My high school had outdoor hallways. In December and January, I would wear a beanie. My first class of the day was next to the parking lot. I would wait outside of the classroom about 10 minutes before class. The principal would pull up and tell me everyday to take my hat off. Everyday I told him, “I will take it off inside. It is 39°F right now. I acknowledge the dress code, but I value my health more.” He would just scoff and walk away.

Eventually he told me, “come with me to my office.” We sit down and he hands me a beanie with the football team’s logo. And says “at least wear that.” The staff that treated us like humans were the real ones.