… as* b*tch under my hat.

As long as I – or anyone – can remember, hats have never been allowed to be worn inside the school building. To say that I dislike the no-hat rule that our fine school has set is an understatement. The hat rule might be the most idiotic rule to have ever been enforced. My refusal to follow said rule brings out the kind of stubbornness in me that drives my teachers insane.

It’s my understanding that the no-hat rule was set in place for two reasons; 1.) Hats could be used to express gang affiliation and 2.) it’s viewed as disrespectful to have hats on in a public building. As much as it pains me, I can admit that those are valid reasons. Still, I think exceptions should be made. First of all, I am in no way being disrespectful if I wear my hat. I never understood how wearing a hat was disrespectful towards anyone. Hats are accessories. Are you going to be offended when I wear earrings and bracelets around you too? Second of all, my plain gray hat shows no affiliation to any gangs. With these two things in mind, I think I should be able to wear my hat.

Two days ago, I got in an argument with Mrs. Klein over my refusal to remove my hat. I know I should have just done as she asked and taken it off, but I’m a firm believer in in sticking to my beliefs and I believe that I should be able to keep on my hat. That mixed with my stubbornness forced Mrs. Klein to call in the school monitor, Coach Addy.

After minutes of Coach Addy stating I should take my hat because he said so and it was a school rule, I asked him to validate the no-hat rule.

“I don’t know,” he said, “You can’t ask something like that. That’s like asking why the walls are green.” He gestured to the gym around us.

“The walls are green because those are our school colors. Your turn.” I responded, unable to keep the sarcastic reply back. Addy simply rolled his eyes at me and told me that he would have Officer Bruce forcefully remove me. Finally, I removed my hat.

I know, this argument got out of hand but that’s not what bothers me. What bothers me is that not even the teachers who are enforcing the rule know why they’re enforcing it. And even more annoying is that few teachers actually enforce this rule. Obviously the other teachers don’t see me wearing a hat as a sign of disrespect. So why bother to keep such a rule?

I think the hat rule should be removed. But even if it’s not, I’m going to continue to shamelessly wear my hat. Sorry, not sorry.