Today, my daughter was dress coded for wearing inappropriate clothing. She wore two tank tops, one that was long enough to cover her entire stomach area and tuck into her jeans, a shorter one on top and a sweater on top of that. What exactly was visible? Her collarbone was showing. This was her second day of high school and she was one of several students called out for "inappropriate" outfits. At a full assembly earlier in the day, one student was asked to mockingly shame other students for inappropriate dress.

New Orleans is a city that celebrates creativity and expression. Students and teachers participate in many activities outside of school in which dressing in colorful, creative outfits is not only appreciated, but expected. I have seen several teachers at cultural events dressed in what would be deemed inappropriate clothing, according to the school's dress code. Lusher Charter School is a supposed arts-focused school that should for all purposes, support creativity and expression in as many ways as possible, including dress. Instead, it is mocking and shaming girls for wearing clothes that might be distracting. 

Punishing women for having bodies instead of dealing with men who act inappropriately about said bodies is wrong. It is not a lesson I want to teach my child. And yes, you might say "but these are the rules," no one is arguing that this doesn't violate these rules; the point is these rules are bad. Bad rules that promote shaming and sexism should be dismantled and disavowed.

Join me in calling on Lusher Charter School principal Wiley Ates to invite parents, students and administrators to have a fair and unbiased assembly and discussion about their outdated, punitive dress code.