Adolescent Outfit

She is baby greens

In this eating world

Juicy, in a red-peppered sauce

Or leggings, skirt, jeans

Down a bustling hall

The gym teacher drools

A feast in the making

He sees only the salad

Dressing

Her pace picks up

She tastes what girl-babies know

That scented, neck-prickle

Of being hungered for

Adjusting his blueberry-colored, athletic shorts

Her name rests on his raw lips

A sound like carrots screaming as they’re

Hauled from the ground.

"I can tell by your pants,"

The gym teacher whispers, “You want to be eaten.”

- by Juliet Bond

I wrote this poem for a Slutwalk Chicago event at an art gallery for survivors of sexual assault.  My own assault at nine-years-old is something I rarely write about.  But it was easy to channel for this poem. Still, it felt like too much to recite it in front of an audience. Instead, a nice, young actress at the event agreed to read it for me and I got to take a baby step out of my comfort zone, rather than a leap.

Of course, the poem is about the recent dress code controversy at my daughter's school.  This week, the school board met to implement a new policy.

There is no mention of pants or leggings in our new (district-wide) dress code.

According to the guidelines established by Evanston/Skokie District 65, student appearance, including dress and grooming, must not disrupt the educational process, interfere with maintaining a positive teaching/learning climate, or compromise standards for health, safety, and decency. In District 65, dress and grooming are important components of an overall positive learning environment. District 65

students and parents are expected to use good judgment in selecting attire for school. The district has established the following guidelines:

 Clothing or accessories that denote, suggest, display or reference alcohol, tobacco, or drugs or related paraphernalia or other illegal conduct or activities, including gang affiliation or activities is prohibited.

 Clothing and accessories that reasonably can be construed as being or including content that is racist, lewd, vulgar, or obscene, or that reasonably can be construed as containing fighting words, speech that incites others to imminent lawless action, defamatory speech, or threats to others.

 Outerwear should not be worn during the school day.

 Hats or head coverings are not permitted during the school day unless worn for religious or medical reasons.

 Shorts, skirts and dresses less than fingertip length (length of a straight arm extended on the leg) are prohibited.

 Bare midriff shirts are not allowed.

 Sleeveless shirts must encircle the arm.

 Revealing/transparent/sheer clothing is not permitted. Clothing must not reveal undergarments.

 Pants and shorts must be worn at the hip or above.

 Shoes that could jeopardize student safety are prohibited.

 Accessories that could be considered dangerous or weapons (ex. spiked necklace or bracelet) are prohibited.

Students will be asked to remove/replace clothing that is not in compliance with the dress code.