Black Principal Connected To The Links/Boule Issues Dress Code Against Black Parents

A Black Houston high school principal has implemented a dress code for Black parents because she says it is necessary to establish high standards for students, despite criticism that the move could be discriminatory.

James Madison High School will turn away parents who show up to school wearing pajamas, hair rollers, leggings or certain other items of clothing, including bonnets. This type of discrimination tactic is commonly used by white supremacists. They will make an assessment of the type of attire generally worn by Black people, and then implement a ban on that attire. 

Principal Carlotta Outley Brown, who is also a member of the Black secret society The Links (which is essentially the female chapter of the male Black secret society The Boule) made additional guidelines in her policy. Also banned from school grounds are men wearing undershirts, parents wearing sagging pants or shorts, revealing tops, torn jeans “showing lots of skin,” and “dresses that are up to your behind.”

Principal Brown and her Links/Boule colleagues will try to give the impression that these policies are to help “better” the Black parents of the students. But many believe this is another way for these Black secret societies-who have a history of being the mascots of white supremacy, to further embarrass and marginalize Black people who are not a part of their “talented tenth” circles.

There is a general consensus that many Black people connected to The Links/Boule are strategically placed into certain authoritative positions by white society, to keep Black society “in line.” One way to secure this position is by showing a veiled level contempt for the general Black masses.

The Links/Boule have been accused of believing that they are more sophisticated and refined than the rest of Black society. And many people say these Black secret societies pride themselves on dressing up and going to self aggrandizing functions, to essentially boast about their job titles and show off their hats and clothes.

Principal Brown’s social media page is flooded with images of her at The Links/Boule events, where she and her colleagues appear to be showing off their “sophisticated fashion” sense.

Many people in Houston are offended by these new policies at James Madison High School. 

One parent stated : “I really think it was discriminatory, the language that was used,” she said. “It was demeaning. And I’m African American — and if it’s misty outside and I have a hair bonnet on, I don’t see how that’s anyone’s business.”

Zeph Capo, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, called codes relating to women’s hair “classist” and “belittling.”