When I lived in Abilene, Texas. It was the same thing. Except dreads. It was a long, thin ponytail at the nape of the neck of a little Hispanic boy. The teacher expelled him. She said his hair caused distractions in the classroom. Such an absurd statement. You had to be looking very hard to notice it.
Wow, I’m so sad and angry to hear that story, too, Lique. Thanks for sharing. It’s another example of a person in power looking at someone and trying to control their behavior at the expense of that person’s self expression, culture, what makes them unique.
This is the first I’m hearing of this but eager to learn more! Even the concept of in school suspension as discipline makes me angry. “We’re going to punish you by making you come to school but not educating you.”
Exactly. Thanks for sharing your story / personal experience below, Lique. Do you think this situation would have happened to a white person? I don’t think so. They are saying that Darryl’s hair is too long, but that isn’t what this is really about. Beneath the surface this is about domination, control of people who are different (e.g., people of color who are in the minority in the school district), and oppressing views that frighten them or are different from their (white, Anglo- European descendants) culture. I say this as a white woman. That’s my opinion. What do you think?
Hey Krista! Yeah. I appreciate your point here. As Lique said below, they get to retain funding when they conduct an in-school suspension versus sending him home. It’s been almost the whole school year! Unbelievable. Would this happen to a white teenage boy who had a shag cut that was “too long?” I think it wouldn’t. That’s another aspect that makes this racially charged. I’d love to hear more what you think!
When I lived in Abilene, Texas. It was the same thing. Except dreads. It was a long, thin ponytail at the nape of the neck of a little Hispanic boy. The teacher expelled him. She said his hair caused distractions in the classroom. Such an absurd statement. You had to be looking very hard to notice it.
Wow, I’m so sad and angry to hear that story, too, Lique. Thanks for sharing. It’s another example of a person in power looking at someone and trying to control their behavior at the expense of that person’s self expression, culture, what makes them unique.
This is the first I’m hearing of this but eager to learn more! Even the concept of in school suspension as discipline makes me angry. “We’re going to punish you by making you come to school but not educating you.”
So, the school can still get the funding, by the child being 'in the school'. They are not slick.
Exactly. Thanks for sharing your story / personal experience below, Lique. Do you think this situation would have happened to a white person? I don’t think so. They are saying that Darryl’s hair is too long, but that isn’t what this is really about. Beneath the surface this is about domination, control of people who are different (e.g., people of color who are in the minority in the school district), and oppressing views that frighten them or are different from their (white, Anglo- European descendants) culture. I say this as a white woman. That’s my opinion. What do you think?
Hey Krista! Yeah. I appreciate your point here. As Lique said below, they get to retain funding when they conduct an in-school suspension versus sending him home. It’s been almost the whole school year! Unbelievable. Would this happen to a white teenage boy who had a shag cut that was “too long?” I think it wouldn’t. That’s another aspect that makes this racially charged. I’d love to hear more what you think!
Unfortunately, I can totally believe it. Especially in Texas. Thank for bringing attention to this.