FUN ACTIVITIES, NOT CONFORMITY

Uniforms? This is the stupidest thing our school system has ever

considered in a long time. It's a last desperate measure to try to prevent

gang violence, and it won't work. Our school system is addressing the issue of

gangs in school like it does so many other issues; chipping away at the block

but never really getting down to it.

They take away our beepers, our baggy pants, our rags. Some schools even

limit what colors you can wear together (no red and black, and no blue and

black together). They think that will stop fights, but it won't . The only way

to try to stop the ''gang tension'' is to change students' attitudes, not

their clothes. We need to provide fun alternatives to gang activity.

So far The Press Democrat has asked a lot of adults their opinions. Of

course they're in favor of it; it doesn't even affect them.

Take it from me, a student it'll affect, a student who hasn't worn a skirt

to school since kindergarten and plans not to, a student who knows this won't

solve gang-related problems, a student who, if she wanted to wear uniforms,

would go to private school.