Sylvia Wynter's Dream

Around the world, the future of students is carried on their backs. Bags, whether big or small, carry a wealth of information. Not only do bags carry knowledge but they enable students to express themselves.

In Jamaica, students from all primary and secondary institutions wear uniforms. As a result, bags, shoes, and hairstyles provide the students with a sense of identity. Over the decade, there has been many bag trends which include the JanSport bag and ‘Matey’ bag.

However, since the new school year, two new trends have broken the previous pattern. One trend, the Sprayground bag, has been considered safe and acceptable by school administrators. However, the latter has made the local news and has caused an outrage amongst principals, who threaten to bar students who wear these bags from entering their school.

This controversial bag seems harmless except for the word ‘dunce’ which is boldly transcribed onto the bag. This bag, which has been dubbed the ‘dunce backpack’, has sparked a nationwide debate in which some believe that students should be allowed to express themselves however they want; while others believe that the dunce backpack is not appropriate for school.

Personally, I believe that the dunce backpack should not be worn by students to school. Although I believe in self-expression, I also believe that there are limits to the way one can express themself, according to the setting that they are in. School is an educational facility which promotes the learning and development of students. Why, then, should students wear a bag which promotes the opposite of the establishment? Words are very powerful and they have the ability to influence our reality (McChaughey, 2018). Words can set negative affirmations, as well as positive affirmations. Students should, instead, wear these bags elsewhere but not into a learning environment.

Bibliography

McCaughey,B. (2018,Dec 26). “The Power of Words”. multitude.27.medium.com

https://multitude27.medium.com/the-power-of-words-61c524ddf1b5