Taylor Bembry
Blue & White Flash/Staff Writer
Most of us have seen the t-shirts that are sold at Spencers, Hot Topic, and other places with obscured and x-rated graphics and sayings on them. Some Jackson State University students wear these t-shirts as a fashion statement. Are these t-shirts a trend or a sign of ignorance and disrespect?
The Jackson State University 2012-2013 Student Decorum Policy in the Student Handbook states that students are expected to dress in a manner representative of a higher education institution and an educated person. Because of this, students wearing t-shirts with x-rated expressions, vulgar pictures and other offensive images may be in violation of this policy and subject to sanctions.
After perusing several editions of the JSU Jacksonian Yearbook from the 1960s to the late 1970s, it was evident that most students dressed in attire that was both fashionable and tasteful while attending class.
Their dress seems to reflect, as the Decorum Policy states, their educational status at an institution of higher learning.
However, this ideal no longer seems to be in fashion for the 2012 student. Risqué t-shirts, clothing that leaves little to the imagination, sagging pants and more can be seen on students in class and around campus.
Student’s opinion of this behavior varies.
Carlos Smith, SGA Associate Chief Justice and a junior psychology major from Jackson, Miss., said, “I feel that at Jackson State University we came here to get an education and we are scholars. People are walking around with different profanities on their shirts. I do not feel that’s a good representation of the students here,” said Smith. Smith added that he feels these t-shirts are not a fashion statement in any way.
Shaquilla Williams, a sophomore biology pre-nursing major from Flora, Miss., had mixed feelings about the issue.
“I feel like it’s very disrespectful especially if it’s towards women. If I see a guy with a shirt like that on I will judge him automatically just because he has on a shirt like that,” said Williams.
Williams feels that student representations in the past and present should be different.
“Times have changed, so our clothing is very different now,” added Williams. “I think students wear risqué t-shirts for fashion but I don’t think they know how bad they look with it on because it is somewhat disrespectful. However, some students just wear them for fun.”
Some students cannot wait to put on their favorite t-shirts for this year’s homecoming social events, which will probably range from traditional JSU blue and white to everything in between; however, students just ask yourself “Do I want this t-shirt to be a representation of me and JSU?”
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