A Charlotte, N.C., middle school is banning a staple of the teenage wardrobe: solid-colored T-shirts, reports the Charlotte Observer. Principal Tom Bridges of Northridge School said he is concerned about students’ coordinating their shirt colors because it might indicate gang activity. Staff members are watching for groups of students wearing colors associated with gangs, such as white or pink.
Bridges made an announcement about the rule on Thursday and sent a letter home to parents. The school district has been stationing extra security at the school. “I had parents thanking me Friday for being proactive on this,” Bridges said.
While the primary concern was about groups of students who wore white and pink T-shirts, all solid colors are now banned. “While this might not sound like much of a problem, this is a system used by gangs to identify themselves,” said a school spokeswoman.
Some Charlotte-area schools require that students wear only certain colors; others permit solid T-shirts and ban those with designs on them. Other schools require uniforms. Any student who arrived at Northridge wearing a plain white T-shirt Friday was given a blue-and-green shirt to wear.
Link: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/living/education/8520932.htm?ERIGHTS=-4933836188878014104