Karis Wilson was dismissed from Norkam Secondary over this outfit.
Image Credit: Facebook/Chris Wilson
February 24, 2021 - 12:53 PM
A Kamloops student's dismissal from school over her choice of outfit has sparked a much larger controversy about why it's a young woman's responsibility to make males comfortable.
Karis Wilson's outfit, a turtleneck under a dress with laced edges, made a female teacher and her male student-teacher uncomfortable, prompting her dismissal from Norkam Secondary school Tuesday, according to a social media statement by her father.
"My beautiful 17-year-old daughter went to school today feeling excited, feeling good about herself, ready to learn," Christopher Wilson said on a Facebook video. He said she was soon "centred out" because her outfit could make the teacher uncomfortable, then later asked to leave the school.
Credit: Facebook/Chris Wilson
School District 73 finally responded to the controversy today, saying little but promising to investigate how it was handled.
"We are also concerned about these allegations and are treating them seriously. The incident is currently under review," the school district said in a statement today. They said they will not, however, comment on yesterday's incident with Wilson specifically.
"Whenever a parent is concerned about their child at school we want to work with them for the best outcome for the student."
The Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre also issued a statement on social media last night, Feb. 23, urging School District 73 to take action on this incident and create a safe, respectful school environment.
"(The counselling centre) is saddened and frustrated to hear that another Kamloops student has had their access to education compromised by archaic and misogynistic dress code standards," they said in a statement on social media.
Meanwhile, it appears several other students in Kamloops and beyond have taken up the fight as well. Some Kamloops students have matched her outfit in protest after Karis' story gained attention on social media.
A Facebook video and a TikTok telling the story of the incident started gaining traction with #imwithkaris.
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