According to Fox 13 news, another child has been yanked out of class due to her hair, this time, the incident happened in Belton, Texas and the child is a 9 year old 3rd grader.
A Texas third-grader was allegedly asked to change her hair after her elementary school said the style was not in compliance with the dress code.
Marian Reed told KCEN that her 9-year-old daughter was in physical education class when she was taken out of class. The assistant principal then called home about her hair style.
According to Reed, her daughter’s hair does not lay flat, so she put it in small ponytails, or “afro puffs.”
“She cried and said no one was going to want to be her friend because her hair was not as pretty as the assistant principal’s,” she said. “And, as a parent, that’s heartbreaking because that’s just what God naturally gave her.”
Reed said the school found her style to resemble a fauxhawk, which is similar to a Mohawk, and that those are prohibited according to the school dress code. “It wasn’t in a mohawk,” Reed told KCEN. “It’s not shaved on the side or anything. She was a little girl being 9 years old.”
The child’s mom admitted that she has allowed her daughter to wear a similar style but with synthetic hair which obviously must be more acceptable. She said she does not think it is a race thing but rather a lack of diversity training:
“They could have called me and discussed it with me without pulling her out of class and without having that conversation in front of her because now she’s questioning her natural image,” Reed said. “And, at 9 years old, she’s going to remember that for the rest of her life.”
According to Kcentv:
Before posting her daughter’s experience to Facebook, Reed contacted the district office and spoke with Charla Trejo, the executive director of campus leadership. In an interview Monday, Trejo told KCEN the district was just enforcing the dress code and being consistent.
“We had an assistant principal call a parent and make them aware of the dress code issue,” Trejo said. “And then just try to resolve that by asking them to take care of that.”
Reed said she wants the district to admit there is a problem and take corrective action, including having diversity training, to prevent future incidents.
“Do we need training? We are always willing to train and to learn and do things,” Trejo said. “However, this particular situation was about consistency. It was about making sure we have the same expectations for everyone.”
I do not even understand what they mean by this situation was about “consistency”. Are they suggesting that the child wears the same style every day?
However, I do agree that if Mohawks are not allowed in school then they might question the mini puffs in the form of a mohawk regardless of how you did it in the child’s hair. At the same time, embarrassing the child is never ok! What say you?
Kimbo Jones says
So instead of making sure she can go home and get homework done without problems they worried about hair… and know they are worried about consistency the consistency of her hair. It’s not a mohawk its a style to resemble a mohawk school has their properties out of order
Shauna Alston says
The parents need to have her removed From that school because if you are shallow and ignorant enough to be concentrating on a students hairstyle. Then what type of meaningful knowledge are you dedicating to the curriculum.
SheliaSweets Edwards says
Sad
Patricia Garner says
In Texas… This doesn’t shock me
Nikki Simelton says
This is ridiculous. This just lets you know how our society has changed when I was young my hair was natural and there were no issues. We need to build our girls up to let them know you are beautifully made. Hair and all.
ShirleyJames Whaley says
So sad
Clarissa Charlene says
Sorry I have to disagree , dress code is dress code. I’m from the UK we had strict uniform policies which included hairstyles and makeup.
Nissi DeNas says
fck that!
Des Harvey-Gatewood says
Sorry I live in the uk and had no problem with our hairstyles dress code yes hair NO….
Merlene Motiaka says
What the hell has being from UK got to do with it? I’m from London and I NEVER had an issue with my hair and mine usually had coloured extensions.
Clarissa Charlene says
Yes the boys couldn’t have patterns in their hair , couldn’t have it shorter than grade 1. Girls , no elaborate colours in hair . It never did us any harm.
Christine Atchison says
What!!!
Shannon Wright-Watson says
It’s her natural hair! I’m a teacher, and I understand the need for a dress code for modesty’s sake, but the school was in the wrong here. Her hair is beautiful and is not a distraction.
Felesia Gathers says
Someone call Al Sharpton
Evelyn Lattimore says
To hell with al sharpten !! He has sold out ! Why we always got to call someone ? Just call a meeting and figure out yourself what. to do
Candy Keyes says
I think this is Awful The Mom should get a lawyer it is this beautiful little should not be judged and criticized about her natural hair just wrong
Meosha Isom says
Black girls, black women have different texture of her.. This has nothing to do with being from UK, Canada, or anywhere else with strict rules.. The child’s hair is neat, clean and clearly appropriate .. I’m sure if it was a little longer, silk and hung down her back in that same style she would have stayed in school to continue her education as she so deserved.. I think education on hair especially black kids hair needs to be addressed.. Somethings are out of control and this is one…
Celle Stine says
Attended school in Africa. And even there we have dress codes which include hair. You could never go to school with a style like that. Only certain hairstyles they allowed. So i don’t find it to be odd what that teacher did
Ada Ziva says
It looks like a Mohawk which is against school policy. I understand pushing the envelope but I think the parent was asking for it with this.