Here at Wando, We feel safe. We feel like we're getting an exceptional education. But what we do not feel, is that women are being treated equally.

The dress code states “This general policy acknowledges that appropriate, decent and non-distracting attire must be worn in an educational setting.” It goes on to say, no form fitting wear, and no ripped clothing, along with no yoga pants. No cleavage, or bare shoulders, back, nor skin. Women are limited to clothing items that do not show or have these things. Women are limited.

They are not allowed to wear these clothing items, ultimately because of the opposite gender’s inability to control themselves. We can not wear what we feel confident in due to someone else’s lack of self control. “When you deem a girl’s dress ‘inappropriate,’ you’re also telling her, ‘Because your body may distract boys, your body is inappropriate. Cover it up.’ You recontextualize her body; she now exists through the male gaze.” says Marinda Valenti of Ms. Magazine. This quote not only shines light on the fact that a dress code teaches girls that our bodies are sexual objects, but also that we are inferior to men, because we must conform to keeping ourselves covered up in order to avoid the inevitable; Men sexualizing women.

If these dress code rules are violated, students are forced to wear a large bright yellow shirt. If the intention of a dress code is to eliminate distraction, then why are the violators forced to wear a distracting clothing item?

When a girl does choose to wear a low cut clothing item, or leggings which her shirt does not cover her up, she may get male attention. If she does not like the male attention, she will learn that maybe wearing revealing clothing is not for her, since she doesn’t want the attention. If a girl wants the attention, that is her choice.

We believe that the dress code should be eliminated. Not only does the idea of a dress code teach women that it is their duty to cover up when boys sexualize their body, but it also tells them that being confident in your skin isn’t acceptable in a learning environment. Get rid of the Dress Code, and punish the students who harass and shame others for what they are wearing.

-Laurel Thorp and signers