Bubba-Joe
05-24-2005, 09:09 AM
Purse-case scenario: End-of-year security leads to student's claim of discrimination
By Wendy Gragg
Killeen Daily Herald
John-Floyd Pardieu believes in equality — equality for man-purses.
The Ellison High School sophomore spent all Monday standing up for his olive green, canvas man-purse.
“If girls can carry bags, why shouldn’t guys?” he asked.
The personal receptacle in question is usually not a problem at the high school; Pardieu said he has carried it on and off throughout the year. It didn’t become an issue until Monday, when heightened security at the school prohibited any bookbags or backpacks inside the building.
But, Pardieu argued, his satchel isn’t a bookbag — it’s a man-purse.
“It’s not even large enough for books,” he said, brandishing his messenger-esque tote. He was given the option of leaving the bag in a bin, but declined.
After being barred from entry, the 15-year-old spent 30 to 45 minutes outside the school.
Eventually, Ellison administrators decided that, with a search of his man-purse, Pardieu could be admitted into the building as far as the library, to take tests he had lined up for the day. Pardieu said it was annoying to stay in the library all day, but it was a matter of principle.
“I could care less that I can’t carry my bag around; it’s the principle that I should be able to,” he said.
Pardieu’s mother, Rebecca Pardieu, has taken up her son’s cause.
“If they allow girls to take purses in, they should allow him to take his man-purse,” she said. “He needs his purse.”
Within the sturdy cloth walls of Pardieu’s man-purse are his cell phone, pens, pencils and camera bag — because his camera goes everywhere with him.
Rebecca Pardieu, employed at Fairway Middle School, is no stranger to Killeen school district rules, including end-of-year security.
“I do know that school districts have the right to impose certain policies, but not discriminatory policies,” she said.
Rebecca Pardieu said some people told her she has taken the argument too far, but for her, it’s the other way around.
“I don’t see why they’re making such a big deal,” she said about the school’s firm man-purse stance.
Several calls to school district officials requesting comment on the district’s purse policy and security concerns were not returned Monday.
Pardieu has been told if he returns to school today, man-purse in tow, he will be sent to the library again. Pardieu said this decision came after an earlier threat of school suspension. But the sophomore won’t be satisfied until his accessory is subject to the same rules as a woman’s purse.
“Either way, it’s a lose/lose situation,” he said. “I should be able to take my bag in.”
By Wendy Gragg
Killeen Daily Herald
John-Floyd Pardieu believes in equality — equality for man-purses.
The Ellison High School sophomore spent all Monday standing up for his olive green, canvas man-purse.
“If girls can carry bags, why shouldn’t guys?” he asked.
The personal receptacle in question is usually not a problem at the high school; Pardieu said he has carried it on and off throughout the year. It didn’t become an issue until Monday, when heightened security at the school prohibited any bookbags or backpacks inside the building.
But, Pardieu argued, his satchel isn’t a bookbag — it’s a man-purse.
“It’s not even large enough for books,” he said, brandishing his messenger-esque tote. He was given the option of leaving the bag in a bin, but declined.
After being barred from entry, the 15-year-old spent 30 to 45 minutes outside the school.
Eventually, Ellison administrators decided that, with a search of his man-purse, Pardieu could be admitted into the building as far as the library, to take tests he had lined up for the day. Pardieu said it was annoying to stay in the library all day, but it was a matter of principle.
“I could care less that I can’t carry my bag around; it’s the principle that I should be able to,” he said.
Pardieu’s mother, Rebecca Pardieu, has taken up her son’s cause.
“If they allow girls to take purses in, they should allow him to take his man-purse,” she said. “He needs his purse.”
Within the sturdy cloth walls of Pardieu’s man-purse are his cell phone, pens, pencils and camera bag — because his camera goes everywhere with him.
Rebecca Pardieu, employed at Fairway Middle School, is no stranger to Killeen school district rules, including end-of-year security.
“I do know that school districts have the right to impose certain policies, but not discriminatory policies,” she said.
Rebecca Pardieu said some people told her she has taken the argument too far, but for her, it’s the other way around.
“I don’t see why they’re making such a big deal,” she said about the school’s firm man-purse stance.
Several calls to school district officials requesting comment on the district’s purse policy and security concerns were not returned Monday.
Pardieu has been told if he returns to school today, man-purse in tow, he will be sent to the library again. Pardieu said this decision came after an earlier threat of school suspension. But the sophomore won’t be satisfied until his accessory is subject to the same rules as a woman’s purse.
“Either way, it’s a lose/lose situation,” he said. “I should be able to take my bag in.”