Dad Strips Down At School Board Meeting To Make A Point About Optional Masks

You've likely noticed that discussion around the use of face masks to combat the spread of COVID-19 is no less contentious than it was when the pandemic first emerged.

And considering that the nation's schools are on track to reopen at a time when vaccines remain largely unavailable to young children, that contention has become a source of reignited concern among parents.

This is because certain school districts (often due to pressure from state governments) have decided to make face mask use optional for students, which some parents have derided as an insufficient half-measure when it comes to their children's safety.

And while some have observed that it seems easier for these schools to enforce a dress code than a mask mandate, one dad recently went about as far as one can go to prove his point at a school board meeting.

During a four-hour public meeting by the Dripping Springs Independent School District in Texas, James Akers was one of the parents afforded a minute and a half to speak on the issue of revising the board's optional mask policy.

And after explaining that one of his children attended high school in the district, he seemed to set the tone of his speech by saying, "I'm here to say that I don't like government or any other entity — just ask my wife — telling me what to do."

But "seems" is the operative word here because his way of "walking the walk" in this regard would soon make his point clear.

He starts off by saying that he hates the jacket, shirt and tie that his job makes him wear before removing these items.

But while this may sound like someone's believable rant at this point, it becomes more obvious that he's being satirical when he says, "On the way over here, I ran three stop signs and four red lights. I almost killed somebody out there but by God, it's my road too."

And while he points out that this attitude he's presenting about traffic laws also applies to accessible parking spaces, he removes his undershirt to shocked exclamations and applause.

And after he strips all the way down to his underwear, Akers puts forth the final point he sought to make.

As he said, "It's simple protocol, people. We follow certain rules for a very good reason."

And while Akers' stunt seemed to earn enough respect from one of the security guards present that he gave him a fist bump, the board seemed more stunned than anything.

In the words of one member: "Mr. Akers, I understand — I believe you're a swimmer — but if you wouldn't mind putting your pants back on for a comment, that would be appreciated."

And since his whole argument was about the protocols we follow everyday for everyone's benefit, he quickly obliged her and put his clothes back on.

That was certainly one way to make your point.

h/t: YouTube | Dripping Springs ISD