Throughout my research, one of the main solutions I saw that other people have done is create

hashtags and movements on social media. Most of these hashtags and movements I have never
heard of, and I can assume that they only went state-wide. This is why my solution of creating an
Instagram account and hashtag is not my main solution. Other solutions that I read about
included groups of people teaming up and writing letters to people higher up on the ladder that
have the power to make the difference and some women authored books about the issue and their
experiences. One proposed solution that I read about was different than all the rest was to train
schools to find value in the different hair styles and appearances that would otherwise be dress
coded. This would be difficult and would take a lot of convincing and cost, but I do believe that
in a perfect world, this solution could fix a handful of the issues on the table.
I knew going into this project that I wanted to be as intersectional as possible considering all I
learned last semester. Of course, the dress code affected white girls like me, but I knew it was
deeper than that; I wanted to find out what my privilege had shielded me from. When I simply
typed the words “dress code” into the Atkins Library search, I was glad to immediately find
many articles on how the dress code affects people of color, including black men. This led me to
articles about how exactly it criminalizes people that are not white. I was also thankful to find
multiple sources explain how dress codes perpetuate rape culture; the dress code not only teaches
young girls implied lessons, but also boys. I believe that the research that rounded out this
project's intersectionality was my sources that included how the dress code affects those in the
LGBTQ+ community; finding these sources was the highlight of my project because, frankly, I
was too ignorant to realize that it is creating issues in that community, even as I am a part of that
community.
If I am being honest, I do not think schools are the least bit interested in this project because it
would be something they would have to talk about and consider thoughtfully, and schools would
not do that all by themselves. I believe those most interested are women around my age that are
truly starting to question authority, rules, and their own experiences. Even if the schools are not
interested, it is the schools that could really benefit from my research if they took the time to
make the changes; their school ratings could go up, student absences could decrease, and kids
might feel like they have some authority over their bodies. Students could also benefit from my
research because it would make them aware of the situation and inspire them to create their own
solutions and spark the change in their schools. Like I said, the schools will not do it themselves.
I proposed the Instagram account and hashtag, #NotMyResponsibility, because I believe that
between my friends and I, we could spread awareness even further than past hashtags. I said
before that in the past, other hashtags or accounts did not reach very far, and that it still an
obstacle that I might run into. However, it is beyond worth it to try my best to reach as many
people as I can. I said in my proposal that another obstacle is selective exposure, which is why I
will personally reach out to people and ask them to share on their accounts and with their family
and friends. My main solution of writing letters came to me when I realized that I might need to
puncture the problem directly. I started looking at the dress codes in the counties in Charlotte and
surrounding Charlotte; during this process, I thought about the concerns of the different
communities in my research as a standpoint for a nuanced dress code. There were some counties
that already had or were in the process of revising their dress codes, but there were a couple that
were still using very gendered language and were very “old school.” These two counties, Union
County and Cabarrus County, were the worst compared to my standpoint.
One of the main reasons that I chose to propose these two solutions was because they are
achievable and realistic. Both solutions are extremely cost effective, and even if they do not
directly change a dress code, they will spark conversation. To me, the most important part of
raising awareness is to inspire and to create discussion. The most difficult part of both solutions
is the persuasion and reaching the people that are interested and care about this topic enough to
remember it and discuss it with those in their daily lives.
Overall, I feel great about this project. I feel very passionately about the topic of bodily
autonomy and the dress code considering I experienced and witnessed it firsthand like almost
any other public-school student in the United States. I learned a lot especially about how it
affects and criminalizes black men; my privilege shielded me from learning about discrimination
against hair styles, hair-wear, and clothing styles. I also learned how deep rape culture runs in the
United States; dress codes sexualize young girls from kindergarten and for the rest of their life,
and it teaches young boys and for the rest of their life that girls are objects that must
accommodate to them. They learn all this implicitly without knowing it, and they will not ever
know until they choose to think critically. I really enjoyed my project last semester on sex
workers and sex positivity, but I feel much better about this project because I took everything I
learned about intersectionality and tried my best to put more of it into this project. I would also
like to acknowledge that nothing is intersectional enough, and there is always room for more.
I would love to follow through with implementing these solutions given that they are
achievable. I will certainly think about doing it this summer or this upcoming fall or spring
semester. The only thing that is holding me back from saying that I will for sure go through with
the proposed solutions is that I am a terribly busy college student with lots of classes, homework,
as well as a job. I also know that I am not the only one, and it could be difficult to get a team of
people to help me address all concerns, especially in the letters. I know that everyone always has
time conflicts and different schedules, and it would take much of my brain power to sort that out
considering how much I have going on in my life. I will keep this project in my mind, so that at
any time in the future, I could implement these solutions or maybe even do more.
Like I have talked about so many times, this connects to my year as a Gen-X student
because of my intersectionality. Before this year, I had never even heard the word
“intersectional,” and it has completely changed my perspective on everything I think about. I am
beyond grateful I had the opportunity to be a part of this learning community because I believe it
has rounded out much of my opinions, values, and morals. Both of my projects this year have
been things that I am passionate about, and I would not have been able to do the research or
develop my thoughts without the insight that I have learned in this community.