To Wear Or Not To Wear

For our second Action Project in A Nations Argument course, we were tasked to focus on our school’s Code of Conduct. Were challenged to pick a rule that we thought was unjust and create an argument about it. We also had to try and plot concepts we learned, while looking for contradictions and fallacies. The purpose of this project is to reinstate rules to make our school’s goals for the future stronger. During this class, I learned about syllogisms, premises, and conclusions and also the art of argument. I also learned that by being more straightforward with inductive premises your arguments can be sound and you can win more. Over the course, we visited a couple of court cases and tomorrow we will be welcoming a public defender and a state's attorney. This will definitely be a cool experience. We will ask questions and gain as much knowledge as possible about laws, arguments and unconstitutional topics. Below is my amendment, hope you enjoy it.

Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 13 Dec. 2015,

Above is a picture of a seventh-grade boy who was banned from wearing his Star Wars shirt to school because it has a gun on it. I'm arguing that he should be able to wear the shirt because it's his right to express himself and also guns aren't bad. People who use them decided to do unjust things with them giving a not so good look.

GCE Dress Code

GCE Lab School staff and students strive to create a community that does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression. At the same time, clothing reflects the educational environment and therefore should not be offensive, provocative, or disruptive to instruction. All students are expected to dress and groom themselves neatly and modestly in clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment. “Inappropriate” includes clothing that is designed to be erotic or suggestive of violence, clothing that reveals underwear or excessive flesh.

This rule is unjust because it doesn’t fully allow self-expression the way students need and want. This is a need because humans have a tendency to reflect on mood. We are social creatures, well most of us are. This isn't just me saying this it's scientifically proven. Mood boost increases the change that you may be wanting to reflect in your school or institution. When you're feeling upset or bad about yourself, your clothes have the power to boost your mood and change your attitude. Clothes actually tell a story about your character and by not allowing representation of yourself it hurts your mood and vibe.

This can lead to depression and harm to yourself or others.

I understand that school is a place to learn but when restricting someone’s freedoms of expression it can be drastic to one’s self and personality. Students should be allowed to wear what they please as long as it’s not too much skin or something you wouldn’t put on in front of your parents. School board, Perspectives students and donors contribute to this fine school and by allowing a student to just dress anyway can ruin the reputation of GCE. I understand that.

Syllogism
P1- Students should be able to wear clothes they want
P2- Clothes are cool and great when showing others
Conclusion: Let’s allow us, teenagers, to decide what we should wear.

My new amendment will change the original one by allowing students to have more freedom of expression when wearing clothes. This includes guns, drugs, and nudity. My amendment will conclude that on days where there might be guests or FEs students are absolutely required to dress in a unique professional fashion. Other than that individual choice should be an option for students.

Syllogism with a further investigation into why my amendment is possible.

P1- Students should be able to wear clothes they want
P2- Clothes allow individuality
P3- Attire preserves one’s self-expression
P4- Clothes depicts your identity
P5- Adding rules under circumstances of dress code differs passion for what a person might be proud or ambitious about 

Conclusion: Students shouldn't have restrictions on any fashion or trend at school unless it goes against GCEs visions. 

Clothes are the needles that thread creativity for future generations and now. By shedding light on the adolescent’s perspective it can be beneficial to the goals of the school and the individual. By allowing people to wear what they please increases the chance for people to open up and be a part of a bigger cause and school community. A lot of people don’t feel comfortable as the next person may feel, it’s all about coming to an understatement. Even if that understanding is to disagree.

Because of my new proposed amendment life here at G.C.E will be more vibrant and social. People’s clothes will spark conversations for our Soapboxes and regular days. Views of whatever gender will be expressed even if others may disagree. Even if you wanted to support the Presidential Election and you happen to wear a MAGA hat it wouldn’t be banned or scorned upon. Somethings are offensive I get, but little things will only make us grow stronger together if we start that dialogue. My amendment sets the bar for self-love and joy. Clothes do a lot, they tell a story and represent you. The “real you”.

The Constitutional amendment relates to my amendment because it represents freedom of speech and this means you have the right to express yourself through, religion assembly and petition. Freedom of speech also comes with the right to express one’s opinions without the fear of censorship or restraint.

This U.S. amendment supports my amendment because it contradicts what our student handbook says. It states that GCE does not judge people based on their dress or fashion, but which values individuality. Students are encouraged to dress in a manner which reflects their individuality and self-expression. Then later goes on to say, “clothes that are appropriate for an academic environment” and list things that are inappropriate. So how can we decipher what’s appropriate and what’s not so students can decide for themselves. My amendment demonstrates true citizenship by allowing people to thrive and create a prosperous community in whatever way they may desire. Without censorship.

Quote from my peer that supports my argument and its impact

Quote: “Clothes can affect the school positively by encouraging different styles and trends, also students should wear what they wanna wear.”

Speaker: N.L

                               3/12/20 

Three cases that have gone against people's first amendment right. These are cases that are unconstitutional and unjust for students at school or in any formal institution.

1. Seventh-grader wearing Star Wars t-shirt is told by school administrators that it is BANNED 'because it has a gun on it'

Dailymail.com, Myriah Towner For. “Texas Student Banned from Wearing Star Wars t-Shirt 'Because It Has a Gun on It'.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 13 Dec. 2015, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3358570/Texas-seventh-grader-banned-wearing-Star-Wars-t-shirt-gun-it.html.

2. Student sues Wis. high school over dress code that bars him from wearing a shirt with a gun image
Wjrt. “Student Sues Wis. High School over Dress Code That Bars Him from Wearing Shirt with Gun Image.” ABC12, www.abc12.com/content/news/Student-sues-Wis-high-school-over-dress-code-that-bars-him-from-wearing-shirt-with-gun-image-568121681.html.

3. California school changes policy after banning shirt with gay message
“California School Changes Policy after Banning Shirt with Gay Message.” Al Jazeera America, america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/17/california-school-to-change-policy-after-banning-gay-t-shirt.html.

It's My God Given Right

For my first Action Project of the course “A Nations Argument”, we took a deep dive into the history of America's declaration of independence and the claims made within it. We challenged ourselves to decide if those words in the declaration were upheld today. Later on, we looked at other countries' declarations to see how people gain what they want. I saw a tendency for there being a war to get independence in most cases. Yesterday we visited Alderman Walter Burnett of the 27th ward and there we discussed his job and what his daily tasks are. We learned about his background and reasoning for being an Alderman also some fun facts about politics. Alderman Burnett stated that “politics are like a relationship and there’s always a mutual compromise.”Getting back to the course we were tasked to look into declaring independence from our on made up independent study of our choosing. By this creating an argument that we think is worth fighting for or rather declaring it. 

Topic: Music

Have you ever heard of a saying music to my ears or move to the rhythm? Well, hold your horses you were inspired by music bud. Music is everything it soothes and then all of a sudden takes over, Music is life. It is necessary that I deserve to be able to learn about music and how it empowers people on this planet. I understand that life is all about learning from mistakes and understanding that things don't always go your way. At least that's what elders tell me what it feels like every day. But I should learn about something that has been giving people joy for ages and still does today. This Declaration will help me understand why humans enjoy the nature of rhythm. Is it from our mothers’ heartbeat at birth or is it from a flame within that we cant see?

Purpose of School and Learning: 
The purpose of school is to supply the average young scholar knowledge that they can use in the future for their career or their ordinary day job. Also, provides them some type of figure to help contribute to society. If I'm undoubtedly true I feel the school is a waste of time and takes hours of my life that I can't get back. The purpose of learning, in my opinion, is to use what we learn and share it with others and use it to our advantage. Learning also makes us unique that everyone knows a little more than you do. When you learn something new it can affect you and your future.

Unalienable Rights:
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness/ I have the right to be a creative music Goddess and share with my peers.

• I have the right to be alive and breathing
• I have the right to Liberty, meaning my freedom of choice without any restriction by any means necessary
• I have the right to create my own happiness, whether that be playing video games, drawing, playing basketball or expressing emotions and thoughts through music
• I have the right to play music
• I have the right to discover more and reimage what music actually is

Guiding Question: 

How can music bring others together from totally different backgrounds? How will this affect the world?

I will pursue this study by examining the people before me in the world from different heritages and cultures. Beginning with experimenting with different instruments and sounds during this study. I also will track progression and see through my data how these different things make people feel and how it makes people more sociable. My objectives and outcome out of this study are to learn what makes music so powerful to influence and to see if branching this theory turns out to make some bound.

What is an argument: 

I’m arguing that maybe hate and fear in our world conquer people’s minds and makes them distant from one another. Things such as labels, stereotypes, and racism make up all today. But if we connect more this is destined to change. Roles in our society are as they are because of social systems put in place by people like me and you. I know that music impacts people’s lives daily. In fact, you’re probably listening to music now or was a few minutes ago. So if I could do something to change these low standards of life that we set for ourself it would be amazing.

Syllogism: 
P1- Music has been around since about 40,000 years ago
P2- Music effects peoples spirits
P3- Music gathers attention like a drug and brings out crowds of people
P4- Music makes people feel better when sad
Conclusion- I have the right to be able to study music for positive purposes for the change of our world

P1- I enjoy playing the guitar from time to time

P2- All humans enjoy music
Conclusion- Lets all rock out on Guitar Hero! :)

Historical Revolution/context:

Listening to music and singing together has been shown in several studies to directly impact neuro-chemicals in our brain, many of which play a role in closeness and connection. This steams for the day you are born. Music has also been linked to dopamine release found in the late 90s, involved in regulating mood and craving behavior. Music also seems to make us feel good and connect with others. The oldest discovered instrument was a flute made from a bone of an animal. The flute dated back to almost 40,000 years ago. During human, migration music played a major role in entertainment and hope to thrive to get going. Even looking into Greek mythological music played an integral role in ancient Greek society. With this, views and thoughts were changed in the process. African tribe the Mandinke what is now Mali invented the djembe drum invented in the 12th Century. This sparked a tradition for many many years of rhythm and love of people coming together and dancing.

Resource list for this Independent Study
People-Ralph Haynes, Omar Cheng, Gregg Parker, Adam Cohen, Quanzina Haynes, Deborah Moon

Musical Instruments
Guitars, Pianos, Drums, Brass, Woodwind, Percussions( maracas, tambourines, etc)

Books
The Emotional Power of Music
Music Education for Social Change

Museum

Chicago History Museum

My Official Declaration
Music is a necessity to life and to live for any creature on this planet. Music comes from the water as it ripples, it comes from the wind blowing off the trees and the birds chirping in the morning. Music is powerful and I shall the right to use my talents to bring people together.

Citations
Music and the Brain: What Happens When You're Listening to Music. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/your-brain-on-music/

Retrieved from https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grmu/hd_grmu.htm