Personal style. It’s yours. That’s what “personal” means.

In the last few years, I have grew into someone I really do like. Myself.

In high school, I felt I was kind of chameleon. I could rock some Etnies just as well as cowboy boots. But fairly recently I discovered a style that really expresses me. I’ve even been using it to my marketing benefit, having a signature bandana on at most of my events and even gracing my charatictured logo! I love it!

1943. That’s when the “We Can Do It” ad first came out. I feel like that ad, even though created 45 years before my beginning, was meant for me. The original doll. Strong!

Now the point of all of this, in a very roundabout way was to get us here. My grievance. My cousin is in middle school, and she and her friends have been sporting bandanas during this school year. They’ve been hassled by teachers and gone as far as being called into the principal’s office for this “behavior.” Gang-related attire.

Now if we look back to the 1943 ad, I’m pretty sure that doll was not a Blood. She was empowered. And that’s exactly what the school system is trying to suppress. The handbook states, “No gang-related insignia colors, paraphernalia material or attire may be worn or carried on campus or at school activities. This includes but is not limited to: gloves, bandannas, wristbands, chains and spiked jewelry.”

Maybe they should look at rewriting the handbook, just to help clarify a little broader, “No freedom of expression.” The idea that we need to wash out any diversity in order to keep kids from being distracted is ridiculous. Instead of numbing kids into believing the world is beige, maybe we should be painting rainbows down the hallways and see how it makes them come alive.

Suppression is killing creativity. It takes a lot to be strong enough to fight against beige, especially in this small rural community. I’m proud of my cousin for holding tight to her creative spirit. She’s a true rebel. I stand behind you.

 

Holly Karsjens

Albert Lea