Second Opinion / OTHER MEDIA : LOS ANGELES SENTINEL : Repressive ‘Gang Attire’ Ban Sends the Wrong Signal
Gov. Pete Wilson signed a bill that would give school districts the right to ban . . . what has been labeled “gang attire.” “Gang attire” could be sportswear young people wear in support of their favorite team. Anyone who has a Raiders jacket could be said to be sporting gang clothing.
(This law) leaves it to local school districts to adopt the clothing regulations. There will be no uniformity in the policy on a statewide level. It is possible that many black and brown students will have to give up their red and blue bandannas, while their rich white suburban counterparts can continue wearing their “colors.” We cannot be misled--the law is geared toward inner-city youth. It is a repressive rule that sends the wrong signal.
If Sacramento wants to deal with the gang problems (in schools, it) should get past the rhetoric and deal with the real issues facing our educational system.
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