A middle school in El Paso, Texas is banning black clothing because the color is associated with depression and other mental health issues.
The school also banned hoodies, tank tops, leggings, spaghetti straps, crop tops, ripped tops, or any tops that expose the belly.
The announcement was made in a letter sent to parents by Charles Middle School principal Nick DeSantis.
DeSantis stated that black clothing is “associated with depression and mental health issues.”
The president of the Teachers Association clarified that students can wear black shorts to physical education class or on free dress day.
“What they are not allowing for students to wear clothing that is black from top to bottom,” explained Norma De La Rosa, the president of El Paso Teachers Association. “They can wear black shorts to go to PE. And they can wear it on free dress day, but they just cannot wear it from top to bottom.”
De La Rosa explained that teachers see a sudden change in students who begin wearing all black. She said they are depressed or stressed out.
However, parents complained online that the ban restricts their child’s freedom of expression. They say black is not always associated with depression, mental health issues, Satanism or goth.
“The color of clothing has nothing to do with your ability to do anything or feel any emotion,” one parent said.
“Wearing black is not a mental health issue, it’s the way of life.”
Another parent commented, “…making students wear a different color isn’t going to magically make them a completely different person.”
