Through the start of this school year, St. Louis Park seniors discussed the question of keeping the classic “Senior Ladies” shirt. Since freshman year, I have looked up to many girls and closest friends wearing these shirts. To me, they represent a fun and unique tradition, a lighthearted message of connection to those from my past and future. However, now that our turn has come, this has only created frustration for those who still feel connected to prior customs.

While I strongly believe in the inclusion of all students, there can still be a way to satisfy each party. On a poll expressed through Facebook, an option was to have both an inclusive shirt, yet still respect the importance of having a “Senior Ladies” shirt. This sparked a misinterpretation of  “Senior Ladies” supporters advocating for only their shirt to represent the 2019 class.

Inclusion is a tricky subject to master altogether, especially alongside the topic of tradition. Not everyone’s perspective on senior shirts has been acknowledged as they rightfully deserve. Peers I have known for all of high school, now turning against one another left and right. Outraged when their voices weren’t heard, yet not truly listening to others who simply had a different viewpoint. The topic now has turned into those who feel disrespected clashing with individuals deciding what they feel is best for all.

This discussion left many students siding with the idea of a “Senior Ladies” shirt inhibiting us from unifying as a senior class. Despite this, uniting can begin whenever an individual decides to make a change, it does not have to rely solely on a T-shirt. If our senior class is searching to join together, creating less tension altogether will accomplish this in a much better way. Having both an inclusive non-binary shirt and a “Senior Ladies” shirt would have given these individuals the rights to choose for themselves how they want to represent the class of 2019.

While bickering over Facebook about a simple T-shirt is not favorable for getting a message across, dismissing another group’s voice is one thing that will only move us backward.