Guest Column

In accordance with state guidelines on non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity, King Philip Regional High School recently examined its practices and determined, at the suggestion of a community member, that the long tradition of green graduation gowns for males and white graduation gowns for females needed to be re-addressed. Discussion ensued in the KP community over tradition, acceptance, and discrimination about gender issues. The following two perspectives on the controversy are from KP seniors and writers for the school newspaper, The Metacomet.
Will Linde:
In recent weeks, King Philip High School has been engaged in a difficult debate over the color of the Class of 2016’s graduation gowns. The administration made the tough but essential decision to require all students to wear green gowns to be gender inclusive. This resolution ended the tradition of girls wearing white gowns and boys wearing green gowns, and it was met with significant backlash from female students who still wished to wear white gowns. As a result, the senior class voted on a new gown that incorporated both green and white, but even this compromise did not satiate the loudest dissidents. As a male student, I only had to change my gown from all green to green with white cuffs, so I am not largely affected; but I had hoped that the administration’s decision would be met with less cutting criticism. Looking at both sides of the argument, I can understand the frustration over the end of a tradition; but as a citizen of the twenty-first century, I see the administration’s decision as a necessary change in the direction of tolerance and acceptance, two very important qualities in our ever changing world. To those who might call KP’s debate a matter of political correctness, I find fault in that argument because the resolution extends beyond the boundaries of gender identity. The choice to have all students wear the same gown is about unity and standing together as a class after six years together. White is not even a KP color, so the decision to wear all green, or green gowns with white cuffs, is about coming together as a KP community and celebrating our graduation regardless of any of the qualities that distinguish us. Because of the heated and constant criticism from those against the class-sponsored robe, the administration decided to allow students who wish to wear white gowns to order them. Regardless of the resolution, it will be troublesome to see my class stand divided at our graduation in June. I can only hope that future KP classes will embrace this decision with open minds and arms.
Michaela Downey:
Over the past few weeks, a change in practice meant to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment has turned into a controversy that has brought out the worst in the KP community. The administration and senior student government at King Philip Regional High School decided to end the tradition of sex-segregated graduation regalia. If anything, for me this was a welcome change as it symbolizes a desire both to be more inclusive and to abandon archaic practices of discrimination based upon gender. Many members of the community have taken issue with this, even though numerous other high schools in the area have made this transition over the past few years without incident. One would think that a transition to a more modern and accepting practice would be welcomed, but it seems not all of the community is ready to break from past traditions in order to embrace a forward-thinking change. Due to the jarring pushback from a small portion of the community, administration has now allowed students to change over to white regalia at an additional cost. I, however, will proudly be wearing a green cap and gown in recognition of the unity of my graduating class and the equality of opportunity between myself and my male classmates. I firmly believe that I go to school with a lot of great people, and as our last few months together come to a close, I look forward to wearing graduation regalia that unifies us and does not define and label us on the basis of our gender.