What dis Morehouse College recently do to their dress code

Morehouse College, an all-male private university in Atlanta, is making headlines today for its controversial new campus-wide clothing standards. Recently released, the "Appropriate Attire Policy" marks a number of clothing items that will no longer be accepted attire at the historically black university. Included in the lineup are a few of the usual suspects (no hats, hoods, do-rags, sunglasses or offensive clothing in class), a few less common culprits ("decorative orthodontic appliances", sagging pants, pajamas or bare feet), and then the one that's getting all the attention: "No wearing of clothing associated with women's garb (dresses, tops, tunics, purses, pumps, etc.) on the Morehouse campus or at College-sponsored events."

While Morehouse is defending their new policy as a measure to protect the school's reputation and legacy - past alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Maynard Jackson, among others - many find the new dress code to be homophobic and discriminatory to the school's gay population. This perception has been further strengthened after Dr. William Bynum, the school's Vice President of Student Services, had this to say, "We are talking about five students who are living a gay lifestyle that is leading them to dress a way we do not expect in Morehouse men."

While Morehouse is defending their new policy as a measure to protect the school's reputation and legacy - past alumni include Martin Luther King Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Maynard Jackson, among others - many find the new dress code to be homophobic and discriminatory to the school's gay population.

Morehouse College, that legendary institution of higher learning in Atlanta, recently enacted a new dress code for its all-male student body. The dress code, called the "Appropriate Attire Policy," is a perfect example of the good, the bad, and even worse, the homophobic.

The policy - based on Morehouse President Dr. Robert M. Franklin's notion of the Renaissance Man - is part of his "Five Wells" strategy for the all-male historically black college or university which includes being "well read, well spoken, well traveled, well dressed and well balanced."

In an 11-point document, Morehouse outlined its expectations concerning the appearance of its students on campus. For example, the college forbids the wearing of do-rags, caps and hoods in classrooms and other indoor venues.