American middle school bans black clothing because it 'makes students look depressed'
It was reported that Charles Middle School in El Paso, Texas, announced on August 5, 2024 that it will prohibit students from wearing all-black clothing. The school explained that wearing all-black clothing is 'associated with mental health issues and crime,' but parents and local residents have responded by saying, 'There's no way that the color of the clothes you wear can change your mental state.'
Middle school bans all-black clothing, citing mental health concerns
EPISD admits poor communication in black clothing ban, seeks input for future decisions
https://www.kfoxtv.com/news/local/episd-admits-poor-communication-in-black-clothing-ban-seeks-input-for-future-decisions
An El Paso middle school bans all-black clothing, citing mental health concerns
https://www.kfoxtv.com/news/local/an-el-paso-middle-school-bans-all-black-clothing-citing-mental-health-concerns-texas-tx-ms-charles-nick-desantis-pe-teachers-association-pe-depression
Charles Middle School in El Paso, a city located in the westernmost part of Texas, started the new semester on August 5, 2024. In a notice sent to students on the first day of school after the summer vacation, the school announced that it would ban all-black attire.
Principal Nick DeSantis first wrote to students informing them that sweatshirts with hoods and pockets would no longer be allowed, to prevent students from concealing or using items that aren't allowed at school.
Principal DeSantis also announced the ban on all-black clothing, saying, 'We are also banning the popular look on campus of black tops and black bottoms, which is associated with depression, mental health issues and crime rather than the way happy, healthy kids should learn.'
Norma de la Rosa, president of the El Paso Teachers Association, said the dress code was adopted after teachers noticed students changing from bright outfits to all-black attire when they were depressed or stressed.
'What students are not allowed to do is wear all black,' De La Rosa said. 'They can wear black shorts in PE or wear partial black clothing on dress code days, but they can't wear all black.'
In addition, the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD), which oversees Charles Middle School, defended the school's decision in response to a media inquiry, stating, 'Charles Middle School has updated its dress code to enhance student well-being and pride. The decision was carefully considered and approved by a Campus Improvement Team made up of parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders. The goal is to foster a positive self-image in students and more effectively represent the school colors and pride, and the changes are in response to concerns and suggestions received from Charles Middle School stakeholders.'
Some parents and local residents have criticized the move, including Fabiola Flores, a parent of a student at Charles Middle School, who said the school should have consulted with parents beforehand, as she had already suffered financial losses from having to buy new clothes for her children.
'I already bought a pair of black pants, so now I have to buy a new pair of pants,' Flores told a local television station. 'They should have said, 'Here's what I'm thinking, what do you think?''
Other comments included: 'The color of the clothes has nothing to do with the ability to do something or feel something,' and 'Putting students in different colored clothes isn't going to magically turn them into different people.'
The advice has not gone down well with experts, with Krista Wingate, director of child and adolescent services at the local health care provider Emergence Health Network, saying, 'Mental illness and depression have no color, and it has nothing to do with clothing. It's much more important to look out for other signs.'
In response to these objections, EPISD Superintendent Sarah Venegas said, 'This decision was clearly an overreach,' and revealed that she would consider reviewing the dress code. Superintendent Venegas also told a local TV station, 'We want mental health professionals to be on the committee, especially when it comes to considering issues related to student mental health,' indicating her intention to restructure the campus improvement team.
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