Despite the conversation around size acceptance that's been prevalent in the media over the last few years, there are still many instances in which people are harshly criticized for their appearance. This, we can all agree is ridiculous, but it's particularly so when it involves a group of high school sophomores.
According to reports by multiple news outlets, Stratford High School Principal Heather Taylor held assemblies to go over the school's dress code, but the offensive remarks she made while speaking to a group of 9th and 10th grade students have landed her in hot water.
The controversy surrounding the South Carolina principal came to light after she shared her opinion about students who wear leggings that supposedly do not flatter their bodies. The one-sided exchange was recorded by a student, who then shared it with WCBD.
So what did she say that angered parents and students alike?
Taylor allegedly told students that some of them shouldn't be wearing leggings because it isn't flattering for those with bodies above a certain size.
"I've told you this before, I'm going to tell you this now, unless you are a size zero or two and you wear something like that, even though you're not fat, you look fat," Taylor can be heard saying in the recording.
The body-shaming incident caused outrage among the students and parents, many of whom voiced their anger to the media and online.
Allison Veazy, one of the students present during the assembly told WCBD that Taylor's message is hurtful in more ways than people could imagine.
"It was really hurtful, cause I felt like my size made me look disgusting towards someone in the clothes that I wear," Veazy said. "I wear leggings outside of school and I wear leggings when I go and hang out with my friends, and to think that someone would think that I look like a stuffed sausage "” that was kind of hurtful."
Lacy Thompson-Harper, mom of an 11th grade student, spoke with Taylor after the incident and then shared her two-cents about the "inappropriate" situation on Facebook.
"Body shaming teenage girls is uncalled for, inappropriate and unprofessional. When I spoke with her, she talked around the issue, and made excuse after excuse, effectively calling all of the students liars," Thompson-Harper wrote.
"This has upset many, many more students than just those in the 10th grade. My daughter is in the 11th grade, and is livid. She has been ridiculed by students for her body, and shouldn't be subjected to it from teachers."
You can hear the recording in the video below:
WCBD reported that Taylor has written a Facebook post asking parents to reach out to her individually to express their concerns.
Various media outlets have reached out to Taylor and other school officials for comments, but it's to no avail. According to Thompson-Harper, Taylor has agreed to apologizing to the students for her mean comments, but she's not sure if that's enough.
"Right now, I'm a very angry parent, with a very angry daughter," she added.
This is just the latest incident involving teens body-shamed for wearing leggings. Earlier this year, United Airlines was under fire for banning two girls at Denver International Airport from boarding their flight because they were inappropriately dressed in leggings.
What are your thoughts on this situation?
