El Paso School Bans All Black Clothing Because It's 'Associated with Depression'

Mar. 15, 2025

CBS TEXAS/Youtube

An El Paso school has instituted a new dress code for the school year, banning students from wearing head-to-toe black clothing — because the look, they say, is “associated withdepressionand mental health issues.”

Charles Middle School principal Nick DeSantis sent a letter to parents this year explaining the newuniform dress code, according toKFOX14.

“We are … eliminating a look that has taken over on campus with students wearing black tops with black bottoms, which has become more associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn,” the letter read.

“What they are not allowing for students to wear clothing that is black from top to bottom,” Norma De La Rosa, the president of El Paso Teachers Association, toldCBSTexas. “They can wear black shorts to go to PE. And they can wear it on free dress day, but they just cannot wear it from top to bottom.

But she admits it’s a tricky issue. “The colors are not much for to prevent or stop mental health issues," she told the outlet. “You can have the most colorful dress on and still be suffering through depression.”

Charles Middle School in El Paso.CBS TEXAS/Youtube

PEOPLE has reached out to Charles Middle School and the El Paso Independent School District for a statement.

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​​"Keep in mind that students’ safety is our number one priority, and so anytime, there are concerns that are brought forward about student safety it’s important for us to take those seriously,” El Paso Independent School District Executive Principal, Sarah Venegas, toldKVIA7.

She added that the school also removed black pants from the permissible list of clothing, with only khakis or blue jeans allowed.

“Wearing your uniform is a part of the school rules, at every campus,” she told the outlet. “If they’re in uniform violations it can be a disciplinary infraction but that is up to every administrator.”

But as one parent, Stephanie Rascon, told the outlet, “I don’t think we should be grouping, and red flagging kids that just like to wear black.”

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source: people.com