'Free Dress Days'

I like your Yarmulke, it matches your shoes!

Published on April 6, 2004 By Muggaz In Current Events

I was reading Stevendedalu-s blog and an article on Multiculturalism and it really got me thinking - children shape the future of our world, what are the French children who have gone to non-government secular schools where they are banning Religious paraphernalia going to turn out like? What kind of attitudes can we expect from that part of the world in the future?

How did I learn about Islam? How did I learn about Asian culture? How did I learn about the various European cultures? Generally through friends at school. I noticed the reverence they pay to certain aspects of their life, and as an ethical human being - it’s my responsibility to respect them for their belief. If someone wears something out of school that isn't allowed at school, when you are a younger person, are they not somewhat of a freak? I remember the kids who you would see at parties on the weekend, with about 16 piercing's and green hair... you always suspected at school, but it always shocked you.

I am speaking from the perspective of an Anglo-Saxon male, who went to uniformed private schools all my life. We didn't have anyone with habibs, or not even Yarmulke’s for that matter - it was a Catholic school, but when you went back to your friends places on the weekends, or after school - that was when that we learnt about these weird and wonderful cultures.

Did kids at school pick on other's for their beliefs and because they looked different? That is a certainty. When you are a kid, you definitely suffer from the group mentality - all it takes is one stupid alpha male, who has not been witness to the advantages of multiculturalism, and has not had the environment which one needs to learn respect for other cultures, then the poor victim is finished. Tirades of abuse about curry, sexual relations with animals, and rice will flow. Kids aren't strong enough to stand up in a situation like that.

The culture in France is certainly very different from mine. I am trying to imagine myself in a French school, where I know the kids are different... I was fortunate enough to attend school for a while when I went to France, so I have the mental picture half way there - its just the lack of religious symbols and articles I am struggling to fathom. Are kids in France subject to the same torment mentioned above? Has it really got to the stage that people have to deny who they are when going to school to avert possible discrimination?

I remember the 'Free Dress' days at school - where we could where what we liked because of a special event or some such. At school - this was a competition of who had the coolest clothes. I remember specifically thinking "Awesome, I have a free dress day coming up, I can wear my new jacket/jeans/shoes and look really cool!!!" That’s what kids are like... If you didn't have the latest Nikes, the coolest Jeans, or the raddest cap, it's not like you weren't accepted, but if you did have the cool clothes, it was something that was noted. My School was run by superficial twats - but I was a kid, I was subject to the group mentality - it was important for me to fit in.

I am older now, and I realise it's my responsibility to stand up for what I believe in, I realise that someone is not 'lower' than me because they don’t have cool sunglasses. I also know that what I wear is an important way of expressing myself. Alas, how do we make the world aware that someone is not a freak if they choose to express their Religion through their appearance? No one deserves to be discriminated against for beliefs.

This isn't about kids at schools discriminating, it is about a collective fear of something different - a degree of scepticism is warranted - change is scary, but only because there is fear in the first place. Fear breeds fear.

The children of France have two questions:

Is it more important to deny your past and become part of the crowd?
Or be proud of who you are, where you come from, and what you represent?

It's up to the adults of this world to show these kids the answers, embrace multiculturalism.

Will kids in France wear their Yarmulkes and Habibs on 'free dress' days?

I truly hope so.

BAM!!!

Comments (Page 2)

Dan Kaschel

on Apr 08, 2004

"Cultures change, Muggaz. It may not be progression in itself to wear jeans and red caps, but it is a byproduct of progression. We should remember our heritages, not try to maintain them. But certainly free dress day is an appropriate day to bring back a little of the past."

For the record, I'd like to repost this. Read it any weep. WE SHOULD REMEMBER OUR HERITAGES. I even supported the whole free-dress day thing. Sheesh what do you want...

Anne, you make smart comment constantly. Don't sweat it.

Muggaz, you're going to Hell.

~Dan

jane h

on Nov 30, 2004

Hi Nicky G,
I did a Google search for anishnabe school and came upon this site. Please contact me, I am desperately looking for an Anishnabe school in Ontario to contact to talk about curriculum. thanks...
jumpinjazz84@hotmail.com

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