Morehouse College in Atlanta has a rich tradition of being a training ground for some of America’s most distinguished black men. The all male, historically black institution boasts such prominent alumni as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebony Magazine founder Robert E. Johnson, and film maker Spike Lee, to name a few. In their day, these students were frequently seen on campus in shirt and tie. But Morehouse believes the current roster of black men attending the college have somehow lost the idea and will to be “distinguished” — and they’ve had enough!
Students have been attending classes wearing sagging pants exposing both rear and sometimes frontal views, t-shirts with profane language, doo-rags, sunglasses, pajamas, bare-foot, and even women’s clothes — and officials say that is
NOT the image of a Morehouse man. So the college recently initiated a strict dress code of conduct that all students must immediately adhere to, or risk academic suspension. The new policy has upset some students who say the new dress code impedes on their freedom of expression, while others say things had gotten so far out of hand they welcome a bit of discipline. The new policy is an effort to
“get back to the legacy” of Morehouse leaders, said Dr. William Bynum, Vice-President of the Office of Student Services.
“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.” Student government Co-Chief of Staff Cameron Thomas-Shah agreed, saying
“The image of a strong black man needs to be upheld. And if anyone sees this policy as something that is restrictive then maybe Morehouse is not the place for you.” Morehouse joins a growing list of higher education institutions enforcing a proper image, including Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., and Hampton University Business School, whose students with braids or dreadlocks are encouraged to cut their hair.
Morehouse College in Atlanta has a rich tradition of being a training ground for some of America’s most distinguished black men. The all male, historically black institution boasts such prominent alumni as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ebony Magazine founder Robert E. Johnson, and film maker Spike Lee, to name a few. In their day, these students were frequently seen on campus in shirt and tie. But Morehouse believes the current roster of black men attending the college have somehow lost the idea and will to be “distinguished” — and they’ve had enough!
Students have been attending classes wearing sagging pants exposing both rear and sometimes frontal views, t-shirts with profane language, doo-rags, sunglasses, pajamas, bare-foot, and even women’s clothes — and officials say that is NOT the image of a Morehouse man. So the college recently initiated a strict dress code of conduct that all students must immediately adhere to, or risk academic suspension. The new policy has upset some students who say the new dress code impedes on their freedom of expression, while others say things had gotten so far out of hand they welcome a bit of discipline. The new policy is an effort to “get back to the legacy” of Morehouse leaders, said Dr. William Bynum, Vice-President of the Office of Student Services. “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.” Student government Co-Chief of Staff Cameron Thomas-Shah agreed, saying “The image of a strong black man needs to be upheld. And if anyone sees this policy as something that is restrictive then maybe Morehouse is not the place for you.” Morehouse joins a growing list of higher education institutions enforcing a proper image, including Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., and Hampton University Business School, whose students with braids or dreadlocks are encouraged to cut their hair.
It would be one thing if Morehouse was really sincere in wanting to improve the campus image. But everybody knows their whole agenda is aimed against the LGBT community to halt our freedom of expression. OK we get it Morehouse… you don't like guys walking around dressed as girls. But it's the 21st century so GET WITH IT! Just because you make your students wear a suit to class doesn't stop them from wearing a nightgown to bed. Stop the social hatred. Where's the acceptance?