School Bars Teen Over Racial Hair Row -

The Mirror - UK ^ | June 21, 2004 | Tom Parry

[cyborg]

I didn't say you were ignorant, but your posts seem suggest that one must be a licensed cosmetological expert about black hair to discuss this issue. For black girls with extremely kinky hair, they can beret it and wear afropuffs, pull it back into a 'ponytail'.

[cyborg]

hehehehe

[Tijeras_Slim]

I'm outta here, you take care this evening.

[burlfire]

I can see this is a waste of time, as you actually ofer nothing intelligent or fact based, and my post does not suggest ignorance, vice versa actually. You have avoided answering any questions I have put to you and can only make make generalisations and digs at me, but please tell me what would you have to do with the beret or afropuffs hair styles, how long does it take to do etc

[cyborg]

you have a good evening... I have a navel that needs attention

[Mr Rogers]

I'm trying to think of a black woman at work with braided hair.

Nope! No luck. Dozens of black women, and not a braid among 'em.

Your point - blacks HAVE to braid their hair - is obviously false.

A related point, that white girls don't need to spend a lot of time on their hair, is partially correct. My Filipina daughter (what color is she?) had waist length hair that required a LOT of effort. When she joined the Marines, her waist length hair no longer required much effort...but then, 4" hair isn't exactly waist-length.

I still haven't forgiven the USMC.

[cyborg]

These days girls are going a lot to their hair and if a girl isn't spending a lot of time with her, she isn't doing much (like coloring, curling, style cuts,etc.). I shaved off my hair in the Air Force so I wouldn't have to waste time washing it :O)

[Mr Rogers]

My daughter, in Iraq, recently got to run 3 miles in full combat gear...with 2 minutes to shower at the end. You mean that wouldn't have been long enough if her hair was still long?

;>)

[burlfire]

Point Filipina not white, and again I did not say white girls don't have to spend a lot of time on their hair, why is it people have more of a problem with me saying that for afro hair(in its NATURAL state)braiding or plaiting is a necessity and less of a problem that people can make blatantly racist comments that black people are receiving preferential treatment in society. At the started I stated that the problem was the school and made the point that the school could not impose the same ban on the black students because black hair is very difficult and if you do not wish to perm (because of the damage it can cause) then you have very few options left bar braiding, can you categorically say this is untrue. At no point did I say all black people braid their hair, and it is not a false, if you look at the amount of hair extensions that are sold for braiding it is a huge market. I was making the point that instead of a constant stream of comments such as " All kids are equal. Some kids are more equal than others", or "Color of the skin does matter as to privileges rec'd", the problem was the schools approach it is funny how all those other points are missed, but because I said the black girls were allowed to braid their hair because of the difficulty of looking after black hair its a bigger problem that the racist comments. Again I state the school handled the situation incorrectly but lets not even bother about the original topic, lets just say natural afro hair unpermed, unweaved does not require braiding, so then there are a lot of black women walking around looking like they have been dragged through a hedge backwards. Again at no point did I say the school was right or did I say looking after white hair was easy, but I will say its easier than afro

[bvw]

My wife's not black. But there's the rub, eh? She has the same kind of hair and is white. She just uses generic styling gel, btw. My daughter has similar hair -- nit quite as kinky, but almost.

[The Scourge of Yazid]

White chick with plastic bag covering her hair:

Are you saying that I look silly?(!)

(Crinkle. Crinkle.)

[georgiadevildog]

How is it that my comment "attacked black people"? All I said was that it was political correctness. I agree with you that black hair is probably more difficult to manage, but let's look at some facts.

1. The school had a rule in place that braids/plaits were not allowed.

2. The two black girls were allowed a waiver of the rule for "cultural reasons" and in the name of "cultural integration," not for practical hair care purposes.

3. The white girl called the school on it and was suspended.

This is a simple, straightforward case of reverse discrimination. It's not the fault of the black students. It's the fault of the school leadership. The black students should not have been given a waiver for any reason. If their hair required braids for practical reasons, they should have petitioned the school for a change in policy for all students. Fair is fair.

[Jonx6]

"Private school, their own rules."

I don't think so. Could they say the same thing in reverse, "No, you can't do that. Well, it's OK for them because they are white."

[Sloth]

But headteacher Neil Brett said there was a zero-tolerance policy towards flouting school rules.

Actually, it appears their tolerance is two, not zero.

[Ichneumon]

The restriction was waived for the two Afro-Caribbean students in the name of cultural integration.

The girl should say, "I'm wearing braids for the purpose of cultural integration with my African-American sisters", and see what happens.

[Dionysius]

African-American St. Louis alderwoman, Irene Smith, to her Caucasian colleagues: "Diversity means I don't have to listen to you, but you have to listen to me."

[An.American.Expatriate]

But headteacher Neil Brett said there was a zero-tolerance policy towards flouting school rules.

The restriction was waived for the two Afro-Caribbean students in the name of cultural integration.

Now isn't that nice? It is a Zero Tolerance policy with exceptions!

[cedarb]

I see the sites rules on NO racism, and then I see the church/school getting exactly what they planned. This is a racist stunt. All comments are based on race, how some people are more priveledged that others. African (Afro went out with the 60's, Afro meaning a hairstyle and not a person, imagine that!)-Carribbean's more priveledged than the white folks, I think not. So the school barrs a white girl and we should revert back to slave days and put on black face? I logged onto this freerepublic site because I thought their cause was a bit different than to invite racist attacks against little black girls who have kinky hair and must put it up in braids. I too am understandably upset at the school for banning braids. I too as a white woman wear corn rows in my hair. Would I scream unfair to the school for making me take my braids out? Yes I would. Would I point my finger at someone's culture and race and blame them or use them as a scapegoat. NO, not on my life or the lives of the many truely underpriveledged black girls who are being brought into yet another place they do not want to be by the WHITE RELIGIOUS RIGHT. May G_d be with us all. It is hair for Goodness sake.