Principal Heather Taylor has come under fire for her comments on her school’s dress code that ‘fat-shamed’ students who were larger than a ‘zero or size 2’
A South Carolina principal has been called out for her recent dress code comments that ‘fat-shamed’ students who were larger than a ‘zero or size 2’.
Principal Heather Taylor, of Stratford High School, has come under fire for inappropriately commenting on students wearing leggings to school, according to News 2.
Taylor can be heard saying telling 10th graders that leggings aren’t meant to be worn as pants alone.
She said leggings are meant to be worn ‘underneath a long shirt that covers your heiny, or a long sweater of some type, or a dress’.
‘It is not meant to be your actual pants, and if you have a shirt that comes to here, then you are showing everything. Yes, everything,’ she added.
She then talked about how leggings are only flattering on girls of smaller sizes.
‘I’m going to tell you now, unless you are a size zero or two and you wear something like that, even though you are not fat, you look fat,’ the principal said.
The remarks were made during a meeting that focused on the appropriate attire for school.
Her comments about leggings upset both parents and students at the high school. ‘I’m not a size zero and I kind of felt targeted because of my size,’ Allison Veazey (pictured), a sophomore at the high school said
Her comments outraged both parents and students at the high school.
‘I’m not a size zero and I kind of felt targeted because of my size,’ Allison Veazey, a sophomore at the high school, told News 2.
Others accused Taylor of ‘fat-shaming’ students who are already uncomfortable with their body image.
‘You’re meant to be a public figure that young women can look up to, yet you make comments bodyshaming teen females? I’m disappointed but not surprised,’ one Faceboook user said.
‘This is absolutely appalling. Shame on you for body shaming,’ said Facebook user April Doane-Diaz, who claimed to be a Stratford alumna.
‘Ms. Taylor you owe the entire student body an apology. You are suppose to set a good example for all the students. You failed,’ Doane-Diaz added.
Taylor later issued a statement claiming she ‘assured’ students that she is ‘one of their biggest fans’ who is ‘invested in their success’. Pictured is Stratford High School in South Carolina
Taylor later issued a statement claiming she ‘assured’ students that she is ‘one of their biggest fans’ who is ‘invested in their success’.
‘I addressed a comment made during a 10th grade assembly and shared from my heart that my intention was not to hurt or offend any of my students in any way,’ she said in the statment, according to ABC News 4.
‘After speaking with our students and receiving their support, I am confident that, together, we are ready to move forward and have a wonderful year,’ Taylor added.
She also encouraged concerned parents to contact her directly about the incident.