5 Comments
Our weekly dispatch from the nation's foremost mustache expert.

America has a sad history of bigotry. Thus, organizations like the American Mustache Institute (AMI) have been founded to fight discrimination. When the ugly hand of facial-hair hatred recently molested the students of Youngstown, Ohio's McDonald High School, AMI sprang to action.

The following is our plea to the district superintendent and McDonald High principal ...


Mssrs. Wasser & Carkido,

The American Mustache Institute (AMI) was recently contacted by a group of students representing McDonald High School with charges that the school is violating the students' civil liberties. But before jumping to any conclusions, we wish to confirm this with you and state our position as the ACLU of our people.

Indeed, we are certain you would agree that one of the most important elements of a young person's growth is for him or her to develop a sense of self, as creating an identity allows a young man or woman to gain confidence, mature, and succeed. We can imagine that as educators you fully understand the importance of people of all walks of life learning from one another, because clearly, diversity among students is an important element of developing an understanding and appreciation for differences.

That, among other reasons, is why we were so concerned upon being contacted this month regarding a concentrated effort by the faculty and administration of McDonald High School to disallow students to grow and wear mustaches.

The legal department and administration of AMI believes this amounts to what is essentially a civil liberties violation, as you are not allowing a young person to simply and appropriately express him or herself in a limited manner by growing and maintaining facial hair. To wit, we are not arguing for inappropriate fashion, poor behavior or bad language, but a mustache -- and no student should fear reprisal for growing one.

In closing, let us note what one Texas educator once told us during a similar dialogue. Very simply, he said, "As educators, it is our responsibility to make sure they are ready to walk through the doors of opportunity when they open." And, of course, learning right from wrong and educating them is certainly a part of that. But disallowing a young person to do something as simple and fundamental as growing a mustache is not an issue of learning right from wrong; and if the claim by the students is true, it speaks to a discriminating practice that should cease.

Therefore, if these claims are factual, we ask that you examine and alter this policy to one that is not discriminatory in nature.

Sincerely,

Dr. Abraham J. Froman

If you'd like to fight injustices like these, email me and voice your displeasure with McDonald High School. This action will also enter you for a chance to win two free tickets to 'Stache Bash 2009 where you can meet John Oates at a special VIP reception.

For Dr. Abraham J. Froman's mustache perspective, check in every Wednesday on Asylum.