I assumed it meant if a Black person showed up dressed like that they would be torn apart for not dressing appropriately and criticized for being classless, and a showing of how Black are raised differently and not educated regarding how to dress and behave.
When I lived in the South there was this mantra by some Chirstian school alums and parents that the kids wearing a tie and sportscoat prepared them for adulthood and helped them learn how to behave well. Some black people even refer to a suit as white people clothing and they are not comfortable. Like white people are comfortable and born into those clothes. WTH?
One time my husband and I went up to St. Louis for a doctor’s appointment, and while there we had dinner with a former coworker of my husband’s and his wife. The wife was a high school teacher, and I asked her about her job in St. Louis. One comment she made was, “I realize now that when a child does not answer me with ma’am they are not being rude, and that just because they don’t have their shirt tucked in does not mean they were not raised well.” I tried to hide my shock. She said, “the children here are much more well informed and inquisitive, and it really has been an eye opener for me.” I give her credit to being open enough to change her perception, but it really shows what her former perception was.
I don’t agree with judging kids or adults in that way at all. I am still shocked people think that way. I am shocked by everything I told you above still to this day. I also think this is just in pockets of America.
I think if a 70 something year old Jim Clyburn was wearing a Vermont winter coat he would be seen by most of America as cute too. I love Jim Clyburn. My guess is Bernie has a dark overcoat he could have worn that probably would been more with expectations for the event, but really who cares. Immediately when I saw his mittens I assumed they likely had special meaning.
I am much more bothered by Jill Biden and Nancy Pelosi wearing spike high heals. Great if they can wear them without effort, but if it was difficult for them I think it is ridiculous, especially at their age in the cold. I’m not saying they have to wear flat shoes, I am only saying I hope they were comfortable, and it is a crazy standard, especially at their age.