A few days ago, principal Carlotta Otley Brown of James Madison High School in Houston, Texas implemented a dress code required for all parents coming into the school.

Among the articles of clothing not allowed is pajamas, hair bonnets, shower caps, hair rollers, low-cut tops, leggings, ripped jeans, short shorts, and — for men — sagging pants and undershirts.

“We are preparing your child for a prosperous future. We want them to know what is appropriate and what is not appropriate for any setting they might be in,” wrote principal Brown in her email sent to the parents.

“I felt the need to enact the dress code because it was an educational environment, a place of learning. When anyone walks in, we have impressionable children and we have to model what we want them to know and learn,” said principal Brown about her decision after the fact.

Brown has encountered both support and judgement in the responses to her controversial decision.

Zeph Capo, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, called the dress code “classist” and “belittling.”

“Who are you to judge others who may not have the same opportunities that you do?” Capo told the Houston Chronicle. “Having a wrap on your head is not offensive.”

The main complaint about the dress code has to do with the school’s population, which is 58% Latinx and 40% black. The same hair bonnets and head wraps that have been unallowed are frequently worn by black women to protect their hair.

It also doesn’t help that research has found that dress codes including restrictions on hairstyles and the fitting of clothes disproportionately affect black girls, making some think that this new dress code is racist and sexist.

And when it comes to simple expression, dress codes greatly inhibit that, especially in the case of black girl’s hair.

“People’s stylistic choices allow them to discover how they want to express themselves and help improve self confidence and individually,” Gabriella Garcia (‘20) said.

Forcing black women to wear or not wear their hair in certain ways is considered by many to be a serious inhibition of expression.

“Self expression can take many forms, but one of the most obvious ways to distinguish yourself from others is through your style. I mean, as someone who looks forward to picking out my outfits everyday, I know some feel excited and confident when they feel as though they get a look together that shows others how they feel,” Zoe Peterke (‘20) said.

Not all of Brown’s responses have been negative, however. Many parents have emailed her their praises, saying things such as “I totally support you,” “stand your ground,” and “I commend your courage in addressing this issue in your school.”

At a school like Amador, with less diversity than James Madison, these issues are not something that we necessarily have to worry about. For now, we can be grateful that this isn’t something that we need to worry about. And — as far as we’re concerned — there won’t be a dress code for parents implemented here anytime soon.