Student suspended for a WHITE TSHIRT

[Spaceman Spiff]

Person County Student Suspended For Wearing White T-Shirt

POSTED: 4:52 pm EDT May 4, 2005
PERSON COUNTY, N.C. -- A Person County mother is appealing her son's suspension.
She claims the school unfairly suspended her son for 10 days -- just for wearing a white T-shirt.
The woman claims her son did not violate school dress codes.
But school administrators interpreted the T-shirt as a gang symbol and therefore as a direct violation to school dress codes.


http://www.wral.com/news/4450223/detail.html

[zoony]

Was he wearing a white hood along with it or something? :confused:

[Major Harris]

not enough info.

[manichispanic]

def. not enought info, need to see a pic of the kid in the tshirt

[ntotoro]

If he was wearing a plain white t-shirt, he should at least be suspended for showing bad fashion.

I agree with the rest, though. They don't go into enough detail in the few sentences there.

Nick

[airborneskins]

:doh: :doh:
:doh1:

Man don't the people in the "Heart of Carolina" have something else to worry about? I mean a white T-Shirt? :doh:

[codeorama]

Not enough detail, BUT, if the schools dress code policy says "No white t shirts to be worn by themselves etc..." then what's the problem?
If the parent doesnt' like it, send the child somewhere else.
Gangs are becoming a huge issue.

[jbooma]

Originally posted by codeorama
Not enough detail, BUT, if the schools dress code policy says "No white t shirts to be worn by themselves etc..." then what's the problem?
If the parent doesnt' like it, send the child somewhere else.
Gangs are becoming a huge issue.

I agree 100%.

I think we should put everyone in private schools then we won't be starting these threads :D

[Larry]

Let's face it, there are lots of personal spins that can be put on this.

"A white t-shirt is underwear. And the dress code prohibits exposed underwear."

"The white t-shirt is a symbol of rebelion against authority, first used by James Dean."

"The shirt is clearly a symbol advocating white supremacy".

"Clearly, the student is making reference to a situation, years ago, when the Principal was forced to flee a whorehouse in his underwear to avoid a police raid."

[Monte51Coleman]

Good for the principal. ;)

[dahurt002]

First, Can anybody show me where White T-shirt is considered Gang Related, because I thought the gang related colors were RED, BLUE, & BLACK- I don't think white ts are gang related just a new Hip-Hop trend, but there could be a local gang(in N.C.) that wheres white Ts, it wouldn't surprise me.

But if this is true then it is sad, soon School Uniforms are going to represent some gang somewhere.

[airborneskins]

Originally posted by Larry

"Clearly, the student is making reference to a situation, years ago, when the Principal was forced to flee a whorehouse in his underwear to avoid a police raid."

Uh, I'll take this one for $1,000........ Man this just cracks me up!

[RaleighSkinsMann]

Originally posted by dahurt002
First, Can anybody show me where White T-shirt is considered Gang Related, because I thought the gang related colors were RED, BLUE, & BLACK- I don't think white ts are gang related just a new Hip-Hop trend, but there could be a local gang(in N.C.) that wheres white Ts, it wouldn't surprise me.

But if this is true then it is sad, soon School Uniforms are going to represent some gang somewhere.

Down here in nc the young guys are wearing white tees..to hide there guns....clubs wont let you get in with a white t either...the real question is (if the student was black) does she suspend all the other students who wera them as well.....

[sonsofwashington]

What is classier than a white t-shirt and jeans. I sport it all the time. I'm wearning that right now, well my white "t-shirt" does have a collar but but but.....

[sonsofwashington]

Originally posted by RaleighSkinsMann
Down here in nc the young guys are wearing white tees..to hide there guns....

Explain. Does a white t-shirt hide a gun better than a colored t-shirt? What is it about the white t-shirt that hides the gun better?

[codeorama]

Originally posted by sonsofwashington
What is classier than a white t-shirt and jeans. I sport it all the time. I'm wearning that right now, well my white "t-shirt" does have a collar but but but.....

Gangbanger....

[codeorama]

Originally posted by sonsofwashington


Explain. Does a white t-shirt hide a gun better than a colored t-shirt? What is it about the white t-shirt that hides the gun better?

It's the baggy clothing.

Here in Va, we have a gang identification course we went to for the school system and we learned about the gangs that have shown up in the areas close to us. White T shirts are not one of the "signs" here, but is in other areas. Blue and Red bandana's are signs in this area and are banned from schools in the area, though not mine in particular, because we luckily haven't had any incidents yet.
Each area is different.
If signs of gang activities show up, people are going to be all over it. We already have a gang task force in our area based solely on the fact that there COULD be a problem in the future.

[sonsofwashington]

I'm a baller, not a gangbanger.

[codeorama]

Originally posted by sonsofwashington
I'm a baller, not a gangbanger.

:laugh:

[Sweet Sassy Molassy]

I could definitely understand where the assumption of a white t-shirt being a gang symbol came from, but it still makes no sense to me. It probably comes from a popular rap song called, "White Tee", the hook to the songs goes "I look clean in my White Tee! I slang in my White Tee, I bang in my white tee, all in the club spittin' game in my white tee! I bling in my white tee, serve fiends in my white tee!". But there's no solid evidence that I've seen pointing at that song being a gang based song. There was even a counter to that song where the people said the same thing about their black tee, does that mean we ban black shirts? I like black t-shirts. What about the counter to both of these songs, if was reppin' the throwback jerseys, pretty much using similar lyrics. Does that mean when I wear my Doug Williams throwback I'm a gangbanger?

It's a white t-shirt, unless he was doing gang signs or had recent run-ins with authorities in his school about perceived gang activity. But if it was just a white tee then, WTF?

[codeorama]

If I started a gang, and all of us carried around Light Sabers, then the schools are going to ban them, regarless of how normal it would be for us to carry our Light Sabers around with us.

[sonsofwashington]

I want to be a part of this gang. But only if I get to be Yoda.

Desire very much I do.

Wield a saber properly indeed I can.

[kappaluvacee]

OK guys here's the deal on the White Tee's....I am not familiar with the particular incident, but I am a criminal justice planner for the State of DE and all states and education programs are starting to recognize the wearing of the white-tee's as gang related activity in the same way they regard bandanas. The white tee-shirt phenom, as best I can remember, hit the urban scene nationwide in '98 when the crews from cashmoney records were scene wearing them all the time. They are dirt cheap, can be purchased on any corner in the urban market for cheap and the fad saturated the rural market just as quickly as the urban market. The use of the white-tee and other assorted colors (solid only) have been linked to many things such as street crew uniforms (white for eastside /black for Westside etc.) The law enforcement world recognized the dual use of the fashion fad a couple years ago and it's finally being recognized at the education administration level. Here's my best guess at what probably happened: The education administrator probably attended a conference where it was brought up and came back to the school with the watchful eye and made this student the first example. Problem is: the conferences rarely touch on the fact that this is a dual fad. Just as it is used by the g-code, it is also used meaninglessly by regular folk. In closing I will give you a short scenario of what happens daily with the dress code and it may help you understand more. for those of you that live in DC or an urban area picture this: There is a violent attach in the middle of a neighborhood, a passerby or a concerned resident of the community phones the police and give the following description: young black male between 18-25 with a white T-shirt and baggy jeans. When the officers respond, how many suspects would he/she find?

[Mr. S]

Originally posted by codeorama
If I started a gang, and all of us carried around Light Sabers, then the schools are going to ban them, regarless of how normal it would be for us to carry our Light Sabers around with us.

Ill form the Lord of the Rings gang, all of us carrying around our swords, bows, magical staffs, or other weaponry. Then we can finally have the Gandalf the White vs. Yoda issue resolved.

[Larry]

Y'know, just a minor point, here.

Since when did wearing the same clothes as some gang members in California constitute probaple cause that a crime has been committed?

If we were to reveal that most gang members use a fork while eating lunch, do we ban forks from the cafeteria? (Question: Are "sporks" still big in school cafeterias?)

Many gang members carry wallets. Obviously wallets must be banned.

Here's a novel idea: Why not prosecute people who break the law, and not because they wore a solid-color shirt? (Or because they like to look at dirty pictures, and child molesters like dirty pictures, too. Or because somebody heard them listening to rap music in the parking lot.)

(Now, I have no problem with the police using clothing or similar clues for profiling. If, say, there's a gang in LA that wears Raiders t-shirts and silver necklaces, and you also happen to like wearing the same things, and you're trying to get on an airplane, don't complain if they hapen to pick you to get searched. It's their job to make judgement calls.)

But it's another thing entirely to tell the Raiders fan that he's not allowed in the airport. (Or school. Or shopping mall.)

[TheDoyler23]

There is a style among young urban males to wear extra oversized tee's that basically go down to their knees. That could have been what he was wearing.

[twa]

I seriously doubt the kid was suspended without a warning first. I know here we have dress codes and the principal is given discretion to decide if something is gang related. If he determines it is,the student must correct it[have someone bring a change of clothes] or leave school.
IF this kid had already been warned he deserves a suspesion. Not enough facts here.

[Major Harris]

Originally posted by codeorama
If I started a gang, and all of us carried around Light Sabers, then the schools are going to ban them, regarless of how normal it would be for us to carry our Light Sabers around with us.

can i be in this gang please? just don't make me one of the pansies that mace took w/ him to face the emperor.

[RonJeremy]

Originally posted by RaleighSkinsMann


Down here in nc the young guys are wearing white tees..to hide there guns...

I always found a plain Black tee was the best way to conceal my gun..:whoknows:

[Mufumonk]

Pretty soon all color and forms of expression will be illegal. We'll have to take medication to sedate our feelings so that we can think more logically rather than emotionally, because without emotion there can be no violence, hatred or war..........failure to adhere to these new rules will be punishable by death in a furnace. Science fiction will become reality before we know it. :(

[codeorama]

Originally posted by sonsofwashington
I want to be a part of this gang. But only if I get to be Yoda.

Desire very much I do.

Wield a saber properly indeed I can.
HELL yeah, you're in...


Originally posted by Mr. S


Ill form the Lord of the Rings gang, all of us carrying around our swords, bows, magical staffs, or other weaponry. Then we can finally have the Gandalf the White vs. Yoda issue resolved.

Don't you guys dare go to the mall... that's our turf...



Originally posted by dviands


can i be in this gang please? just don't make me one of the pansies that mace took w/ him to face the emperor.

Absolutley... You can be my Sith Apprentice... Together, we will rule the mall...

[Major Harris]

Originally posted by codeorama

HELL yeah, you're in...



Don't you guys dare go to the mall... that's our turf...




Absolutley... You can be my Sith Apprentice... Together, we will rule the mall... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[redskins4life234]

count me in the LOTR gang. Ill the the talking tree. Man you can't beat me. And for this stupid suspension, On school i will wear my white tee. (Shh don't tell them about my gun)

:laugh:

[riggins44]

Think I'll contact Cerrato and start a white starched shirt gang! :D

[Prosperity]

A new study shows that gang members all have had some sort of bread 24 hours before gang related activity.

[OrangeSkin]

Originally posted by Larry

"The white t-shirt is a symbol of rebelion against authority, first used by James Dean."
What is this, 1958? I'm guessing the kid participated in knife fights and played chicken in his early model Buick as well. :rolleyes:

Unless there is a specific gang that wears white t-shirts and this kid is associated with them, this is a dumb suspension. I know baggy white t-shirts are the "in" thing for a lot of kids.

[Mr. S]

Originally posted by codeorama


Don't you guys dare go to the mall... that's our turf...



Fair enough, we'll take the Movie Theater though, and the bowling alley just for kicks.

Now, I think a rumble would have to go down for who gets FedEx...

redskins4life234 is an official Ent, since you asked first, you get to be Treebeard.

[Gichin13]

Where is Kilmer? The thread just does not have the umpf without unmitigated support for actions of authority.

[MaddogCT]

Update:

It looks like the student was suspended for being disruptive. However, the T-Shirts look to be the underlying cause.
And the confederate flag is ok but a plain white t-shirt is not?


http://www.roxboro-courier.com/newsnowstories/ts050405-4.htm

TOP STORIES
NMS principal says student's suspension was for disorderly conduct, not retaliation - 5/4/05


By PHYLISS BOATWRIGHT, C-T Staff Writer
Last week, a 13-year-old student was suspended from Northern Middle School and his mother has claimed, in an article in the Durham Herald-Sun, that her son’s suspension came as a result of retaliation by the school district. School officials deny that claim, however.


Lenora Wilson is quoted in Saturday’s Herald-Sun as saying her son was suspended after Wilson contacted the newspaper the day before. In Friday’s edition of the paper, Wilson is quoted as saying she disagreed with NMS Principal Kelly Gentry’s decision to suspend her son for wearing a white T-shirt to school. White T-shirts, which have been linked to gangs and gang activity, are not permitted under the school district’s dress code, which prohibits visible undergarments.

The Courier-Times attempted to reach the student's parents Tuesday, but was unsuccessful.

Principal Gentry told The Courier-Times on Tuesday that Laquan Wilson’s suspension did not come as a form of retaliation. In fact, said Gentry, the student was actually suspended on Thursday, the day he wore the T-shirt to school and refused to follow the dress code rules. The student was not suspended for a dress code violation however, Gentry explained. He was suspended for being disorderly and disruptive.

She said Laquan, who is black, was sent out of class by a teacher, whom she noted was also black, for wearing the T-shirt. The teacher, said Gentry, asked Laquan to put on a jacket over the shirt, or to take off the white T-shirt. He was wearing a red shirt underneath the white one, said Gentry. The combination of the two colors has also been linked to gangs.

In The Herald-Sun, Lenora Wilson is quoted as saying her son had earlier had a confrontation with a white student who was wearing a shirt sporting the Confederate flag. She said she told her son that he could wear a white T-shirt if other students could wear Confederate flag images.

The Confederate flags were banned at Person High School a couple years ago, after the images were responsible for disruptions in classes there. Middle schools in the county have no such ban as yet.

School Resource Officer Sgt. Kevin Crabtree was called last Thursday after Laquan Wilson refused to obey the teacher and, according to Gentry, became belligerent. Laquan was again given the opportunity to cover up the shirt or take it off, said Gentry. When he refused, Crabtree took Laquan to Gentry’s office, where the student was again given options concerning the white T-shirt. Gentry said the student again became belligerent and she suspended him for being disorderly.

Gentry said she contacted Laquan’s father Thursday, and told him that his son had been suspended. The principal then asked the father to pick up his son from school. Carlos Wilson, said Gentry, told her he could not get to the school that day to pick up his son, and asked if Laquan could stay in school Thursday if he wore his jacket.

Gentry said she told the father his son could stay in school Thursday if he covered up the white T-shirt, but explained that the suspension for being disorderly would be moved to Friday. Gentry said, at the time of the conversation, she thought the parents understood the situation and were agreeable to it.

Since the article appeared in the newspaper, said Gentry, other students have gotten into the act and, on Tuesday, she had 15 students dressed in white T-shirts. She said teachers on Monday had reported seeing children in the halls, reading the newspaper article and planning to wear the white T-shirts.

On Tuesday, during an intramural activity that Gentry said was supposed to be quality time in which students are allowed to participate in fun events, Laquan and his twin brother were both wearing white T-shirts. Assistant Principal Jody Ray asked the students to remove or cover up the shirts, said Gentry, and they refused. The situation became heated, said Gentry, and the students were removed from the school grounds by Sgt. Crabtree and taken to the Person County Law Enforcement Center.

Gentry said she regretted that, so close to the end of school, when students should be focusing on end-of-grade tests and going onto high school, needless disruptions were causing the focus to shift.

"This is affecting all the kids," said Gentry, "and I feel bad that it’s happening." But, she said, "the dress code is enforced," no matter who the child is or what color that child is.

In enforcing the dress code, she said, it is never her intent to suspend a student. Suspension, she said, comes only after students have become disruptive.

Gentry said she had gone into all eighth-grade classrooms and explained the school’s dress code to students. Students and parents were apprised of the dress code at the beginning of the year, she said, as well as in parent-teacher conferences.

"This is not something new," she said. "They (students) think they’re going to change it, but I am following policy" set by the Person County Board of Education. Gentry said this was the first time the dress code had been a problem at Northern.

[codeorama]

Originally posted by Mr. S


Fair enough, we'll take the Movie Theater though, and the bowling alley just for kicks.

Now, I think a rumble would have to go down for who gets FedEx...

redskins4life234 is an official Ent, since you asked first, you get to be Treebeard.

You're probably right....

Is it going to be a real rumble or one of those like in the "beat it" video?

[Mr. S]

Originally posted by codeorama


You're probably right....

Is it going to be a real rumble or one of those like in the "beat it" video?

(Mr. S will respond as soon as he downloads and watches the "beat it' video.)

[Mickalino]

Maybe the article got it wrong.

Maybe it wasn't actually a white T-Shirt,
but it was a shirt for the "Fighting Whiteys" team.

[Mr. S]

Alright, after seeing that music video, if Michael Jackson ever gets through his lawsuit and out of whatever jailtime he faces and wants to intercede in our rumble, then I say we go for it!

On the other hand, im outnumbered with only one supporter...

[Larry]

Originally posted by Mickalino
Maybe the article got it wrong.

Maybe it wasn't actually a white T-Shirt,
but it was a shirt for the "Fighting Whiteys" team.

OK, so it's bad taste:

After the Rodney King verdict, I saw an editorial cartoon. Redneck-looking guy, with a blade of grass sticking out of his mouth. Police cap, badge reading "LAPD", and t-shirt reading "White men can't jump, but they can beat a black man sensless in front of witnesses and get aquitted"

[Mickalino]

Ouch Larry.

Well, at least you prefaced it with, OK this is bad taste.

http://www.robotwisdom.com/issues/whitey2.gif

[codeorama]

Originally posted by Mr. S
Alright, after seeing that music video, if Michael Jackson ever gets through his lawsuit and out of whatever jailtime he faces and wants to intercede in our rumble, then I say we go for it!

On the other hand, im outnumbered with only one supporter...

:laugh:
I'll force my apprentice to "get down and boogie" with you....:doh: :laugh:

[Major Harris]

Originally posted by codeorama


:laugh:
I'll force my apprentice to "get down and boogie" with you....:doh: :laugh:

well, I am YOUR apprentice, but man, i was hoping for a better assignment.

[Mr. S]

meh, ill get 'Treebeard' to boogie with your 'apprentice', I only want to boogie with the leader:D :laugh: .....:doh:

[PokerPacker]

Originally posted by Monte51Coleman
Good for the principal. ;)
If someone says that one more time in one of these threads...:hammer:

[PokerPacker]

http://zerointelligence.net/archives/cat_north_carolina.php

Plain T-shirts forbidden in Person County schools

Person County Student Suspended For Wearing White T-Shirt

With all of the chaos caused by imprinted t-shirts and free speech issues you would think a school would welcome plain ones. Not so in the Person County School District where a student was suspended for wearing a plain white shirt.

A Person County mother ... claims the school unfairly suspended her son for 10 days -- just for wearing a white T-shirt.
...
But school administrators interpreted the T-shirt as a gang symbol and therefore as a direct violation to school dress codes.

The district policy does forbid "Clothing that promotes gang affiliation" but gives no indication of what that clothing might be, leaving literally everything open to interpretation.

Do they also interpret vanilla ice cream as "gang food" and white paper as "gang supplies"?

[Major Harris]

Originally posted by PokerPacker

If someone says that one more time in one of these threads...:hammer:

good for the principal.















couldn't resist:D

[PokerPacker]

Originally posted by dviands


good for the principal.















couldn't resist:D :hammer: :stick: :whippin: :tantrum: :slap: :kungfu: :whip:

[codeorama]

Originally posted by dviands


well, I am YOUR apprentice, but man, i was hoping for a better assignment.


:laugh: :laugh: :notworthy

[PokerPacker]

http://www.person.k12.nc.us/main/system/stu%20dress.htm

STUDENT DRESS CODE
Adopted March 19, 2001
Effective Beginning the 2001-02 School Year

The Person County Board of Education respects the student’s right to choose his or her style of dress or appearance. However, students are expected to adhere to standards of dress that are compatible with the requirement of a good school environment. If a student’s dress is such that it constitutes a threat to health or safety, the principal or principal’s designee may require the student and the student’s parents or guardians to take appropriate action to remedy the situation. In addition, if a student’s dress or appearance is so unusual, inappropriate or lacking in cleanliness that it clearly disrupts class or learning activities, the student may be required to change his or her dress or appearance.

The principal or principal’s designee shall handle student violations of this policy. The first violation of this policy may result in a short-term suspension from school for up to ten (10) days to long-term suspension for the remainder of the school year. A second violation of this policy during the school year shall result in a short-term suspension for up to ten (10) days or long-term suspension for the remainder of the school year. If a violation results in long-term suspension, the superintendent may assign the student to an alternative program approved by the Board of Education.

Principals will maintain guidelines to assist students in determining appropriate dress and appearance for school, and copies will be made available for parents and students. Items listed below shall be included in all guidelines and shall apply to all students. Reasonable accommodation will be made by the principal or principal’s designee for those students who, because of a sincerely held religious belief, cultural or medical reason, request a waiver of a particular guideline for dress or appearance. Reasonable accommodations shall be made by the principal to accommodate students involved in special duties, activities, or projects approved by the school. This would include but not be limited to: athletics, vocational classes and projects, special events, or other activities that would allow for non-conforming dress on school campus.

* Clothing must not be disruptive to the teaching-learning process and cannot be provocative, revealing, indecent, vulgar, obscene, or profane.

* Hats, caps, rags, sweatbands, bandanas, wave caps, towels, sunglasses, goggles, or other forms of headgear will not be worn inside the school buildings.

* Any outward article of clothing that covers the lower extremities (legs) must not be more than three (3) inches above the top of the knee when a student is in a standing position. This includes, but is not limited to, dresses, skirts, jeans, pants, shorts, skorts, and slacks. These articles may not be ripped, torn, slit, or contain holes to expose underwear or skin, nor may they be see-through. (Grades 6-12 only.)

* Pants must be worn on the waist. No sagging pants are allowed.

* Sleeveless shirts, blouses, and dresses must come up to the armpit. All shirts and blouses must go past the waistline to overlap pants/skirts, covering the back, with no cutouts or see-through elements.

* Dresses shall cover the back with no cutouts or see-through elements.

* Undergarments are not to be visible.

* Official extracurricular and athletic attire, i.e. cheerleading outfits, which does not comply with this policy, may be worn during the school day as long as it is adapted to comply with all policy statements.

* Proper street footwear is required. Shoes that have laces must be laced, tied and fit.

* Clothing that promotes gang affiliation, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, the use of controlled substances, depicts violence, is of a sexual nature, or is of a disruptive nature is prohibited.

* Clothing must be worn appropriately (nothing inside-out, backwards, one rolled up pant leg, or unfastened bib overalls), and clothing should not be tight fitting, such as knit or spandex bicycle/biker pants or overly tight dresses, skirts, jeans, pants, shorts, skorts, slacks or tops.

* There is to be no jewelry affixed to a student’s nose, tongue, cheek, lip, or eyebrow. No visibly pierced jewelry shall be worn except in the ears.

[Painkiller]

It's a white thing they wouldn't understand.

:laugh:

[Blondie]

So, does this mean when I get a call and some guy says:

"Whatcha wearin'?"


I should NOT say "white tee"??


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: ;) ;) ;)

Blondie

[Larry]

Um, this may be a good subject for an off-season (and off-color) poll, but I'd bet the preferred response (by the predominatly-male membership) would be "nothing".

:)

[PokerPacker]

Originally posted by Larry
Um, this may be a good subject for an off-season (and off-color) poll, but I'd bet the preferred response (by the predominatly-male membership) would be "nothing".

:) :cheers:

[Mickalino]

Originally posted by Blondie
So, does this mean when I get a call and some guy says:

"Whatcha wearin'?"


I should NOT say "white tee"??



Right, because if you say it really fast, it sounds like "Nightie"