As a student of Dallas ISD I have decided to start a petition in protest to the irrationally strict dress code rules. The general guidelines for students, majorly females, and the clothes they can wear in this school system is shocking and, frankly, quite disappointing. We cannot ignore the simple truth that clothing stores do not sell a wide variety of shorts for girls that are below fingertip length, if any, so young women are forced to wear long pants and jeans in 90-100 degree weather simply to avoid suspension. Not only does this present health risks, such as nausea, overheating and even fainting, but it promotes victim blaming in the (unfortunately, extremely prevalent) case of sexual harassment among students. Going off of this, are we as a county seriously willing to send a student home and deprive him or her of their education simply because they’re “showing too much of their skin”?

   It has become quite apparent that the majority of dress codes are sexist. How is it that ripped jeans, sweatpants and/or shorts and leggings are prohibited from being worn, but the skirts that cheerleaders wear are allowed? 

   Due to the aforementioned reasoning, you are prioritizing the sexualization of a woman/male’s body over their right to learn and grow as a human being. Therefore, I am approaching the county board of education peacefully and asking, on the behalf of all students, to please reform your thinking on what kind of clothing is appropriate. Thank you.