I attended a Catholic school and there were rules about how long our skirts should be, how to wear our tie, the color of your shoes and socks and what you should wear under your uniform.
If they had rules about underwear it isn’t a stretch to have rules about how your hair should be worn. The issue is, are the rules justified or just a clear message that natural hair is considered in and of itself unkempt. Do the rules apply to everyone in the school or just the black girls?
Our school was very diverse, like much of the island it was a melting pot of all races, however when I was there, natural hair could be worn in twists, or ponytails or pigtails.
We did not have twist outs and braid outs, not because they were not allowed but because those styles are relatively new. The Principal has a right to set standards for how all students should look, my issue is the use of the words ‘unkempt’ for just women with afro textured hair.
There are some that support Principal Wade’s decision including that of Barbadian social commentator Corey Sandiford
As *I* understand it – since *I* like most people commenting on the incident was not in the school hall at the time it occurred –
the principal:
– Identified SEVERAL student practices (including hairstyles) that were not suitable, according to school rules
– Did not identify any specific students as being culpable for their hairstyles
– Actually highlighted the controversial twist-out style for its beauty, but simply said THAT particular style isn’t considered suitable for school.
– At no time used the words “flamboyant” or “unsettling” to describe the style with reference to the school.
Tell me: What exactly is the problem here ? Are we actually going to behave as though stringent rules are new in our schools ? Or, as though any of our “older secondary schools” have ever remotely presented themselves as being here to promote your afrocentric values in the first place ?
Maybe the syllabus has changed since I left Harrison College but while I was there I sure as hell never learned about African history, or anything intrinsically African for that matter.
Harrison College is part of a whole education system that is, itself, a mirror image of the school system that existed in Britain – when Barbados was still a colony.
Sandra Morris says
These people are crazy! So what they want we black people to do with our hair? If we wear wigs they complain, we go natural its a problem! All I can say I love my beauti n I embrace it everywhere I go, I didn’t expect that from barbados our own caribbean island people Hhmm! I don’t knw if its a blue eye principal R its a black eye one, shame on them! #jamaicananproud
Nai Marius says
So sad to hear it coming from a Caribbean country
Elle Michelle says
This ongoing self-hate and/or projected hate regarding natural hair is awful! People have to stop rejecting differences. It’s all rooted in fear. Shameful!!!
Grabiella Lucas says
It’s stupid and ignorant. My hair has nothing to do with it.
Kay McLean says
It isn’t neat. Cleary this particular school has a dress code and applies it. Its not self hate. Its not dissing natural hair. However, its showing these young ppl that they need to look proper at school and later on at work. I don’t see nothing wrong with this. My daughter has her hair in braids all week at school and during the weekend she can go wild. Nothing wrong with this at all.
Shinita Payton says
I agree!!! I love my natural hair, but a lot of women I see do not take the time to properly style their natural hair.
Adrienne L Woodard says
Twist can be clean and neat if done properly I believe…
Qhama Kana says
yes I also agree. I just looked at the pictures and the way she did her twist out is not neat at all
Jneeka Woodson says
That’s crazy!
Sandra Morris says
Dalon alwaysmemccoy Devaughn. What are u. A girl or a boy? No disrespect my friend. But I can’t tell the difference. I think if u go all natural I could tell the difference! Please stop addressing our precious hair as scouring pad! That’s low down shame of you. I guess sometime if we don’t have nothing good to say. Don’t say nothing at all!
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
I’m a female bitch like I said its my f*****g opinion and a lot of people use natural to be lazy if if don’t apply to u then wtf is the problem and hair bunny I have plenty of it
Alesha Barrett says
^
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
Never hurt ctfu so immature lmao
Alesha Barrett says
Lol clearly they aren’t hurt that’s why you started cursing
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
Ctfu yeah u right lol. Mad that mf is so childish.
Shaunda T. Whitlock Randall says
Flamboyant. Lol.
Alesha Barrett says
Isn’t it bajian not Barbadian lol however you spell it
Yvonne Davis-Dottin says
Yeah its Bajan but hey…. they are more worried about controversy
Jewelz Jew-Jew Saunders Cda says
I think both applies.
Brenda Matthews says
You saved me a lesson in accuracy!
Kimorofme Claybar says
Whatever once u’re is clean y can’t u wear it which ever way u r feel comfortable. Some of these people don’t hve no hair on their head so they wear wigs etc let people natural beauty shine’s tru it’s the brain learning not the hair such hater’s.
Patricia Lucky says
Still telling us how to look
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
Last I check I can have my own opinion I clearly said people use natural as a excuse y’all are so immature to take what I said way out of line. Open your minds and face the fact people went from oh I need straight hair let’s relax it now that blacks are beginning to embrace their true beauty some are taking advantage of it. Like I said I have no problem with race hair or any of that. All people are beautiful to me. Its how some let them selves fall under pressure and think the professional world would agree. Be adults and ask me what I mean cause all the bs y’all talking is uncalled for. If it don’t apply to u y do u care if the next is careless of what they do with hair. Smh. Really all this over some twist grow up. Some are lazy and others embrace their beauty there is a difference. & yes I’m 100% woman, I have hair lots of it I don’t wear make up so yes natural is lovely so thank u to those who think they know what they are talking bout when it comes to being mature bout a situation
God bless y’all though. Much love
Lisa Agate says
Conformist always hate what is different
Lisa Agate says
You are welcome
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
Bald locs curls straight doesn’t matter all people are beautiful your hair doesn’t make u who you are.
Shonda Blount says
I have to ask…would there be an uproar if she had a looser texture? I am 4c and often not “afforded the same privileges” as my 3c sisters. Is a 3c twist out also considered unkempt?
Sandra Morris says
Dalon alwaysmemccoy. Let just keep it real ok no need to swear n calling of names. We need to luv ourself n thank god for what he gave us. U want to see kids here where I live, they go to school n wear what they feel like to wear their hair blowing all over the place n no one says nothing about it! So Y don’t u admit the facts of life about our hair! #luvmyhair
Lisa Agate says
My favorite quote ever is from Marcus garavy “the slave master might have freed the body but none but our selves can free the mind” it’s time black people love their hair it’s beautiful no matter the style or texture
Dalon Alwaysmemccoy DeVaughn says
@sandra If u read what I had to say you would know I have no problem with anyone I love everyone. I was making a point of there are many people who take advantage of being natural. Being natural should not mean don’t care bout your self. I love every human I don’t look at us as “races” we all come from one another. I just want everybody to be 100 and not try to take away from those who are clean with it. The ones who don’t care is the reason y the professional world won’t accept us. But most of u jumped to conclusions not knowing what I meant or where I was coming from. But that’s what immature people do. But I do apologize if I offended anyone but its nun like that. Hair is hair it doesn’t make u who u are period.
Ramona Dumas says
PEOPLE allways tryen to change are cuture.
Yenny Flores Powell says
I think the real issue is that certain hairstyles are just not appropriate for school, they cause a distraction. Ppl with straight hair should not have it out and playing with it throughout the day. A school should be a place for learning not for looking stylish
Laura Williams says
Ridiculous!
Laura Williams says
You are, who you are. I don’t think wearing your hair a certain way will effect your education. I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world to be worry about either. Your job is to teach those kids and help them learn. Not to worry about their hair, we all have different hair, textures, natural hair is beautiful just as much is straight hair. So I really don’t see what the f*** the problem is. They always have something negative to say when a black woman/ African American Woman wear their natural hair.
Kashmere Noel says
How is a twist-out not neat? Would the same rule apply to straight haired white girls who braid their hair at night to make waves? Ridiculous.
Andrea Angie Tater says
Them of all people should embrace who we are of African decent…..a twist out C’MON. ..they need to untwist their minds.
Yolanda Hill says
Not a surprise. .. America took out God from school.
Felicia Hamilton says
No, parents not teaching their kids the importance and consistency of prayer… is why it is not in schools.
No one can stop our children from praying. The rule is teachers and administrators can not pray.
Charlene Cha LaBranche says
My hair shouldn’t cause a distraction just like my skin shouldn’t either.. It’s a twist out what is it suppose to look like
Susan Cartwright says
Should be our choice
Fatima Ross says
Its true tho its not neat but thats none of their business
Fatima Ross says
If your children cant learn bc someone else hair yall got bigger issues at home trust smh
Francene Nicole StMarthe says
Not something new for sure. My alma matter. Does not even allow big puffs. So yes. They do play prejudice. Its a horrible thing. But no one has made an effort to fight them on some their rather ridiculous rules concerning our kinky coils.
Chandradaughterof Janettegranddaughter Ofjames says
really I mean really they could not find something else to do. Town foolery
Candy Worryfree Baylor says
Our own?????……smh.
Adrienne L Woodard says
Dumb just trying to take our natural identity from the children WHY can’t we just keep what’s ours w dignity???
Zita Vigier says
You have to be kidding me, unfortunately the islands still have that slave self hate mentality. Honestly have to check them every time I visit home.
Kelly Young says
Barbados????? I think I was shocked more by the place how ridiculous
Tafara Tapfumanei says
Twist outs are neat… I don’t get why they need to be banned. Its not like they are walking around with hair that is not washed or combed kmt
Chanie Monique says
people are only concerned with “neat” hair and calling a “distraction” because thats what the white man condition do you think if we weren’t taken from our neighbors homes if we were brought here enslaved taught that White was right back blonde hair blue eyed nice and sleek what’s the way to go then the way that our hair is naturally when the ever been considered not meet not sweet not white enough it wouldn’t have been considered a distraction it would have been the normal thing it’s sad to see that some of the African American women black women dark-skinned kinky haired women are saying that our hair is a distraction if it was nice to meet then it wouldn’t be an issue… What what I say to that why is the way that our hair naturally grows out of there had an issue why are you focused on the nice and me quote unquoteof what pease children’s hair look like it looks natural it looks normal that’s what it looks like people need to get over themselves.
Felicia Hamilton says
Until the First Lady of the US wears some of these styles… then neat, straighten, hair will always, be considered professional.
Funny she rocks them while on vacation… corn rows and all.
Chanie Monique says
Native home***
Chanie Monique says
I give up I’m busy I used talk to text so pardon the misspelled words if you get what I’m saying I don’t have time to go back and correct it all lol point being people need to mind their own business there’s all different kinds of beautiful there’s all different kinds of styles I feel like a half shaved head is distracting so we all have our opinions but we need to keep them to ourselves if it’s not affecting the children actually learning is not like a kid is going to sit there and stare at somebody’s head the entire class period And not focus on what the teacher is saying
Kristin Douglas says
Non progressive and just plain stupid in this day and age…appreciate the hair God gave us and keep it moving.
ShaKira Thornton says
Utterly ridiculous
Maame Afia Sika-Doe says
some ppls twist out looks a mess, some looks real good. i can understan why they ban it…
India Simone Jenkins says
Are you kidding me
Mary Howard says
I see nothing wrong with wearing your natural, no matter the styles. Some may not be as neat as others, still a problem with natural hair is being banned. Conforming to those with a closed mind is stupid. If you ban natural hair styles then do so with all races of hair. Freedom of expression is being stomped out by others in power. Censoring people because of how they wear their hair or clothes is going overboard. Is this a Marxist country now????