Anti-Kiltites

The Dark Wraith, blogging at Big Brass Blog, writes about Jackson, Missouri high school student Nathan Warmack, who was ordered by his principal to change from his kilt into a pair of pants at a high school dance:

Dr. Ron Anderson, the superintendent of the school district, which is about 110 miles from St. Louis, defended the policy against kilts, saying, "It's mainly to protect from the possibility of a disruption or something that could be viewed as a disruption."

A member of the Scottish heritage organization Clan Gunn Society of North America has started an online petition seeking an apology from the school district regarding what appears to be an ad hoc policy prohibiting kilts.

The Dark Wraith notes that Shakespeare's Sister is married to a gentleman of undeniably Scottish heritage. To the extent that the man might have two left feet, it is perhaps a mercy that he is currently prohibited from dancing in his kilt at a Missouri high school. Nevertheless, as a matter of civil liberties the United States has historically bestowed, signing the petition advances the prospects that one day Mr. Shakes will be able to trip the light fantastic in the secondary educational system of Jackson, Missouri.

Well, I’d like to say that Mr. Shakes is a good dancer. I’d like to say that, but it isn’t true. Ho ho. (Actually, he’s not bad.)

Two quick thoughts on this story…

One: The old “it would be disruptive” canard is undoubtedly etymologically linked to the first ever high school principal. “Oog, that dangly bone you’ve affixed to your loincloth may be aesthetically pleasing to you, but has the potential to distract other students. Please go immediately to the poo cave and remove it.” Mohawks, dredlocks, hair dye, piercings, revealing clothes, politically-charged t-shirts, skirts that scandalously revealed an inch of ankle, women’s trousers…each has, in its own time, been designated as a distraction from the learning process. Nowadays, it’s corn rows and hijabs. I daresay the controversy caused by prinipals intervening in students’ clothing and fashion choices goes a lot further in providing a distraction than the actual styles ever do. (And “disruptive” at a school dance? Wacky.) Who gives a crap if the kid wears a kilt?

Two: Clan Gunn’s petition is nothing less than bitterly ironic. I clicked through only to find myself gobsmacked by this little juxtaposition:

These politically correct times in which we live require us to accept many "alternative" attitudes. They are shoved down our throats daily. We have to accept Ebonics, gender-sensitive language and behavior, alternative lifestyles, and reverse discrimination to name just a few. We are EXPECTED to show tolerance for everyone who chooses "break the mold."

…How could a person who works with kids on a daily basis not see the importance of self-esteem and the courage it takes young people to show pride in their families' heritages? We cannot fathom Mr. McClard's decision, and it angers us that while we are barraged by PC expectations from every possible single-issue group out there, that he would choose to diminish the Scottish tradition of the kilt in such a really unnecessary context; a school dance.

Here’s a better question: How could a group that seeks to support free expression and pride in one’s heritage moan incessantly about the “PC expectations” of accepting others’ culture and choices? Yeesh.

I’m not positive, but I think Clan Gunn may be a sept of Klan McKuKlux.