Many single letter sport team logos are now banned at VHS
VHS students returned to school this year to find that they can no longer sport the Dodgers logo. Students were brought into the grade assemblies and were told which hats are no longer allowed on campus.
The symbols that are no longer allowed on hats are A, A’s, LA, O and W. Obviously some students are frustrated with this rule because the logos of their favorite sports teams aren’t allowed anymore. I personally cannot wear three hats I own to school because of this rule. I can’t even wear my favorite baseball team’s hat. But this isn’t the end for Dodgers fans at VHS because students are allowed to have Dodger apparel if it is spelled out. This goes for all the other banned team logos as well.
Daniel Skall ‘26 said, “They should get rid of that rule.”
People should be able to express themselves through their clothing and their favorite team’s merchandise. Being a proud fan of teams has also started conversations with people I would have never talked to before.
If you have a hat that has been banned and cannot afford a new one, the school will provide a VHS hat for you.. Principal Marissa Rodriguez said, “When we have [enough] funds, we do provide VHS hats to students who may not be able to afford to purchase a new hat.” I think that this is pretty cool to open up options for kids who can’t afford another hat that isn’t banned.
According to Rodriguez, the new hat rule was set up to protect student safety. She said, “We determined that VHS will not allow certain single letters and ‘LA’ hats to be worn to avoid distractions on campus or safety issues/concerns.”
How is wearing an LA hat a safety concern, you may ask? According to Rodriguez, the Ventura Police Department informed VUSD the newly banned logo can suggest gang affiliation.
Rodriguez said, “VUSD works closely with the VPD and we are provided updated information regarding community issues/concerns that allow us to make the best decisions possible for our school community.”
I understand why they may think that some letters of the hats may be a safety concern. Personally, I don’t believe that this is affecting kids as much as they think it is. When I asked Rodriguez if there has been any cases of the hats causing a disruption she could not inform of any.
Another reason is because they don’t have this rule at BHS. If this was such a big safety concern causing students to be harassed or assaulted, why don’t they have this rule at another school in the same town?
Overall I couldn’t find a clear and valid reason justifying why these logos should be banned. I think that there wasn’t enough research done into this rule before being implemented. If it was really a well-founded rule, then it should have been implemented since day one of in-person school after the pandemic.
Los • Oct 18, 2023 at 4:54 pm
Unfortunately you didn’t seem to know to much of the gang culture to understand more of how these hats can create issues. The purpose is preventive not reactionary. Kids may act innocent and say that it’s their favorite team but if you ask those same kids who is their favorite player on said team is they have no idea. They can’t name one. Then why where the hat? Dodgers? That’s to easy. Maybe first be real and ask what the underlining meaning of the hat is. Be real and do real research. If you can’t go into the neighborhoods that these kids like to represent don’t act like it’s just a fashion statement. Technically it is. The gang fashion isn’t original though so how is that fashion? Cause you can dress the same? everyone looks the same, and because of a few so many can get caught in between should something bad happen innocent people including you. For you to get your stats that means bad things have to happen for your justification. Well adults who genuinely care for the safety of the entire campus felt being proactive and trying to get ahead of it is better than being behind it and reacting to the aftermath. Coming from that background I’m not stupid I know what the kids are advertising and trying to do. Been there done that. It don’t change its been going on generations after generations. Before you make judgements based on feelings ask someone who has lived it and lucky enough to turn his life around and change it. Good luck VHS. I wish you the best. You will all survive the hat rule. Relaaaaax!!!
Avery • Oct 11, 2023 at 2:41 pm
Great stuff. I agree, they should not be banned.