Editor:
Re: ‘Reports of harm’ spark ban on ‘crazy hair days’ at Burnaby schools, NOW News
An open letter to the Burnaby School District:
I just finished reading the article in the Burnaby NOW regarding the cancellation of Crazy Hair Days and I couldn't agree more with your decision. Having said that, I cannot believe your insensitivity thinking that replacing it with Silly Sock Days is a better idea.
Do you know how many children around the world live in such a state of poverty that to wear socks is considered a luxury? I myself was born in a small town in the hills of southern Italy where many of the children that were even fortunate enough to have some sort of old and worn footwear, did not have the family resources for "socks."
To this day, I cannot look at someone with a pair of fancy socks and not be reminded of the poverty I grew up in.
How demeaning.
To ensure inclusion, the Burnaby School District should ban any and all theme days of any kind. In fact, all team sports should also be eliminated.
When I was in elementary school, I was not allowed to be a part of the school track and field team because I was not "fast enough."
Do you have any idea how bad that made me feel? And just because I couldn't dribble or shoot the basketball through the hoop, I wasn't able to be a part of the school team.
A lifetime of heartbreak has followed. I've been scarred for life. Forever labelled a "loser." I could never achieve my full potential as a result.
Do the right thing - cancel everything.
Leo Buonassisi, Burnaby
