by
Chinwe
Here is another “we can’t believe this is 2016” moment:
Kentucky State Representative, Attica Scott, recently shared the new hair policy of her daughter’s school on Twitter.  Though this is not the first time we have seen the banning of certain natural hairstyles, it is still quite shocking to see that this still goes on and to this level.  Here is the tweet that Scott posted with a photograph of the new policy:
So, twists and cornrolls/cornrows are banned?  These are two staple hairstyles in the black culture. The school — Butler Traditional High School in Kentucky — has also banned dreadlocks and afros beyond two inches. Â
Scott did not stop there though.  She took to Twitter with powerful images of these styles worn by successful black women we know.
What makes this story even more interesting is that Attica Scott wears locs and is the first black woman elected to the Kentucky State Legislature in 20 years this 2016. Â
5 Responses
But schools have no problem with white kids rocking mohawks, mullets ect..
I can only assume natural hairstyles are seen as fad-based and counterculture. They’re usually listed beside Mohawks as if it’s some punk rock staple. Locs and afros are still seen as unkempt instead of natural Afro-textured hair states. This is an example of not thinking of our hairstyles as variations on the norm.
I guess it really comes down to how you define success. If you define success in terms of becoming a problem solver, being a critical and creative thinker, being able to communicate effectively, and thriving in a collaborative environment, then I am not sure how a hairstyle such as braids and twists will prevent you from being successful. If you define success by how well a student can conform to mainstream ideals of appearence, then, yes, you probably should ban those hairstyles and apply from grants to buy relaxer kits for all students.
Academic success correlated to attire and appearance? As a military Veteran I accept the part about attire. More than likely there are studies that support the stance on appearance. But pray tell, what is extreme, distracting and attention getting about corn rows and locs? Were they afraid of legal retaliation from male students (wearing locs/corn rows) so they banned it for all students? Since the hair is clean, neat, in a natural color and rises no more than “x” inches ABOVE the scalp, does it appear they are trying to abolish culturally accepted African American hairstyles?
Thank you to the Honorable Ms. Scott for bringing this to the public’s attention. We hope that positive changes are made!
Sooo as someone who usually has my hair in twists…if this were to happen to me… how in the heck else am i to style my 4c hair without incurring a ton of damage??…. that forever bun-life looks like the only available option & I cant even say puff cus with the amount of hair i’ve got it’d just look like a tall fro waaaay past 2 inches..what would i do in this case, shave it off? …2016 but we’re living like its the 50’s…..