Opinion | Sartorial splendor as armor in a segregated world - The Washington Post

When reading Robin Givhan’s March 16 The Critique column, “From Lauren, a more inclusive version of the American Dream,” [Style] about Ralph Lauren’s advertising campaign with Spelman and Morehouse colleges, two of the country’s oldest and leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities, I was immediately transported back to 1950 when I arrived as a freshman at Morgan State College (now university) in Baltimore, straight out of Philadelphia but dressed like a country hick. It didn’t take long to notice the upperclassmen dressed sharp as a tack every day. Having already embraced their committed mission to acquire a higher education and fortify themselves for an arduous journey into a nation steeped in racism and segregation, their personal dignity and appearance, when it came to clothes, spoke volumes.

I didn’t know beans about three-buttoned, single vent, natural-shouldered suits, blue blazers with gold buttons, gray slacks, over-the-calf socks, button-down shirts, cuff links, rep-striped ties, pocket squares, and wing-tipped or penny loafer shoes. Struggling parents did what they could to get their children on board, and those summer job paychecks paid for the white buck shoes and the V-neck tennis sweater. The look said something about you, your self-esteem and confidence.

As I look back, sartorial splendor was more armor, and additional ammunition needed in a world fraught with rejection and barriers for Black people at that time.

Walt Carr, Columbia

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Opinion | Sartorial splendor as armor in a segregated world - The Washington Post
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