"This school administration has received two petitions to change the Uniform code. One to abolish the uniform code entirely, and another to make a small adjustnt to the rules. Given that the plaintiff who wishes to abolish the uniform code has threatened public relations, the administration has decided to hold a formal referendum on the matter. I will now explain the rules: Each party gets one presentation today. Over the course of the week, there will be both morning and evening debate sessions, followed by a round of voting in secret ballot after the evening session. A final round of polling will be held on Friday morning, and the results will be published by the end of the day. To ensure a full consensus. Either party must obtain an 80% supermajority result. Failure, will result in the existing Uniform code being retained, and no further requests to change them will be entertained for the remainder of the academic year," said Father Joseph to the rapt attention of the assembled students of fifth grade and higher in the school auditorium.
He waited for the news to sink in, and for the whispers to stop.
"Now, the first party, Ms. Davis, will present her proposal," said Fr. Joseph, and moved away from the lectern, as the massive auditorium screens flashed to life with the first slide of Ester's presentation.
Ester stepped up to the lectern. Her Star of David pendant glittering under the spotlights, her face and body completely obscured by her black caftan, scarf and veil, leaving only her brown eyes seen by the audience.
"I'm Ester David. For centuries, my culture and ethnicity has endured persecution. We have been forced to violate our principles of modesty, expose ourselves, endure insults to our faith, our dress and our traditions. I say no more! We will not be silenced, and we will not be shad because we do not wish to be sexualized and exposed!" she declared as she clicked through slide after slide depicting various atrocities.
The slides changed from black and white photos of World War 2 era Jewish people in ghettos and slums, to models posing suggestively in sexualized school uniforms.
"This vulgar uniform code, flies in the face of what even the Christian faith this institution claims its identity on. Just look at how the very sa elents of what you are wearing now, have been twisted and corrupted into such scandalous attire. Do you really want to associate with that? Do you want to be labeled as easy or jail bait, just because of your attire?" she asked rhetorically as she clicked through slides of both classic pin-up models and contemporary adult social dia influencers all posing seductively in tight white blouses and short plaid and pleated skirts.
"I implore you, I beg of you, to vote to change this vile system. I wish for a future where I can walk down a hallway with pride, instead of suffering ridicule and penalties of simply expressing my faith and my culture," she concluded, her voice choked with sobs, before turning away from the lectern.
"Thank you for that presentation, Ms. David. Ms. Albrecht, please proceed with your presentation," said Fr. Joseph, a vein throbbing in his temple.
Adelaide stepped up to the lectern, and she flashed Fr. Joseph a reassuring smile.
Her appearance stood as a sharp contrast to how Ester had carried herself.
The black elents of the uniform accentuated her pale white skin and sleek blonde hair.
She stood tall, adjusted the microphone, and looked across the darkened auditorium.
"Good morning. My na is Adelaide Albrecht. Let's be real for a second here. The St. Ignatius uniform code, is actually pretty progressive compared to most schools that have a uniform code. Let's first address the elephant in the room. Why have a uniform code at all? The answer, is equality. We all know the admission criteria to even get into this school, a 70% minimum score on a written exam, thirty thousand dollars a year in tuition fees. Yes there are scholarships and student aid, but the fact of the matter is, getting in isn't easy, nor cheap. Your families have taken massive financial risks to give you an opportunity to learn, and this institution not only acknowledges it, but seeks to mitigate it without compromising on its standards. The first mitigation is the uniform. It sends a ssage. A ssage that says 'I belong here'. It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, Muslim or Jewish. When you put on that uniform, you are a student of St. Ignatius Academy. The second mitigation is the cost to the school and the frankly generous leeway we already enjoy," she said, clicking through her slides that showed people in both school and military uniforms, including pictures of ethnically diverse units, who were all connected by the single uniform.
She stopped at a slide that showed a beautifully drawn exploded view of the school uniform's layers, along with an infographic that showed the permitted religious and cultural items.
"As you can see, and you have no doubt experienced. The Uniform code allows for a range of religious and cultural expression. You can pierce your earlobes and nostrils, you can wear a headscarf, turban or a cap. Technically, the uniform covers every part of your body except the face and hands. Furthermore, this isn't off-the-rack polyester, or scratchy cotton. I ask you all. Have you broken a sweat while running through the hallways in this uniform? Have you twisted an ankle? How many of you have had to replace one because of a rip and not because you outgrew it?" she asked rhetorically.
She advanced the slide to show a more detailed exploded diagram of the blazer and its various components.
"The reason you don't feel that, is because of what is in this uniform. Thermal wicking pads, made from carbon nanotubes, allow you to stay comfortable in any ambient environnt. Tungsten nanowires built into the weave and seams make these uniforms impossible to snag and rip. And all of this is subsidized by the school. Compare that now to the so-called street clothes you buy and wear. They sotis barely survive a laundromat's spin cycle," said Adelaide, to a few nervous chuckles in the audience.
She hit her final slide that showed a sleek black leather stiletto heeled pump.
"Does the current Uniform code have flaws? Yes, the four centiter kitten heels currently do not lend the gravitas and impact that this marvel of fashion and engineering deserve. However, to call for its abolition, would do a grave disservice to the brilliant n and won behind such a policy, and to the wise clergy who saw the potential and are risking slander and scandal to keep this institution's integrity and values intact," she concluded.
Fr. Joseph ca back to the lectern.
"Thank you, Ms. Albrecht. The first round of debate sessions and polls begin tomorrow. Voting and attendance is compulsory. Dismissed," he said, and the slightly confused students filed out.
---
"What do you think? We managed to sway a few?" asked Adelaide, as she and her team made their way back to their 7th grade classroom.
"Pretty sure we did. That World War 2 stuff can only go so far these days," said Yasmin.
Valentina walked up to them.
"Nice presentation Adelaide. I didn't know these things had that kind of tech in them," she said.
"Thanks. I didn't until yesterday either," chuckled Adelaide.
"Well, I've got to run. See you in the clubroom," said Valentina, and hurried off to her 11th grade class.
"Where's Ester?" asked Yue, as they entered the classroom.
"Probably crying in the bathroom," said Yasmin.
They took their seats and waited for regular class to resu.
The teacher ca in, followed by Ester, who was still in her veil.
"Settle down everyone, we're starting on Triangle congruency today, so pay attention," said Mr. Savage, the math teacher.
"Mr. Savage, what's your take? Should the uniform code be abolished?" asked a student.
"My take, is you kids are making a big deal out of nothing, and should spend your ti and effort on your math," said Mr. Savage, clearing the digital white board for the lesson.
With the discussion on uniforms effectively shut down, he started his lecture on the topic of congruent triangles, and their various rules.
---
"Who in the hell are those?" whispered Adelaide, as they saw Ester's team take their seats for the debate.
Besides Ester, there were four other girls, all similarly attired in black caftans and veils
"None of the Muslim students that I know would associate with her," said Sadiq, frowning slightly.
"Well, anyone can wear a damn veil," said Yasmin.
"Your attention please," said Catherine who was moderating the debate, and silence fell inside the auditorium.
"These are the rules for all debate sessions. Profanity, racial slurs, or personal attacks of any kind will result in imdiate disqualification. Each team mber has five minutes to speak, and can only speak once per session. First team is Ms. David's, please step up," she said.
Ester herself, stepped up to the lectern.
"Ti starts now," said Catherine, and pressed a buzzer.
"Uniforms have been used for centuries to crush dissent, suppress individuality and tear apart communities. Ever since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, ruthless corporations and capitalists have used the pretense of providing workers with uniforms to increase their docility and exploitation. The Hawthorne effect and Enclothed cognition, are direct results of the horrific gas-lighting these Crusaders against individuality have used to extract more work while breaking our spirits into believing that we are just replaceable cogs in their soulless machines. Make no mistake. Under that fancy technology is nothing but a subversive tyrant who wishes us to give up our dignity, our individuality, our very lives to his nefarious cause. This is why you must vote for the abolition of any form of uniform or dress code that seeks to suppress you," said Ester, and bowed slightly to the smattering of polite applause from the confused student body.
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