by
Black Girl With Long Hair
Ladies, I have to admit, it is disheartening to publish another piece like this. Just months after an Ohio school banned afro puffs and 7-year-old Tiana Parker faced constant harassment from school administrators for her locs, another eeriely similar situation has unfolded in Orlando, Florida. After notifying the administrators at Faith Christian Academy that she was being bullied for hair, the school essentially sided with the bullies, telling 12-year-old Vanessa VanDyke to either cut and shape her hair or face expulsion. Since this story broke yesterday the school has backpedaled saying in a statement;
We are not asking her to put products in her hair or to cut her hair. We are asking her to style her hair within the guidelines according to the school handbook.”
The handbook does not list afros as a banned style.
The original report is below:
Ladies, what are your thoughts?
80 Responses
i dont see them telling them white girls to cut off their locks, thats some bullshit
Her hair is not distracting, Only ignorance would lead someone to come to such a belief. The only thing distracting about it is it’s beauty, and that merits expulsion? She has some beautiful hair, it’s puffy instead of kinky because she is mixed.
That is Soooooooo rong! That is her natural hair. How could they expel her just because her hair is that way? And this is a supposed to be a Christian school?
[img]https://bglh-marketplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/r169_457x256_14267_Red_2d_portrait_girl_woman_red_hair_curly_redhead_picture_image_digital_art.jpg[/img]
Is this another black run school? I saw the news clip updating the school’s change in decision that let Vanessa return to school with her same hair, supposedly to show the bullies that if the school “can accept Vanessa” they can too?!?!? What a cruel joke. This school is a joke and the whole thing is ridiculous! Her mother should absolutely have her pulled, she can’t be getting a quality education in a school run by those clowns!
The men who talked on behalf of the school were black men. Honestly, I’m sick and tired of these ignorant black men attacking and degrading our hair. I’m sick and tired of insecure black men preferring straight hair of white and Hispanic women as standard for black women. And I’m sick of the DISPICABLE black men who agree with black women who hate their natural hair. These bastards would expel this young girl, damaging her for life simply because of some natural hair and are only taking it back now because of the public outrage that ensued and are covering their tracks.
Same thing happened at my high school. They said to the girls who came with afros to school, to have hairstyles that follow the shape of their head or else they basically sit in the discipline office for the whole day until they “fixed” it. In elementary school they were going to ban dread locks – some kids dreads were already long and the school wanted to instill those ‘rules’ but the people (we) won. It happens everywhere – I’m in South Africa
wow, what a shame, and from christians too. what a shame for them to treat this young lady in such a way as to want her to change her natural hair and how the Lord made her. I think she should stand her ground and leave if necessary. they are wrong and unbibical and definitely not showing christian character. all i can say is what a shame. that’s why our culture and race is trying to fight it’s way back up to love who we are and how the Lord made us.
I’m sick and tired of this back of the bus treatment for our natural hair. Her hair is the way it is because of her race! A white girls hair is perfectly acceptable in it’s natural state, an afro is a black girls hair in it’s natural unaltered state. The fact that this school would rather side with a bunch of bullies and racists speaks volumes! The ignorant hooligans ganging up against this sweet, innocent young girl are the one’s who need to be shamed, not her! The ignorance is infuriating!
That this is even legal is staggering! I hope her family sues the crap out of this school and sets an example to anyone who thinks racism is tolerated in this day and age.
1. Her family should stopy paying their hard earned money to send that beautiful girl to that school.
2. If a white girl grows her hair long and leaves it out without styling, or with a small barrette, it’s ok with everyone. Therefore it should also be ok for a black girl to do the same.
Peace.
Soooo….what about the bullying?
disgraceful!the girl clearly has very naturally beautiful hair and her school should be encouraging the fact that she does not want to change who she is by straightening it and has the confidence to wear it like that {to wear your beautiful natural hair out these days is almost frowned upon}learn how to keep yours like that here:http://urbanoaf30.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/mantaining-natural-black-hair.html
How can a “Christian” academy want to suspend a girl who keeps her body the way the lord intended it? More proof of the ignorance and intolerance of Christian people. If it is a distraction, why not teach the other children(and obviously the staff) to be respectful? What happen to promoting individuality and being yourself? I applaud this young lady for standing up for what is right!! I see nothing wrong with her hair. She is a beautiful girl with a gorgeous head of hair. Too bad the school are too blind and ignorant to see that. I can’t believe that the school is willing to let an honor student leave over this. Or that they would have expelled her. What a horrible message they are sending. Just horrendous. Shame on them! I think this school is run by the devil, I think she will be better off at another school where God might be.
Exactly. They would expel an honor student over her looks. The school is sending a message that they are intolerant towards people based solely off of appearance. That is extremely shallow. Plus, they don’t address the real issue here–bullying. Instead, they justify bullying. Being harassed by your peers is a distraction not natural hair.
Thanks for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a amusement account it. Glance complex to far introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?
her hair is her beauty, if she need to cut her hair to fit in, then she dont need to be in that school am sure there are otheR great school out there that will accept her for who she is.
Another ask.fm suicide
I really hate my school because students in my school ALWAYS have to talk some type of crap about black women’s hair, saying that they all wear weave saying we all have short hair saying that our hair is ugly, but you know, high school is bleeh 😛
But this is completely different. I feel so bad for this girl AND that 7 year old too! She or ANY black girl should go through this! How is bullying okay but her NATURAL HAIR isnt?! This is just messed up. Smh. I pray this girl finds a better school. Naw she aint changing her hairstyle. Her hair is perfectly healthy and beautiful as we see. I dont see the problem with her. Seriously. Bullying is against the law in some states am I right?’! So why should she be the one to change her ways but not those ridiculous kids she attends school with? Me reading this article makes me upset…I wonder how it would be, if this ever happened to me in Massachusetts. -__-
She or any black girl SHOULDNT go through this ***
My apoligy on typo
So the volume of her hair won’t be tolerated, but the bullying is?! Screw it the parents need to pull her and move her to a school that doesn’t have such stupid hair rules. That is ridiculous. I think her hair is fine. I know that schools want children’s hair to be presentable, but come on, its not like creatures are nesting in her hair!
I’m offended by the comments telling this little girl she should braid or bun her hair. I hate ghetto looking braids and my head is way too big for an updo to ever be a cute look or be comfortable for me. I’m mixed with white; and I prefer my hair out. I feel most confident with my hair that way and has made me the successful person I am today. I don’t wear braids in my hair; I can’t relate to it. Some white women prefer to wear ponytails while others always wear their hair out, why can’t black people allow their women the same freedom???
Hello! I’m happy to hear that you have found confidence and success by expressing yourself and wearing your hair the way you do. We should all strive to become confident in who we are without compromising. My only concern is the use of ghetto to describe the style of braids. While they might now work for you, I have seen them work for countless other women while still looking elegant, classy, and professional. I just don’t understand the need to put down another woman’s choice of style or expression.
I think that young lady’s hair looks quite beautiful and she is a cutie. These rules that schools make up are sometimes unclear and they use “loopholes” to ban styles that they find shocking. I remember my mom used to braid my own hair when I was in school and but the braids in a ponytail or bun. I remember getting complaints b/c may hair was “distracting” and there were too many braids. (apparently they only allowed a maximum of 3 braids but that was not clearly specified in the dress code)…My mom had to continually go and see the principal and explain to her that may hair was neat, clean and that making several parts was the only way to maintain my hair. She also said that I wasn’t like white girls who can just throw their hair in a bun. she also insisted wouldn’t perm my hair. In their search for uniformity, the schools really want to abide to the “white” standard. they’re just afraid to say it upfront. I am not against dress codes but sometimes they can be so biased.
This child’s hair looks fine, it looks healthy and well taken care of. It does not look unkempt, it’s not too dramatic. I honestly think the only reason some of you are saying that is because it’s an all natural afro and not manipulated in any way. Very, very, sad that most of you natural women cannot even accept our hair without gobs of curly pudding and definition in it. It is a part of who she is. I know my hair does not hold twisted or braided styles very well while tending to frizz out and look “messy”. I’m not comfortable or fee l I look the best in those styles, neither. People are different, black women’s hair is not public property let them do what they please with their own hair.
Bull$&#^!
What’s next – do I have to tease and blow dry my way too straight hair to go to that school??? It’s the way her hair grows, it’s not a “statement” – it’s just her natural hair. WTF???
I understand where a lot of you are coming from but I still think most of it’s bs. For one, some of you who are defending the bullies and saying it is okay that she got bullied are very sad. Also, if her hair was such a distraction, why didn’t anyone politely asked her to pull her hair down or switch seats? I believe it’s the same issue if a person was incredibly tall. Yes, hair and height are different but when looked at that perspective, it’s more understandable. What her mother said was correct, “what’s a distraction for one is not a distraction for another.” Someone who has Albanism can be a distraction to some and not for others. We really need to stop with this conformist mindset. Just because someone does not fit the status quo it’s okay to bully? Smh it’s 2013 people. Also, why did it escalate to the level of expulsion? According to the teen, she always wears her hair in its natural state so why is it now a problem? I would understand if the school got multiple complaints and gave her numerous warnings already but that does not seem like the case. I mean did they just realize that her hair was “distracting” the day she came to complain about bullying? How utterly ridiculous. Moreover, I think we’re all misinformed about the girl’s age. She is a preteen and probably in middle school- not a small child in elementary. Teasing and harassment at this age is real- trust me; I’ve been through it. Although we don’t know the details of this bullying, it could spread through media, direct contact, you name it. I also live in Florida and have seen this firsthand. I hope her and her mom continue to get the support they need.
If I was a child I would ask the principle to expel all of the bullies cause their bullying is a distraction to me, and its an unhealthy learning environment.
This is a sad story and we all need to focus on what is important here: a young girl being bullied for wearing her hair in its natural state. Humans beings are afraid of things or people that are different from what they are accustomed to until they understand it or them. We must not forget that we are in a school and wearing your hair in an afro can be distracting for any children sitting right behind it whether black or not. Let’s take one minute and imagine another black kid coming back from school and complaining about not being able to follow the teacher in class because the other black kid in front of him has big hair. As a parent how would you react? We must be considerate of other because even if we are proud of our hair we don’t like it when a big afro blocks our view at a movie for example even when we know what it is and admire it.
Different hair styles for different places whether black or not and we must admit that straight hair or red hair are not big enough to block the view. And this is where I agree with some African countries ( plenty of naturals and afros here )where girls attending schools ( Elementary, Middle and High ) must have their hair braided or twisted in a neat style and wear uniforms or simply wear a TWA because it is convenient, protects our fragile hair, avoids distraction, and is a good time saver . We all know that natural hair is fragile and requires a lot of TLC especially when worn out so why put any additional stress?
This little girl said that she recently change her hair style and that’s when it all started. What was her hairstyle before? And if possible can she go back to wearing the previous style if it is a healthy style for her natural hair? We understand that she prefers wearing her hair out but is it the right place to do so?
I agree that the school needs to be educated on natural hair health and styles and that the girl must not be bullied for her natural hair.
The bullies must be punished. But the school can also work on a different class setting that will allow kids sitting behind afro hair not to be distracted. We still have a lot to work on for other races to understand and accept our hair the way God made it and it is to us to have the proper attitude to teach the ignorant what they don’t know about our hair and make baby but significant steps towards hair freedom and total acceptance.
I wish the girl and her parents a happy outcome.
Well Put. I had a white girl in my Second grade class that used to do creative things in her hair and it was a distraction and the principle just told her that she was only allowed to put in maybe 2 decorative statements. He didn’t mention anything about her being expelled. I mean let me tell you she was big into Cindy Lauper if that give s you an idea of what her hair could have looked like. To tell the truth kids are going to find anything a distraction. The thing that bothers me is that they sided with the bullies. I know that the administration tried a happy medium by suggesting braids or a bun, which I don’t find anything wrong with that either, but I think they need to find a style where she can still have her hair out and not be too distracting.
I would be pissed off if someone told me how to style my hair, talking to me like I’m stupid, unless there were some kind of rules that were directed at everyone regardless of race or hair texture. It is perverted and just plain weird, and entirely too intrusive. I wear my hair however I want, if I want to bun it I will when I want, if I want braids (which I never would because they pull to much on the follicle and just don’t look good imo) I will put my hair in braids when I want not because someone tells me too like I’m retarded.
MSNBC wrote an article on it also, apparently expulsion is off the table.
http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/school-backs-natural-hair-threat
Is it sad that I am not surprised by this? 🙁
Update: according to CurlyNikki, the school has rescinded its demand that she cut or alter her hair. They only want her to keep it ‘tame’ (in braids, buns, etc.). It seems like the backlash got to them. The issues, however, is still bullying.
‘tame’ her hair. Wow.
Tame her hair! That’s a lot of nerve. We have to continue to tell our young girls that their hair is absolutely beautiful and be proud to wear it naturally. I’m all for natural hair.
“They only want her to keep it ‘tame’ (in braids, buns, etc.).”
Are they stupid? That should be a discrimination lawsuit right there.
I wish someone would tell me to “tame” my hair; merely for not being straight. I really wish some white person would tell me I need to bun or braid my hair; when all the white and asian women can do what they please with their own hair.
Their ass would be in court so fast, they wouldn’t know what to do!
I agree. White people have no business telling blacks to put braids in their hair. WTF? Black people I can understand, but white people need to keep their noses out of people’s ass. They have no business complaining or giving suggestions about a black women’s hair. It is racist and awkward to say the least and entirely inappropriate!
This poor child is going to be so confused, probably thinking wearing her hair the way it naturally is should be praised and enlightening. Only to get this sort of reaction. Even our own people, instead of being proud of her talk about how unkempt it looks. Natural afro hair should be celebrated not put on trial like it is some sort of crime.
She doesn’t seem confused at all to me. She likes her big hair and she is keeping it that way. I love that her parents are 100% behind her. I think the school tried to do a happy medium and failed horribly.
Tame her hair? Tame the ignorance! I’m sure her grades are higher than the kids that are “focused” on her hair. If a black person with natural hair treats their hair the same as a white person’s, the white person’s hair will be fine, thin and straight, while the black person’s will be a huge afro! For the school to ask her to tame it implies she just let’s it go all wild and doesn’t care, but in reality what they are saying is like asking a black person to make their skin lighter. She has every right to be upset and should leave that school!
Someone mentioned back of the bus treatment; segregation etc. One day our hair will be just as accepted as our skin but for now the ignorance surrounding our hair should not be tolerated!
If anything I think the school should use this as a learning moment about different cultures and/or remaining focused since in the real world you can’t just expel away distractions and stay in a bubble. And no, what she naturally has should not be called a “distraction”. The absolute NERVE!
The only issue here is bulling which the school appears not to want to address……..
After watching the news clip it appears the school has given her an ultimatum after speaking out about the bullying. The core of the problem are the bullies, not her hair.
I may be alone in this, but I too think her hair should be styled differently for everyday wear at school. I worked in a primary school (ages 4-11); children are MESSY! They’re rough in the playground, in the classroom, not to mention the activities – P.E, painting, drama etc. In my personal opinion, it doesn’t make sense to have such big (fragile) hair out like this for everyday wear at school. It’s not practical for that age group.
Where I worked, there were no set ‘rules’ as such, but I remember the class teacher telling the girls with long hair to have their parents tie their hair back/up. Safety reasons more so I believe.
The only issue here is the schools dismissive attitude toward the bullying!
I see that others have suggested that she ought to put her hair in a bun. However, do white girls with long straight hair have to put it in a bun too? Just because straight hair has no volume, doesn’t mean our natural volume is bad and needs taming. If white girls have to tie their hair in a bun, then I could see them making the same suggestion for this young girl. This story may sound discouraging, but think what would happen if this situation took place 10 years ago. The girl would have just permed her hair. This wouldn’t even BE a story. It’s a story because brown people are tired of being told that their looks aren’t good enough. We’re publicly and persistently fighting the status quo.
and that little girl has such beautiful hair..its a pity
OK don’t crucify me for this but I too went to Christian/catholic schools as a child and her hair STYLE would have been a “distraction” for my schools as well. From my understanding, no one is telling her to get a relaxer. It is a “distraction” to other students because she STANDS OUT and most, if not all of the private schools wear UNIFORMS for the same reason; to look the same. Imagine sitting behind this student in class if she likes the front row seat lol. In all seriousness, it is a private school after all and we have to abide by their rules. Besides it’s only for school, she can do whatever she wants outside of it. I wouldn’t wish public schools in Florida on the poor child lol I attended a couple and I absolutely hated them… SN my schools brainwashed me so hard that after 13 years, I still can’t take my fro out for a walk without a leave-in conditioner because of all the attention I get for it :/
I attended a boarding school (in Jamaica) when I was younger that had students from all races and backgrounds, and hair from dead straight to Afros (it was in the ’70’s). The rule about hair was straight forward: Long hair must be tied back. And we conformed. Girls wore big Afros and it was never an issue. Fancy hairstyles, nail polish and anything that was contrary to the uniform code was saved for weekends. The teaching staff were all British, and maintained discipline but were great fun to interact with. Having come from a Catholic prep school which was repressive and the nuns prejudiced, it was like leaving prison and going to a spa. When school officials get bogged down on trivialities like hair, one must really wonder if their institution is even offering anything of worth, besides How To Be Petty 101! People need to wake up to the reality that people are people wherever you go and that treating them with respect and dignity can go a long way. Telling her to to cut off her hair is insulting and I hope her parents can get some resolution in this.
If white girls can wear their hair down, then so should black girls…there shouldn’t be a racial preference going on here especially at a Christian school. For those kids that tease her, well maybe they need to learn more about Christian behavior and loving others as themselves. The school should send out letters to the parents to let them know their children behave poorly….they should be the ones to go.
Tuh a “Christian” academy… uumm “Come as you are”,,, I promise Christianity is being tainted more and more everyday. I pretty sure God won’t tell the young lady “Oh I’m sorry,, You must tame and shape your hair before entering into Heaven”,,, sigh,, I really hope that she get through this!
Ok.. Listen here, first it is a private school, second that hair is way distracting meaning who can see around in the classroom? It would be wrong to put her in the back of the class no wouldn’t it? second lets talk about the distraction. It wasn’t an issue until she complained about being teased= distraction.. Third Comb you fkng HAIR!!! it looks like a giant mess. YOu can keep it natural, put it in a pony tail or something? Braid it or something.. Come really what is this fight about?
“second lets talk about the distraction. It wasn’t an issue until she complained about being teased= distraction.”
So you’re saying that the only reason Vanessa was being teased about her hair is because it was a distraction and thus it’s her fault? With that logic, then if a person is being teased because of the color of their skin it’s because their skin is a “distraction” so it’s their own fault.
“Third Comb you fkng HAIR!!! it looks like a giant mess.s ”
Big frizzy curls can look like a giant mess, but as I stated upthread, if this were a little Irish girl with big frizzy curls, the school would have handled it differently
It is not up to us to make others more “comfortable” with who we are. The onus should not be on a child “not to stand out” but on others to accept that child, and others, as they are; they way God made them.
This had to be mystifying for this child – being told very ugly things from what SHOULD BE level headed, reasonable adults. What’s particularly sickening is that there are people who expect this to be something that the little girl, her parents and others should accept as a reasonable position on the part of the school? Total theater of the absurd.
Be gone TROLL! Your powers do not work here!
I’m a Christian woman & when I first read this a couple days ago I was so ashamed that this was a Christian academy that was involved in this foolishness – I mean really, the Bible was the first proponent for natural hair, it’s even mentioned quite a few times that Jesus had “woolly” hair. Stories like this just let me know that going natural is not just something we’re doing for our own self acceptance, but it’s for the next generation as well.
You guys really beed to suck it up. Everything is not about white people being out to get you. I’m sure there is a reason why they wanted her to do something else with. 1. Its probably distracting , I’m sure the kids get really distracted and want to touch it or mess with it. 2.It could be too big and be blocking the view of others in the classroom. Also its a lot of hair and its put so im sure it sheds everywhere. There are many reasons why they may want it to be styled differently. Yes racism is real but not every single situation betwen a white and black person boils down to it. Its not like they told her to get a perm So they wont have to see her nasty african nigger hair. You guys take everything way to personal in my opinion.
And it probably doesn’t list afros in the handbook because most kids who attend the school are probably white , got a perm, or don’t wear they hair out
Your comment highlights your white privilege and ignorance. Only an ignorant person would be distracted by a black person’s hair. If the kids werent so ignorant and had greater exposure to black people, they wouldn’t view her hair as something abnormal or exotic. The way my hair grows out of my head is how it grows. I see white student go to school with unnatural colors in their hair( pinks and purples) and they are allowed to do so. Some even go as far as wearing locs knowing well that the grease that their hair produces does not allow for that kind of hair style and they don’t even know the first step of retwisting and maintaining that African hairstyle,
Telling a black child she can’t wear her hair the way that it grows out her head, it like telling a naturally blond child that she would need to dye her hair black to attend the school.
Please tell me what white privilege and ognotance. As a black natural who comes from the hood with a single mother, what priveledge do i have. My opinion is not ignorance its based off experience. Im in high school and everybody always touch my hair and pulls on it etc. mind you most of these,ppl are black kids,who see only weaves and perms. So if the ppl who are the same as me are distracted andintrigued by of course whites,whos hair is usually not,similar at all will feel the same. And now you want to question my blackness because im not white ppl are the devil? At least my mind,is,not clouded with hate and i can see this situation from a different point of view. Even in the movie Hairspray when Tracy had that super high hump she got in trouble which im sure happened in real life at least once. Buts of course to you guys its not the same because the girl skin isnt dark
And how,is a childs fault that they havent seen natural hair. Whether or not they are surrounded by blacks is not their problem, fault, nor interest
I understand that there are still many who are not use to seeing afro textured hair in all its glory and that’s okay, but it is about principle. There is no excuse to tease, judge, criticize, discriminate and bully just because something or something is different. The root of the problem is the mentality of these children who are bullying and the adults who are blaming the hair style as cause of distraction. One day, it will be universally normally to see black people wear their hair as is, the way it grows bushy, frizzy, poofy, up and out of the scalp. But, it has to start with us first. We must let each other be, stop imposing one’s standard of what hair should look like on another, accept each other and not poke fun and or criticize. Once we accept one another and who we are then everyone else will have no choice but to accept us as is, and let us be. Until such time, these are the things we must deal with.
I also think it’s ok for her to wear her hair in a bun or braids etc while in school because the longer it grows, the bigger it will get and I can see how that can get in the way of everything lol. Imagine sitting behind someone with a huge afro like that of Aevin Dugas(Guinness record holder of largest afro) LOL I can definitely see how that can be a distraction from seeing the black board. Haha, exaggerated fun but you get the picture.
*something or someone*
* Also, I meant to say that it wouldn’t hurt for her to wear her hair in a bun or braids once in while………..
mods, can we get this troll comment deleted please?
So im not allowed to speak my mind now because every one hates to hear another opinion
Firstly, this is a Christian school and the emphasis should of been on the bullying. The Christian faith is supposed to have children act as an example of God. Instead of that issue they go the the girl. If this was not an issue after the school began, it should not be an issue now. All schools will have their issues but as a school of faith, this should of been handled differently. God makes us all different and that is her natural hair and should not have to alter it to please the behaviors not pleasing to God. I have worked with a Christian school and this would not be an issue and the one’s who should of been threatened to be expelled are the one’s who give a bad example of how Christians should behave in the world today.
Hey how do they allow both of us to use the same name on here?
Florida is a scary place smh
If this was a public school then I would say what the H#@@, but unfortunately it is a private school. As such the school can make whatever rules they want, it is in the Constitution. Her parents chose to send her to the academy for their own reasons so they must now obey the rules of the school. It would be the same as telling Spelman College to admit men.
Discrimination on the basis of race is not allowed anywhere. I hope her parents sue.
Private schools, just like private business establishments, don’t get an exemption from discrimination laws harassment suits in the United States.
Private institutions, whether most know it or not, do receive public funds and subsidies. Spelman, just like this academy, is subject to the laws of the nation and both are also privy to litigation.
I seen this on the news yesterday. My Mom and Uncle have been watching the news all day yesterday and I finally caught on to it at the right time. I thought this wouldn’t be on here but I agree, It’s wrong to tell a girl how to do her hair in a negative way. With all of the issues in today’s society, why are they focusing on her hair? Let her wear it fluffed out. She said (I quote) “They just want it straight.” She said she likes it fluffed out like that. I thought it was cute. She can wear it that way but she can also experiment with other Styles though like the high knot bun, twist outs or waterfall braids. I can’t believe this girl is going to loose her education right because of some small thing. I am for her mother and she was crying. I think it’s a good thing that her mother (who was probably wearing a sew-in) was supporting her and not saying that she should change it.
I signed before against this kind of punishment for nothing. Let the children be happy. There are more important problems! I stand with Her!
This is just terrible!
I dont think you should forbid a girl for wearing her hair just the way it grows out of her head and that is what is happening here.
Her hair may be a “distraction” but that is because people still need to get used to black people wearing their hair natural.
Those people still see straight hair as the standard norm.
This girl isnt wearing her hair like this to make a statement or to be different. This hair is just like how a white girl would wear her straight hair loose.
So why is this a problem and the white girl wearing her hair loose not? For me it is the same thing.
And the school is taking the easy way out!
Instead of protecting this kid from being bullied by talking to the other kids and their parents, the school forces this girl to not “stand out” or being “different”.
They need some lessons about how to handle natural hairstyles at school.
i think her hair is lovely. I know some aren’t going to like this : maybe she could bun it for school?
I totally agree. Another child sitting behind her may be unable to see the board or whatevers going on. I grew up in Jamaica. When i was going to school there were guidelines for wearing hair and even caucasian types or indians had to secure their hair. I think a bun or plaits/twists/braid would be okay.
plaits twist and braids might be a “distraction” as the school handbook terms it also…so who knows…yea the bun might work. She said she was wearing her hair like that for the past year. I wonder how she was wearing it before?
I agree that the girl should just bun it back. I would be upset if they said to straighten it, asking her to tone it down is fair. Her mother needs to have a talk with school administrators about natural hair care, culture and styles Since the school is predominantly white. I would only make it a big deal AFTER having that conversation. Sometimes people need to be schooled a bit so a common ground can be found. No child should get kicked out of school because their natural hair is misunderstood.
I get what you’re saying, but I don’t agree. If a little white girl can wear her long hair flowing and free in the way that it naturally grows from her scalp, then why can’t Vanessa? (And something tells me that if an Irish little girl with red frizzy hair, green eyes and freckles reported being teased, the administration would handle that situation very differently.)
If the school thinks that Vanessa’s long hair is a “distraction” and must be contained, the fine. Just change the rules to explicitly state that ALL girls with long hair must secure their hair. While they’re at it, they need to define what “long” is. It really ticks me off when white people want to make up special rules on the fly that only apply to us.
Also, the school still has not addressed the bullying issue. I think that should take priority over the rest of this foolishness.
Because Vanessa’s hair gets in the way of other students. I mean, really? Why are some side stepping the obvious in the need to be PC? Her hair isn’t just long but wide and big. I have a huge BAA but don’t wear it to the movies because I know it will be a distraction and block others. Recognizing differences is a-okay no matter what the police PC say. IA with everything else you said, however.
I’ve read several articles related to this story and there is no evidence that her hair was obstructing the view of other students in class. If that were the case, don’t you think the administrators would have said that initially to bolster their case against her? Her hair did not become a “distraction” until she reported being teased about it. Instead of dealing with the bad behavior, the administration took the easy way out and blamed the victim and required HER to change. That is unacceptable.
Its just plan ridicilous! Know one is going to dictate how my child is going to wear there natural hair. Fifty years plus they may have gotten away with this madness. But not today. I hope her parents do not let this pass by.
I hope this family continues to fight for this child to express who she is. As we all know when someone is attacked it usually means they are doing too well and it is a method to bring them down. No wonder there are children who are bullies, the adults are just as bad and teaching them this awful behavior.
Exactly. I mean how cruel from the school administration to dont punish the bullies, but the victim. The school administration is just showing that they accept the bullies and the reason why they bullied her. Instead of teaching them bullies to have understanding and tolerance for people who look different and have different hair. Its so sad, that such things still happen.