Of the responses I've read so far, this has stood out:
From yahoo NPHC listserv
Quote:
I remember my first week at Morehouse years ago. My grandfather drove me down to Atlanta from Philadelphia. We arrived at 6am. We were among of the first new students to arrive and start a line of students that eventually number 900. We waited for nearly two hours under the gaze of Martin Luther King Jr., welcoming us and reaffirming something we all already knew - that we were on the threshold of becoming a part of a rich tradition of black men who walk these same halls and sat in these same rooms and left to do great things. We were proud already.
At the end of the day, the school had all new students dress in suits and line up in the center of the campus. From there they marched us past our teary eyed parents into the Martin Luther King International Chapel for the Welcome to the House ceremony. It was truly a memorable occassion for all. They marched us out to the area outside the chapel where all of the parents awaited for the Parents Departing Ceremony. Every mother was crying. The adminstrators told the parents to say goodbye to their boys - it was time to let us go to become men. My grandfather hugged me and smiled. He told me, as I stood there arm in arm with my 900 other freshmen Morehouse brothers, that I looked like a Morehouse Man and that he was proud of me.
For all of the debate about self expression, legality, and even the common sense of Morehouse's new policy, I doubt anyone, including those who support the policy, can truly appreciate what it means to be a Morehouse Man and the need for us to ensure that our traditions and mores are renewed and continued. As members of Greek lettered organizations, I'm certain you all hold your organzations in the highest esteem, rebuking those who seek to tear down your reputions and standards for excellence. Many of us have the same level of affection for Morehouse only the pledge process there is 4 years long! Lol. Morehouse isn't just a school to us, it's our brotherhood and we protect it fiercely. Morehouse isn't perfect but we are striving toward perfection. Whatever your disposition on the school's policy, know that for the most part our community sees it as welcomed recommittment to some of the basic principals that every Morehouse Man understands appreciates and respects. Some students will feel constrained by it, true. But Morehouse is not for everyone. I still feel prividged to have attend Morehouse and I only want those who truly want to be there to be able to call themselves Morehouse Men. I feel the same way about Kappa Alpha Psi.
That's my two cents.
Sent from my iPhone
On Oct 27, 2009, at 5:22 PM, Morehouse Alum
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The bottom line, I think, is Morehouse has every right to do this because they are preparing these young men for what the real world has to offer and also just like when a person becomes a member of a greek org, they represent that org weather they are wearing letter or not. I believe the same can be said for the Morehouse man. When he sets foot on or off of the campus, he is a visual reflection of the school regardless of what his personality is. You only get one chance to make a first impression. The way people are reacting to this you would think that someone's mother got shot. Is it really so bad that Morehouse wants it's student's to not only be the future leaders but know how to dress the part?
Something my mother used to say is "We (both parents) wouldn't be doing this if we didn't care. How would you like it if no one cared?"
I think Morehouse is doing the same thing. If they didn't care they wouldn't have done this. A parent should always want what's best for their child? Right?
The schools mission statement:
Mission Statement
Guided by a commitment to excellence, Morehouse, an historically black liberal arts college for men, assumes a special responsibility for teaching students about the history and culture of black people. The college seeks to develop men with disciplined minds, emphasizing the continuing search for truth as a liberating force. Morehouse prepares its students for leadership and service through instructional programs and extracurricular activities that: develop skills in oral and written communications, analytical and critical thinking and interpersonal relationships; foster an understanding and appreciation of the elements and evolution of various cultures and the nature of the physical universe; foster understanding and appreciation of the specific knowledge and skills needed for the pursuit of professional careers and/or graduate study and; cultivate the personal attributes of self-confidence, tolerance, morality, ethical behavior, humility, a global perspective, and a commitment to a social justice.
I think that the dress policy is an action that fits within the mission statement.
Interview on CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bes...dress.code.cnn
I'm 100% for personal expression but there is always a time and place. I attend an art school. We're ground zero for expression of all types. What Morehouse is saying no to, I see every day not only at my school but in the city I live. I expect that. For what Morehouse is, stands for, perpetuates, I would expect to walk onto that campus and see clean, polished young men preparing themselves to take over the world.