New dress code, old colonial idea

You see, in the wording of current guidelines (and no doubt the new one) there is a distinct gender bias, but that’s apparently OK with many people including radio talk show hosts and their callers.

I totally agree that there must be some level of decorum in the classroom and so on. But if nothing else, this “issue” is yet another one that exposes how uncritically many in this alleged republic accept and adhere to old colonial-era ideas about the corrupting influence of human, particularly nonwhite and especially black female, bodies and sexuality.

It shows how many still believe that the best way to deal with this is to simply cover up and to no doubt police by shaming. To do anything else would mean undertaking activities that would expose young people to the volumes of researched information about human sexuality and perhaps the real origins of the sexual and “modesty” codes we inherited in 1962.

In other words, they’ll be taught the same sex-ed/health and family life education that is currently being held hostage by certain religious bodies, although TT is supposed to be a republic.

To a somewhat lesser extent this issue will bring up the question of what it means to be properly dressed even for men. It is so galling that 54 years after changing flags, 40 years after becoming a republic, “proper” men’s attire is still gauged by European (default) standards; jackets and ties are still insisted upon in some spaces.

Up to now we (well, except Gerald Yetming, Wade Mark and the late Chief Servant) lack the inner confidence to adopt local modes of formal dress that is conducive to a tropical environment and insisting that everyone else respect our decision.

So, bring on the new dress codes for teachers and happy Republic Day

Corey Gilkes La Romaine