Ones and Zeros: Let the Wind Blow High, Let the Wind Blow Low

Let the Wind Blow High, Let the Wind Blow Low

December 19, 2005	La Vida
Kilt Banned at PromSo the lad at right, an 18 year old football player from Missouri, was required to change from his family kilt into trousers in order to attend a school dance. The Principal said it was inappropriate. I wore a gahdawful powder blue tuxedo to my Prom (In my defence, it was the 80s). I didn't wear Chucks, though. I didn't have any. It's very clear to me what is appropriate formal wear and what disrespects the institution. We almost had a guy wear a kilt at our high-school, but it was because he was trying out for the girls field hockey team (because he'd lost his spot on the soccer team roster to a girl who was better than him) and they were trying to shame him out of it. He called their bluff, but quit the team on pressure from the AD. I was married in my kilt and most of the wedding party joined us, as did a fair number of guests. It was great fun and seeing my mother give my new wife a sash in a 400 year old tartan that's connected to our family was amazing. I wish I'd been cool enough in 1985 to wear the kilt to a school function. More power to young Nathan Warmack, I say. OTOH, wearing the kilt didn't become popular in Scotland until the British banned it, so maybe this will end up being a good thing.
.:Posted by Michael on December 19, 2005 7:46 AM:.

As an American, this is embarrassing. Some idiot from the midwest does something stupid and the whole world hears about it. My family wears kilts to fancy affairs to show respect. We are proud of our Scottish blood, and this is how we show it.

.:Posted by David Evans, DC ( total) on December 22, 2005 12:19 PM:.

What's even more ridiculous is that the school has a mascot that has been determined to be culturally insensitive by a U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and by the Native American people.

.:Posted by Mike ( total) on December 22, 2005 3:44 PM:.

I have just read about the boy that wore a kilt to a school dance, in Missouri. I think it is pitiful that an educator ask him to change into pants. Herritage is a big part of who we are. I wonder, if it had been a African-American male, in a dashike, would it have been the same? Not trying to sling at any race. Heritage is heritage!

.:Posted by Lisa ( total) on December 23, 2005 10:06 AM:.

What really surprises me is that the Principal (McClard) has a scottish surname as well.

Additionally, the Warmack/MacRae story doesn't ring true, since Warmack as a scottish surname is older than MacRae. However, that doesn't mean the kid wasn't trying to honor his ancestors.

I'm not convinced that the stupidity is based on left-wing or right-wing ideology, but more on a conformist's desire for conformity followed by an authoritarian's poor reaction to not be obeyed.

I feel for the kid, and I hope the Principal figures out that he's screwed up.

.:Posted by Michael ( total) on December 23, 2005 10:21 AM:.

I wore a kilt to my wedding, too. In Central Texas, in July, outdoors. The temperature was in the low 110s. Needless to say, I was the most comfortable man there.

.:Posted by David Wilcoxen ( total) on January 30, 2006 10:03 AM:.