Man gets arrested after getting booted from graduation over dress code

It happened at Independence's Community Christ Auditorium, where Ruskin Heights held its graduation, KBMC reports. The man was told he couldn't attend the ceremony because he wasn't following the dress code, which led to him getting angry, which somehow led to his arrest. (Corrected from earlier version, which listed him as Dad -- sorry about that, Ni.)

RDM doesn't feel sorry for the guy: "Moral of the story? Suit yourself … you knew the rules!!!"

Tony, though, says these rules are usually enforced unfairly:

Sadly, if these rules were enforced across the board they might be defensible (not really) but they're not ... The real world application of these arbitrary dress codes serves as nothing more than flimsy justification to chase young, minority males away from Kansas City destinations. Pretending otherwise is nothing more than willful ignorance or tacit support for this town's current manifestation of racism.

Comments

[tim]

he couldn't have said anything more true about dress codes at clubs. Also ask why a shot of grey goose is $8 at Lucky Strike in KC P&L District but a shot of Remy Martin is $15... answer is they don't wont to "attract the wrong type of crowd"

[The_Golfer]

Parents and students were told what the dress code was well in advance. What is exceptable and what wasn't. He defied the rules, told to go home and change, refused, allegely acted out, and got taken away in cuffs.

I say alleged because I wasn't there, so I don't really know.

This is what is wrong with things today. Certian people think they don't have to adhere to the rules. Send them home

[noneposted]

The guy got arrested for his behavior, not his dress.

I feel sorry for his son.

[Brad]

No shirt, no shoes, no service. If it works at a freakin' 7-11 then it should work at a graduation ceremony. Glad they tossed his butt out. Rather disrespectful of his own son's achievements.

[tim]

if you guys were denied entry into some place because of your cowboy hats and belt buckles you'd be upset too

[noneposted]

If there was a dress code that said "No Hats", I would take my hat off.

Now, at that point, they may boot me because of my hat hair. I would have to read the entire code.

I think everyone is missing the big picture this event was held at the Independence's Community Christ Auditorium. Now why is a high school graduation held at a Christan Community center? Are all the kids in this school Christians? This issue is bigger then race.

[SAW]

If I was seen wearing a cowboy hat and large belt buckle.....yes, that in itself would upset me.

[bh]

This has happened before. Generally the students have a say in the dress code. We try to instill pride and responsibilty in our kids and don't always succeed. This day is for the graduates, and I think a dress code is a great idea. This rule is not designed to keep a certain element out, it's designed to create more significance to the event.

[noneposted]

The dress code had nothing to do with it being a Christian Community Center nor did it have anything to do with race. Quit whining.

[aqua]

Looking at the pic, I see nothing wrong with what Dad was wearing. He had on slacks and a nice shirt. A man his size would be expensive to buy or rent a suit jacket.

As for the belt buckle and cowboy hat, I'm fine with that. But don't ask me to take muh spurs off...

[Vibiana]

Independence is my hometown, although I haven't lived there since 1990, and I grew up in the Community of Christ church, then called the RLDS Church.

Graduations have traditionally been held there because it is the only venue in the Eastern Jackson County area large enough to seat the number of people who typically attend high school graduations.

I might also add that certain schools, such as Van Horn, lost their privilege to use the Auditorium because the attendees vandalized the seats.

[The_Golfer]

Almost every high school on the Missouri side uses the auditorium at the Community of Christ church for graduation. Enough space for everyone and plenty of parking.

I know that Liberty uses it too.

[JDog]

anonymous,
It was the Mormon's "Christ" center, not Christian.
It is very interesting that the graduation for a public school was held at a 100% religious site; forget the denomination.
Beyond that, the rules were communicated in advance of the service so "dad" (white, black, brown or red) had options. 1) Abide 2) Don't go.
I don't see "race" in this. But, I'm open to persuasion.

KEEP RELIGION OUT OF SCHOOLS! Find somewhere else to hold graduation. As far as the dress code who cares the probably instituted it in a different time where people though it meant something, and probably didn't enforce it so harshly. Now some man will never see his child graduate because of their stupid rules.

[Keith G. in P.V.]

From Seatle, proof that dress codes aren't aimed only at minorities and old pharts in Speedos.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/362641_needle12.html

[Ed K]

No shirt, no shoes, no service. If it works at a freakin' 7-11 then it should work at a graduation ceremony.
Posted by: Brad | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 09:53 AM

Have you been to a 7-11 or QuikTrip during the summer months? I see no shirt, no shoes, all the time. Of course, whether it's a young piece of tail in a bikini flopping her nasty feet all over a store that sells food or some gross guy whose boobs are bigger than mine, the clerks won't do anything - get the money, get the money, get the money.

I actually had to ask the manager of my favorite grocery store to please ask the lady with the DOG in her freakin' arms to take it outside. I buy my FOOD here, lady, and my children and I don't need to be exposed to your pet's dander or anal glands.

Sorry to have posted that part before lunch.

[noneposted]

anon - it is a building. There was no mention of them holding a religious service there during the graduation.

I would be willing to bet if that man was more interested in seeing his son graduate, than being a jerk, he would have tucked his shirt in or done whatever the code outlined.

Sorry to be mean, but you sound like a whiner, the same type of whiner who thinks our country owes them something.

[tim]

why are all dress code rules aimed at hip hop culture?

[Sean]

"anonymous,
It was the Mormon's "Christ" center, not Christian.
It is very interesting that the graduation for a public school was held at a 100% religious site; forget the denomination.
Beyond that, the rules were communicated in advance of the service so "dad" (white, black, brown or red) had options. 1) Abide 2) Don't go.
I don't see "race" in this. But, I'm open to persuasion."

It wasn't Morman. Community of Christ isn't Morman. Learn about things before talking of them.

I'm sure that if there was a large enough building to hold a graduation in the area, you crying liberals who don't believe in God would have been able to move the graduation there. The event had nothing to do with religion by the way, it was just a use of a space that was big enough.

[urbangirl]

Whether business dress codes are restrictive or not is not the issue.
This was a high school graduation at a school that is predominantly black and brown. If they wanted to discriminate, they would have had to put everyone out.

However it would have been nice to know what portion of the dress code the father violated.

It seems they wanted to have a sense of pride and respect for what these kids had accomplished.

And I sort of remember a similar incident a few years ago that involved a racially mixed crowd and some black and white parents did get stopped for wearing jeans or something.

Now back to businesses. I do think some parts of these codes can be discriminator, like the one that target a specific hairstyle worn mainly by one race. Once there was a club downtown that said no braids. So I guess Stevie Wonder wouldn't have been allowe to play there was my response?

But as far as prices. I say set them where you want. A lot of black-orientated clubs set their prices higher to keep the low-class people out too. Some set age restrictions.

[tim]

Right I'm sure dad didn't violate on purpose. That's probably why he got upset because he felt he was within the dress code and they still messed with him

[kmb]

Not everyone can afford a suit, tie and respectable shoes.

It's nice to have a dress code, but to ask someone to buy a whole new outfit (even at a thrift store, assuming you can find the proper clothes in your size) for a one-day occasion might mean that you've consigned that someone to staying away from an occasion that might mean everything to them (watching a kid graduate).

urbangirl - I agree, it sure would have been nice to know exactly what part of the dress code this man violated. (Heck, the story doesn't even say what the dress code was! - yeah, this town is full of great reporters.)

[noneposted]

no braids? that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

[Time to Be Serious]

Aqua, we don't know what size the guy was, because the shirt is way too baggy, and comes down to just about his knees. You can't see his pants in any detail r/t the exposure of the photo.

There should be a difference between what is worn at a bar and what is worn at a graduation. It's a well-demonstrated fact that appearances do make a difference in how people view things--whether it be a neighborhood with boarded up shops or a graduation.

And for those of you who object to a graduation being held in a religious building, I suggest you get out your checkbooks--yours, not someone elses--and build a venue.

[The_Golfer]

Sean - Community of Christ was RLDS, the Reformd Latter Day Saints. And they are not true Mormans, that is the LDS Church headquartered in Salt Lake. Community of Christ is headquartered in Independence.

[tru]

I think people are overreacting to the fact that the graduation was held in a religious auditorium. I graduated from Ruskin in the 90s, and my graduation was held at RLDS, now Community Christ Auditorium. It didn’t bother me that the ceremony was held in a place where a faith different from my own is practiced. It’s not like the graduates are forced to listen to a prayer or any religious language prior to or during the ceremony. The kids really don’t care. It’s just a large auditorium that can hold the graduates and their friends and family, and is affordable for the school. There is absolutely nothing religious about the ceremony; that’s why an optional baccalaureate is available.

As far as the dress code is concerned, I don’t know what the dress code was, so I can’t comment on it too much. I do know stricter dress codes were enforced for our homecoming celebrations when I went to school there. As one poster wrote, these dress codes aid in evoking the significance of the ceremony. I don’t see it as a race issue, especially with the number of minority instructors and administrators in the school and the district. I’m sure if one man was wearing baggy pants, and the other a worn, NASCAR t-shirt (excuse the stereotypes), both would have been asked to change or go home.

I do think race is an issue in some dess codes I've seen, but don't believe that is the case here.

[Ni]

The man that the news outlet is reporting was the father of a student happens to be my 20 year old nephew (good job media on checking the facts). He was at the graduation with the rest of our family to watch my cousin graduate.

A teacher who knew him from his past attendance at Ruskin denied him entry into the graduation because she considered him a "problem" student from his years at the school. He was upset about being denied entry into the auditorium because he WAS dressed appropriately. A few minutes later the same teacher (who is the only witness) accused him of scratching the police car and he was arrested for disorderly conduct.

[Sean]

"Sean - Community of Christ was RLDS, the Reformd Latter Day Saints. And they are not true Mormans, that is the LDS Church headquartered in Salt Lake. Community of Christ is headquartered in Independence."

Reorganized Church LDS. Again learn before speaking. They broke away from the Mormans due to different beliefs. Different beliefs make you a different religion. This is why the name was changed. Uninformed people kept calling them Mormans. Many religions broke away due to different beliefs, that doesn't mean that they still are that religion. It's a different one.

I just don't think it is right for people to have to congregate in a Church related atmosphere. I think they should find a better place. If there is no better place build one. If no money to build one get money form the church who seems so willing to allow activities to be held there. They don't need anymore money. And as as far a whining I may be but i am avidly anti- Christianity and a firm believer in the separation of church and state. If you have a problem with that then you are just as bad as these people who enforce these ridiculous rules. You cannot enforce one rule and not another.

[noneposted]

To the person who doesn't sign his/her comments - It is just a building. Get over it.

I figured you would want somebody else to pay for a building. Why should the church pay for your building? Then wouldn't it be also a church building since they paid for it?

And - Ni - if he got denied entry because of the reasons you said, then we have a wh

[IZ]

I have been to many graduations and there is a certain way that a person should dress and a certain code of conduct that should be followed. If the school provided such information prior to the graduation then it is the parents/grandparents/friends etc. to abide by the guidelines.
Personnally I don't see a problem with were the ceremony took place. This is a large enough facility to hold several thousand people. If they didn't hold it in this large of a facility then parents would complain because they would have to limit the amount of people that could come to the ceremony per student. Catch 22. Who cares if this factility has a religous name, they are not there to hear a sermon!

[noneposted]

ole different situation and I would probably be siding with your nephew. I hope we get all of the facts.

[craig]

"If no money to build one get money form the church who seems so willing to allow activities to be held there."

So you'll take their money but not use their building, and you want a seperation. Again a liberal looking for handouts.

[James Hart]

Ni: Sorry about getting that wrong; I've updated the post to list it as "Man," not "Dad."

Not to impose, but would you mind emailing me the name of your nephew? I'm going to call Indy PD to see if I can get a copy of the report, or to see if they're going to drop charges.

This page is funny everyone skims everyone else's comments and then slams them for not agreeing with them. Guess what we are all wrong and will always be wrong there is no sense in arguing with people who have opinions because thats all they are there is no right or wrong in the end.

[The_Golfer]

And Sean must be a Re-Organized Church of Latter Day Saints - did I get it right?

Sean - my late wife was RLDS and she did not like the change to Community of Christ. Along with disliking the commercials they made. They were divorcing themselves even more from the LDS in SLC, but made themselves even closer to looking like a cult. And remember, my wife, a life long memeber, said this.

[The_Golfer]

So Ni - your cousin was considered guilty until proven innocent?

[concerned]

I am disgusted with fools like Tony and others who always inject race and religion into issues which are matters of civility and common sense. I do not attend the Community of Christ Church, but I am grateful that they have made their facility available for graduations.

Like a private business, it's their uilding and the School Disrict's activity,so they have a right to determine reasonable standards for dress and conduct. From the picture, the man looked like a slob. He could have enough respect for himself and others to have at least tucked his shirt inside his pants. Dress codes seek to establish some form of diginity and respect, so why not at a high school graduation? If he was white, wearing a NASCAR jacket and dirty jeans, then he should has been escorted out as well. Besides, a decent pair of dress pants and a shirt can be purchased for less than $30 at Wal-Mart, people like him will spend more on booze and cigarettes! Dress reflects attitude about one's self and others. We have become a nation of slobs and our culture breakdown reflects it!

To Tony and the other white -culture and Christain hating bigots, be careful what you wish for, because you may have to live with the consequences!!!

[Sean]

My family is Community of Christ, yes. And yes, they divorced themselves from the LDS due to different beliefs. As far as Cult like, I would be interested to know what she feels is cult like. That has been one aspect that I never felt. In going to many different church services of different religions over the years, out of curiosity of other religions, I found it to be pretty close to most Christian religions.

I was at the graduation last night. The audience was well behaved (except for a few screamimg teen girls) and well dressed.
as I entered I heard adults asking why people did not follow the wishes and mandates of the school. As some said we have known about the dress code for months and it is printed on the ticket. And how interesting that the media picked up on this and not how nice the ceremony was.

[Time to Be Serious]

Ni, thanks for the update/correction. That's a whole different situation than the one presented by the article.

While there are circumstances in which it's indicated to ban someone from an event based on past problems, I wonder is the school had a policy setting out what the standards were.

[noneposted]

"people like him will spend more on booze and cigarettes" - you don't even know him so that is a weird thing to say.

Sometimes hard working, non-smoking, non-drinking people don't have 30 dollars to spend on clothes...because they are spending it on gas and milk and their kids.

Hey for those of you who think building another facility is the answer, let's build another jail first. There's probably more people going to jail these days than graduating from high school! Congrtaulations to those who did though! It can be done!

[a_smpl_grl]

was he not wearing a suit out of defiance or could it just be that he couldn't afford on due to economic reasons. is this school in a disadvantaged neighborhood? if he was not causing a disturbance prior to being rejected at the door, and if he was at least wearing shirt, shoes and pants he should have been admitted in to see his child graduate.

why buy a suit for 1 event some people just don't care about appearance which i applaud him for you shouldn't have to dress up if you don't want to is just another thing that is completely unnecessary. This is America we should be able to wear whatever the hell we want.

[Ed K]

"This is America we should be able to wear whatever the hell we want."

So, anonymous poster, you wouldn't mind if I showed up to your wedding or funeral or other solemn, ceremonial occasion wearing my Daisy Dukes, halter top and flip-flops?

Good to know.

Honestly I wouldn't care what you showed up in as long as you went doing it just to be a dick, and actually wanted to be there who am i to tell you what is appropriate. I would want every one to feel comfortable and not feel like it was a chore to come to said event.

[The_Golfer]

Sean - what she meant, like I said she died 7 years ago, was the commercials when they first changed the name looked cult like and she did not really like the name.

And I was raised Methodist and I have been to Methodist churches in KC that I thought were not what I was expecting.

Biggest cult to me, outside of Scientology, is the Evangelical right wingers.

Enough about this, this has to do with how he was dressed, perception of him by an old teacher, and the fallout.

I am white and I bet if something similar happens when Liberty goes there, 90% white, there will be no air time. The TV stations in town are told when the predominantly black schools are graduating to get these stories. Just my opinion.

[concerned]

For the self-righteous liberal minority who want Christainity and American traditions separated schools and society, then I want the religions and ideologies of secularism, pro-abortion, environmentalism (aka Global Warming,carbon footprints) separated from schools and society as well! I am disgusted with these religions being cramped-down without honest debate with State-sponsorship and my taxdollars. Afterall, "Freedom of Religion" is for everyone not just you!!

Judging from the "bling" he's sporting, I'd say being able to afford something appropriate was not the issue here. He wanted to look cool. He's a thug.

[SAW]

The whole point to the story is that anyone with any amount of class that lives in a decent society should know how to dress appropriately for an occasion such as this without having to be told numerous times. By dressing up, we show respect for the person we are honoring and the occasion.

In the old days (when people were VERY poor), they had one set of clothes for work/leisure and one set for church...so don't give me that "they can't afford it" crap. Prioritize your money.

For the self-righteous liberal minority who want Christianity and American traditions separated schools and society, then I want the religions and ideologies of secularism, pro-abortion, environmentalism (aka Global Warming,carbon footprints) separated from schools and society as well!

Yeah unfortunately all of these other things haven't slaughtered millions of people in their name.

[Sean]

I got ya. Some of those commercials were pretty wierd. Personally I feel people should be ejected only if they are causing a disturbance for others there, no matter the reason. Whether it be by the clothes they are wearing, the air horns they are blowing, or the confetti they throw. If it's in moderation, ok. But if it's bothersome to the people around them, then boot 'em.

"he couldn't have said anything more true about dress codes at clubs. Also ask why a shot of grey goose is $8 at Lucky Strike in KC P&L District but a shot of Remy Martin is $15... answer is they don't wont to "attract the wrong type of crowd""

The real question to ask is why a shot of grey goose costs $8... good christ what a ripoff. Go P&L, overcharging for everything.

"he couldn't have said anything more true about dress codes at clubs. Also ask why a shot of grey goose is $8 at Lucky Strike in KC P&L District but a shot of Remy Martin is $15... answer is they don't wont to "attract the wrong type of crowd""

The real question to ask is why a shot of grey goose costs $8... good christ what a ripoff. Go P&L, overcharging for everything.

The whole point to the story is that anyone with any amount of class that lives in a decent society should know how to dress appropriately for an occasion such as this without having to be told numerous times. By dressing up, we show respect for the person we are honoring and the occasion.

What if you have or don't want any "class?"

Used to be that people knew what etiquette was, and they automatically knew what was deemed appropreate to wear to certain social type gatherings, especially graduations. You could even get by with a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt without a tie if one was really in a bind financially and could not afford a full fledged suit. Common sense left this country about 30 or so years ago. Too bad they don't teach them this in the schools because it is obvious that the parents are not teaching that to their children so they believe that flip flops, shorts, saggy pants, bib overalls, cowboy boots, and hawaiian shirts are acceptable to events like this. That in itself is the reason that the schools had to institute a dress code. Race has nothing to do with it. Have some pride and dignity for a change!

As far as the RLDS Auditorium, like most have stated, that is where most, if not all of the graduations for High Schools have taken place over the years, however, a few districts have changed where they hold their graduation ceremonies in recent years. It is always sad to see some of these misguided atheiest goons whine about where these graduation ceremonies are held because they feel ashamed of themselves when they do enter a place of worship! Get over it!

[winkyb2me]

"A teacher who knew him from his past attendance at Ruskin denied him entry into the graduation because she considered him a "problem" student from his years at the school."

Sorry, Ni, but it sounds to me like he still is a "problem."

[Ni]

My point is he was allegedly denied entrance because of the dress code, when in fact we made sure everyone in our group was dressed appropriately. This was not the first Ruskin graduation we've attended. In fact we’ve been through this process 7 times in the last few years. My concern is this teacher singled him out because of past interactions with him.

[atheiest goon]

It's not so much shame except i would be ashamed of myself for setting foot in a place like that, but really it's more disgust for the whole ideal and how much money the church had to guilt people into giving to build that center. Also for a peaceful religious type you seem so quick to attack those with different beliefs then your own. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[tim]

so if a person can't afford a nice suit or something then they have no class?

"so if a person can't afford a nice suit or something then they have no class?"

Apparently and that makes you a bad person.

[Ni]

He was wearing black pants and a gray polo shirt with a white T-shirt underneath. This was clearly within the dress code guidelines If they were truly enforcing the dress code why were there individuals inside with shorts, tank dresses, flip flops and other dress that was clearly spelled out on back of the tickets as inappropriate?

[noneposted]

Ni - what is the dress code? And what part of it did they say he violated? I am curious. Thanks.

[gee]

Come on now, did the dress code require an actual suit?

A person may not have enough money to spring for a suit, but a collared dress shirt from JC Penney's or Marshall's shouldn't be too difficult to swing.

Used to be that people knew what etiquette was, and they automatically knew what was deemed appropreate to wear to certain social type gatherings, especially graduations. You could even get by with a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt without a tie if one was really in a bind financially and could not afford a full fledged suit. Common sense left this country about 30 or so years ago. Too bad they don't teach them this in the schools because it is obvious that the parents are not teaching that to their children so they believe that flip flops, shorts, saggy pants, bib overalls, cowboy boots, and hawaiian shirts are acceptable to events like this. That in itself is the reason that the schools had to institute a dress code. Race has nothing to do with it. Have some pride and dignity for a change!

Used to be

[noneposted]

Ni - If that is the case, I am starting to side with your nephew, here. Something seems fishy...

[Ni]

I don't have it with me today, but it stated no jeans, shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, short skirts, flip flops etc...which I personally saw some of these things worn by attendees.

I have no problem with the dress code, or them denying entry after a certain time. My problem is that a specific teacher who knew my nephew because he had previously attended the school singled him out and denied him entry then used the dress code as an excuse.

If my nephew had done something wrong I would be quick to say let his punishment fit his action. However this is one time I agree with him when he said the teacher picked him out because she didn't like him.

[noneposted]

It doesn't seem like he was breaking the dress code based on that information. I am sorry your family is going through this. I bet it has been stressful.

[Kelly]

This is the dress code. Nothing unreasonable to me.

"No headbands, sweatpants, jerseys, tank tops, no droopy pants, shirts must be tucked in."

"It doesn't seem like he was breaking the dress code based on that information. I am sorry your family is going through this. I bet it has been stressful."

Are you kidding me he got arrested for a disturbance not like he got beat to death buy the cops. I bet the only thing making this stressful is all of you.

Don't be ridiculous.

[SAW]

"so if a person can't afford a nice suit or something then they have no class?"

"Apparently and that makes you a bad person."

Get real, how many people really can't afford a cheap pair of dark slacks, dark shoes, and a dress shirt?...$40-$50 at Wal-Mart. Most "poor" people choose to spend what little money they have on clothes that they think look cool, not on at least ONE appropriate outfit for these occasions like they should. YES...THAT IS LOW CLASS...AND YES THAT MAKES YOU A BAD PERSON.

[noneposted]

well, i do realize that, but i can also see that we don't have all of the facts.
What if his cousin WAS singled out? I don't excuse his behavior afterwards, but based on what Ni stated (and nothing else because I wasnt there), it seems like there is more to the story.

[noneposted]

plus, I have dealt with stupid stupid school officials before, so I know how frustrating some can be. I am not saying it is okay to cause a disturbance.

[Ni]

SAW I appreciate your comments but my nephew is far from low class. He had on appropriate attire that was well within the dress code that was lined out by the school district. If they were truly enforcing this policy then I should not have witnessed individuals in shorts, tank tops, flip flops etc....

[mike d]

NI I don't know your nephew or what his "problem" was when he was in school but it is a perfect example(fair or not)for young people that past actions have a way of coming back and biting you on the butt.

[SAW]

Ni-
I am not singling out your nephew, especially if others were dressed as you say. I just believe we have become too lax as a society in what we deem to be appropriate dress for an occasion such as this.

Behavior and dress at graduations is deplorable.

I attended a ceremony of a major university two years ago. In the program and at the beginning they asked everyone to hold all applause until the entire class had received diplomas. Early on one young man was called and for 90 minutes we had to sit and listen to various female members of his family shreak "TOOOOBBBBBBBBY" over and over and over at incredible volume. The ushers refused to do anything because they did not want a racial incident.

At a high school graduation some people brought in those loud horns that are used on boats.

It is disgusting.

[Steve Urkel]

Speaking on lucky strikes, why is there a dress code for a freaking bowling alley? I was denied entry because they said my polo shirt was too baggy. I'm a big guy that likes loose fitting clothing. I feel if my clothing is appropriate for corp. american it should be ok for a bowling alley. They must want people to dress like Steve Urkel. I guess they don't want to attract the wrong crowd because I would never go back there again!

[Ni]

Mike I would tend to agree with you and I’m probably shocking my nephew by taking his side on this issue. That doesn’t make what happened last night right.

I agree that dress should be appropriate. I don’t see anything wrong with wearing a polo shirt verses a button down shirt. This is considered business casual and since he works for a major cell phone carrier and this was clothing that he wears to work, I think it was appropriate.

I do not see how you could say he was within dress code. Unless the popo untucked his shirt all the way like that. Just another troublemaker that only deserves attention from a racist blogger like Tony.

[Time to Be Serious]

It would be nice if the Star could actually write an article that provided the facts, but since they didn't.....

Someone posted that the dress code called for shirts to be tucked in. The photo accompanying the article (who knows if the Star got the correct photo posted)shows a shirt definately untucked.

IF that was the problem, then it was easily remedied.

If the problem was related to past disruptive or violent behavior, then I tend to have some sympathy with the teacher who denied entry. As many violent episodes as occur at schools and school functions these days, safety is an overriding concern.

[smog]

You gotta love the comment regarding dress codes being a racist maneuver. These are the same codes applied to schools in this city. The codes are meant to discourage the thug like behavior that goes along with those many enjoy walking, while struggling to keep they (their) pants from going to their ankles. For those who don't already know this, like the racist fool who wrote this policy is racist, the practice of sagging started in prison. If an inmate sagged, showing his crack, he was considered off limits and already belonged to another inmate.
The practice of sagging is not only very time consuming, but who wants to look like some one's lil bitch. There have been some very funny bits done by black comedians regarding how stupid this and huge white T-shits are. Grow UP!

[Danny]

Right or wrong on the entry part, what justified the keying of the police car?

[PT]

For all of the people on here calling it a racial issue, keep making your excuses for how things are and how you are treated. Excuses get you no where or well where you are. Get a clue.

[noneposted]

allegedly keyed the car...

[James Hart]

Time To Be Serious: I'd been meaning to get calls out to police and the school, but I've been a little swamped today with non-blog-related work. That'll be one of my projects tomorrow. Thanks.

[Kelly]

"non-blog-related work"

What??

[Ni]

allegedly keyed the car...

Posted by: noneposted | Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 03:55 PM

And for the record Independence police DID NOT charge him with any crime.

[Eddie B]

DRESS CODES AREN'T RACIST!

In the context of dress codes at bars and nightclubs, they're meant to keep people away based on their behavior and not their race. If thugs just so happen to wear saggy clothes, baseball caps, long white t-shirts, athletic jerseys and jackets, and doo-rags then it only makes sense to have a dress code than bans those specific items.

If hillbillies that patronized bars around town had a documented history of being involved in fights, shootings, robberies, and unruly behavior disproportionately compared to the rest of the non-hillbilly population then a ban on overalls, trucker hats, or whatever else hillbillies wear would be justified in order to prevent the "bad apple" hillbillies from driving away all of the other decent law-abiding non-troublemaking customers.

*No offense to hillbillies - nor am I trying to stereotype anyone that considers themself a "hillbilly". I'm just using that demographic as an example.

I'm a black man by the way. I think any other black person that is offended by dress codes in the P&L district is missing the point.

[noneposted]

Ni - I added that to correct Danny's assumption that he had. I am glad you have provided more information. So if they don't charge him with anything, does this thing just "go away"? I hope so.

The way one dresses at occasions is out of respect, funerals, church, graduation, special dinners, etc. RESPECT. And children who graduate after spending all that time in school deserve respect.

[Steve Urkel]

Im offended by the dress code in the P&L district. Sometimes people have to use common sense when it comes to a dress code. The guy at P&L wouldn't let me tuck my shirt in because he said no tuck-ins are allowed. When is nice polo, starched jeans and nice tennis shoes not allowed in a bowling alley. The guy at the graduation appearance seemed acceptable to me. I tell you big brother is going too far...No smoking in bars, stupid dress codes, restricting what we can eat, etc...

[Kelli]

Keep religion out of schools? Why would you post something like that? That's EXACTLY the reason why kids and students are so hateful anymore (shooting up schools and each other and their parents). It's because everyone is playing the religion card now and saying that religion in school caters to one religion and not the other...Well, that's exactly the reason why we have kids that don't believe in God anymore and act out. I say teach our kids to do the right thing, like my parents taught me, sit down for dinner with the family, be open and honest with your kids and MAKE them go to church with you until they are old enough to make their own decisions about religion. As for the Dad who failed to follow the dress code, serves him right. You don't dress bad on one of the most important days of your kid's life. That's like wearing a tshirt and shorts to your daughter's wedding. Unacceptable.

[pdgirlkc]

Black or white, big or small, he shouldn't look like he just rolled out of bed.

It woulnd't have killed him to go to wal-mart and get a nice pair of slacks ($20), a dress shirt ($15), and maybe a tie ($10), to watch his kid graduate from HS (priceless).

[smog]

It is RLDS, which is an off shoot of the Morman church. I believe the offence was due to him wearing his shirt tails out, but not sure. Atleast his shirt was untucked in the photos. I am reasonably sure he would have an option to tuck it in. To the poster who said not everyone has a suit. A suit or sport coat is not required at these functions. My guess is he got mouthy with the Independence police and refused to comply. These rules have nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with respect and good taste so don't be getting Jesse Jackson in on the show. The fool made a bad choice and lost out on something that will only happen once in his life time.

Dress codes. Racist non Racist who cares a dress code is wrong you can't tell people what they can and can't wear! Why should it matter it's just another form of control.

[blarneology]

"I just don't think it is right for people to have to congregate in a Church related atmosphere. I think they should find a better place. If there is no better place build one. If no money to build one get money form the church who seems so willing to allow activities to be held there. They don't need anymore money. And as as far a whining I may be but i am avidly anti- Christianity and a firm believer in the separation of church and state. If you have a problem with that then you are just as bad as these people who enforce these ridiculous rules. You cannot enforce one rule and not another."

Explain how this was combining church and state. There was no surmon there was no bibles nor praying. You aren't anti-christianity, you're just anti common sense and a big frikken whiner.

[blarneology]

Ni, please. You cannot honestly expect people to believe that this one teacher had nothing better to do then to wait for this kid to show up. With all the entrances and exits into the place that by total happenstance this one teacher hated this guy so much and wasted their time messing with him just because they didn't like him. Sounds a little dramatic and a little bit like someone wants to be a victim.

[ThePriest]

Last year's RHHS was a disaster, it was so disrupted by black urban core relatives that about half the graduation program had to be cancelled. The superintendent just gave up on trying to continue the cerimony. Little or no respect was shown to by the variious groups of relatives, in dress, behaviour, and language, to each other or anyone else for that matter. It was like none of the adults that attended knew anything about civility or mannors, I did get the distinct impression that Hickman-Mills adult population in general had very poor functional social skills, IQ of about 80-85, and had pronounced sociopathology, individually and as a group.

found the experience shocking and out of control. It clearly highlighted the decadence and moral decline of what happens when groups are given institutionalled and legal special status at the expense not only of the majority, but these special groups end up paying most dearly in the end, in terms of love of neighbor.

The students themselves asked for and set the attendence dress code for this year, in an attempt to set a more civil environment so that everyone could enjoy the graduation. Imagine that: kids setting up rules for parents because the parents failed to act as muture as the teens! That I think says everything.

[STA]

BREAKING NEWS:

The Independence School Board has announced that any student or parent using the toilet facilities at any school function must do the following, or face arrest and expulsion from the event:

1. All toilet seats must be returned to the "down" position, even if only men are using the restroom. This is to prevent men from achieving an unfair advantage over women, in terms of convenience, when using the facilities.

2. Prior to wiping you a$$, toilet paper sheets must be counted out. There is a strict limit of 3 sheets per wipe. Sheets must be folded neatly. Waivers can be requested by cell phone, but only if the waiver is requested and approved at least 48 hours in advance.

3. Urinal "cakes" are not to be used in urinals, since the district is trying to promote healthy alternatives in meal choices. Use of urinal cakes may lead to students believing that high-sugar-content foods, such as cake, are endorsed by the school's food patrol.

4. Failure to zip one's pants fully may result in criminal charges for indecent exposure. This includes but is not limited to, exposure of more than the first three teeth of the zipper track. The sexually suggestive nature of a partially-zipped zipper can cause traumatic psychological damage to students and faculty.

5. Water usage is limited to a nominal flow rate of 3.7854 liters/minute, per faucet. Students or parents who do not know that 3.7854 liters is one US gallon, will be arrested for failure to worship the metric system.

6. All urine is subject to random drug/alcohol testing. Guests muts be prepared to undertake "Operation Golden Flow" when approached by a school PeePee Officer in the restroom. Any urine found to contain animal fats, or which contains proteins traceable to animals raised in non-compliant stockyards where the animals receive excess fat in their diets prior to slaughter, will result in the urinator's arrest. In addition the person will be forcibly catheterized to prevent contamination of the school's waste disposal system.

7. Males who use the urinals will be subject to penalties for allowing urine to drip on the floor. The offender will be forcibly enrolled into waste disposal courses conducted by the EPA and the NEA. The intention is to avoid an unhealthy floor bacteria content, and to protect the memory of the cattle who were brutally slaughtered to make the shoe leather which may become contaminated by the errant urine flow.

8. The school will strictly enforce national restroom equality-in-use initiatives. Men will only be allowed to enter the men's room at a rate equal to, or less than, the rate at which women are able to enter the womyn's room. Womyn who enter the womyn's room solely to occupy the couches are not counted, and the men's entry rate will be reduced accordingly.

9. This district supports diversity in defecation. Turds must be given equal access to the bowl, regardless of color, length, width, fat content, ability to float, presence of corn, or smell. Courtesy flushes are not permitted. Students are reminded that they are to celebrate diversity in every part of life, no matter how asinine. Failure to do so will lead to mandatory sensitivity training.

10. The district also supports equal access to facilities. Womyn who are able to pee standing up will be allowed to use the men's room, without being subject to the rate limits mentioned above. Men caught sitting down to urinate will be forced to use the womyn's room in the future, but only after all womyn are finished. These men will be placed on a national sit-to-pee offender registry, and will not be allowed within 1000 feet of a professional sports stadium.

[in2ropin]

After reading what (The Priest) wrote, I'd say they should of gone even further with conducts codes too.

I've known all my life that there are certain places I don't hang out in becasue I don't want to dress according to what is appropriate for that particular place. I sure in the hell wouldn't embarass my family by being arrested for disorderly. But then (embarassment) isn't in some people's vocabulary is it?

[blarneology]

In2ropin, you are absoultely correct. I also wonder why people find it hard to act and dress in a more proper moment for a loved on or friend they are watching accomplish something so important.

I could easily go on a rant about public schools and product they put out by how these people act(yes many of them I bet went to public school). But alas I think we all know this wouldn't happen if they had a quality education.

[bb]

If you ask people what is appropriate dress attire for an event, you could get many different answers. Most people understand what a dress-code is but act surprised when its enforced? If that's the case, why have a dress-code in the first place! These youngsters don't think the rules apply to them. However, training starts at home.

[Time to Be Serious]

STA, you have waaaaay too much time on your hands. It was pretty funny though.

Priest, was it really the students who asked for the dress code? I'm impressed that a high school class would do that. Shows a lot of maturity on their part.

Social mores have changed massively in the 37 years since I graduated from HS. That's fine. But, the amount of immature, attention-seeking behavior one sees from families at graduations these days is absurd. It's gone far overboard.

I've had a few cousins graduate in the past few years, and they say some of their classmates are embarrassed about the displays their families conduct.

[bb]

If you ask people what is appropriate dress attire for an event, you could get many different answers. Most people understand what a dress-code is but act surprised when its enforced? If that's the case, why have a dress-code in the first place! These youngsters don't think the rules apply to them. However, training starts at home.

I mean come on it's your childs graduation.It's not gonna kill you to wear the proper clothing just that once. I don't feel sorry for this guy. Maybe he couldn't afford a suit and tie but a nice button down shirt or something would have worked.

[Troy]

In response to the people that have suggested that it would be expensive for this man to buy clothes because of his large size, have you ever looked at the sale rack in department stores? Everything on there is for people that are very skinny/short/tall/or heavy. Its those of us that are between 5'10" and 6'2" and with a waist between 32 and 34 inches that pay full price for clothes.

[Wes Mantooth]

He was arrested for keying a police car not dress code!!!!!!!!!!

The bum thought the rules didn't apply to him. "No jeans" means NO JEANS.
His mama didn't raise him right.

[Steelblues]

Well, it wasn't exactly a polo shirt. And he had on black jeans with designs on the pockets. And he wasn't booked on disorderly conduct as the article states. He had a gray short sleeved shirt that had writing above the left pocket and the shirt went down to his knees.

[STA]

In any other company, the employees (teachers/administrators) would never get away with dictating dress requirements to the stockholders (taxpayers). He is an adult who can weara any damn thing he wants, whether you think it looks good or not. If that makes people call him a slob, that might change his behavior. We are educating our children to willingly succumb to the wishes of dictators.

Time to relieve teachers of thir police functions and get a few of them back to teaching. That means we need to get our kids under control. That means we need to tell the government to stop supervising how we discipline the kids who need it.

[weina]

Raytown schools use to have there graduations at then RLDS the dress code isnt enforced by the venue so its not the churchs fault. The dress code is enforced by the school districts policy to my understanding.

Raytown schools now host Graduation at Raytown First Baptist church. The school district with student imput have a mandatory dress code. This was on the news for several years in the past. A lil extreme to tell a lady she cant wear open toed shoes no matter the style. They have since perfected the code. As of the past couple of years I havent seen this as an issue. My son will be graduating in a 3 years and I sure hope that everyone will respect the dress code and not make the graduation about trying to defy the rules and make it what it should be focused on. The young adults acheivements and graduation.

Ni I am sorry that your family had to distract from what you were there for and had to deal with crap instead.

[sick of excuses]

FOR THE LAST TIME - he was not admitted for his jeans....not the untucked shirt - that could have been easily fixed. HE WAS WEARING JEANS! It was a graduation ceremony. And as far as someone discussing his reputation, I am guessing he earned that all by himself. His older brother got in fine - because he was on time and dressed properly. Enough with the excuses and the mentality that it is always someone else's fault or racist. Did you see any black teachers there? The definition of a racist is someone who feels they are superior to a different race. They would not even associate with that race. Give the teachers and administrators at that school a little credit - a racist would not choose to teach at Ruskin. You should appreciate the individuals that are consistently there year after year (regardless of their race or theat of the children) trying to educate kids who are not well behaved or particularly motivated. Bet parents and community won't take the blame for that either.