Councilwoman Mary Hilliard has said that our children “can perform to a higher standard,” and I agree.

Children going to school in a well-dressed manner would certainly be performing to a higher standard. It has nothing to do with being “insensitive to the cultural diversity in Franklin” as Councilwoman Rosa Lawrence was quoted as saying.

If a person dresses in a particular manner, he or she will be perceived in that manner.

Yes, the nation has elected a black president. But President Obama would not have been elected if he had worn baggy pants and doo-rags. He holds himself to a higher standard and we do our young people, black and white, a great service when we hold them to a higher standard, too.

You expect much, you get much.

Joan Shields

Franklin