A small problem...

[Canadian_Kilt]

I say wear it, but make sure you look your best - it's important that everyone understands you are wearing it for the right reasons, not just to be rebellious.

Wear it with confidence - bullies don't know what to do about confidence .. usually because they don't have much of it themselves. Ignore the other kids unless it ever descends into threats. If they threaten you, involve the administration. If they wont do anything, involve the police.

As to the teachers insulting you - I would report them immediately. That is highly uncalled for and extremely unproffessional. If the principal won't address the issue, climb the food chain until you find someone that will.

This is not something I would get lawyers involved in. That never really ends well for anyone. You should be able to sort it out.

[Riverkilt]

How about a success story with a solution?

Check out Jerry Griffin's story in the Nov '04 Utilikilt Newsletter

http://www.utilikilts.com/news/archi...4-11/index.htm

Its about halfway down, he's the one with the pic of him hunting kilted.

You need to find that t-shirt that says something to the effect that America is a free country with the astrisk that some limits do apply. That would go well with your kilts. Does the ACLU make shirts?

Anyhow, if you have any Scottish blood, and we all do somewhere, hook up with your major clan on line. Bet they can help too.

Ron

[elitekiltedcommando]

Yeah, I do have Scott in me. (My mother's maiden name is MacPherson) As for the MacPherson tartan, not enoguh cash to buy a really nice kilt, so I go through Sportkilt, and they dont have the MacPherson tartan. Should by the end of the year though.... (Woohoo!) And thanks again for all the help. You seem to be a really good group of guys.

[thescot]

One thing is for sure: NEVER LET 'EM SEE YOU SWEAT! If they do, you're done for. If they try to look under your kilt, you can always turn the tables on who is interested in guys (if you know what I mean.)
"Find something you like?"
"Get you all excited?"
"Find your girlfirend's figer prints?"
Or my personal favorite, "Stop acting like your mother. She does that, too."

If the environment is that hostile, why put yourself through it? Laugh at/with them, then make it easy on yourself and wear pants. I never let anyone make me feel badly about my kilt, but I don't wear it to the local Hells Angels rally either.

OR, Punch a few lights out! (That's my real preference, but it would lead to some really nasty legal problems, and since the other guys here want to sue somebody, better let that one go.)

You really have to pick your fights, and this one may not be worth fighting.

[elitekiltedcommando]

True. Im probably just gonna turn the tables and make them feel uncomfortable.

[scoutniagara]

Deleted: Not relevant to the thread

[cgrinder]

Well I must agree with Dalglish...even though it may go against every fiber in your being, to not wear your kilt at school. High School is High School and it's immature and alot, not all, people in that age group fear what they don't understand so they try and make jokes and keep you in the limelight so they won't be. I hate it that it this way for you, and it reminds me of any dumb sh*t I heard when I went through high school. But society being society and having norms and all you may want to just wear your kilt in your own time and share it with those who you know appreciate it for now. Good luck

[BarefootScott]

Im probably just gonna turn the tables and make them feel uncomfortable.

They already feel uncomfortable; that's why they're doing what they do. Most likely they're envious or simply curious, but don't know how to express it the right way.

My personal advice is twofold:
1) Wear the kilt when you want (without deliberately trying to agitate people) and wear it proud. 100 years ago women were having this fight about pants. You're not doing anything wrong, illegal, or weird, so don't worry about it.

2) Repay their hate, spite, and hurtful actions with kindness, genuine care, and a heart of service. In time you’ll find that if you brush off their rude comments, ignore their attempts to humiliate you, and don’t react angrily, things will probably taper off. Then again, they may not. In either case, don’t lower yourself to their level by reacting immaturely or spitefully.

If there are serious attempts at publicly humiliating you by lifting/pulling down your kilt (not just “playful” teenage banter), I would suggest couple strategies: First, travel in a pack. Surround yourself with your friends to act as a shield of sorts. It’ll be hard for the cowardly bullies to get to you if you’re surrounded by 2-3 friends all the time. Second, seek out sympathetic, understanding faculty (teachers). Friends in high places are not to be underestimated. One or two teachers on your side can make all the difference.

This is slightly off-topic, but it relates, so bear with me a moment. I don’t wear shoes of any kind. Like, ever, anywhere. (Except to Church and other formal events.) It gets me some strange looks, some stranger comments, and even stranger troubles, at times. It isn’t illegal, it isn’t wrong, and while some would argue that it is, it isn’t weird. (A guy with a kilt that comes half way down his calves is weird; not wearing shoes when you don’t need them isn’t. But I digress.)

Really it boils down to the same thing: the social “norm.” Some of us thoroughly enjoy things that go against the social norm, and we’re beaten up for it. You have to stand your ground and act respectful and kind, even when others don’t. Often you have to remind yourself that there’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing (or wearing, as the case may be) because the comments and stares can get to you after a while.

But that’s what friends and places like X-Marks are for, right guys?! Be proud of your kilt and your Scottish heritage, and remember that the others are the ones in the wrong.

Sorry this turned into a small novel, but it really boils my blood to see anyone, but particularly teenagers, harassed for something as trivial as clothing. I hope some of this advice helps, and I wish you the best in your situation.

Joshua

[beloitpiper]

I have a few questions:
1) what tartan is your SportKilt?
2) do you wear a sporran with it?
3) What other accessories (hose, flashes, belt, shoes) do you wear?
4) would you like me to (could I PLEASE) come over and talk to your school administrators? I could get the midwest Gordons to come with...

[Erisianmonkey]

While I do agree that this may be a fight that you may not necessarily win,as most schools have a "no distracting clothing" rule, you should *definitely* do something about those members of staff. Even if you don't see them much anymore, they have made the school environment a hostile place for you, and that is simply unacceptable. You said that you got the vice principal to back down on the gym shorts under the kilt. (Which brings up the question, how were they planning to enforce that anyway?) Since he seems to have some sense, in that he backed down when faced with *that* obvious discrimination lawsuit, it seems to me he's likely to go greener than Ireland in the springtime when he finds out that two of his teachers have been verbally abusing a student who knows his rights. If the vice principal doesn't do anything about it, go over his head on up through the school board. If you can afford a lawyer, by all means get one, but I can tell you now, I won quite a few battles in high school armed with just my knowledge of my rights and the willingness to take it to the next level- and I never had to take anything as far as court. By the time I left high school the principal and I were fairly friendly (although he feared to see me coming into his office) because he knew I was an intelligent person who fought for my rights and didn't back down- but I always showed respect, and expected the same in return.

I hope you get to keep your kilt, but I hope even more that you get those two teachers fired or at least disciplined. If they are harassing you about the kilt, what are they harassing others about? Go get 'em man, you've got right on your side-and a big brass pair to go along with it!