I'm sure many of you know the story of my lacrosse situation. My school doesn't field a team so about 5 of us play for another school in our city (the only public school in the city with a team) which happens to be the bitter rival of my school. Now, at first things were rocky between those from my school and those from the other, but now I've made alot of friends from the team and get along well with most of the team. I have pride in my team, I think my coach is a great time, and I've just had the time of my life playing lacrosse with them. Last year a few kids wore their jerseys around school on gameday and there were some complaints. Our principal made an announcement saying that the students were allowed to wear their jerseys and he explained the lacrosse situation. This year alot of people know about the lacrosse situation and I rarely get comments when I wear one of my lacrosse shirts, with the exception of a few from teachers who say something jokingly.
Until today.
I was doing a psychology experiment that involved determining if people could retain directions better via sight or hearing and they had to walk to a certain destination in the school. I designed the experiment and was walking with the subjects to record errors and time. I walked past two security guards (the lead security guard and the female one), and I happened to be wearing one of my Maury Lacrosse shirts. I hear the female guard say "His shirt says Maury on it!" and at this point she was about 30-40 feet behind me. I turn around and kind of laugh because I think they're just kidding, and I just say back "I'm doing an experiment" because I thought they were going to ask about it like one of the other security guards had done earlier this year (I wasn't wearing a shirt when he did though.) Anyway the lead security guard says "He's going to have a problem if he keeps walking away when I'm talking to him." (I was going up a flight of stairs at this point) and immediately I stop and try to tell them that I'm doing a timed experiment. They tell me that I'm not allowed to wear that shirt and I need to cover it up or change shirts immediately. He told me it was out of respect for my school or something. The other students I was with were pretty much in shock, because they thought he was kidding too but he was literally yelling at me.
I complied and put my jacket on when I got into the classroom, but I'm pretty erked by it. He has no right to keep me from wearing my shirt, and the only thing I can see that I'd be doing wrong by wearing it again is being insubordinate. But that only applies to a "reasonable request" it is not, in my opinion, reasonable to forfeit my 1st Amendment Right over something so petty. Tinker vs. Des Moines upheld that the freedom of expression and due process are not forefeited when entering a public school. Staff and students both have this right still, although it can be limited by school policies or some-such. But, the thing is, I'm not breaking the dress code.
The Norfolk Public School dress regulation states that students shall not wear the following items:
1) Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment displaying obscene, profane, derogatory, violent or gang-related messages, themes, designs or pictures;
2) Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment conveying messages related to or promoting the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products, or messages that promote illegal activities;
3) Clothing, pins, jewelry, accessories or other items of adornment depicting bawdy, salacious or sexually suggestive messages;
4) Clothing that is transparent or exposes the midriff, navel or cleavage;
5) Pants, skirts and/or shorts that sag below the waistline or must be held in place with the hands;
6) Underwear as outer garments or clothing that exposes underwear; and items not appropriate for a classroom setting including, but not limited to, stretch lycra, spandex or nylon tights, leotards, biker pants, biker shorts, bathing suits, or pajamas;
7) Tank tops, halter tops, garments with spaghetti straps, tube tops, fishnet tops, strapless dresses, or other clothing that is not appropriate because of slits, rips or holes in the garment;
Shirts/blouses as well as T-shirts. Designed to be worn outside trousers, shorts and skirts may be allowed provided the length of such clothing does not extend below the wrists when both of the student’s hands are at his/her side.
9) Accessories which could in some way pose a danger to the wearer or others; and/or could be used as weapons (including, but not limited to, two-or-three finger rings, chains hanging from clothes, picks, or hair chop sticks);
10) Clothing that is too tight and/or is inappropriate in length as measured by any of the following measuring methods, as determined by the building principal/designee:
(a) shorter than six (6) inches above the student's mid-knee; or,
(b) fingertip length as determined when both of the
student's hands are at his or her side; or
(c) Length must pass Flamingo Test (Stand with both
feet flat on the floor. Lift one foot and bend the leg backward at a 90-degree angle; the other leg must remain straight. If the back of the skirt touches the
calf of the bent leg, the skirt is long enough. If the
skirt does not touch the calf, the skirt is too short);
11) Inappropriate footwear (including, but not limited to, shower shoes and beach shoes, such as thongs, bedroom slippers, and unfastened shoes or shoes missing appropriate closures);
12) Head coverings or accessories that are not related to or required by student's bona fide religious practices (including, but not limited to, stocking caps, dew rags, wave caps, scarves or bandanas); and
13) Items that are intended for outdoor use (including, but not limited to, hats, caps, and similar head coverings; scarves; jackets and coats).
Furthermore, I had not been threatened as a result of my shirt, so I was in no danger. I was not promoting any illegal substances or activities, I was promoting a sport I love and a team I represent. Kids all the time in my school wear clothing that is too short, or too long, they wear flip flops they wear bandanas, they wear clothing with liquor bottles and shirts talking about beating snitches, getting their hustle on, and the amount of money they make. I wear a lacrosse shirt while I'm doing an experiment for a class I have a 107 A-average in, and I get in trouble.
I have a good relationship with my principal, and he's done multiple favors for me, and I know he'll allow me to wear it. But how should I handle it? I have witnesses that could atest to what happened but I don't remember exactly what was said. Should I just go to the security guard and ask him why I can't wear it or just straight to the principal? Should I submit my complain in writing or in a direct meeting. Should I wear my other shirt tomorrow and see if anything is said? My mom told me I should have gone to the principal right after it happened.
It's very irritating that this happened. Since it's "out of respect for my school" how come other people are allowed to wear shirts from non-rival area high schools? How come they don't say anything when I wear a Roanoke Lacrosse or Virginia Lacrosse or Hampden-Sydney shirt? I don't attend those schools, am I still disrespecting my place of education?
