gilliamIII

I am a couple weeks from graduation (college). My school does not explicitly state anywhere that I must wear a cap and gown. I was born and raised in Chicago but am very proud of my heritage. As such, I would like to wear my culture's traditional garb in place of the cap and gown, something that is able to be done in that culture's country. Some of my family will be at graduation and I am only walking out of respect for them. I think it would be a pleasant surprise and make them all the more proud of me.

Please spare me the arrogant, "You are in this country so you go by this country's rules" arguments. This country is great because of it's diversity. Also, my school has a very low minority population and given that, they have been making increasingly drastic attempts to increase school diversity (I even received a diversity scholarship). So, I think this could be a testament to their attempts.

Finally, I make all attempts to avoid being pretentious or brash but this may help my case. I am one of the school's stars academically and professionally. To sum it up, they have done news stories touting my accomplishments and have put me in admissions magazines. The administration is very satisfied with the incredible PR I have given the school. I have even shared the influence and placed 30+ students in jobs/internships/assistantships.

I really want to do this but would hate to cause any controversy. But, I think that if they refuse me, considering my "status" and race, it could cause controversy and be interpreted as racism. What do you all think? Am I overstepping my bounds? Since it is not explicitly stated anywhere that we must wear the cap/gown would it be racist to deny me?

Thank you in advance for any help.

ThisMortalSoil

Dunno if it would necessarily be racist but if I were in your shoes I'd be a little ****ed if they didn't let me wear what I want if there are no specific guidelines.

I'm pretty sure I've seen Hawaiian students wearing leis at graduation (I know this one girl at my high school did).

juillet

May be better to ask for forgivenness than permission on this one. At my undergrad, there were some prohibitions on what we could wear at graduation (no jewelry, no sorority stoles, etc). Most people broke them, and the administration wasn't really going to pull us out of the graduation ceremony for that stuff.

clarinette52

I understand your reasoning behind wearing what you want to wear, and as long as your school is fine with it, that's cool.

However, wearing something very different will cause people to stare and make untoward comments, such as "Doesn't that person know how to dress for a graduation?" Your school administration may try to dissuade you from wearing your outfit for that reason, because that can make a stressful day even more so. I'm sure they would do that for someone who wanted to just wear a suit and tie without the cap and gown.

Also, you may want to ask the relatives who want you to walk at graduation what they would prefer. They may want to see you in the cap-and-gown; they may not.

ThisMortalSoil

what is stressful about graduation?

invader71

I understand your decision but you should definitely ask the school for permission first although they may not agree to it. I dont think their disagreement would necessarily be trying to suppress your culture by its more of a uniformity thing and tradition to wear the cap and gown. I think they just would not anyone to necessarily stand out. But if they say yes then by all means dress how you want.

gilliamIII

Thank you all for the replies.

1) I am never concerned about what others think. I strive to always be myself and I think those that concern themselves too much with what others think lose themselves and become what society wants them to be: sheep

2) Uniformity and conforming to society are things I don't like. Individual uniqueness is far more valuable and interesting to me than your everyday, average, society-made person. My rebellious attitude (in combination with hard work), are what have made me successful.

Given all of that, I think the suggestion to ask for forgiveness and not permission might be a good idea. Any further replies would be more than welcome, what do you all think?

MaineLonghorn

I think you're going to have a hard time in the real world.

romanigypsyeyes

I was with you until post 7.

Is this about not being a sheep or about genuinely representing your background? 2 completely different things.

clarinette52

I have to agree with romanigypsyeyes. I'm going to wear a cap and gown when I graduate next year, partially because it's a recognition that I've really finished everything, but yes, also because of conformity.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with going with the flow, especially if wearing something as drastically different as you plan on wearing would cause a lot of stares. That would then get people thinking that you're trying to be obnoxious, not knowing the outfit's importance to you.

Is that the last impression you want to give the professors with whom you've worked? Remember, you may need them for references. If you're wearing it for a genuine, cultural reason, more power to you. But wearing the cap and gown does not make you a sheep.

xcloudy

Like an above poster said, they wouldn't want someone wearing a suit or a tux to a graduation. It's just inappropriate. I really don't understand why someone would go out of their way to display their culture at graduation, because graduation isn't related to culture. Sure, incorporate something small for personality, but full attire? We get it, you like to be unique and rebellious, but what purpose do you have in wearing traditional garb? It sounds as if you're doing it for no real reason - simply out of whimsy and out of a nonsensical, purposeless rebellious attitude.

aigiqinf

You're being admitted to a degree within your university's community. This ceremony includes a certain traditional dress. Wear it. Even if your college doesn't require in writing that you graduate with certain attire, it's likely an unwritten rule and you may find yourself escorted out of graduation and have to apply for graduation next semester (most schools do not allow student to graduate in abstentia unless they receive prior written permission).

If you're really committed to doing this, talk to someone who has the authority to authorize it.

RadicalCar

Can you wear your cultural-clothing under your gown and wear the gown for the ceremony and take it off before and after?

gilliamIII

Thank you all for your very thoughtful replies. This is the reason I posted on here, I was trying to answer for myself why I really wanted to do this and your input has forced me to rethink it with some new insights. It is much appreciated.