by Alicia Cruz
The Black Urban Times
David Love says that the Morehouse College "Appropriate Attire" policy based upon President Dr. Robert Franklin's notion of the Renaissance Man is not based in part on his "Five Wells" strategy, but a perfect example of "the good, bad and ... homophobic".
Click Here to Read the Dress Code Policy
Dr. Franklin's "Five Wells" concept consists of students being "well read, well spoken, well traveled, well dressed and well balanced."
A staunch advocate of conservative dress codes, I had to admit I was a bit confused about the portion of the policy in relation to women's clothing until I made the connection: Apparently some students were dressing in women's clothing.
"No wearing of clothing associated with women's garb (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on campus or at College-sponsored events," reads the policy.
Students are not allowed to wear do-rags, caps or hoods in classrooms and other indoor venues. Clothing with offensive messages, pajamas, bare feet and definitely sagging pants are also a no-no aboard campus.
Nothing wrong there, right? Or is it?
Love writes that he believes the policy is simply a cloak to mirror the Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gay students.
"At best, it is a misplaced policy. At worst, it's pure homophobia cloaked in official college stationery," writes Love.
Some support the policy saying the President is simply attempting to foster a higher standard of living, dressing and behaving for students.
After all, this is a University that boasts a longstanding and proud tradition of producing outstanding leaders of tomorrow like Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Julian Bond, Calvin Butts and Lerone Bennette.
Plus, Morehouse is only one of two historically black colleges in the country to produce a Rhodes Scholar. The school's first was Nima Warfield in 1994 followed by Christopher Elders, in 2001 and Oluwabusaya “Topé” Folarin in 2004.
Is the dress code, in reality, an unfair policy meant to subtly harass gay students or is it exactly what the University says it is, a policy meant to restore the Universities "Morehouse Mystique" legacy and a sense of dignity and professionalism at one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges.
Love stands firm that he believes it's simply homophobia spelled out in an eloquent manner. Read David Love's commentary here
Read the Maroon Tiger here
The Black Urban Times
David Love says that the Morehouse College "Appropriate Attire" policy based upon President Dr. Robert Franklin's notion of the Renaissance Man is not based in part on his "Five Wells" strategy, but a perfect example of "the good, bad and ... homophobic".
Click Here to Read the Dress Code Policy
Dr. Franklin's "Five Wells" concept consists of students being "well read, well spoken, well traveled, well dressed and well balanced."
A staunch advocate of conservative dress codes, I had to admit I was a bit confused about the portion of the policy in relation to women's clothing until I made the connection: Apparently some students were dressing in women's clothing.
"No wearing of clothing associated with women's garb (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on campus or at College-sponsored events," reads the policy.
Students are not allowed to wear do-rags, caps or hoods in classrooms and other indoor venues. Clothing with offensive messages, pajamas, bare feet and definitely sagging pants are also a no-no aboard campus.
Nothing wrong there, right? Or is it?
Love writes that he believes the policy is simply a cloak to mirror the Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gay students.
"At best, it is a misplaced policy. At worst, it's pure homophobia cloaked in official college stationery," writes Love.
Some support the policy saying the President is simply attempting to foster a higher standard of living, dressing and behaving for students.
After all, this is a University that boasts a longstanding and proud tradition of producing outstanding leaders of tomorrow like Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Julian Bond, Calvin Butts and Lerone Bennette.
Plus, Morehouse is only one of two historically black colleges in the country to produce a Rhodes Scholar. The school's first was Nima Warfield in 1994 followed by Christopher Elders, in 2001 and Oluwabusaya “Topé” Folarin in 2004.
Is the dress code, in reality, an unfair policy meant to subtly harass gay students or is it exactly what the University says it is, a policy meant to restore the Universities "Morehouse Mystique" legacy and a sense of dignity and professionalism at one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges.
Love stands firm that he believes it's simply homophobia spelled out in an eloquent manner. Read David Love's commentary here
Read the Maroon Tiger here
No comments:
Post a Comment
We appreciates all comments and fosters free speech, however, keep in mind that we have young readers who peruse our site. Having said that, please refrain from using profane language, and know that flaming will not be tolerated. Spam will not be tolerated.