Teen banned from prom over controversial dress (Confederate Flag theme)

WAFB News / Various ^ | April 24, 2012 | Janice Broach

[Stoat]

MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) – A Mid-South teen is banned from prom for wearing a dress that resembles a confederate battle flag.

"It wasn't done to offend anybody," Texanna Edwards explained of her dress. "It was done just for the sole fact that I just wanted a rebel flag dress because I thought it was cool."

But the principal at Gibson High in West Tennessee did not think it was cool.  Edwards, a senior at the school, tried to wear the dress that she helped design to the prom Saturday night.  She also wore a rebel flag necklace.

"He told us y'all have to leave because the dress is inappropriate," Edwards said.

Texanna, who plans to become a veterinarian, said she almost cried, "I felt like it but I was more mad."

She says she does not understand why the dress was banned because students in school wear rebel flag shirts, hats, and belt buckles.

"I don't see the point of not letting someone in their one-and-only prom, senior prom. The year they graduate. Doesn't represent anything bad," Cody Beasley, a fellow student says.

LaShantay Beverly, also a student, agrees.

"Other people wear the same stuff to school but they don't get kicked out of school on that basis," she said.

"It was heritage not hate.  She didn't go in their to make nobody upset or anything like that," says student Brittany Donald.

Gibson High principal, James Hughes, refused to talk with WMC-TV.

Last year, Texanna wore a camouflage dress to the prom.

She says the whole thing has been blown out of proportion.

[Stoat]

There's also a video report available at the  WAFB   site; here again:

 

Teen banned from prom over controversial dress - WAFB 9 News Baton Rouge, Louisiana News, Weather, Sports

 

 

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Also:

 

Tennessee high schooler kicked out of senior prom for wearing Confederate flag dress  - NY Daily News

(edit)

School officials said a teacher who served as prom sponsor warned Edwards two months ago not to wear the dress and to clear the idea with the principal, but Edwards ignored the warning.

Gibson County director of schools Eddie Pruett told the Sun there have been race-related issues at the school recently.

Edwards said students wore Confederate-flag themed garb to school all the time, and there was never any problems.

“I didn’t ask for approval because I didn’t think I needed to. I had one teacher tell me it was a bad idea. ... But I asked a bunch of people before I had the dress made, and they all loved the idea,” she told the Sun.

Kim Lee, Edwards’ mom, said they spent about $500 on Texanna’s dress, makeup and hair.

Pruett told the newspaper the school was trying to keep everyone safe.

“I hate that the girl was not able to attend prom, and this is an unfortunate incident,” he said. “But as a school district, we have to look out for the best interest for all students.”

Gibson County is in western Tennessee, about 100 miles north of Memphis. (edit)

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Texanna Edwards- Teenager banned from Tennessee prom when she showed up in Confederate flag dress - Mail Online

 

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Free Republic thread from 2007:

Texas students sue to carry purses decorated with Confederate flag

Texas students sue to carry purses decorated with Confederate flag

[Stoat]

“Thought you might be interested” ping.

[freedumb2003]

Although I usually side with the administration on these kinds of things, the SCOTUS has said “students do not leave their rights at the schoolroom door” (or words to that effect).

Unless they enforce a strict dress code that says, for example “all girls must wear white dresses and all guys must wear blue suits,” then this is totally valid for her to wear and a violation of her 1st Amendment rights.

[Mad Dawgg]

Simple Fix.

Boil Tar, Pluck Feathers, Cut Rail...

Add in idiot who banned the dress.

Post Video to youtube.

[RightOnline]

Like it. I’ll pop the corn.

[Stoat]

Gibson County director of schools Eddie Pruett told the Sun there have been race-related issues at the school recently

 

So, instead of educating students on the true history and meaning of Confederate flag (s) and related imagery, they chose to side with ignorant Leftists who have twisted the proud flag into a lie about racism.

 

[lovesdogs]

She should have worn the dress and shown up with a big ole Janet “Nappy” younger sis look-a-like on her arm. That would have given the PC principal some pause (and knotted drawers too).

[goseminoles]

Her date should have showed up with a hoodie. Problem solved.

[353FMG]

She should’ve dressed in a Saudi flag and all would have been well and if she had shouted Allah Akhbar she would’ve been chosen queen of the prom.

Ah, America, not long enough have I known you.

[Liberty Valance]

If she had worn the Sandra Fluke designer prom dress
there would be no problem.

[tet68]

If Obama had a daughter she’s look like...
no, wait that won’t work...she’s not a thug.

[Tupelo]

Pants hanging under your ass: OK
Red dress with Starry Cross: Ban dress and humiliate student.

Ain’t diversity grand?

[goseminoles]

I was trying to construct that joke, but took the easy way out.

[yldstrk]

good lord, at least if you are going to spend $500 end up looking good

[JLS]

Of course she intended to offend. She intended to offend school administrators just like all teens do.

[Jacquerie]

“Texanna.” It is good to see the southern tradition of naming females after states is alive and well.

I have met ladies named Virginia, Carolina, Florida, Georgia and one with the middle name of Mississippi.

[Smokin' Joe]

That girl been Trayvonned.

[svcw]

All I can say is that is not a very pretty prom dress, but its her prom and her dress.

[Kartographer]

"All I can say is that is not a very pretty prom dress, but its her prom and her dress."

Might work if her boyfriend takes her in a pick-up truck and she rides laying across the back window.

[Stoat]

“Texanna.” It is good to see the southern tradition of naming females after states is alive and well.

I have met ladies named Virginia, Carolina, Florida, Georgia and one with the middle name of Mississippi. 

Even though I am unfortunately a Northerner, I love The South and wish that I lived there.  Maybe some day.  "sigh"

Two years ago I drove from Seattle to Savannah and back again through The South. One of the many things that made me not want to return home was the incredible friendliness of Southerners, which is dramatically different from what I'm accustomed to here.

The desire to name their children after the great Nation that they love is, in my view, perfectly in keeping with the proud traditions of Southern Hospitality and warm friendliness that I encountered.