In our first post about dress codes, we delved into the impact of gendered dress codes on students. Today, let's address a critical issue: the intersection of dress codes and anti-Blackness. It's high time we dismantle discriminatory policies that perpetuate racial biases. Together, we can raise awareness and actively challenge these practices. Join us as we advocate for inclusive school environments that not only foster belonging but also empower and celebrate students of all identities.
Many dress codes are deeply entrenched in anti-Black racial bias, communicating unwelcome messages to Black students. This contradicts the very essence of fostering inclusive and nurturing learning environments. Dress codes often exert pressure on students to conform to standards of "clean, neat professionalism" - yet, dominant ideas about what consists of looking and acting “professional” are coded in ways that center whiteness.
Because of this, dress codes can convey to Black students that they must assimilate to white middle/upper-class notions of “professionalism” that exclude Blackness in order to be successful. These notions not only disregard diverse cultural expressions, but also reinforce misguided beliefs about race. They can further contribute to existing racial disparities by perpetuating unjust punishments that hinder access and opportunities.
Learning is impacted by the classism + racism embedded in dress codes.
Dress code penalties may cause students to miss out on class while changing clothes, or waiting while administrators measure their skirt lengths or hair. Students can miss out on days of school for being sent home or suspended just based on what they're wearing - impacting learning + opportunities in ways that stack up.
Anti-Blackness in Clothing Policies.
Policies that prohibit these garments and others are coded with anti-Black racial bias: baggy or “sagging” pants, "streetwear," long or untucked shirts, chains, ball caps, durags, bandanas, athletic wear/jerseys, or loose/oversized hoodies or other garments. These restrictions can perpetuate harmful Anti-Black stereotypes and attitudes that contribute to ongoing violence against Black youth.
Dress policy enforcement oversexualizes + adultifies young Black women.
As highlighted in our last post about dress codes, policies tend to inordinately penalize Black students and contribute to the problematic phenomenon of oversexualizing and adultifying Black women and girls. Problematic, racially biased perceptions of young Black women as older and more mature than their age often lead to unequal enforcement and disproportionate consequences based on body shape, size, or the fit of clothes. This only deepens the impacts of these policies on Black students.
Anti-Blackness in Hair Policy
For many Black Americans, hair holds profound cultural and personal meaning. Yet, Many schools have hair policies that specifically target or even prohibit Black hairstyles including Afros, locs, wraps, cornrows, twists, braids, cut-ins, and long or natural hair in general. Some policies even police the length + shape of Afros.
Historically, there have not only been negative attitudes about Black hair rooted in white supremacy, but also discriminatory laws - our students deserve better than seeing this legacy of oppression endure in our schools.
A student’s choices about hair can be reflective of individual personality, aesthetic tastes, spiritual beliefs, ancestral pride or familial tradition, refusal to assimilate, rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards, celebration of Black beauty, community, and culture, and more. They deserve policies that include and celebrate them.
As we critically evaluate dress code policies we must ask: are we unintentionally asking any students to change, hide, or shed who they are before stepping foot on our campuses?
Black students deserve to learn, play, and thrive in schools that honor and respect all aspects of their personhood. Let’s build educational communities that continuously strive to create safe, equitable, and inclusive spaces, where every voice is valued, every identity is embraced, and all bodies are safe.
SOURCES & ADDITIONAL READING
https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/locd-out-how-thoughtless-dress-codes-can-harm-students-from-day-one
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/when-school-dress-codes-discriminate
https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/federal-appeals-court-says-title-ix-bans-discrimination-school-dress-codes
https://19thnews.org/2022/01/school-dress-code-challenges/
https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/planned-parenthood-new-hampshire-action-fund/blog/school-dress-codes-perpetuate-sexism-racism-and-transphobia
https://www.idra.org/resource-center/racial-and-gender-disparities-in-dress-code-discipline-point-to-need-for-new-approaches-in-schools/
https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/pe-dress-codes-leave-many-muslim-students-bench
https://www.idra.org/resource-center/religion-equity-and-school-dress-codes/
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