'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 1)

Dan Kaschel

on Apr 06, 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.

~Dan

crimson

on Apr 06, 2004

I think Dan is completely 100% wrong.
I send my daughter to Anishnaabe school. She learns our language, songs and stories, and has teachings that are still relative in our society. She learns how to hunt, fish, sew, cook, and most importantly, be a productive member in Anishnaabe society. She learns the social norms and relations of our culture.

Having said that, we are living in Ontario, Canada. I would guess that this small city that we live in is much alike to many other areas outside a larger city. We interact with this community on a day to day basis, and more than likely, she will, one day attend a school within this system, if not during secondary school, then post-secondary.

The future does not mean that what once was has to be regulated to the past. Traditions can carry on, for the good of the individual and for the community.

Muggaz

on Apr 06, 2004

Nicky... so do I!!!

Actually Dan, Your response was very blazé and it tells me you dont pay the matter the respect i think it commands. I think you missed the whole point of the article actually...

Spoken like a person of no culture... Sorry mate, I know its your opinion, but thats how i see it.

BAM!!!

Sherye Hanson

on Apr 06, 2004

A friend and I were talking about culture yesterday. She is Lao. She admitted that there are many aspects about her culture that she doesn't like and she doesn't participate in cultural events. On the other hand, we want to write a book of stories about women from her culture, so that their stories are not lost. Being of a different culture than the mainstream culture is hard. Multiculturism adds richness to a culture, but the children of immigrants usually just want to fit in and do not learn about it from their parents. Unless the are in a situation where everyone has the same culture, they will lose it.

Nicky your situation is ideal. She doesn't have to be told that she is stupid because she is learning to be Anishnaabe.

Jepel

on Apr 06, 2004

Muggaz: Don't think that secularism is opposite to multiculturalism. As secularism prevent any religion to take over the other or the state, you could also see is as a guarantee for the existence of difference.

After commenting on both blog, I start to realize that one big difference came from the role you give on religion. IMO, and I think for a lot of French, religion is considered as a philosophy whereas and so doesn't need be demonstrated in everyday life, it is a personal belief. faith is for your personal use.

I see a difference between fancy dress and religious signs. Don't you?

Back to multiculturalism, I can see two different approaches from French and Anglo Saxon model.

Anglosaxon build patchwork of communities by accepting all cultural differences, religions etc and adapting the state to communities. French state want to consider everybody equal, (ie. no positive discrimination), and the school is supposed to build this citizenship.
Both have advantages and defaults. In theory and practically.

Since the banning law, now children will have religion history lecture to teach them all the religions and their difference. It might answer your questions about learning the religious fact.

Dan Kaschel

on Apr 06, 2004

I disagree, Muggaz, but that's something that I can live with. I'm just opposed to dragging our past with us- museum's are great, but that doesn't mean we all have to be ideological pack rats.

~Dan

Muggaz

on Apr 06, 2004

This isn't about dragging past around mate...

Its about having the choice to drag it around...

BAM!!!

Tangled Wishes

on Apr 06, 2004

I agree with you Mugz, and I disagree with Dan. (Yet again...)

I think it's a good idea to embrace our cultures, learn about our ancestors, etc. In that way we can learn more about ourselves. And others, you know?

Smarticle.

~Anne

crimson

on Apr 06, 2004

Smarticle.

I like this

and I agree.

Locamama

on Apr 06, 2004

I went to Catholic school too and I remember every now and then we would have a "jeans" day but I wouldn't wear jeans because they weren't brand name. My mom thought I was ridiculous and that's just how it was. I didn't get the cool clothes for pouting. I think school is a hard place for kids to want to stand out and be different. We went to the Arlington Cemetary and their were several classes there on field trips - you would have thought they had uniforms because they all were wearing the same style of jeans and abercrombie shirts. It's kind of funny when you're an adult that its so obvious that they all want to be alike, wear the cool clothes and not stand out. But I do agree with your point that these kids in France should be free to express themselves and honor their religion by wearing what their tradition dictates. Bam- Bam Bam Bammm (Muggaz - I am now picturing you as Bam Bam from the Flintstones)

Dan Kaschel

on Apr 07, 2004

"I think it's a good idea to embrace our cultures, learn about our ancestors, etc. In that way we can learn more about ourselves. "

Reread my original post. I agree that we should learn about the past, but towards the purpose of bettering our future, not just for the sake of remembering.

~Dan

Tangled Wishes

on Apr 07, 2004

Damn it! I said something smart for once. Now I have to back it up. I don't think I can.

Sorry Dan.

~Anne

Muggaz

on Apr 07, 2004

I will do it for You Anne...

Your original post tells me that we should disregard tradition, and just remembering it will do fine... apparently that is the way of the world, and we should just embrace globalisation...

Please tell me that isn't what you mean... because i find that attitude almost despicable.

Locamama - thanks for stopping by! Pebbles is hot

BAM!!! BAM!!! BAM!!!

new-age nomad

on Apr 07, 2004

Mark, I've returned to this article about 20 times trying to decide what to say about it. It's just too perfect. I can't believe you grew up in a catholic school----no wonder you're so screwed up!

, J/K....my mom's whole family is Catholic and she's pretty messed up, so I'm biased in the matter.

Free dress days? I just can't fathom having to wear uniforms. I get upset that I'm not allowed to wear pajamas and slippers...which is why I do it anyway. Pajamas represent my culture. hehehheh....

I definately think we should embrace our cultures, but Americans don't really seem to havea culture. For me, it's like my culture is to live in a trailer and smoke weed all day.

"""""Will kids in France wear their Yarmulkes and Habibs on 'free dress' days?
I truly hope so.""""""

I truly hope every day will be a so called "Free Dress Day".

""""""No one deserves to be discriminated against for beliefs."""""

No One? Not even like Hitler? Hmmmm.....

I like that you're on a mission to stand up for what you believe in and not judge people on appearance. That makes me happy!

Trinitie

Muggaz

on Apr 08, 2004

I hate to say this, but Anti-Semites should not be discriminated against as much as Jew's should not be discriminated against.

It's when people use their beleifs and try to force them on others, and take an agressive stance to those people - aka Hitler/Osama/Arial Sharon/Dan Kaschel - we have a problem.

(Dan, i am just joking... just dont say i am going to Hell... it makes me angry.)

BAM!!!

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