Colored skin have privileges too.
     In my high school, we as students had dress codes. Of course, the girls had way more rules than the boys. Girls were not allowed to wear shorts above the mid-thigh level, low neck shirts, thin strap sleeve-less tops, see through shirts or anything that showed the midriffs or basically what the teachers considered inappropriate. While, the boys could not wear âwife beatersâ or see through shirts. If students were found violating the dress code, they were sent to the deanâs office. The first time the dean would provide the student to change into old athletic t shirts or basketball shorts. The second or third time the student violated the dress code would be given detention. As of 2014, according the demographics by the Chicago Tribune, my high school was primarily white (75.2%), Black (6.1%), Hispanic (10.3%), Asian (5.1%), Native American (.1%). Coming to the point, when I was in school there were about 5 or 6 Indians. The deans were always strict but I always assumed they didnât target the Indians because they often thought of us to be âgood kids.â Indian students tend to have a stereotype against them that they are smart, religious, bright and good kids that donât get into much trouble. I had noticed that most of my friends automatically assumed I was a smart, straight Aâs students on the first day of class and the teachers wouldnât ask me much questions in class because they assumed I was paying attention and taking notes. I always saw Indian students who did not follow the dress codes but were never questioned by the dean. Hence I would often joke with my friends that the dean would not question my shorts even if I went in their office. In fact, the deans would call me to their office to ask for my opinion about a fight that happened and be their witness. They always thought of me as a good student who is honesty (maybe I was to some extent). More or less, I was marginalizing the other students in my high school who werenât Indian or on the honor roll.
     I didnât think that the privilege I was given was a big deal until one day the dean told me to not wear those shorts again. She did not ask me to change, she let me go easily. First, I felt very embarrassed that I was wearing a pair of shorts that werenât longer than my mid-thigh. However, my shorts werenât super short or anything, I just have long legs so it makes it harder to find shorts that are longer than my mid-thigh. Second, I felt what the other students were feeling when they got caught. That was the moment when I thought it was wrong of me to have taken advantage of the stereotypes that were against me. I realized that it took the deans 4 years to find my shorts at fault. While, other students were getting hours and hours of detention for the 2nd or 3rd time they didnât follow the dress code. I wondered how angry and ashamed I would feel if I was them. Moreover, I realized that I should have been following the rules from day one and that my attitude and assumptions had to change. Essentially my wrong doings were only letting me take part of discrimination, stereotyping and racial profiling.
     As a result, people deal with inferences made about them based on the stereotypes according to their color. Sometimes these stereotypes may be positive or negative. Likewise, people may take these advantage of these inferences in a good or bad way. The best thing to do to stop marginalizing others in my case is to educate everyone about these issues. One should not find out that they may or may not have marginalized a group coming to college and taking a GWS class. These are the basic concepts people should learn in high school. Even in high school, I would not have known what stereotypes are if I didnât take a sociology class. Hence it is important to educate everyone to not take advantage of such situations. I also think that I wish I had a friend who knew better to correct me when I was taking advantage of the deanâs opinion of me.
By HK
http://schools.chicagotribune.com/school/downers-grove-north-hs_downers-grove
This article summarizes school dress code and how in a society we are formed by the higher education administrations opinion. Many, people are controlled in what they are wearing because it might not be appropriate. It might not fit into their norms, and that does make a big impact on a student. I completely agree, growing up in a Chicago school with a certain dress code of white shirt and blue pants I experienced the same thing.
This is a great example of privilege and of stereotyping.He became aware of it after taking a sociology class and I think it changed his perception on how others are forced to live.
