He's lucky a suspension is all he got wearing that shit.

[Shockeye]

Boy Suspended For Wearing Makeup?



James Herndon says he wears goth-like clothing and make-up because it makes him feel better about himself.
A ninth-grade student has accused officials at a Southern California high school of discrimination for suspending him for wearing lipstick and eye makeup.

James Herndon, 16, said the five-day suspension imposed Monday by administrators at San Bernardino's Pacific High School was unfair because females are allowed to wear cosmetics on campus.

Herndon says his black lipstick and red eye makeup express the Wiccan religious beliefs he shares with his mother, a priestess in the neo-pagan faith. He contends the suspension violates his constitutional right to free expression.

Linda Hill, spokeswoman for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, declined to comment on the case, citing student confidentiality laws.

Herndon, who is repeating his second year at the school, has worn makeup since he enrolled, according to his mother, Valerie Wallace.

Despite the suspension, Herndon plans to wear the makeup when he returns to school next week.

[HaemishM]

He must be wearing that good, waterproof makeup. It doesn't look streaked at all, and I'm sure after the seniors flushed his head down the toilet a few hundred times, he was just a wee bit damp.

[Paelos]

Inform the kid he's not in the WWE and is just, in fact, a dumbass.

[stray]

If he had done a more professional job, would you guys still be hard on him?

[Shockeye]

If he had done a more professional job, would you guys still be hard on him?  

I think it's the lipstick that bothers me the most.

[EDIT] I forgot to add the text that was originally under the picture.

James Herndon says he wears goth-like clothing and make-up because it makes him feel better about himself.

So which is it? He's wearing the makeup for religious reasons or he's wearing it for a morale boost?

[HaemishM]

If he had done a more professional job, would you guys still be hard on him?

Yes.

[Paelos]

If he had done a more professional job, would you guys still be hard on him?

Teaching kids in a public school is hard enough without them wanting to make public spectacles of themselves. That's why they have dress codes.

[Murgos]

He's in the ninth fucking grade and the stubble on his chin is thicker than the stubble on top of his head?  Am I wrong that 9th graders are usually 14 or 15ish?  This kid looks 18 easy.

Anyway, that get-up would hardly have raised an eyebrow at where I went for 9th grade.

[HaemishM]

The article says this is his second go-round through the 9th grade.

In other words, yes, he was a complete dumbfuck before he put the makeup on.

[WayAbvPar]

He's in the ninth fucking grade and the stubble on his chin is thicker than the stubble on top of his head?  Am I wrong that 9th graders are usually 14 or 15ish?  This kid looks 18 easy.

Anyway, that get-up would hardly have raised an eyebrow at where I went for 9th grade.

Just be glad they didn't show a picture of his mother. I bet she could show you some stubble.

[stray]

Anyway, that get-up would hardly have raised an eyebrow at where I went for 9th grade.

Same here.

Paolos, I'm saddened to hear that you support dress codes.

[Paelos]

Anyway, that get-up would hardly have raised an eyebrow at where I went for 9th grade.

Same here.

Paolos, I'm saddened to hear that you support dress codes.

In an era where girls want to come to school in things that would embarrass strippers and kids want to wear pants so baggy you could conceal a shotgun in them, you're damn right i'm in favor of dress codes. To the high school kids out there, you live in your parent's house still and you are not a functioning member of society. You pay no taxes for the education you enjoy. So STFU about what you can and can't wear and get with the program. If you want attention, trying getting it for doing something good.

[stray]

Anyway, that get-up would hardly have raised an eyebrow at where I went for 9th grade.

Same here.

Paolos, I'm saddened to hear that you support dress codes.

In an era where girls want to come to school in things that would embarrass strippers and kids want to wear pants so baggy you could conceal a shotgun in them, you're damn right i'm in favor of dress codes.

I fail to see where that applies to the remaining 99% of high schoolers out there.

To the high school kids out there, you live in your parent's house still and you are not a functioning member of society. You pay no taxes for the education you enjoy. So STFU about what you can and can't wear and get with the program. If you want attention, trying getting it for doing something good.

Kids --- the most oppressed minority in all of society.

Thanks Paolos. You illustrated that better than my statement ever could.

[Shockeye]

I have absolutely no problem with dress codes.

If kids want to express themselves they can sign up for art class.

[Paelos]

Kids aren't oppressed. They pay for nothing, eat for free, and don't have to have jobs to support themselves or anyone else. They have the freedom to express themselves in numerous other ways. They literally have it on easy street and like to bitch about the little rules saying, don't paint your face like its time for the circus. High school is not the forum in which you are allowed to do whatever you want. It's a public service, and they can deny it to you want to be a big enough jackhole about things. So yeah, wear are the makeup you want, express yourself however you like in public, but in a place of learning as in any job in later life, learn not to be a tool. That's your PSA for the day.

[WayAbvPar]

Wow, I must be getting old. I agree- dress codes at school are not a horrible idea. Kids shouldn't have to wear a uniform, but a 'community standard' is not too much to ask. They are there to learn to be semi-productive members of society, not to look cool.

[stray]

Fuck it. What the hell do I know about high school?

First year -- Absent 138 days (Or was it 137?). Expelled. 0 credits.
Second year -- Expelled in the first week.
Allowed to attend a private school soon after.
Expelled. 0 credits.
Third year -- Drop out.

But yeah, you guys sound like you're getting old....And that's definitely NOT a good thing ("Fuck the man" etc., etc.).

[Mesozoic]

Wow, I must be getting old. I agree- dress codes at school are not a horrible idea. Kids shouldn't have to wear a uniform, but a 'community standard' is not too much to ask. They are there to learn to be semi-productive members of society, not to look cool.

But there's the rub.  If "community standard" is not rigidly defined, someone will wear their pants on thier head and then cry discrimination. If it is rigidly defined, then its essentially a uniform.

[HaemishM]

I don't like dress codes, because I do want kids to be able to express themselves.

However, I think doing so allows them to learn a valuable lesson in pack mentality. Essentially, if you are perceived by the pack as being too weak to contribute, or too weird to fit in, you will be taunted incessantly. You will learn that you can either be a complete pariah by expressing yourself fully, or you can learn that completely expressing yourself every minute of every day generally just makes other people think you are a raging douchebag. Especially when you get pissy because someone calls you a faggoty nancy boy when you wear lipstick.

I like expressing myself. But we all need to learn that some things really don't need expression. You don't need to show how "different" you are by wearing lipstick and makeup. You don't need to go on the Internet and tell people you're a furry deviant. You really don't, because not only do most people not fucking care, it's none of their business.

So while I'm not in favor of dress codes, I'm not in favor of kids being allowed to look like fucking freaks at school. And if they are allowed, they have to take responsibility for the fact that some people will want to give them permanent swirlies because of it.

"Fly your freak flag high." 

[voodoolily]

Kids aren't oppressed. They pay for nothing, eat for free, and don't have to have jobs to support themselves or anyone else. They have the freedom to express themselves in numerous other ways. They literally have it on easy street and like to bitch about the little rules saying, don't paint your face like its time for the circus. High school is not the forum in which you are allowed to do whatever you want. It's a public service, and they can deny it to you want to be a big enough jackhole about things. So yeah, wear are the makeup you want, express yourself however you like in public, but in a place of learning as in any job in later life, learn not to be a tool. That's your PSA for the day.

Another boo-hoo poor fucking me story: I started working when I was 14 (the legal age kids can work in Oregon) because at that time I was still wearing donations from clothing drives (we were financially-challenged). It was nice to be able to pick out what I was going to wear for once. I also had to pay for my own lunch and bus fare. Luckily (and this totally dates me), the grunge thing blew up in 1991 when I was a sophomore, so I was able to dress like a homeless person and still be fashion-forward. When I was 16 and became a vegetarian, I was responsible for my own groceries. The only thing I'm jealous about with this kid is that I couldn't wear makeup until I was a junior! It's so easy to forget that the teen years are a crucial stage in our human development. We have to learn the final boundaries that can be tested, and what the consequences are for our actions. Getting suspended/expelled from school is the closest thing to getting fired from a job that we can experience before the consequences are actually real. I wouldn't say that most kids have it on easy street. The ones that do will probably have the rest of their lives pretty well taken care of. However, I do support the idea of a dress code, if only to level the playing field and eliminate the fucked-up elitism that comes with varying economic backgrounds. Feeling like I was being looked down upon for my parents' financial status was probably the most damaging experience of my formative years.

[stray]

Hmm...Wow. Good points from Haem and Lily. Never even considered that.

[WayAbvPar]

I do support the idea of a dress code, if only to level the playing field and eliminate the fucked-up elitism that comes with varying economic backgrounds. Feeling like I was being looked down upon for my parents' financial status was probably the most damaging experience of my formative years.

This was something I meant to address in my post. Thanks for bringing it up.

[HaemishM]

Actually, a dress code won't do dick for eliminating the elitism of high school, because it has little to do with high school and everything to do with the fact that human beings really like being total douchebags to each other. Especially if it makes them feel better about themselves.

Just because you are wearing the same clothes doesn't mean you'll look the same. The poorer kids will still get noticed for being poor, because the rich hang with the rich. Like congregates with like.

[Roac]

Point of note; there is a difference between dress codes and uniforms.  Soon as the school says that you can't wear a bikini or a kilt (correctly), you have a dress code.  Same for bans on Tshirts advertising pot, alcohol, or wearing your "farfromfuken" shirt to German class.  Uniform means "here, you get to wear this".

And no, I've no real problem with either.  The first is all but a requirement, and no problems if that includes facepaint.  Second is a bit tougher sell, although I'm not against it.

I don't like dress codes, because I do want kids to be able to express themselves.

They can.  At home, at their friend's house, at the mall, etc.  They can write, draw, and talk.  Public schools exist to teach the students something, hopefully lessons that are valuable.  It looks like this kid got a good lesson; don't be a jackass to authority.  Most public schools have a very casual dress code, but expect those minimums to be met as a matter of respect, decency, and as a weak stab at professionalism.  If he doesn't find that atmosphere suitable, he and his parents are welcome to home school him, or he can go to whatever private school names itself "Clowns Too Stupid To Pass 9th Grade High".

[stray]

Point of note; there is a difference between dress codes and uniforms.  Soon as the school says that you can't wear a bikini or a kilt (correctly), you have a dress code.  Same for bans on Tshirts advertising pot, alcohol, or wearing your "farfromfuken" shirt to German class.  Uniform means "here, you get to wear this".

And no, I've no real problem with either.  The first is all but a requirement, and no problems if that includes facepaint.  Second is a bit tougher sell, although I'm not against it.

I don't like dress codes, because I do want kids to be able to express themselves.

They can.  At home, at their friend's house, at the mall, etc.  They can write, draw, and talk.  Public schools exist to teach the students something, hopefully lessons that are valuable.  It looks like this kid got a good lesson; don't be a jackass to authority.  Most public schools have a very casual dress code, but expect those minimums to be met as a matter of respect, decency, and as a weak stab at professionalism.  If he doesn't find that atmosphere suitable, he and his parents are welcome to home school him, or he can go to whatever private school names itself "Clowns Too Stupid To Pass 9th Grade High".

Haem and Lily made a good point....Then you turned me right back around to where I stood before.

You guys really sound like a unfriendly bunch of old farts.

When they've tortured and scared you for twenty-odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be

There's room at the top they're telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be

[Roac]

You guys really sound like a unfriendly bunch of old farts.

Not unfriendly, just unsympathetic to bullshit cries of discrimination.  I'm very much behind ideas of protecting victims, and victim rights.  Misuse of authority is something that gets me irate fairly quickly, since it pretty much requires someone(s) be victimized in the process.  However, the key point is assuming there is a victim.  I'm in total disagreement that being told you can't show up at school looking like he did makes him a victim - just stupid. 

[voodoolily]

Actually, a dress code won't do dick for eliminating the elitism of high school, because it has little to do with high school and everything to do with the fact that human beings really like being total douchebags to each other. Especially if it makes them feel better about themselves.

Just because you are wearing the same clothes doesn't mean you'll look the same. The poorer kids will still get noticed for being poor, because the rich hang with the rich. Like congregates with like.

This wasn't totally my experience. After the aforementioned grunge movement, kids seemed to stop noticing that I wasn't wearing branded merch because the affordable old-man sweaters and tore-up fishnets with combat boots were edgy and gaining popularity. It only took a year or so before I was getting compliments from the richies instead of glances of disdain. The other shit, like being told to shut up by some dumb jock for spouting feminazi propaganda, seemed to cross class lines pretty equally. My point is, ridicule came to and from the economic classes of students equally once the clothing (and other obvious economic) issues were rendered moot.

[WayAbvPar]

It only took a year or so before I was getting compliments from the richies instead of glances of disdain.

Was this you in high school?  :-D

[Roac]

Actually, a dress code won't do dick for eliminating the elitism of high school

I'm guessing your parents had money to actually buy you clothes, instead of (for a significant period of time at least) receiving hand-me-downs that were out of style, and often didn't fit quite right.  The worst part about the elitism of clothing isn't that the rich are douches, it's that you get a visual slap every day that your life is suck.  It's utterly demoralizing without anyone *needing* to be a douche, although that they are doesn't help.  It's even more fun to get blamed for it, like it's your fault.

[Paelos]

Actually, a dress code won't do dick for eliminating the elitism of high school

I'm guessing your parents had money to actually buy you clothes, instead of (for a significant period of time at least) receiving hand-me-downs that were out of style, and often didn't fit quite right.  The worst part about the elitism of clothing isn't that the rich are douches, it's that you get a visual slap every day that your life is suck.  It's utterly demoralizing without anyone *needing* to be a douche, although that they are doesn't help.  It's even more fun to get blamed for it, like it's your fault.

None of that has to do with not painting your face. Wear all black, look like you hate the world, frown a lot. That's all fine in my book. This kid obviously crossed a line, and that's why the dress code is there. It's not a uniform, it's a guideline to keep people from being stupid.

[schild]

I went to an elementary school and middle school without a dress code. Kids who couldn't express themselves socially dressed like jackasses. I've zero sympathy. I was a jock, computer geek, and pretty popular guy all around. I never dressed like a jackass. Well, not a complete jackass and when I did it was because I'd either lost a bet or did it to prove a point. That said:

Dress codes are good. If only because most kids can't dress themselves. These are the same kids who think posting in the WoW forums is high intellectual thought. The same kids who don't think English class is worth their time. The same kids that wouldn't know MLA guidelines if it were injected into them while they were sleeping in class.

My high school had dress codes. People still stretched it as far as they could, but not because they wanted individualism. It was just to undermine authority. Which I can understand. In most cases, those with authority have some sort of plunger up their ass, providing pain and discomfort with every word they speak. I've no respect for arbitrary authority, but going from a non-dresscodified 8 years of school to a high school with a dress code, all I can say is good on them.

I started working the moment I legally could, roughly 3 days after I turned 15. I dressed in a way that could be described as normal. Sometimes a t-shirt, sometimes a polo, sometimes a button down. I had some stupid gimmick shirts, and then shirts from the goth/synth culture I was involved with. But never have I ever worn makeup to get attention or any reason for that matter. By and large, those who have to dress a certain way to make themselves feel better have very obviously got an absolutely core fundamental misunderstanding about how civilization operates. It's asinine, stupid, and only goes to show you how little parents pay attention to them. While it's a pity story, it's one I can't partake in. Dressing like a dumbass does not make you new friends. Particularly not the friends you were aiming to intimidate/charm with your newfound style.

As for the guy in the article, fuck him. There's extreme and then there's stupid beyond all conceivibility, he's the latter.

[Fargull]

I don't believe in dress codes.  I don't believe the age of 11 to 19 is easy.  The kid in the article obviously has esteem issues, not because he likes the punk look, but because he claims it makes him feel better.

Claiming kids have it on easy street is bullshit, at least in my perspective.  Middle school was a proving ground and highschool was hell.  Learning shit was secondary to discovering how to be a social individual.

Economic elitism is the only sound reason I have heard for a dress code and still does not cross that boarder for me.  Parental involvement and empathy are two of the aspects that should be emphasised, as well as teacher too student ratio.  The way kids dress is irrelevant next to those issues.

[Roac]

Except that we were discussing, among other things, dress uniforms vs dress codes.  And aside from that, makeup is normally included in any rules regarding personal appearance.  Further, when considering institutional rules like these, how the rules (or lack of) affects others is certainly important.  In this case it's not just about what this kid feels he should be able to do for his own sake, but also how what he does affects those around him.

[schild]

Middle school was hell for me as well. I wouldn't be such a cynic if it had been better. I'm thankful for that. Earth isn't flowers and marshmallows.

My high school had a dress code M-Thu and a dress uniform Friday. They gave tours on Friday and wanted us to look pretty. It made sense if you're a neanderthal. But you know what? They were pretty lax on M-Thu, and we still stretched it.

As far as the economic situation goes, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm suck it up. Public Schools however, if they have a uniform, they should provide it. If they aren't going to provide it, they need strict guidelines for what NOT to do, but not what to wear. Good taste shall prevail.

And Catholic schools should NEVER remove the plaid skirt. Ever.

[HaemishM]

Actually, a dress code won't do dick for eliminating the elitism of high school

I'm guessing your parents had money to actually buy you clothes, instead of (for a significant period of time at least) receiving hand-me-downs that were out of style, and often didn't fit quite right.  The worst part about the elitism of clothing isn't that the rich are douches, it's that you get a visual slap every day that your life is suck.  It's utterly demoralizing without anyone *needing* to be a douche, although that they are doesn't help.  It's even more fun to get blamed for it, like it's your fault.

I wore hand-me-downs a lot of my life. I was and am a skinny mofo for which nothing fits quite right. I got ridiculed more for being skinny than for my clothes. Not like I would have given two fucks if someone had ridiculed my clothes, because for the most part, I really didn't give a shit about anyone who wasn't a friend of mine or what they thought. The skinny stuff hurt a little, but having an older brother thickened the skin for me on that one.

My point is that if there is something to be pointed out or ridiculed on a person, whether its their clothes, their hair, their spotty skin, their funnel chest, their ginormous ass, or their tendency to dress like a retard complete with clown makeup, not only will high school kids ridicule you, adults will ridicule you, at your job. Now, adults might be a bit more subtle about it, depending on the adult and the situation, but humans really are just monkeys with language and an aversion to feces on our hands. We instinctively know the weak/different/scary/stupid and we seek to Darwinize them.

To quote two King Missle songs:

"We're pigs. That's just the way we are."

"I want to be different, just like all the other different people!"