Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                Matt Dulin     Chris Elliott                        Robyn Morrow                  Johnny Peña
                                      Fabian Sifuentes              Kristen Young

'Underpants' no longer allowed in high school 

Halloween may not be so happy for three students at Long Beach High School.

Three 17-year-old girls who wore Captain Underpants' costumes for the high school's Superhero Day were sent home last week because of what principal Nicholas Restivo deemed inappropriate attire, The Associated Press reports.

Restivo took action against the students when he noticed their choice to don beige leotards and nude stockings underneath white briefs and red capes, the article reported.

Rather than allow these girls to celebrate their freedom of expression on a day designated for them to do so, Restivo decided to ban the costumes entirely. 

Other superheroes were allowed to roam the hall; Captain Underpants should be no exception. After all, who else would battle Professor Poopypants and talking toilets on a daily basis? 

It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Superman can't do everything, you know.

Students and teachers reacted positively, and the girls' outfits didn't appear to be a distraction to anyone but the principal.

Although he said he knew the students were not naked, he told the AP they looked naked.

Perhaps Restivo should wander out into his hallowed halls and take a peek at the mini-skirts that many young fashionistas seem so prone to wearing these days. He might think twice about banning an outfit that covers more skin than current fashions.

Restivo should have at least allowed the girls to finish the school day in their costumes. The choice to send these three girls home disrupts their schedules -- probably their parents' schedules as well -- and also brings undue attention to a trivial matter.

The costumes were not see-through, Chelsea Horowitz, one of the costumed students, told the AP, and even the teachers thought their choice to emulate such an entertaining superhero was cute.

If no student or teacher took any offense to the seemingly innocent display, Restivo shouldn't have gotten his underpants in such a bunch.