same problem putting together an "authentic" 3-piece suit in Scotland? You may have the same problem.

Rebellion is not necessarily a sin.They would not have turned away a young lady expressing her independence by sporting blue or green hair. They would not have turned away a tatooed young man.

[Steamer]

1. I remain curios on this point as well. However, I wonder if the principal would have questioned someone who was wearing an arguably unauthentic burka?

2. Agreed

3. I cannot agree that this kid dishonored his heritage because he wasn't truly authentic. It may have been hodgepodge. But do you suppose that they may have the same problem putting together an "authentic" 3-piece suit in Scotland? You may have the same problem.

Rebellion is not necessarily a sin.They would not have turned away a young lady expressing her independence by sporting blue or green hair. They would not have turned away a tatooed young man.

1. Interesting question, but based on personal knowledge of the principal, that answer may lie within the question if he knew what an authentic burka was.

2. point agreed

3. This is one that we'll have to agree to disagree. Even in my little corner of the world, there are too many ways to accomplish his goal without wearing a garment that is obviously not a kilt. They can be rented, borrowed, or a much better garment purchased for what I'd bet would be very close to what that piece cost him. In fact, a little checking locally found the entire outfit can be rented for $125.

I'll also agree that rebellion isn't always a bad thing, having rebelled once or twice myself, but I'm one of those people that are anal about my cultural dress, be it Scot, Irish, or Lakota (yep, I'm a mongrel). I just feel that if one is going to reflect their heritage in dress it should be done right.

Oh...just FYI, they've got three piece suits in Scotland and Ireland, too. They've even got cars and roads and stuff. They aren't all a bunch of kilt wearing, haggis eating mongrels.

Just yanking your chain, George....I couldn't resist with all the civility and all. :eek: :eek: