Do clothes make the Morehouse man? No more pumps on campus.
A men’s clothing store used to advertise using the slogan that the “suit makes the man.”
Apparently, that thinking shaped the new dress code policy for Morehouse men.
Is there something about a well dressed man? Morehouse thinks so. In April, then Morehouse senior Tristan Allen, (left) an economics major from Pretoria, South Africa, greeted Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, on campus to deliver a lecture. AJC Photo/Kim Smith
The prestigious historically black men’s college has a new, more rigid dress code, outlined in this AJC story. In explaining it, Dr. William Bynum, vice president of the Office of Student Services, said,
“We expect our young men to be Renaissance men. When people go about campus we want them to represent the college in an appropriate manner.”
“This is necessary, this is needed according to the students,” he said. “We know the challenges that young African-American men face. We know that how a student dresses has nothing to do with what is in their head, but first impressions mean everything.”
Among the expectations in the policy:
* no caps, do-rags and/or hoods in classrooms, the cafeteria, or other indoor venues
* no sunglasses worn in class or at formal programs
* no jeans at major programs, as well as no sagging pants on campus
* no clothing with derogatory or lewd messages either in words or pictures
* no wearing of clothing usually worn by women (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on the Morehouse campus or at college-sponsored events.
Violators face academic suspension. The story says most students are supportive and cites a student leader:
Cameron Thomas-Shah, the student government co-chief of staff, is one of them. While working as a resident’s assistant (RA) he said he noticed freshmen dressed in a way that was unflattering to Morehouse.
“The image of a strong black man needs to be upheld,” he said. “And if anyone sees this policy as something that is restrictive then maybe Morehouse is not the place for you.”
I thought the ban on jeans would be the most unpopular aspect of the policy, but the news story says it’s the restriction on women’s clothing that has many students up in arms.
I am not a fan of dress codes only because there doesn’t seem to be any link to improved academics. However, I have no doubt that a campus – or a workplace — looks more professional when kids dress up a bit.
I just wonder about the enforcement aspects of telling 20-year-olds how to dress.
What do you think?
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133 comments Add your comment
Morehouse Alumnus
October 16th, 2009
10:47 pm
Implementing a dress code does not increase graduation rates nor the school’s ranking. Let’s deal with real issues facing Morehouse instead of focusing on trivial issues like student dress. Surely there are far more pressing issues that need to be dealt with…students getting shot, students shooting other students, alumni giving, etc.
MzCaliAttorney
October 16th, 2009
11:14 pm
Well Morehouse men look the same as the men in pumps with matching purses at Lenox…there is obviously something wrong with this city and I would never send my dog to Morehouse, the area looks like Compton and it’s filled with tranny’s! Gay is one thing but Atlanta has some sort of wierd sub-culture going on, I had to give my son the same speech my parents gave me…”put your hand over any drink while you are out, if you leave it unattended do not take another sip, somebody might put a mikey in it and rape you” This is a shame…only in Atlanta…
miss america
October 16th, 2009
11:17 pm
MzCaliAttorney, you are an idiot. And a homophobe. Shame on you for sounding so ignorant.
MzCaliAttorney
October 16th, 2009
11:21 pm
Also they don’t care about graduation rates because everyone (outside of the south) knows that getting a degree from Morehouse (along with most GA colleges) is like obtaining a degree from a third world country…Georgia is years and years behind…(I heard that Clark Atlanta students line up to register for classes in person,wtf..I thought that only happened in movies never thought it was real)!…
So, all you country boys know when people mention “slow” these are the types of things they speak of, Morehouse looks like my junior high school, the education is inferior and with the men/women students + the internet it will soon become a laughing stock:(
MzCaliAttorney
October 16th, 2009
11:22 pm
Hey the truth hurts…
Goody
October 17th, 2009
12:44 am
MzCaliAnthouny, Morehouse Alumnus and Tyrell:
You are so ignorant and out of touch, that a reasonable argument for your Dumbass viewpoint should be dignified with a response.
Morehouse is still the top producer of MEN poised to lead ignorant people like yourself to new levels of Excellence.
If these young, confused souls dont want to attent, PLEASE LEAVE. I dont want any Man of Morehouse, who does not want to conduct themselves as Men, Period.
Jazzy
October 17th, 2009
12:50 am
Somebody is going to have to check the homophobia at morehouse…it is like a cesspool of ignorance there. Since when was image more important than substance?
Jazzy
October 17th, 2009
12:53 am
Goody you need to check yourself!
Having a bunch of african american men subscribing to european superiority(putting those western style suits above other forms of dress) leading people is like having ray charles leading a bunch of people through a crowded highway….it wont end well(same as Morehouse leadership has shown us)
purplelotus10
October 17th, 2009
1:46 am
The new dress code policy is long overdue!!!!! I am glad to see the administration take a stand against all this foolish dressing by our young men. If you don’t like the policy…then go to another school.
purplelotus10
October 17th, 2009
2:01 am
Ditto what “Another Morehouse Alum” said. This effort is to establish guidelines for dressing within this school environment. As a mother of 3 daughters, I am quite concerned with the “pool of men” they have to choose from. Further, I am so tired of seeing buttocks hanging out of pants, jeans, etc. The look is tired and so over by now. WOW!!!! YES….MOREHOUSE HAVE A LOT MORE ISSUES TO ADDRESS BUT THEY HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE.
JD
October 17th, 2009
9:06 am
I applaud Morehouse! As a 47 year old black male, I can see 1st hand that the do rag wearing, sagging, dred headed individuals have totally taken over the young black male psyche. It is a fact that clothing is indeed intimately tied to the psyche of an individual or group. If you wear somewhat conservative clothing, you may present yourself in a certain way that denotes conformance and a belief in success in society at large. If you wear the attire banned by Morehouse, you may present yourself in a particular way that may not be conducive to success in the larger society. Morehouse should indeed make it uncomfortable for those types of individuals. If they want to dress that way, they should go to Berkeley, Harvard or some other bastion of liberalism which may accept this look under the guise of freedom of expression. Although it has nothing to do with what may be in an individuals head, there is a certain amount of conformance that these young black males have to learn. The key word is CONFORMANCE.
Jazzy
October 17th, 2009
10:13 am
Purplelotus tell your daughters if they cant respect black men without having them be slaves to the dress of the european than tell them to look elsewhere for men. Morehouse men are at school for education, not to preserve an image(that the school hasnt lived up to in over half a century), or to be future husbands to your offspring.
Just a thought
October 17th, 2009
10:56 am
All I can say is THANK YOU. Let’s establish a new day in Atlanta. Perhaps others will follow this lead.
Just a thought
October 17th, 2009
11:11 am
To Tyrell,
College is like dress rehearsal for life. While you’re learning your academic content, you should also be in the process of evolution and learning how to dress appropriately. First impressions are lasting impressions. What if you happen to be in class with your future supervisor from a reputable company. Although you’re intelligent, he will look at the bottom line. The bottom line will be how you presented yourself while earning your education. This is not about beating up on you Tyrell. Let’s do something different. I think the high schools should all follow suit.
Another Morehouse Alum
October 17th, 2009
12:17 pm
Those who suggest that Morehouse is proposing that students become more European in appearance obviously haven’t visited Morehouse and witnessed students wearing clothing that reflects their African traditions, Muslim, or Jewish faiths. Also, if you review the policy, it doesn’t prevent students from wearing clothing for religious or cultural reasons. I attended class with students that wore yarmulkes, kufi hats, turbans, head wraps, etc. These students were allowed to wear their head coverings while other classmates were required to remove their caps, hats, and hoods. The whole “European indoctrination” argument does hold water here. Furthermore, I also reject the argument that African Americans wearing suits have adopted a European frame of reference; the same way I reject the notion that any hairstyle or clothing instantly determines any persons frame of reference or world view.
Tanisha
October 17th, 2009
12:37 pm
So Morehouse is going to require our young Black men…our PRIDE…to dress like MEN, and not strutting, bug-eyed punks. It’s about time…
1992 Alum
October 17th, 2009
1:01 pm
I am a 1992 graduate of Morehouse. I commend the school for taking this action. If some students don’t like it then transfer!!
Russell
October 17th, 2009
1:16 pm
I believe in freedom of expression in all forms. But I also believe that you have to “earn” enough respect to be able to pull off your rebellious fashion. If my kid dressed in a way I didn’t care for, “But,” brought home straight A’s, took the initiative to be supremely helpful to his family, neighbors and friends, was a perfect gentleman, outgoing, friendly, loving and was generally highly productive, then he’d have me beat. I guess I couldn’t say anything. I support Morehouse’s initiative though I don’t think the homophobia was necessary at the end.
JustSaying
October 17th, 2009
1:23 pm
This is a good effort on the part of Morehouse but I think it’s too little too late. The image of Morehouse men is already shot to hell. Perhaps they should focus more of their attention on the fact that Morehouse students are either beating each other with baseball bats or killing/shooting each other. Dress code is not going to change what has been seen all over this country on the news. Morehouse Men don’t respect each other, themselves, their college, their sister college (Spelman) or their legacy. There was a time when I thought of MLK when I thought about Morehouse. Today when I think about Morehouse I think of gay black men and thugs.
Morehouse needs to raise it’s admission standards. As it stands today any street hoodlum can get into Morehouse. The school is a shadow of its former self. I wouldn’t send my son to Morehouse.
Also, I don’t care if it’s anti-gay, but men at an all MALE school should NOT be walking around dressing like women. I don’t blame Morehouse for not wanting the gay population to be the face of Morehouse. Dress however you like when you’re away from school, but don’t bring that crap on campus where recruiters, future employers, and career fairs are held. I can only imagine how some white recruiter must feel watching swarms of cross dressers walking around what is supposed to be the dominate institution for educated black MEN.
If Morehouse really wants to get back on track they need to do something about their admission standards and the criminals they have walking among them. Just my two cents.
Don Herd
October 17th, 2009
1:36 pm
Your V.P. Bynum is absolutely right. The extreme monority of Gays just
cannot influence an established policy that has been there for years.
Grumble you may (minority) but you well knew the policy of the school.
Hold the ground Bill Bynum. Best regards from CANADA
Ms Concern:
October 17th, 2009
1:45 pm
THIS IS A SCHOOL OF HIGHER LEARNING, YOU ARE GOING TO COLLEGE TO BECOME PROFESSIONALS. (LEAVE “HOMEBOY” HOME), WITH THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR AND MINDSET, IT IS NO WONDER WHY YOU ARE NOT IN EXECUTIVE POSITIONS, AND ON CORPORATE BOARDS. THE COLLEGE HAS THE RIGHT TO SET WHATEVER POLICIES THEY CHOOSE. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE LIVES TODAY HAVE NO ” MOROLE VALUE SYSTEM”, IDEALS, RESPECT FOR THEMSELVES or OTHERS, RULES OR PRINCIPLES. YOU DON’T OWN THIS COLLEGE, JUST AS YOU WANT THE FREEDOM TO DRESS LIKE YOU WANT, YOU HAVE THE FREEDOM TO LEAVE. GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. I LOVE TO SEE A BLACK MAN DRESSED IN A SUIT, THEY LOOK SO DISTINQUISHED, THEY NEED TO GO BACK AND STUDY THE 30′S PEOPLE WERE SO PROUD AND WELL DRESSED WHEN THEY STEPPED OUT THE DOOR, IT WASN’T ABOUT MAKEING A STATEMENT, IT WAS ABOUT MOROLES AND HOW YOU CARRIED YOURSELF. THIS IS SOMETHING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LACKING “HOW TO CARRY THEMSELVES”. YOUR PURPOSE FOR BEING THERE IS TO BECOME THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, YOU CHOOSE.
Voice of Reason #1
October 17th, 2009
1:55 pm
Ms Concern…was the “all CAPS” necessary? And it’s “moral” and “making.”
free_agent
October 17th, 2009
2:12 pm
Purplelotus tell your daughters if they cant respect black men without having them be slaves to the dress of the european than tell them to look elsewhere for men. Morehouse men are at school for education, not to preserve an image(that the school hasnt lived up to in over half a century), or to be future husbands to your offspring.
So again, black men must stay true to the image of the black male prison population culture/criminal class as dictated by the hiphop industrial complex. Please! As long as that is where your allegiance is, then you’re not worthy of respect or attention of any upward mobile young lady, and don’t worry, no sane woman would vet you as “husband material” either. Don’t fool yourself.
Tenika Storey
October 17th, 2009
2:21 pm
This is absolutely a wonderful thing!!! I am glad to see our HBCU’s setting the standard for excellence.
sylvia hooker
October 17th, 2009
2:39 pm
Bravo!
Voice of Reason #1
October 17th, 2009
3:13 pm
To those who are AUC students or live in that area, please expound: Do some/many men of the ‘house really dress in drag and is the gay population as prevalent as sometimes reported? Is this really a problem there? I guess I really don’t want to believe it. But that that particular point had to be specified in the code for a men’s college…it must be!
Morehouse Alumni
October 17th, 2009
3:37 pm
Morehouse House Administration (under the leadership of Dr. Franklin), you should be applauded for making a bold and clear statement that supports the expectations that you have of Morehouse students. Often times, people want to compare and contrast policies, procedures and the like to what other institutions are doing. The conversations begin to move away from the spirit and essence of the true intent. Don’t be distracted, stand on your convictions and continue to make decissions that are in the best interest of Morehouse. Stand on principle and stay the course!!! I’m PROUD to be associated with a college that is able to strike the right balance between being progressive and traditional. Thank you!
WakeupBlackmen
October 17th, 2009
4:13 pm
Hip Hop has led young black men down the wrong path. Period. If you can’t live by these rules, you won’t be able to function in a civilized society. If you only fight in this life as a black man is to wear women’s clothing, you are not worthy, find something substantial to do with your life. Most private schools have dress codes. I’m sure the administration can walk and chew gum at the same time, i.e. dealing with safety issues. People are tired of seeing black men who look like they walked out of a dumpster – jeans, dreads, baggy clothes. Bravo Morehouse, I wish all HBCU’s would follow suit. Bayard Rustin marched with Martin – and not in pumps and a dress. BTW, what parents are paying good money to allow their sons to dress in women’s clothing? BLACK MEN NEED TO GO THROUGH A RENNAISSANCE AND SHED HIP HOP – IT’S OVER!!!!!!!!!!
A.W., AUC Alumn
October 17th, 2009
4:51 pm
I applaud Morehouse for their actions. No, the school is not anti-gay. They’re setting a standard. There’s a difference. When I go to work, there’s a dress code that I have to follow. It’s not about them being “anti-” anyone or anything. It’s about professionalism.
What everyone fails to realize is that there are corporate executives, donors and potential donors, politicians, etc. on Morehouse’s campus every day. Not only are they visiting the classes, meeting with administration, holding sessions for students, etc., but they are also paying attention to the students and how they present themselves. I worked at another school in the AUC, and it was the same there. When you’re asking people for money, and every time they come to your campus they see a complete lack of professionalism and respect for others, they’re not going to be as inclined to give money. I have actually walked next to an executive on my own campus who looked with disdain as a female student stooped down to pick up her book, and her skirt was shorter than it needed to be for her to bend down in public. This has an effect on giving, which in turn has an effect on the colleges. Students’ tuition doesn’t cover all the bills.
20 year Republican
October 17th, 2009
4:52 pm
Kudos to the President of Morehouse and the committee for setting the rule for the org. It is a private institution, so, if the applicants are not fond of the ruling then – leave!
The One Morehouse Calls a FAG
October 17th, 2009
5:50 pm
WOW…alot coming from people not even attending this so called illustrious institution. I am a junior at Morehouse College, and I am an open gay male. I have never witnessed any male walking around in womens clothing.. What is defined as women clothing? or is it the way a male chooses to wear his clothes defined as women clothing. Men dont walk around campus with pumps, nor do they carry purses…The “BAGS” I CARRY ARE FROM THE MEN DEPARTMENT OF MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORES….alot of you alumni and other observers do not attend Morehouse, and you see what you want to see when you visit our campus. I have a 3.9 cum gpa along with 2 non profit organizations that are registered world wide..i have done 4 internships with some of this countrys major fortune 500 companies….I just advise all the observers not to come for the GAYS as if we dont know what an education is..its badd enough were already expected to live in an homophobic environment, but when it comes onto grades best believe we are always on point. So whatever comments you believe is your obligation to provide, please keep it to yourself, because media has put alot more than just a dresscode violation on some of the GAYS at Morehouse. You keep telling us to transfer somewhere else, but when trying to transfer try asking dear ol Mother Morehouse to transfer those credits that some schools have never even heard of. So therefore i am remaining at Morehouse, and i dare admin to test my knowledge and wisdom of what A MOREHOUSE MAN SHOULD BE… at the end of the day what I have between my legs makes me a physical male, not what clothes i choose to wear!
Jazzy
October 17th, 2009
5:53 pm
Free agent you know nothing about me…but go on and get your housetrained European wannabe Morehouse man. Just dont complain to me when you realize a nicely dressed poorly educated man is just that.
Substance over style anyday “Sista”
Tyrell
October 17th, 2009
5:55 pm
I am overwhelmed by some of these responses! Some of you need to look at yourselves and what you wear on a daily basis. How would you feel if someone told you that women shouldn’t wear pants because it’s male clothing? YEA! Right! You would disagree! However, some people feel that women shouldn’t wear pants, make-up and even earrings. I say all of this to say people have a right to wear what they want to, when they are paying their own money. I could even extend this ,should people not have certain rims on their car because it wouldn’t be business like? White institutions don’t have these issues because they are primarily concerned about getting their money, making the student’s campus appealing and educating their students; not what their students are wearing. Morehouse needs to focus on creating new dorms and upgrading the facilities. Also didn’t the president a few weeks ago make a statement after an employee was fired for sending a derogatory email about gays? He stated something in regards to they believe in treating everyone equal.
This is for the people that have an issue with guys sagging “How many of you complain to those people during the spring and summer that walk around in swim gear? Do you complain about that and say it’s inappropriate. Many of them are showing a whole lot more than underwear? Overall, we are worried about the wrong issues. Also how much of that money does Morehouse give to the community? Right! None, because in the community they still have a street called ROACH street! There are many individuals that have very good paying jobs and they dress appropriate for work but when they’re in their familial environment and out, they dress stylish. Even some of you wear certain things outside you wouldn’t dear wear in your WORK environment.
Also after one leaves Morehouse no one is going to be concerned about what I had on during college. They’re going to look at my college transcripts and credentials.
Physician & Surgeon
October 17th, 2009
9:59 pm
Uh…”Tyrell”…”White institutions don’t have these issues…” as you say in your 5:55 PM post mostly because White men don’t seem to be dealing with the psychoses and foolishness too many of our young Black brothers are, with the thug-wear, not getting educations, etc. AND, a White person can still have easier access to jobs, etc., before any Black will, so why diminish your future opportunities? Think, bro. You’re picking the wrong battle.
True, as I’ve shared with the hi-ups at Morehouse…the entire AUC, HBCUs everywhere and the Black community in general–especially in the hi-crime AUC area–have major issues to deal with. So work to improve that–let that be your fight; not that “men” should be able to wear “women’s” clothing as the order of the day and it just be accepted. That doesn’t even sound right.
As I’ve said in many a lecture (and referred to in the yellow and black ‘boxes’ here http://drmccloud.com/photos.php): It is time for our Black “brothers” to stop taking the path of least resistance and speak proper English, go to school, dress and act like a MAN. Be MEN.
T…you don’t seem to realize that before people even get to “see” your mind, they literally “see” YOU. Or, if they do see your transcript first, and then you show up and they see you looking like a thug or dressed as a woman when you’re supposed to be a man, transcript be damned–you ain’t getting the job, kiddo.
If you are–or aim to be–a man, be and dress like one. If you’re not a man–in the fullest sense–then go somewhere where you’re not expected to be one.
It’s time you Black men stand up and be Men. And you guys wonder why many Black women are “angry.” Because many of you don’t want to be men. In the [civil rights] days when there was true struggle in the Black community even to be able to go to school, young Black men spoke with respect, carried themselves with dignity (even when getting their heads beaten in) and they honored themselves and their Black women. [I'm writing about this right now, for a book.]
Who you wish to sleep with is your business; knock yourselves out and keep it to yourselves, i.e., stop infecting innocent women. But if you’re a part of an institution–work or school–you should reflect positively on that institution. In my office–dress code: you can’t come in there dressed any ol’ way, because you are representing ME and MY business/company. How a person dresses reflects on the institution. And don’t concern yourself with what others are doing; concern yourself with being the best BLACK MAN you can be. You young Black guys have messed around for far too long, with the foolishness of poor diction, baggy pants, hip-hop lyrics, disrespect, cursing and crime. It’s time that decency and dignity prevail.
1906 Ivy League Alum
October 17th, 2009
11:26 pm
As an alumnus of an Ivy League institution, I’m so happy not to have dealt with the silliness that must go on at HBCU campuses. My very elite and diverse university treated students as adults and recognize that there are far more important issues than the outfits they wear. If Morehouse is interested in turning out professional drones rather than encouraging true intellectual discourse, then it will suffer the fate of other financially poor HBCUs. The true elite schools learned long ago not to harness individuality.
1906 Ivy League Alum
October 17th, 2009
11:33 pm
In reply to Lynn: “Do you all think students at Harvard attend functions without their Jackets or wear sagging jeans to events sponsored by Harvard.”
Harvard students wear whatever they like. I think you would be surprised if you actually stepped foot on the campus of a school like Harvard, Brown, Stanford, or Yale. It’s not a fashion show. Sweatshirts, jeans (skinny, sagging, loose, boot cut, whatever you like), shorts, flip flops, tee shirts are the uniform of choice.
1906 Ivy League Alum
October 17th, 2009
11:37 pm
I will commend the president of Morehouse for NOT sending his daughter to an HBCU.
kk
October 18th, 2009
1:00 am
I think that this policy is a great idea! as a young lady attending college as well, i feel that students (male and female) have gotten out of hand with the clothing sytles that they chose to wear around campus. i love to see young men look presentable, so I’m excited to see how this policy plays out.
i do however, dislike the comment made by one of the morehouse alums, “Clark is around the corner take it there”, i felt that that was inappropriate, because Clark has absolutely nothing to do with this article. Clark men are just as outstanding as the men of Morehouse.
woods
October 18th, 2009
1:22 am
Enter your comments here
MzCaliAttorney
October 18th, 2009
2:05 am
CNN reports…”However, it is the ban on cross-dressing that has brought national attention to the small historically African-American college.” = Laughing Stock…
I am just glad this has made the national press so the rest of the country is informed about what is really going on in this city, Morehouse is just the tip of the iceburg!! Next they should file charges against the plastic surgeons in the city that are giving these men titties!!! Atlanta is like the twilight zone!!!
Voice of Reason #1
October 18th, 2009
9:41 am
It’s amazing what pulling off a band-aid can begin to reveal.
Beautiful Creole Sista
October 18th, 2009
11:44 am
MzCaliAttorney, your comments are a hot mess. I hope your son or any of your other children aren’t gay because they would have a mess of a mother to deal with. You are probably one of those low self-esteemed sisters that got knocked up and couldn’t keep a man. Now you are mad at the world. If you hate Atlanta so much, you can always leave. Go back to Cali. Try L.A. or San Francisco. We all know that they don’t have gay people there. Right. I’m so happy to be a beautiful sista. I know how to keep a good man. And I love my gay friends.. from my most flaming hair stylist that keeps me looking great to my most masculine gay attorney and physician friends that keep me grounded.
Beautiful Creole Sista
October 18th, 2009
11:48 am
MzCaliAttorney, you are a hot mess! I hope that your son, nor any of your children, happen to be gay (it’s not a choice, you know). I would feel sorry for him (them) to have an ignorant and close-minded mother like you. You seem like one of those sistas that got knocked up and couldn’t keep a man. Now you are mad at the world. If you hate Atlanta so much, move back to Cali. We all know that there are no gays in L.A. or San Francisco. Right. I’m so thankful that I am not some bitter old woman. I’m thankful for my gorgeous man in my life. I’m thankful for my gay friends. From my flaming hairdresser that keeps me looking so good to my more professional gay attorney and physician friends that keep me grounded.
MIT Parent& Educator
October 18th, 2009
12:01 pm
Our children have to compete in a very demanding world. Morehouse is a private college. I have one child at MIT and one that graduated from a HBCU. Both have and are getting an excellent education. If you are opposed to the rules at Morehouse, go somewhere else. My husband and I have standards in our house. We love our three children dearly and have worked diligently to provide a good, safe and loving home. When our children are grown and in their own homes, they have the right to follow and make the rules that they decide are right for them. Too much is being made of this issue. Morehouse is not right for everyone. But, Morehouse has the right to set its policy. Our nephew is there and loves it. We are pleased at the growth we have seen in him. Don’t try and destroy what someone else is trying to build. Unemployment is 10.1 percent in Georgia. Why don’t we focus on that? Gas is going up again? Our young people are killing each other every day. It happens so often it is not even considered a major news story. Leave Morehouse alone. If you are looking for a cause to fight, there are many very serious issues facing us.
Princeton Alum
October 18th, 2009
12:24 pm
As a recent graduate from Princeton and an African American male, I would think that Morehouse should focus its attention towards providing a safer campus to its students rather than focusing on what someone wears to class. Many of you would be surprised to know that undergrads at Ivy institutions don’t dress like Wall Street bankers while attending class.
Morehouse Senior
October 18th, 2009
1:40 pm
I am all for equality or whatever but we have to draw the line SOMEWHERE! No you will not getting a job if you dress like Gucci Mane or like Tyra Banks. PERIOD. Womens clothing??? I am truly embarrassed to be a Man of Manhouse now because everything thinks we are fruitcakes and fake thugs!! SMH
Morehouse Guy
October 18th, 2009
5:47 pm
I don’t quite understand the whole “Morehouse should concentrate on larger issues” line of argumentation. As an alumnus, I’m well aware of the College’s various initiatives designed to address everything from creating a larger civic footprint in the West End to preparing Men of Morehouse to attend schools of public policy. Don’t misinterpret this dress code policy as the College losing focus on anything else it does.
The College is in the process of working with its police force, other AUC campus police forces and APD to secure the campus, so what are people talking about? The College can walk and chew gum at the same time. I see lots of red herrings on this message board about where the college’s institutional focus should be, and I guarantee you that in spite of all of the media attention, the institution is working on a host of fronts to prepare its students for the next stages of their lives (which includes BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO this dress code policy).
To the Princeton Alum, as a Harvard graduate student, I can personally attest to what I see on campus, but in all honesty, Morehouse is not an Ivy League institution. If we had their endowments and shared the same applicant pool, then maybe this would be less of an issue, but we don’t. Our public image matters to our donors and parents who invest their time and money into the College, and the last thing we want to do is embrace the worst stereotypes about black men to the public through how students present themselves. This is about establishing a baseline of respectability amongst the student body, and for those who find it noxious, you should go to school somewhere else.
Morehouse Guy
October 18th, 2009
6:05 pm
I’m not quite understanding the comparisons here between Morehouse and other Ivy League institutions that are dealing with an entirely different demographic with an entirely different set of challenges. As both a Morehouse alum and a current graduate student at an Ivy, it seems pretty obvious to me that institutions facing different challenges and different demographics may have to employ different tactics to meet their institutional standards, correct? We have distinctly different institutional cultures that we’re dealing with, so the analogies don’t quite do it for me.
That said, the whole “Morehouse should be concentrating on larger issues” seems equally unpersuasive, as the College is in fact working on a host of issues that every college must face as well as the more college-specific initiatives (creating a larger civic footprint in the West End, preparing students for study in international affairs and public policy, producing more Ph.D.s in the natural and biological sciences, etc.). Further, the College is actively working with other AUC campuses and the AUC to secure its premises, so where is all of this coming from? Simply because the media doesn’t cover everything we do, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. You would think with all of these Ivy League alums on the message board this would be apparent, but obviously not. Morehouse can walk and chew gum at the same time.
I applaud the College and Dr. Franklin on having the courage to publicly take by the horns a thorny issue plaguing so many campuses (not just HBCUs) in this country around striking the balance between establishing a baseline of decorum on campus (you can wear stilletos on your own time in the City if you’d like) and encouraging the holistic development of their students.
And lastly, who says this has ANYTHING to do with the quality of the intellectual environment of the College? This is about outward appearance during classes and at school-sanctioned events.
Jocelyn
October 18th, 2009
6:12 pm
Excellent post, Tanisha. But the problem is that lately our young Black men have not been our “pride”…but our “shame”.
Proud Alum '05
October 18th, 2009
6:35 pm
Thank you Morehouse for putting an end to the silliness I’ve seen going on around campus since I graduated. While the professional world is becoming more liberal and accepting of different fashions (i.e. dreads), there are certain fashion habits that need to be broken in order to get young men ready for the real world.
After reading the provisions of the policy, it is not only fair, but also very reasonable. It’s not asking students to wear suits every day… it’s only requiring suits for major events. While students are off of the campus, they may wear whatever they want. Morehouse is not dictating how students should live their lives, but only telling them what not to wear… I don’t think anyone is going to have to break the bank in order to abide by this new dress code.
Good Job Morehouse!