5-year-old’s Michigan T-shirt banned in OK
A 5-year-old kindergarten student has run afoul of the fashion police in Oklahoma City for supporting the wrong team.
Cooper Barton wore a “Big House” t-shirt — the nickname for Michigan’s 114,000-seat stadium — to classes at Wilson Elementary, and was told by school officials to turn the shirt inside out.
The officials explained that Oklahoma City has a policy prohibiting the wearing of college team shirts, unless they represent Oklahoma schools.
His family, avid Michigan supporters, was not pleased.
“It wasn’t offensive,” his mother Shannon told KWTV. “He’s five.”
The Oklahoma City Public Schools District policy forbids “clothing bearing the names or emblems of all professional and collegiate athletic teams” unless they’re from Oklahoma. Officials said the policy was developed in 2005 as an anti-gang measure.
School Superintendent Karl Springer said the policy was under review due to the incident involving Cooper.
“He absolutely had concerns about [the policy] and thinks it might be outdated,” a school system spokeswoman told KWTV.
What about it: Is the policy stupid? Or should Cooper’s family just shut up and follow the rules?
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157 comments Add your comment
better journalists req'd
August 24th, 2012
9:52 am
While I agree this is silly, the media does a poor job explaining the circumstances that may (or may not) justify this strict dress code. My gut reaction was this is crazy. However after talking with a friend who deals with gangs mentioned that even 5 year olds are “groomed” by brothers and cousins etc into the gang world. I doubt this is the case but I don’t have the facts about the gang environment at that school or neighborhood. Let’s also remember gangs should never be promoted but your not going to stop them from existing by banning a shirt. If they want to remove the potential, have a uniform. Otherwise, use common sense.
jarvis
August 24th, 2012
10:07 am
Zero tolerance rules are for the lazy.
jarvis
August 24th, 2012
10:07 am
That’s why you rarely see them outside of the government.
Frankly
August 24th, 2012
11:42 am
It’s Oklahoma, why didn’t they hang the kid?
Shreevats Shreevastav
August 24th, 2012
3:54 pm
Chk this out-21 funny t-shirt quotes…really fun
http://www.theroyalpoke.com/2012/07/21-funny-t-shirt-quotes.html
G-Dawg
August 27th, 2012
4:37 pm
Apparently other BOEs across the nation are ran by idiots like those in Bibb County, Macon GA.
Terrae
August 30th, 2012
2:59 am
I think the rule is stupid and outdated. It seems to be a way to promote “regional school spirit” but arent sooner colors red(gang colors)? Also, what if your kid goes to school in one area but likes the crosstown rivals school team? do they have to turn it inside out? There’s a thin line between gang prevention and bias, and they’ve passed it