Idaho School District Accused of Discriminatory Dress Code Targeting Latino Students
The Caldwell School District in Idaho faced criticism last year for enforcing a dress code that prohibited Latina student Brenda Hernandez from wearing her Brown Pride hoodie. The district claimed that the hoodie violated policies related to gang-affiliation. This incident spurred Hernandez to take a stand against the dress code policy.
Now, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho has filed a complaint against another school district in the state. According to the ACLU, the Nampa School District has a discriminatory dress code that disproportionately affects Latino students and negatively impacts their educational journeys.
In the complaint filed with the Department of Justice, the ACLU argues that the dress code and disciplinary policies of the Nampa School District specifically target Latino students. The codes, which the ACLU describes as vague and undefined, single out Latino students for their clothing choices and items related to their culture. This includes banning Catholic rosaries and even certain colors that are considered gang-affiliated.
The ACLU points out that although 40% of the district’s students are Latino, they are disproportionately disciplined based on these dress code policies. The policies grant broad discretion to school officials in disciplining students for their clothing and expression.
According to ACLU legal fellow Erica Rodarte, these policies create a culture within the district that unfairly targets and disciplines multiple generations of students. Rodarte believes that Latino students deserve a safe and inclusive learning environment where they are not mislabeled, pushed out, or punished for their cultural backgrounds.
The ACLU’s investigation of both the Nampa and Caldwell School Districts reveals widespread policies that target and discriminate against Latino students. The report titled Proud To Be Brown: Punishing Latine Culture In Idaho Schools by Erica Rodarte sheds light on how the state’s over-policing of dress codes labeled as gang-related unfairly impacts Latino students and their identities.
The list of clothing items considered gang-affiliated by the Nampa and Caldwell police departments is alarming. It includes bandanas, flannel shirts, Los Angeles Dodgers baseball caps, Nike Cortez shoes, Dickies shorts, as well as apparel associated with the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and L.A. Lakers. The dress code policies even extend to clothing featuring Marilyn Monroe or the symbol of the United Farm Workers, known as La Huelga bird.
The ACLU’s report highlights the role of police in enforcing these policies, with Latino parents stating that their children have been targeted and harassed, subjected to searches and interrogations. Prohibiting students from wearing Catholic rosaries also infringes upon the religious practices of those students who identify as Catholic.
The report also sheds light on the Nampa School District’s color contract, which forbids some students from wearing specific colors considered gang-related on a subjective, case-by-case basis. This arbitrary enforcement has caused parents to question whether their children are being profiled based on their racial or ethnic backgrounds.
It is crucial for the Nampa School District to address these issues and cease the implementation of dress codes that unfairly target and discipline Latino students. Minor dress code violations should not escalate to the point of expulsion, disproportionately affecting students of color.
The ACLU’s complaint calls for an end to the gang dress code policies that have led to over-policing and targeting of Latino students. All students have the right to an education where their identities are respected, and they should not be subjected to punishment or discrimination based on their culture or heritage.
In response to these allegations, the Nampa School District should carefully review its dress code policies, ensuring that they are equitable, inclusive, and do not disproportionately affect any student population. It is essential to provide an environment where all students feel safe, valued, and free to express their cultural identities without fear of punishment.
The Idaho Department of Education should also take a proactive role in addressing these issues in school districts across the state. By promoting understanding, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity, Idaho can create an educational system that embraces diversity and supports all students in their pursuit of academic success.
In conclusion, discriminatory dress code policies targeting Latino students within the Nampa School District have prompted a complaint by the ACLU of Idaho. These policies disproportionately discipline Latino students and harm their educational opportunities. The district must address these issues and strive for a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students.
