By Lee Cataluna
Advertiser Columnist

On January 28, 1972, Hawai'i State Sen. Eureka Forbes made headlines. She wore pants on the Senate floor of the Capitol.

Not that she wasn't allowed to wear pants. In fact, she had done so before. But Senate leadership had passed a rule banning female Senate staff from wearing pant suits at the Capitol, and Sen. Forbes was ticked.

In support of the women who worked at the Capitol, Forbes not only wore pants, she wore green and purple pants. The newspapers printed photos of the daring attire — front, back and side views.

Sounds silly now, doesn't it? Who would stop a woman from wearing pants?

This year, a Baldwin high school senior made headlines because she made clear her intention to wear pants under her graduation gown. The BHS Class of 2002 graduation committee decided that all girls would wear dresses under their graduation gowns.

The girl was firm in her decision. The student committee was adamant as well. The principal backed up the committee. The ACLU got involved. The school's district supervisor intervened, allowing the girl to wear slacks to the May 31st ceremony.

So it's over. But still, it doesn't feel settled.

The whole thing got played out as a gender issue, when I think it was more a matter of the all-important idea that rises to a fevered pitch as seniors get close to graduation: "class unity."

I don't think the BHS graduation committee had it in their hearts to oppress anybody's rights. I think they got caught up in end-of-high school bonding frenzy.

I believe this, because close to 20 years ago, I was on the Baldwin High School graduation committee. I remember grueling lunch meetings in the multi-purpose room where the debate droned on about what our class song would be: "Flying," "Let's Make a Memory" or "Tainted Love." It seemed crucial to the safety of the world to reach consensus. After all, if half the class was singing Peter Moon and the other half was singing Soft Cell, would be shame.

I don't remember what we ended up singing at graduation at War Memorial Stadium. I don't remember who I sat next to at the ceremony or what anyone wore under their "disposable" Balfour maroon polyester gowns. None of that mattered.

In 2022, when the Baldwin graduates gather at the Outrigger Wailea or the California Hotel in Las Vegas for their 20th class reunion, I guarantee it won't make a difference who wore what on graduation night. All that remains, all that really ever contributes to "class unity," is the kindness you show one another. Everyone involved in this mess still has the opportunity to be kind.

And years from now, what will matter to that one brave student who stood up for herself was that she didn't bend to the pressure to conform, even though it was dressed up in the pretty term "unity."

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.