A Texas school enacted a dress code for parents after a mother showed up on campus in what officials deemed inappropriate attire.
On April 8, Joselyn Lewis tried to register her daughter for classes at Madison High School in Houston when she was turned away by a school official. The person said her bonnet wasn’t allowed, and her dress was too short.
Lewis thought she was being mistaken for a student and explained she was a parent.
“She went on to say that she still couldn’t let me on the premises because I was not in dress code and I still didn’t understand what that meant,” Lewis told KPRC2. “She said that my head scarf was out of dress code and my dress was too short.”
When Lewis asked for a copy of the policy, the administration refused.
“I wanted to see proof of where it says parents can come dressed a certain way, but it wouldn’t show me that,” she continued. “I wouldn’t leave, so they called the police department. They called them on me and I guess he was coming to tell me to leave, but I was already on the phone with the school board.”
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A day later, Principal Carlotta Outley Brown sent a memo to parents containing a list of dress code policies, according to The Washington Post.
Barred items include bonnets, shower caps, hair rollers, sagging pants and pajamas.
This H.S in Texas sent this letter to parents regarding their dress code when coming onto school property pic.twitter.com/fa9YSKtUnm
— SUNNI (@SunniAndTheCity) April 24, 2019
“Parents, we do value you as a partner in your child’s education,” Outley Brown wrote. “However, please know we have to have standards, most of all we must have high standards.”
The policy offended many parents and members of the community.
“I’m almost insulted,” parent Tomiko Miller told The Houston Chronicle. “I really think it was discriminatory, the language that was used. It was demeaning. And I’m African American — and if it’s misty outside and I have a hair bonnet on, I don’t see how that’s anyone’s business.”
Zeph Capo, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, accused Outley Brown of classism.
“I’m sorry — this principal may have plenty of money and time to go to the hairdresser weekly and have her stuff done,” Capo said. “Who are you to judge others who may not have the same opportunities that you do? Having a wrap on your head is not offensive. It should not be controversial.”
Lewis believes the school’s dress code could be seen as a form of discrimination.
“I’m not saying that it’s a part of my religion, but it could have been, but I just wanted to have it up,” she said. “Who are you to say that I can’t wear my hair up? In a scarf? Who are you to tell me how to dress?”
Tennessee state Rep. Antonio Parkinson, who introduced a bill in favor of parental dress codes, defended Outley Brown’s actions.
“I’ve heard from people literally from New York to California to Washington state saying there is a need for this,” he said. Parkinson believes parents should prioritize their children’s education, not fashion.
“I’m not speaking about affordable as much as priorities,” he continued. “What could be a higher priority than bringing your child to school? You wouldn’t go to a date like that.”
Aside from the memo, Outley Brown nor the school district has responded to the outcry.
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