BEAUFORT, S.C. — A high school student in South Carolina was sent to in school suspension for her choice of clothing, and she took her story to the internet.
Student body president Carey Burgess says she was shamed by a staff member that declared her skirt was “too short” while she was walking to class.
The 17-year old posted pictures of her outfit to Facebook and Instagram, saying how disappointed she was in her school for prioritizing a student’s attire instead of how staff members treat students.
In her post, she said in part:
“Maybe our society isn’t yet advanced enough to handle 3 inches of my thigh. This is a patriarchal society and I am a woman. I have to be kept in my place, or I may do something that is so rarely seen in Beaufort High School- learn.
You saved me, Beaufort High. As Student Body President, junior marshal, and a recipient of the Palmetto Fellows, I was heading down the path of hard drugs (good thing you’re testing next year!), strip clubs, and sugar daddies. I don’t where I would be without your misogynistic views.”
According the Island Packet, Principal Corey Murphy said he could not comment on individual student discipline, but admitted her outfit was within the school dress code. According to the Beaufort County School District, skirts must be “modest and of sufficient length,” no shorter than three inches above the top of the knee when standing.
Burgess’ Facebook post has gone viral with nearly 8,000 shares, and many of the comments are supportive current and past students.
