Posted on 06/21/2004 11:13:17 AM PDT by UnklGene
SCHOOL BARS TEEN OVER RACIAL HAIR ROW -
Jun 21 2004
By Tom Parry
A TEENAGER was sent home from school for wearing her hair in braids, even though other pupils are allowed the style for cultural reasons.
Jade Fitzjohn, 14, had the trendy plaits done while on holiday in Spain. But back at school, she was told to take them out or be barred.
Jade refused so staff excluded her from lessons, saying she could not return until she was braid-free. When she pointed out that two black girls had an identical style, she was told they were allowed to wear them for cultural reasons.
Jade's two younger sisters removed their braids after a warning from staff at St Edmonds Catholic School, Southsea, Hants. But Jade refused to back down.
Her mother, Amanda Fitzjohn, supports her, saying the ruling was racist unless it applied to everyone.
She added: "I was stunned when I heard Jade was being excluded for her braids because two other girls wear them. But apparently it is fine for them to sport them because of their culture.
"If a school is going to have a rule, it should apply across the board, not be discriminatory towards my daughter because she is white rather than black.
"Jade's hair is tied back and is neat and tidy. It does not interfere with her schoolwork. She gets good grades and is a good student. The hairdo was done as a treat as Jade had been having a hard time. It was expensive, too."
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.
He added: "Jade's mother says it will take six weeks to get her money's worth out of the braids. She is obviously more interested in getting her money's worth than her daughter's education."
But Mrs Fitzjohn, of Southsea, said: "The braids did cost £46 but that's irrelevant. All that matters is that my daughter is missing out on vital lessons because of a silly, discriminatory rule.
"I won't send her back unless she can wear the braids as she feels very strongly about this matter."
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'.
hehehehe
I'm outta here, you take care this evening.
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
you have a good evening... I have a navel that needs attention
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.
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)
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?
;>)
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.
Are you saying that I look silly?(!)
(Crinkle. Crinkle.)
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.
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."
Actually, it appears their tolerance is two, not zero.
The girl should say, "I'm wearing braids for the purpose of cultural integration with my African-American sisters", and see what happens.
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."
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!
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.