Morehouse clarifies controversial dress code policy

Under fire from critics inside and outside the institution, Morehouse College has clarified its new dress code policy.

In an e-mail message to alumni, college president Robert M. Franklin defended the new policy as an outgrowth of a two-year effort and denied charges that the new rules -- which prohibit gender nonconformity in clothing -- resulted from homophobia.

"Since the policy was released, a lot of attention has centered on the standard that prohibits men from wearing women's clothing on campus," Franklin wrote. "Some critics have concluded that Morehouse seeks to discriminate against certain groups of students, specifically gay, transgendered and bisexual men," he said. "This is not our intent. In fact, we have worked diligently to ensure that Morehouse is a safe, inclusive, and respectful community with a strong commitment to social justice, diversity and respectful tolerance," Franklin said.

Franklin's e-mail message comes not long after Daily Voice columnist Frank Leon Roberts criticized the policy for "an egregiously heterosexist bias" and for its "deeply problematic class-politics."

"Whatever happened to the idea of letting young undergraduate men 'find themselves'--even if that means letting them sag their jeans a little bit or even throwing on a little black nail polish every now and then," Roberts asked in his column.

Dr. Franklin's e-mail to alumni, titled "The Morehouse Model: Dressing the Part," explained that the policy was part of an effort aimed at "aligning our student development with the College's historical mission of producing educated and ethical leaders."

Franklin said the new rules, called "The Appropriate Attire Policy," communicate "standards of dress and behavior that reflect the Renaissance Man at Morehouse."

Franklin likened the debate over the policy to the ongoing effort to find a "balance between individual expression and social responsibility." He called it "an ageless debate that calls each generation to discuss, discern and formulate solutions that work for their time and their circumstances."

Although clearly sensitive to the question of homophobia, President Franklin was more assertive in defending other aspects of the policy from critics who charge that a draconian dress code denies young black men the opportunity for self expression.

"Many of their expressions, such as spoken word and socially conscious rap, styles of dress, and even hairstyles are forms of self-expression designed to further define their identity and set them apart," Franklin wrote. But he distinguished "conscious" forms of self expression from "other forms, including wearing sagging pants, do-rags and 'grillz,'" which he said have become associated with negative stereotypes of black manhood.