A private school has come under fire for banning a Black boy whose hair is styled in ethnic dreadlocks. According to the 6-year-old boy’s father, he was told he could not start first grade on Monday at a private Christian school without getting a haircut.
“I respect their rules, but it’s not right,” said Clinton Stanley Sr., whose son, Clinton Stanley Jr., was turned away from the A Book’s Christian Academy near Apopka.
“Allow kids to come as they are. You are a Christian school. In the Bible it says, come as you are,” he told the NY Daily News. “You deny a kid an education on his hair?”
Stanley uploaded a Facebook video of his son wearing his school uniform — navy pants, a button-down shirt and tie — being turned away from the school. The video has been viewed over 80,000 times and garnered thousands of comments.
Sue Book, the school’s administrator, defended the school policy which has been in effect since 1971. “No dreads,” she said. “All of our boys have short hair. It’s the style of hair. We don’t allow it. We never have.”
She said the school has received threats and ugly phone calls.
“I’ve had all kinds of obscene, ugly calls,” Book said. “It’s just hard.”
Stanley said he would not have enrolled his son if he was aware of the policy.
Someone later posted the school’s policy on Facebook.com that details the school’s requirement for short hair and no dreadlocks.
But Stanley said the policy contradicts the Bible’s teaching to come as you are.
“All kids are created in the image of God, yet all are not welcome,” he said.
Stanley said he used a Florida school voucher to pay the private school tuition.
Unlike free public school’s, private schools are not bound by government rules. Some private schools have strict rules that do not permit openly gay or transgender students.
Stanley, Jr. was disappointed at the school’s action.
“Daddy, can I just pull it up in a ponytail?” the boy asked. But the school insisted he had to cut his hair.
Stanley and his wife decided to enroll C.J. in their local public school, Lovell Elementary School, where he started classes on Wednesday.
Stock photo by Richard Lewisohn/Getty Images
That is wrong on so many levels. Let that boy get his education. Just take a black rubber band and tie it back. His hair is not harming anyone. My son has dreds and his job tried that shyt and they reached a compromise. He just ties it back when he’s at work.
He’s a handsome little fellow. Hope he grows up to be rich and buys the school and sets his own rules. We as African Americans take pride in our hair which is a part of our culture.
“Stanley said he would not have enrolled his son if he was aware of the policy.” Private, Catholic and Charter schools all have strict dress codes which include hygiene, hair, nails, shoes, uniform fit etc. It’s sad the poor kid had to endure this, but the parent was neglectful. They didn’t just spring it out of nowhere.
Ugh!!! Why are they trying to prevent this little boy from getting an education. Black people are constantly being told, that how we look is not acceptable. I bet this “private” school, gets state funding. What a bunch of bullsh*t.
Not one thing about this article had anything to do with being gay, transgender bisexual Etc…. but you just had to figure out a way to sneak a comment in huh??…. I really need you to grow up, self hate and hate in general is a sickness and I’m convinced yours is terminal smdh??
Word!
These white muva phuggers can bring guns to school and shyt and y’all are good with that but let a little black kid whose hair isn’t horse silk want an education and y’all have a problem with that and he can’t come get an education at your school. Whatever, honky.
Of course someone went and pulled years worth of handbooks. It’s been in there. Hair guideline. And they said they have plenty of Black students who adhere and attend. This man thought he was gonna try to get them to change on behalf of his son. Flipside is…I don’t like hair rules at all. Still mad at military’s rules on it
From the source article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-news-dreadlocks-student-banned-florida-school-20180815-story.html
Everything has just went downhill. Ugghh ???? it’s a mess out here. Wow!
Super word. I think because she is a lesbian, she thinks everybody is against gays and everything is about them. No, hun. Everything is not about y’all. We all co-exist in this world. Get used to it not being about you. In my Elasta Girl voice “IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!
Ain’t that something. How we look is unacceptable but everybody wanna look like US. ?
I’m from Florida and this is strange and unusual to say the least. Every other guy had locs back when I was a kid so schools had to accept it.
Right, I’m not saying it’s a fair rule, but let’s not pretend he had no clue. I went through Cath School my entire life K-12 and they make sure you are well aware of THEIR RULES!
School needs to stop being so damn antiquated. Pop should have read handbook and not put his son in position to make a KID feel like he wasn’t good enough, did something wrong, etc. I doubt you didn’t know. You just felt like to make a point you would take him up there any damn way. Now Jr. is hurt and confused. Do better both parties. You could have led a whole crusade, gotten them to overturn the rule and this baby didnt have to experience that.
This!
Typically, private schools do not get state funding, they operate off of donations, sponsors and alumni which is how they’re allowed to make up such rules.
This too. I saw Florida and was like that’s ground zero for locs and wicks.
This sense of entitlement has to stop. It’s the school’s policy that boys keep their hair short. So now, they’re supposed to bend rules that have been in place since 1971 because of what?
Also, no where in the Bible does it say come as you are. Simply not there. There are various places where that’s alluded but it concerns God’s grace and not wearing your hair however you like… smh…
Either cut the boy’s hair or send him to another school.
You know I always read the source article. It’s truly in there
Now he should know evebody interpets or ignore what’s in the Bible. I wouldn’t have enrolled in the first place.
The way those schools are setup, his hair is considered a “distraction” and ppl pay good money to avoid their children from having “distractions”
Only reason I don’t care is because this is a private school. I don’t agree with their rule, seems a bit stuffy for 2018, but it is a private school.
They aren’t trying to stop him from getting educated, just not at their stuffy, stick up the butt, Christian Academy….they need to find a different school.
The father should have read the rule book before he enrolled his son in that particular school.
Most Christian schools are anything but Christian.
No, Sandra is a self-hating lesbian.
She thinks that every thing and everyone is promoting the ghey!!
Kudos 2 the school. Tired of these boys looking like lil girls anyway
Remember it is a private school, so their rules are different. Privates schools are over-rated anyways. SMH!
Obviously that’s not the school for u. I am not a Christian, however, if this really were a Christian school they would embody the teachings of Christ. These conservative fake arse private schools use school policies as a form of institutionalized racism. Take your son elsewhere before they destroy his self-esteem. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b7d04e768ac540803329672a722c2bc548d6d383973cc3ed5a145050161bc108.gif
IKR! Talking about rules since 1971. That makes it even worse because we know how blacks were treated even in the 70’s.
Exactly! Dreadlocks are also the sign of a particular culture. Chile y’all about BS
Sounds like it’s not a fit so go somewhere else. I am all about uniformity at private schools…it’s their rules and you are paying to abide by them, take your money elsewhere if it doesn’t mesh with your beliefs
Yup and do any of the other boys at the school have long hair? It appears they are against boys having long hair at the school no matter the style/texture.
I agree, they need to get over it but instead they put it on the internet and now the school is receiving threats, is that what the father wanted I wonder.
Florida has a tax base scholarship, whiich has caused A lOT of controversy. Money is being taken from public schools, for these scholarships. These schools are at liberty to do as they please, and don’t have to really prove, if the kids are learning. Meanwhile, public schools have to prove, that their kids are meeting the requirements. At least ninety percent of private schools in Florida, now take it. This scholarship has saved many of these schools from going under. I bet money this school accepts state funding!
Are the white boys allowed to wear their hair long? If not, there is no discrimination here and the boy either has to cut his hair or find a different school. Many uniform schools, especially those in the private sector, do not allow males to have long hair, regardless of race. So, I don’t see how this is racist. I would also like the father to bring up the Bible verse that says, “Come as you are” with regard to dress and grooming. He won’t find it.
This isn’t the schools fault, but lazy parenting from those whom think anything is better as long as it is not public school. Before you send your child to a school you should understand all school rules, school dynamic, population percentages based on race, etc. If you send your child to a school that you have not personally vetted, you are doing them a disservice. That rules has been there since 1971, it’s not new. So why did the father not know it? Just like someone got the rule book and posted it online, I am sure the father was given a copy of the rule book and just chose not to read it. His own fault.
You’re right, they need to go somewhere else.
Yes private schools are overrated! Back in the day, a private education meant something. Now days esp in Florida, with this tax base scholarship, private schools are ALL over the place.
If the school is taking government money (vouchers) than they should be following by the same rules as public schools. Cant have it both ways.
At least ninety percent of private schools in Florida, take state backed tuition. These schools are in a frenzy for that scholarship! Most are now no better than public school! The classrooms are overcrowded and the kids are not learning.
Really???? Did daddy read the rule book? I dont think so!!! and why is this an issue? if they say cut the hair then cut the hair the rules don’t change because you want to be entitled.
follow the rules
we should take more pride in following the rules, building businesses, getting married before we have kids, and just consider our hair as part of good grooming and not the man attraction in a classroom
Bingo!!! Unfortunately this is what’s happening with these private schools in Florida. Natioanl Public Radio, and this reporter from the Orlando Sun Sentinel, did a whole show on this a few months ago.
Cute boy.
My statement was about your article which was only speaking about his hair, it had nothing to do with being transgender nor did it mention anything about being gay it was solely about his hair, yet you managed to slip in gay issues as you do with most articles. So my point still stands!!! Be blessed, embrace ya gay and let folks live!!!
The way I look at it, this boy seems like he had his locks for awhile, I find it hard to believe that the father wasn’t aware that there were no other boys with locks there. He needs to take the L for his lack of reading the school policy once enrolling his son. He knows he fucked up and now has to look for a new school for his son, but rather taking the L he wants to blame the school. Look, most these private schools are trash anyway. If you’re not paying $$$ then more than likely it’s just another one of the run-of-the-mill schools that asked for tuition.
It is a pet peeve when people quote the Bible to make a point…and they are misquoting the Bible.
My daughter went to a public charter school that had a very strict policy that included what socks could be worn with their uniforms and what hair styles were acceptable. My daughter in 8th grade decided she wanted to test the boundaries with her socks, and I didn’t stop her, but told her it would be me and her if she got suspended or detention over some socks!
We may not understand why people pick the battles they choose, but you always have a choice to go somewhere else if you don’t agree.
The source article about private schools listed an example of private school policy that banned gay students. And since my post is based on that article I, too, listed the ban on gay students. Have a good evening.
Christian’s don’t care about come as you are I remember an elderly homeless man was given a trespassing charge because he kept coming to my friends church he wasn’t harming anyone but they didn’t want him there because he wasn’t cleaned up all he wanted to do was go to church someone could’ve cleaned him up he came as he was but they put him out and tried having him arrested
A couple of things, what were his parents thinking or that just decided to not read the rule book.
Did they go on tour, prior to his enrollment the child was not present.
Did the school tell them and they ignored them.
You can’t respect rules and ignore them.
But it falls inline with Marriot and the former rules of the US military
Christians can be the most hypocritical and cruel people alive.
It’s not the fact that it’s dreads, they don’t allow long hair at ALL. So it’s not considered discrimination based on the fact that his hairstyle is ethnic….no males can have long hair.
My sons school also has the same standards. It’s not an issue for me, but I can see how it could be for other parents.
Thank God they did not cut their son’s hair.
Private Schools are entitled to rule and policy.
But they still cannot practice unlawful discrimination.
Rastafarians are Christians and the father could have made a case for religious discrimination. Dreads are a religious Christian Rastafarian symbol (no different than a Jewish yarmulke or Muslim headwrap). Christian schools accept all faiths. This family did not know how to effectively defend their child from this discrimination.
I have to say this is the complication of fashion dreads. If this family was authentically Rastafarian Christian, their immediate reaction would have been discrimination against their religion. Instead the family argued the dreads were a choice of style which is not protected under the law.
Black people must become knowledgeable of how exclusions fit within anti-discrimination laws.
He will be blessed with a quality education at his new school.
Key word here RELIGIOUS
OK! hypocrispy
Exactly I agree with this. My children’s school uphold the same standards. It
Regardless of race….no males could have long hair
A couple of things here:
Im not churchy in the least bit, but someone told me that the whole “come as you are” thing, does not mean show up to church in your pajamas, looking unkempt etc…it means to come as you are, regardless of your spiritual state.
I went to private school through 6th grade, (owned and operated by some folks from the islands), and they also did not allow dreads, designs cut into your haircut, unnaturally colored braids, etc. I dont think this policy is discriminatory at all. It is a private entity, and hence they are allowed to make their own rules. Although they accept public monies through vouchers, part of the deal with they made with the state probably included some language that allowed them to still make/enforce their own rules.
My son used to go to a charter school for 4th and 5th grades….it was still a public school, had uniforms. Their dress code was so strict, that they wouldnt even allow the kids shoes to have logos (label whore that i am, i was totally against this)…so i decided to buck the system and send him with a fresh pair of J’s…guess what…they sent his fresh ass right to the office to wait for me to either pick him up or bring him some proper shoes. I was too pissed LOL
Focusing on ethnic is not viable. White people are Rastafarian Christians and wear dreadlocks. Dreads are not exclusive to black people. It becomes discrimination based on the purpose of the hair. If it is indeed worn as religious symbol, it is discrimination. Then they had grounds to set a precedence. Being that it is just style to them, they have no grounds because there is no offense protected by law.
****
I love this blog and forum to freely express different points of view. I am not in the clique, I enjoy the blog despite observe patterns of cliqueishness in commenting and disagreements for the sake of disagreement.
A friend of mine has her kids in a chrisian private school also but her son has long hair. She refuses to cut it and they worked with her so she twists it and pulls it out. Overall they dont want braids.
I like her school and wanted my son to go but my son has dreads too. It clear they dont allow it and i accept that. Rules are rules such is life
Exactly! Look at urban/Black America public schools today where just about any ole “Come as You Are” behavior prevails. The same goes for their semi-private charter schools where feelings, expressing oneself via questionable clothing & behavior comes first.
-having no real dress codes; structure, discipline, higher standards with personal accountability for behavior to have classroom discipline & developing young people to build good character to reach for higher heights only leads to jails/prisons; generational poverty, unwanted pregnancies or higher STDs/HIV rates in the community or homes.
Dare to be better & do things differently for a different & better outcome.
Getting high, smoking blunts, drinking, etc. to connect with a spirit has nothing to do with the teachings of the Biblical Christ Jesus nor the Ten Commandments given by the one Almighty Holy Creator. As we know, that aligns with as different type of god known as the antiChrist(ain). -they need a Rastafarian private school.
There are different types of so called Christians out there and they are not all the same. -and we know why.
True Rastafarian Christians live in accordance with the Bible. There are many Rastafarians who do not smoke pot and certainly don’t drink alcohol. They go to church relogiously, eat Ital and Vegan in harmony with animal kingdom, and do not live according to Rasta stereotypes.
Typically they don’t go to those types of schools.
I’m not speaking against your family. But I must say, Christians can be downright mean and hateful and still believe they are living according to Christ’s love.
“…he could not start first grade on Monday at a private Christian school…”
That’s all I need to know.
Have a good evening =’s Take care??
EXACTLY.
People can disagree with me because it’s cool to do so, but I stand firm that this is a form of discrimination and this family did not know how to adequately defend their child and have him enrolled as he is.
Rules and Policies don’t override the Constitution and Civil Rights Laws. Private Schools are not above nor exempt from accountability to anti-discrimination laws.
You’re an idiot
What is long hair? White boys wear their hair long all the time in Christian and Catholic schools but their hair falls different and is not deemed offensive as Rastafarian Christian dreadlocks. People forget the root of dreadlocks. Hindu Yogis also wear religious dreadlocks.
Thank you.
Offtopic – @realsandrarose:disqus what are signs of erratic behavior?
We had a chick that wasted all her money on uniforms but would not cut the lil boy’s hair. They would not admit him. Folk think these private schools be playing.
But they can and should be able to if they choose to. Private Schools cannot discriminate against religious symbols. These schools are not only for Christians. People of other faiths may send their kids to Christian and Catholic schools for the rigorous academics. Yarmulke, Kufi, and Dreads are all religious symbols. They wouldn’t dare tell an othrodox Jew his kid has to cut his long hair.
I got a better one: my child’s school states polo shirt with school emblem (imprinted separately). Why somebody sent their child with f*cking Ralph Lauren with the emblem on it? Suffice it to say they wasted their coin.
You can’t have dreadlocks in the army. This is a private school. This is their rule. Move on!
You can in the navy
Is this the only private school in town? Why wouldn’t you read the policy first? Aren’t Kids interviewed before getting accepted to private school?
Bipolar disorder: 10 subtle signs of Erratic Behavior
https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/bipolar-disorder-10-subtle-signs/2/
There are no cliques here. I’m proud to say the Rose Garden is clique-free.
Whos surprised?? Black people steady trying to be apart of the white mans school
Exactly! Rules are Rules.
The military changed that rule, some what. Females are allowed to have locs, I’m not sure about males.
Turbans, beards, dreadlocks now permissible for some Soldiers.
But the gov’t makes its OWN employees adhere to the same rule in some instances. Some areas of the military have to do hair rules. So….
???????
Institutionall racism. They hide behind SOP, dress code and etc. Look at what they are doing in the workforce regarding African-American hairstyles such as dreadlocks, sisterlocks, braids, hair color and etc. it’s all the same thing and they tend to hide it via changing the dress code. It was done at my previous employer and it affected black folk more than anything and I worked in a professional environment.
Rules are Rules. Just like policy is policy! Don’t like it don’t join! Bye!
I’m confused. So did they see the boy during the enrollment and orientation? Did they give him the handbook and thought maybe they would cut the hair before school started? I don’t understand why they didn’t mention that when he was enrolled.
You sure can have dreadlocks in the Army. The regulation has changed.
That’s how my kids school is too. I get it
Oh and yes “the come as you are” is not from a physical or outer appearance aspect, but a heart aspect.
Ok
I’m not focusing on ethnicity, I’m speaking from a case by case basis here and in this case the father is claiming discrimination because on ethnicity. But I do appreciate your comment.
This shouldn’t have been an issue…it’s their school and therefore their rulez. My godson started 1st grade this morning,without stepping on school grounds, I read the school rulez and regulations Online. This father could have done the exact same thing.
His locks look good though.
Ms. Sandra,, I am vocal about my love, support, and valuing of SR blog’s forum. I do not have be a core member to appreciate the SR blog diverse thought and perspective.
They have the best schools
Bet they was black
Take care hun ??!!
Another example of us not wanting to follow any rules…its a PRIVATE SCHOOL!!! They set the rules….otherwise go to a public school
Is the father stupid or just stupid? His wife nor him read the material that was given to them? Now he wants them to bend the rules for him. Nope sir find another school.
Their school their rules … find another school .. teach your children when people don’t appreciate you for who you are… go somewhere where you are appreciated … ya can’t force folks to like ya … tell my daughter this. … sounds harsh but hell. . I will be damned if I try to force a school to accept my child and I’m paying them.. FOH …
Find another school.
Simples
I bet the did, had to!
The regulation has changed ?
No males……yet lol
How so?
Even though my boys have short haircuts, the Private School that we pay good money for is only strict with the uniform. Religious Schools are very different from regular private schools and those the rules, the father should have read everything that school gave him before signing his son up.
That’s not true at all, public schools across the country have adopted Uniforms for close too 20 years now.
“All kids are created in the image of God, yet all are not welcome.”
Say it AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!!
I’m glad he enrolled the child in a public school where his son will learn to appreciate diversity and culture.
Sounds like Trump you me.
Just cut that damn hair u little rascal.
My son goes to a predominately white private school. They have strict rules for hair and clothing (from the type of socks they wear, to the brand of the shirt, to the length and style of hair…etc.) Private schools have guidelines and they have to be followed…point, blank, period!!!
He was probably the smartest one there
OH The outrage!. No one in HISTORY has EVER had to conform to a dress code! This is racist! It’s kid-o-phobic! It’s a national deezasta! Let’s MARCH!
SMH. You’re missing the point
Period!!!! Period! Period!
I hate hair “rules” and stereotypes… I love a big a$$ afro dreads the whole 9.. just change his school to where he will embraced or do the home school route…
I just want to say….. Will you all PUH-LEESE stop calling them “DREADlocks” or “dreads”. There is NOTHING dreadful about our hair. #locs
Sometimes I feel sorry for you with a readership that is somewhat ignorant and has the attention span of a gnat.
Which private school did you go to?
*Chuckles*
Private schools believe that they can tell you how your child should dress and look according to their beliefs. What that school should do is take the word CHRISTIAN out of their name. They are far from Godly.
The rules were implimented in 1971 and I bet black kids were not even allowed to attend then and highly doubt the rules will be updated.
Read before you sign or pay.
My husband and I were having this discussion and I knew without hearing about it before that it had to be a private school. Most private schools try to regulate hair and clothes. Its a simple matter of reading rules and regulations before you sign and pay. Public schools could care less and im sure there are some private schools that wont care, he just needs to do a little research but nice try with the “god said let everybody come as they are”. Religious people are some of the most judgmental, hypocritical people you will ever meet.
I tell my kids the same thing.
my daughter has locs, I wonder if they would require her to get a hair cut or is it just for boys ….
I went to school in the islands and at the time boys weren’t even allowed to have braids and little girls were definitely not allowed coloured hair whether it was your own or not. Only colour you could have was the school coloured ribbons in our hair. When they said plain black shoes they meant plain black shoes. My kids go to public school and some of those kids could benefit from taking pride in their appearance.
Thank you.. I have locs and I’ve had them since 2004. I get soooo tired of hearing them called that.
Just because you have locs does not mean you are Rastafarian. Using someone’s religion when it suits you is disrespectful to actual Rastafarians.
Good question.
Hell they need their mula …. These folks don’t have to put up with that… Take your business elsewhere where they will appreciate your money and child.. Cut and dry that’s how you do that !
And what’s the point?
You’re welcome.
He is a boy cut that stuff
Find another school….and move on. Its a messed up situation…but private school has their own rules….and they ain’t bending.
From what I have read from the schooling info, girls are not allowed to wear them. Girls are allowed long hair, but it can not be braided, etc. Pony tails are all that are allowed it seems, or straight down. No unnatural coloring..
I blame the dad for not reading up on the school rules, then attempting to social media bully the school to change a decades old rule.
If you don’t get yo cry baby arse to the another school or home school YOUR SON, Imma…
The dad didn’t know the dress code. Private schools are very strict, very strict about dress code. Dad should put his child in public school.
WHOA!!! I just read that dad was using a “voucher”….I bet a lot of parents are going to be surprised when they go to enroll with a “voucher.”
The dad didn’t know the dress code. Private schools are very strict, very strict about dress code. Dad should put his child in public school.
WHOA!!! I just read that dad was using a “voucher”….I bet a lot of parents are going to be surprised when they go to enroll with a “voucher.”
And private schools don’t get public taxpayer aid. They do what they feel is best.
And private schools don’t get public taxpayer aid. They do what they feel is best.
Exactly! I will be putting my children in private schools and I will be looking for specific rules and regulations b/c there are certain things I WILL NOT accept or subject my children to!
Exactly! I will be putting my children in private schools and I will be looking for specific rules and regulations b/c there are certain things I WILL NOT accept or subject my children to!
Dont let the enemy educate your kids!!! –Malcolm x
Dont let the enemy educate your kids!!! –Malcolm x
I remember reading bill clinton book in which he stated it was required for males to wear dress shirt and tie to his college classes. He stated he had to put aside money to keep his clothes in the dry cleaners. Man if college did this?
So he pulled his kid from the private school (where he clearly thought the kid would get a better education since he enrolled him there 1st) to put him in the local elementary because the dreds were more important than his child’s education? This father is just plaid ol stupid in my book and is getting too much attn for the dumb sh**. People should be discussing the fact that the hair was prized above an education. Now THAT is some dumb sh**.
hmmmmmm….that’s one side, however…it could also teach his son to stand up for what he believes in too…
No, it’s really not.
Seriously? Ok. To put it simply, it’s ethnic targeted discrimination at the least.
No it’s not, I beg to differ…. Those blackies need to start learning to live in a civilized world.
Oh ok so you’re clearly either an “OTHER” or a Stacy Dash/Sheriff Clark type. Dismissed. Have a good weekend
This is a private school. It is not a Christian school as they call themselves. I just got off a long discussion on another site about this. The school can stipulate that ALL boys should are wear their hair to a certain length, whatever. Although dreads can be of different lengths, then that rule should apply to this kid in terms of lenght, not the NO dread standard.
In excluding dreads, they are excluding a specific style used by people for management and maintenance, not because it’s trendy. Same with braids. If no dreads, then they are asking him to chop the hair off to the skill. If he had to do that, then ALL the boys would need to have that rule apply to them.
Even the Bible has contradictions about dreads, braids, beards, so the politics of hair and specially black hair persists today. The death threats are wrong but he should take his child to a real Christian school. This one is not it.
Some public school but far from ALL public schools adopting Uniforms. -so many financially strugglings kids are more focused on punking, spiking, multi-coloring their hair, getting tatted or pierced up, sporting brands and bragging or joking (starting fights) about who’s wearing what or not wearing whatever short-lived overpriced mall brand.
It’s all about promoting questionable behavior or unstable emotions & social media instead of focusing on learning & studying to prepare for their future careers and position themselves to help break the cycle of poverty.
In contrast, I’ve watched a number of White, Asians & Indian along with a few Black kids get dropped off at school in luxury vehicles while only sporting just basic jeans, shorts & flipflops or sneakers because it’s all about excelling in the classroom with nothing else to prove to others because they are confident in knowing that they are better off than those acting out due to self-esteem issues. -they excel while those putting more emphasis on foolishness lives are often stagnant.
I agree with you. I understand he wants his son to have the style hair he wants (or the father wants him to have) but obviously this is not religious for the father because dreadlocks are not related to Christianity and the school is supposedly a “Christian” school.
1) READ: If he read the rules/guidelines this would have never been an issue. He could’ve chosen another school
2) RESPECT: This school has had this in place for almost 50 years. Nothing new, nothing against a certain race, just a requirement. Respect it, but you choose whether you enroll or not
3) You have options. They didn’t BAN HIM. They said he needs to cut his hair as all the other boys have. You can cut it or find a private school that will accept him. But if this school gives him the best opportunity for his future, it’s time for one of those life lessons a lot of us fail to teach especially our sons:
Sometimes you have to adjust to give yourself the opportunity you want. A hairstyle or article of clothing can be changed. You have to determine your priority. If you teach him his hair style or clothing is the most important, are you really giving him a solid foundation for REAL LIFE as a Black man, or will he be another one hanging on the corner talking about “the Man” and society holding him back while waiting for his Baby Mama or girlfriend to get off work so he can borrow her car?
Right while rocking his dreads smdh
I’ll deal with the “come as you are” fallacy that liberals and effeminates, tend to use.
At best, this phrase is a summary of various bible verses, including the reported word of Jesus, the Christ, “come into me …”, in his promise to relieve the burdens of those who follow God, by following him. You come in a certain spirit, with the intent to elevate and change. Once you’re “in”, change to the will of God, is in order.
It is not an excuse to come into a community of believers, acting or dressed in a manner which creates a distraction or goes against [sensible and fair] rules.
Personally, I’ve no issue with locks, but if a school has a rational dress and appearance code, if you want your child to attend, then it’s up to you, to assure that your child complies.
If the father really “respected their rules”, why the resistance?
Now, I’m aware of the dichotomy within the bible, when it comes to the length of a man’s hair; the Old Testament view, where we have the example of Samson (on that note, and I’m sure others, Hebrew Israelites tend no not ever, cut their hair, either dreading or braiding it) and the New Testament, where Paul exhorted men to keep their hair short, primarily to maintain the healthy line of demarcation between the appearance of a man, and that of a woman’s.
The entire “Old” vs. “New” debate is ongoing, but the vast majority of Christians, defer to the latter, thus this school’s policy, in effect since 1972.
And for those who would bring up race, that rule applies equally to whites, as well; a boy with a hippie haircut, would be banned, as well.
On a side note, watch the democrats in 2019, try to foray into these and other parochial school’s affairs, as they try to nail them on a myriad of SJW issues.