i wonder too why this has come up now, and my only comment is that if the item that is worn (turban for example) is an everyday part of the person’s life, then that’s a different story…I do wonder why this became an issue though???

BUT - that’s NOT what the article is talking about - what about the REST of my comment?

While you’re right on this, there are many that would refute this…we could haggle all day about this or that, honestly. You’d be surprised what could come of it all, and I am not talking about legitimate ethnic garb or religious wear…geez, I feel like Armstrong Williams…and I am usually the most reactionary! Where I went to college (Vassar) from what I hear…after I left, even had the Black alums doing a separate grad ceremony for the black students in a kente cloth covered robe…and I am mixed on my feelings on this…you can do whatever you want…but my thought that the school is one unit…one entity…and we should be proud to march with all. I still remember…and this is when I attended in 1982-1986, the issue of the black tables in the cafeteria…i tended to float between the white side and the black side…and i am sure i won no friends in some cases on the black side for that.

MTEVC: I see where you’re coming from AND I still disagree:

IF the issue were that a minority of students wanted an actual feather ceremony to be a part of their graduation ceremony in school, that only pertains to them and excludes others, then sure, it should be a seperate thing. BUT it sounds as if the feathers are already given and are simply worn at gradutation. Therefore, is the wearing of a feather any more seperating than a female Muslim student wearing a head covering? Or a guy wearing a dashiki? Or a devout Christian or Jew wearing a cross or star that peaks outside of the gown? How about a Sikh wearing a turban? A south Asian Hindu with a bindi? I’m deliberately using religious examples since for many Native Americans, their “ethnicity” is tied to religious/spiritual traditions.

Your example of Kente cloth puzzles me - it is not a universal statement of African-American or even African cultural traditions, it has been used in the last 50 years more as a socio-political statement, and no ritual is attached to them in the States (that I’m aware of). Is your fear that someone will wear an African robe in lieu of a graduation gown? Then yes, the school should enforce a uniform code. But if it’s, say, a headband in Kente pattern that the student wears ALONG WITH the graduation uniform? Then where is the problem?

My final question pertains to the article: WHY is this an issue? WHO is making it a big deal? HAS the feather really become a distraction to the graduation? WHO feels excluded? This seems reactionary - the question remains, reacting to what?

Some POV background: I went to 19 years of Catholic school, 12 of those years in uniform (excluding preschool and college). There are ways to express one’s individuality while still conforming to a dress code. It’s not the military, it’s SCHOOL. Therefore, additions to the uniform that were neither distracting or offensive were permitted. I have no idea if the school district in the article enforces a uniform or basic dress standards (most I’ve seen seem to now embrace the latter, and a few have the former). Any change in regs has to be uniformly (no pun intended) applied to the entire student body throughout the school year, and in all fairness shouldn’t single out one group or another.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/mesa/articles/0525mr-featherupdate0525Z11.html

I am part Native American, I live in New Zealand and have never been to the States. But growing up in NZ, I know the importance of aknowedging and respecting other cultures and the way they live.

New Zealand is made up of lots of different cultures. Maori (the native people of the country) only make up 3% of our entire population. Even so, they are still aknowledged and accepted as a people and our government and New Zealanders allow them to express their culture how they want.

For example,Maori is the second language in NZ and in every school across the country, Maori (Te Reo) language, culture and history can be chosen as subjects. The New Zealand rugby team do the traditional HAKA before every game and Maori students can wear Tikis ( traditional necklace to school). There are many different cultural, school and community groups that are involved in important national events.

Maoris’ have shows on national television (which includes a news show that speaks in Maori and English) they recieve alot of support and funding from the government and we also have a Maori party (and Euro New Zealanders) in parliment.

We are proud of the many different cultures that make up our country. Just because we allow them to express them, dosen’t mean we are going to loose our national identity as New Zealanders.

As a nation we believe in fairness and equilibrium.

I think Mesa, AZ needs to get a life and start worrying about things of significance rather than picking on a group of successful Native American students who are proud of who they are.

If they are discriminating cultures than what does that say about their own cultural identities?

Do they even know who they are?

Why are they forcing others to be what they are not?

What about the graduation ceremonies? Arent they cultural? The ceremonies and form of dress for them originated from European culture, so why can’t other Americans wear their form of cultural dress?

Native Americans have a right to wear feathers…after all,

They are the natives of America.

I’m disgusted by the disrespect and thinly veiled contempt shown by Ms. Miner. I’ve had 3 graduation ceremonies in my life. At all 3, someone somewhere was wearing some cultural acoutrement. In no way, shape or form did any expression of individuality diminish the solemnity and joy felt by the graduates. Give me a f-in break Board of Ed!! These are white people who would find any manifestation of cultural difference threatening. Genocide, marginalization = ok; feathers at high school graduation = NO!!!!

this is a graduation about the whole, and it should be a unifying thing…the grad garb should be the same for all…that doesn’t deny the student their identity…this is a unifying thing, and they should all be dressed alike…should the graduation be about race and identity or about the school and its grads in general? so then everyone should wear something…kente cloth hood, or some other significant clothing to their race or ethnicity…it could seem like something small now, but what might you end up with???