128 students suspended in Hammond, Indiana. Why were they suspended you ask? For wearing the wrong clothes. What is going on in our nations schools?!? I cannot believe that Americans so easily give up the freedoms so many have given their life for.

It's not like there are not studies that can be referred to that show the damaging long term effects of uniformed dress in schools. We can take a look at the study done by David L. Brunsma, D.L. and Rockquemore, K.A. Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and Academic Achievement, The Journal of Education Research Volume 92, Number 1 and see the facts of what uniformed dress codes cause.

"It is typically assumed, as exemplified in Long Beach, that uniforms are the sole factor causing direct change in numerous behavioral and academic outcomes. Those pronouncements by uniform proponents have raised strident objections and created a political climate in which public school uniform policies have become highly contested. The ongoing public discourse is not only entrenched in controversy but also largely fueled by conjecture and anecdotal evidence. Hence, it now seems critical that empirical analysis should be conducted to inform the school uniform debate. In this study, we investigated the relationship between uniforms and several outcomes that represent the core elements of uniform proponent's claims. Specifically, we examined how a uniform affects attendance, behavior problems, substance abuse, and academic achievement. We believe that a thorough analysis of the arguments proposed by uniform advocates will add critical insight to the ongoing debate on the effects of school uniform policies. (Brunsma and Rockquemore, pg. 54) "

What were the findings?

Proponents of such reform measures emphasize the benefits of student uniforms on specific behavioral and academic outcomes. Tenth grade data from The National Educational Longitudinal Study was used to test empirically the claims made by uniform advocates. The findings indicate that student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems, or attendance. Contrary to current discourse, the authors found a negative effect of uniforms on student academic achievement.

Schools continually say we have proof that dress codes work because grades go up slightly. Another study argues that grades go up initially because teacher prejudices are erased. They can no longer judge a book by it's cover. I think that should be a problem we face head on. That is the base for uniforms. Prejudice against the styles we think are not good enough. Prejudice against religions we don't understand. Against cultures we refuse to embrace.

Everyone is so up in arms over the lack of patriotism in our children. My son points out uniforms as a major reason for this lack of patriotism. The trend started with the graduation of the first students forced to wear uniforms. Coincidence? I don't think so as I have listened to many young people discuss the issue.

On Friday, my son's entire class was out of uniformed dress code. Pink, yellow, prints and pastels were their choice. They looked like average kids. My son wore black jeans and a black polo shirt with white stripes. An office staff member made comment to one girl about her shorts. She ignored it and continued to walk out the door. Once outside, the children had a conversation about dress code and civil rights. As I sat back and listened, I realized my child is not the only one ready to take a stand. I felt there was a little hope for our students. I felt they knew their rights and were as frustrated as we are.

For my birthday my son bought me two shirts. One reads "Got Freedom?" on the front and on the back it reads "Compliments to our American Veterans." The other is a thought I leave with you today. The shirt has a picture of Benjamin Franklin on it and reads, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."