The internet rumor mill has been buzzing for the second week in a row regarding an Ohio school’s alleged ban on wearing Afro Puff hair styles as will as Twisted Braid styles. Apparently, the administrators of Horizon Science Academy in Lorain, Ohio sent out a memo last week outlining the schools new dress code. The new rules state that “Afro puffs and small twisted braids with or without rubber bands are NOT permitted.” Yet in another rules it states that “hair must look natural”. We have not been able to confirm exactly what this means or if this is specific to little black girls AND boys, but we do know this… Parents everywhere are outraged. A copy of this letter can be found here on Black Girl Long Hair.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, an Afro puff style is a natural hairstyle where Afro textured hair is worn in it’s natural state which creates a “puff-like” shape once the hair is gathered together. I am unsure what is meant by twisted braid styles. My daughter sports both of these hair styles very frequently and I guess she would be kicked out if she went to this school.
Horizon Science Academy is a public charter school and is operated under Concept Schools Charter Management Company. The school itself, as well as, the Charter Management Company’s Facebook Page both have the following letter of apology posted as of today.
The letter explains that they have,
…no intention of creating bias towards any of our students…
and that they,
…are currently taking the necessary steps to prevent this from ever happening again.
As an advocate of natural hair and natural hair, health, styling and maintenance for kids, I am appalled that something like this could have been sent out to parents. I am tired of the “oops excuses” and apologies that are immediately issued once something like this happens. It’s 2013, things like this should not still be happening. Where is the progress? Where is the diversity training? I can’t imagine being required to alter my child’s hair based on a school policy. We will be watching Horizon Science Academy and we will keep you posted with any other updates on this story.
BMWK, what would your reaction be if you received a letter like this from your child’s school?
This is what happens when you have someone who is stuck in the mud and those that surround them lack the cahones to challenge the policy creation.
I don’t know the racial makeup of the school, but it matters not. This could have easily happened with ANY group of people. It could just as easily have been a generational issue.
I’m just sorry this stupidity goes unchallenged and gets to the point where an actual letter is sent to parents.
My guess is the administration must have been misled in thinking that our hair texture is naturally straight, when many of African descent have puffy or tight curly hair. I would have had to speak to the administrators on this if my child was attending the school. I am also wearing my hair naturally (currently in a brush cut)so I would wonder out loud exactly HOW should my child’s hair look for school??? Not every parent wants to straighten or perm their children’s hair.
Wow, this is amazing. I can’t believe how absurd that “rule” was. So glad people spoke up and made a difference.
I am a 55yr. old grandmother and I have been natural for over 5yrs. now, should have done it years ago. It’s a great feeling, and it saves me money on hair products. And for this school to issue a statement like that is saying that racism is still a large issue in that area.
U MEAN TO TELL ME THERE AREN’T BIGGER ISSUES AT THE SCHOOL…SERIOUSLY…ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ALREADY IT IS 2013…THIS BIAS AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IS EXTREMELY PATHETIC…THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT U ARE BULLYING …BULLYING THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE. SORRY EXCUSE FOR A SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!
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Reminds me of what happen in my home town when I was in high school – https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/24/opinion/in-america-the-valedictorian-s-un-graduation.html
Wait, Isn’t this just ponytails that happen to puff up if you have curly or kinky hair?
So are they actually outlawing ponytails?? That would mean that anyone how has two gathered segments of hair, one on each side of the head, which are encased by a rubber band would be in violation of this new rule. Right?
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