...to be kilted at prom...

[Strings]

Ok... you're wrong. Asking advice of the rabble might very well be the most imprudent course of action possible... :P

Hey... you asked...

[LadyGriffin]

I am a little nervous about the part where you mention the school that had to apologize to the student. That sounds a bit forceful and threatening. Maybe reserve that for verbal if needed instead of in writing.

Julie

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Ok... you're wrong. Asking advice of the rabble might very well be the most imprudent course of action possible... :P

Kind of like asking a one arm man hanging off the cliff by said arm, "what is the time"...

[randal]

I might be repeating some prior advice but...don't forget to take a picture of yourself in the kilt and jacket you will wear to the prom and present that to your principal. This might also prove to be persuasive.

[KiltShot]

I have to agree with Kiwi, less is more... shorten your letter and provide pictures of your ensemble, prepare a verbal presentation, and include the Vice Principal, no use stepping on toes... I believe you are on the right track...

I agree on all points. Members of today's school administrations are trying to appear inclusive, tolerant and respectful of diversity. You could use that to your advantage in a persuasive manner. Be pleasant and respectful. Appeal to them without appearing meek. And never give them an inkling of the hell they'll go through at the hands of the media if they still refuse you and you release your copy of the letter and photos.

[Nighthawk]

Ok... you're wrong. Asking advice of the rabble might very well be the most imprudent course of action possible... :P

Hey... you asked...

Alright- you make a valid point. I can see from the letter that he included a little of my advice... That may also be imprudent!

[auld argonian]

Ok... you're wrong. Asking advice of the rabble might very well be the most imprudent course of action possible... :P

Hey... you asked...

Might be like asking a Recruiting Sergeant for career planning advice...

...think about it...would you ask any of us to watch your dog over the weekend? I mean, you'd get your dog back but it'd probably be wearing a kilt and would most likely have Guinness on it's breath...

Best

AA

[Nighthawk]

Might be like asking a Recruiting Sergeant for career planning advice...

...think about it...would you ask any of us to watch your dog over the weekend? I mean, you'd get your dog back but it'd probably be wearing a kilt and would most likely have Guinness on it's breath...

Best

AA

Or in my case, he'd have a bowl full of Speyburn and his fur would be died in the Dress MacLeod tartan! Think a cat hide sporran would go well with that... or would the dog just chase it in circles?

[Jack Daw]

Sorry for taking so long, but here is my draft of the letter to the principal.

__________________________________________________ _______________
Not long ago I asked the school if I could wear a kilt to the Fall Formal dance. Contrary to simply showing up in a kilt and hoping for the best, as many people suggested to me, I decided to confront the school first, seeing as there is much ignorance over the kilt, and that it is a misunderstood garment. My request was quickly rejected. The only reasoning I was told was that it would be “too distracting”. I was shocked and hurt by this. I feel that this situation has been handled poorly. I ask that you take this letter seriously and read it thoroughly.
Upon requesting to wear a kilt to the dance, I felt as if I was requesting to do something dumb or silly. Kilt’s, especially in America, have a bad stereotype as a silly “man-skirt” worn only by Bagpipe bands and people trying to be funny. I realize that my request was not at all a dumb request. My request was to where an article of clothing that’s origins and history is deeply rooted in that of Scotland. Any person who enjoys wearing the kilt should have every right to wear it. In fact, no one should even be required to ask permission to wear this clothing, however that’s the way it often is.
The kilt is a garment made of a long yardage of cloth, which is pleated in the back. Two aprons cross over in the front, making a knee length garment with several deep pleats in the back and a smooth apron in the front. Most typically, the kilts are made of Tartan cloth. Tartans are used to identify Scottish clans and families, and have even expanded to representing Irish families, people, states, cities, and even the US armed forces. The kilt is considered the formal attire of Scotland, however, many people all over the world wear kilts. Special jackets and other accessories are made to accompany a kilt.

A typical formal kilt outfit would consist of:
-A kilt
-Kilt hose (long socks)
-Flashes (strips of cloth that hang from the kilt hose, the original design was simply a strip of ribbon with which you tied the kilt hose onto your legs, since they did not have elastic back then)
-A dress shirt
-A tie
-A sporran (pouch that hangs from the belt since a kilt does not have pockets)
-A kilt jacket (there are many types, such as Argyll Jackets and Prince Charlie Jackets,),
-A sgian dubh (Gaelic word for “Black knife” which was once a useful tool in the Highlands, but is now mostly just for looks)

NOTE: I do NOT plan to bring or carry a Sgian Dubh, seeing as it is a knife.

There is so much ignorance and intolerance about the kilt. Therefore, I do not blame you for feeling unsure about allowing a kilt. The reasoning I was told by Mr. ******* was that the kilt would be too distracting. I understand, but do not understand this statement. What will a kilt distract them from? School dances are meant to be an enjoyable (yet decent) time. Do you think that my wearing a kilt will prevent people from dancing and enjoying themselves? The school dance is not meant to be a learning experience, what will a kilt distract them from, their concentration on dancing?
On the other hand, one fact that cannot be denied is that a kilt will turn heads. I assume that this is closer to your reason of “too distracting”. However, is that a bad thing? Everybody, particularly the girls, who attend a dance try their best to have the paramount dress or outfit than anybody else there. However, if a man decides to step beyond the boundaries of obligatory black, blue or tan pants, he is suppressed. I have no desire to become the center of attention or anything of the sort, but there is little doubt that I will get some odd looks and questions. That kind of stuff simply comes with wearing a kilt in public.
Do you think that a kilt would be any more distracting than the radical and/or revealing dresses worn to school events? I heard that in 2008 a girl came to Fall Formal dressed as a pirate, is that more appropriate than a formal kilt outfit?
Traditionally, the kilt is worn without underwear. However, since it is a school event, I am more than willing to wear underwear under the kilt and even shorts if you deem it necessary. If you are afraid of someone being stupid and trying to flip my kilt up, they will simply see the shorts underneath.
Every day we are urged to adapt and accept other peoples’ culture and individuality. But when it comes to these “man-skirts”. All tolerance goes down the drain. Every human has heritage, and it is his or her right to express pride in it. If someone with African or Mexican heritage wished to wear traditional garb of their country, would they not be allowed to because it would be too distracting?
There have been countless cases of students not being allowed into school or school dances because of their choice to wear a kilt. A student from Missouri wore a kilt to a school dance and was forced to change. Soon after, an Internet petition was begun by members of his (Scottish) clan; the principal was required to apologize to the student and allow him to wear his kilt to the following prom.
The desire to wear a kilt is not like wanting to wear a skirt, pirate costume or a tie-die suit to a dance. Unlike silly attire such as pirate costumes to make oneself a laughingstock, a kilt is a symbol of Scottish pride and heritage. Aside from that, the kilt is a very formal garment, more stylish and fancy (not to mention expensive) than you typical pair of dress pants.
To sum this up:
-I do in fact have Scottish heritage and a deep love for my roots.
-The kilt is a formal and casual garment and is not at all a costume.
-The kilt does not represent anything inappropriate or racist.
-The kilt has suffered much abuse in America due to its similarities to a skirt, but it should NEVER be treated as such.
-The kilt has its roots in Scottish history, up until the 1700’s, your kilt was your clothing, your blanket, and your pride. (If this interests you or you do not understand, I am more than happy to explain it to you.)
-The kilt, and the tartan which it is made of, represents hundreds of years of family pride and heritage for people all over the world. To insult the kilt is to insult this pride and heritage, and the people behind it.
-The kilt is in no way “worse” or “less appropriate” than a dress or a suit. In fact, a kilt is much less revealing or “distracting” than some dresses that may turn up. It is a garment that you do not see everyday. It is much different than the typical jeans/T-shirt or the ordinary suit and tie that we see as common in America.

I believe that you have the understanding to manage this appropriately. I ask that you please reconsider your hasty “No” to my request and allow a kilt to Prom this spring. I have no intention to make the kilt a center of entertainment and definitely do not intend on doing anything inappropriate with the kilt (many people like to ask what is under a kilt, I will answer them politely, and not do anything stupid, you have my word on that). I implore you to reconsider.
However, I ask that you do not come to a decision until you have talked with me in person on the subject. Regardless of your answer, I would like to have it written on paper even if you tell me in person (many people think more clearly when they write something on paper).

Thank you very much for your time and I hope that you please reconsider.

__________________________________________________ ______________



I will, of course add several pictures and examples of kilt outfits and kilted proms. By the time I deliver this to him, I will have some new pictures of my updated outfit that I plan to wear.

Please discuss and advise. Thank you very much.

I didn't highlight all, but you should reconsider your choice of words. Replace the harsh, negative terms with neutral to make your tone less inflamatory and more reasonable. Also, perform a spell-check.

[QMcK]

I agree - this letter should be as un-confrontational as possible. Save the confrontational stuff for if they still say no, if you want to.

But I would advise you not to make a fuss even if they say no. You have to pick your battles. To me, it wouldn't be worth it. You can wear trousers, it's not that big a deal. But if you create a fuss, they could really make things difficult for you.