- Yee-haw.
My son informed me that tomorrow is “dress like a cowboy” day at his exclusive prep school. The following day is “80s day”. Both are supposed to be fun, special days in the lead up to Homecoming, which is this weekend.
Being in love with an actual ranch-managing cowboy, this news naturally gave me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m excited that my son will actually get to wear his gorgeous, expensive cowboy duds (purchased for his weekends at the ranch) to school. On the other hand, I know that “cowboy day,” like “Hawaiian day,” is probably designed to be somewhat ridiculous, meaning that to the administrators and students of this school the idea of dressing “cowboy” is just plain silly.
It’s ironic, in a way, because just last week the school hosted a big “diversity” workshop for the entire sixth grade, where the kids listened to the school psychologists talk about the importance of “respecting cultural differences”. I guess that respect doesn’t extend to cowboys…who, I can only assume, are thought to be relics of a bygone era, or nothing more than yokel versions of Yosemite Sam.
I wonder if it ever occurred to anyone at the school that there might be a student among their ranks who actually lives a cowboy life now and then, on an actual cattle ranch in Southeastern New Mexico. I also wonder how “dress like a cowboy” day is going to impact the way my son feels about his own identity as a part-time ranch kid. After all, it took a lot of work to get him past his own stereotypes of cowboys and country people in general when we first started visiting the ranch. And now, it seems, his own school might be reinforcing some of those negative stereotypes of cowboys. I mean, you don’t have “dress like a doctor” day, or “dress like a professor” day, presumably because those professions aren’t considered ridiculous at the prep school.
Maybe I’m overthinking this. Then again, maybe I’m right in thinking that respect for cultural diversity needs to be more than skin-deep, and ought to include rural people, and cowboys, too.
Tagged: diversity, dress like a cowboy, multiculturalism, prep schools, respect
You’re overthinking this.
It’s fun…and it gives him a chance to wear his treasured clothes–real ranch clothes–to share with his friends.
What if it were “dress like a Mexican” day…?
wow…you really DID overthink it.
I think also that you’re overthinking this! I’m from a small town with LOTS of cowboys, we have ranches and we respect all of them, that being said at my small high school of only 80 kids we had Dress like a Cowboy Day during spirit week, we also had dress like a farmer day; and 50% of our parents were farmers! Just fun to dress a bit different and maybe bring back some of that old west feel that people don’t feel as connected to as you and your son. Maybe ask the cowboy if he’s offended. Personally I would think that your son would be thrilled at the chance to share what his other life is like, always good to share your story about agriculture and why ranch life is so great! Sometimes I think that people get caught up in trying to not offend people sometimes that they forget to ask if anyone is actually being offended. In Oregon right now they are trying to get rid of all the “Indian” mascots because they think it offends the Native Americans here, turns out the jokes on them and no one really cares except those who think the Native Americans here should be offended.
Really do appreciate this feedback! You and Julie are both probably right. I’m probably overthinking it. I just found it ironic that in the wake of “respect cultural diversity” day we have “dress like a cowboy” day…
I also think you might be overthinking this. In Texas, the day before the rodeo begins, we have “Go Western Day” in all of the schools AND businesses. Okay…you might say that I AM from Texas. But that is sterotyping people from Texas as not all of us wear cowbot attire. We in Houston see it as a chance to celebrate the culture. Hope this helps.
I’d like to share what the cowboy has to say about all of this, and about some of your comments here, in email with me today.
the cowboy: “I think that you’re correct in the idea that modern, urban types have no concept of what ‘cowboy’ is, and as such see this a dress-up day, a chance to wear a costume. It’d be nice if they actually took some time to educate the kids on what a cowboy actually is, does. That would of course require “glorifying” the production of meat, and a more traditional ‘blue collar’ (shudder) lifestyle.”
me: “Exactly. That’s why I think it’s prejudiced, and ironic in the wake of “respect cultural diversity” day last week. I guess “respect cultural diversity” doesn’t apply to cowboys, who are ridiculously funny to imitate.”
the cowboy: “In my experience, the insistence on respecting cultural diversity only applies to those deemed by the academic, left-leaning elite as ‘down-trodden. Ironic. The comment from Julie shows that she too has no idea of what ‘cowboy’ is……or that there is even such a thing, beyond some non-existent, mythical creature……simply a mode of dress…..kind of like a pirate, or a zombie. Oh well, not my job to fix the world.”
I think I’ve told you this before, but I was actually told by a western cowboy that my husband, who bred, raised, and showed beef cattle and ran a beef feedlot for nearly all of his adult life – more than 50 years – was not a cowboy because he worked in the eastern U.S. I am with cowboys – and cowgirls – all the time as I cover beef and dairy farms in my job as an ag journalist. If these folks who spend their entire lives caring for cattle, feeding them, delivering calves and getting them from one pasture to another, doctoring them, and yes, even loving them and what they are doing, are not cowboys, I don’t know who is.
And some of them don’t even wear cowboy boots all the time or stetsons. Our ‘costume’ is usually blue jeans and an old shirt and, maybe a jeans jacket, when we’re working cattle. I guess that wouldn’t be ‘cowboy’ enough for some people.
There is a big difference between a “cowboy” and a “city slicker” dressed up as a cowboy! It is a matter of the heart….. perhaps it would be a great field trip for his class to come to the ranch. Don’t know if anything like that were possible, but you never know how many of his classmates would really adore his ranch life.
That’s a great idea, Bobbi Ann!
I am a little bit concerned about the “spirit of offense” that seems so prevalent nowadays. We have to watch every little thing we say or do for fear that someone will be offended, when none was intended. I have watched through the years, friendships deteriorate after “diversity training” when every thing had a “disrespect” attached to it in simple speech. The term fireman offended women. In fact, anything with the ending “man” at the end, had to be made gender neutral. Some want to change the wording in the Bible to be more gender inclusive. Groups of guys together, who laughted and teased like “brothers” became compartmentalized until it became “us” and “they”, and were divided into culteral groups. Has it helped? I don’t think so! Everybody has something that makes them different, unusual and unique. And NOBODY has the right to BULLY anyone, I want to make that clear. But, I am aware myself how the culture has changed to the point where I sometimes whisper for fear of offending someone by a simple statement.
Perhaps I am being a bit “cheeky” here, but should they not be calling it a “cowperson” day instead of cowboy day? Is this where this “sensitivity vs. insensitivity” thing has gotten us?
I have become increasingly concerned about the disconnect between the producer and the consumer of food and fiber. (After all, cowboys are producers of food.) I know only a little over two percent in the U.S. actually do this, and farmers and ranchers have a smaller and smaller voice. And most, are too busy doing what they do to go around telling people about it. We cannot physically survive without air, water and food and cowboys are a part of that food chain.
Real cowboys are not cowboys because they wear stetsons and chaps and cowboy boots. They are cowboys because they work with cattle and raise the food for our tables. (Unless you are a vegan, of course.) That’s why I said taking kids to the ranch or farm would be a great idea. What better way to show them where their food comes from than to actually see the animals and how they are taken care of.
Im not sure you are overthinking this. Think of all the Halloween costumes that have shown up that range from insensitve to completely offensive like a bum, or a tequila drinking poncho wearing Mexican. I agree with your cowboy that very rarely do people wearing nationality costumes give much thought to the people who actually are that nationality. On a separate note, my daughters school actually did have a “dress as a professional” day in elementary school where kids were encouraged to dress in whatever profession they wanted to have as an adult. It was on a play day as well, so all us parents got to see the kids in adorable professional type costumes.
So does he come as a mechanic? a cow harasser? a fence builder? a nurse maid? a doctor? a nutritionist? You may use this as an opportunity to try and suggest to the school an Ag in the Classroom Day.
I think you are over thinking this. My dad was a High School Principal in several different communities here in NM. I know from experience when the administration picks themes for dress up days, they try and go for themes that are easily accessible to the kids, or that they think would get the most participation. Hawaiian day because most of the kids or their parents, have been to a luau themed party, and have a crazy Hawaiian shirt somewhere in their closet. And if necessary the kids can get mom or dad to run to party city or wherever and get the costume pieces. Cowboy day is for the same reason. Its easily accessible, either by borrowing from a friend or family member or heading to a nearby store. Perhaps it is the term Cowboy Day that you are having a problem with? Would you be as offended if the school had called it Western Dress Day?