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Original poster

Afro hair is not allowed in primary school

295 replies

Mumkris · 07/09/2018 16:10

Hello everyone,
I am really struggling to understand why my son’s hair is not allowed in school. He is biracial and he loves his gorgeous curly hair. His primary school, however insists that he should cut it or plait his hair as it’s causing a distraction and they “cannot have that”?!
I read their hair policy and there is nothing against that. His hair is long but not long enough to be tied back. It is what it is - natural!

OP posts:
SuburbanRhonda · 07/09/2018 20:31

I don’t think maisy was talking about Afro hair when she made that comment.

user838383 · 07/09/2018 20:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 20:32

SuburbanRhonda
Correct.
But why let that get in the way of some frothing that expecting 2 male students to follow the same rule is obviously totally racist.

FissionChips · 07/09/2018 20:33

so it's only reasonable for the school to ask for it to be smartened up

What works as smart for Afro/mixed hair is completely different. The op plaited her son’s hair, that’s smart.

ohnothanks · 07/09/2018 20:34

Is this in the UK? Saying it is distracting is .... odd and I can't actually believe that a state school would say this.

If the general policy is that longer hair should be tied back then that is another issue and not neceßarily discriminatory.

What's happened in previous school years??

bitchwitch · 07/09/2018 20:38

it's discrimination in the states and canada
sis is married to a rastafarian and the schools wouldn't dare say anything to my nephews,it would be racial and religious discrimination.
so much for diversity .hope he gets to rock his "fro or braids.

FrameyMcFrame · 07/09/2018 20:46

Op already said it's not long enough to be tied up

DistanceCall · 07/09/2018 20:50

Saying that someone's hair in its natural state is "distracting" is racist. End of story.

Twillow · 07/09/2018 20:52

Ok. Would they say the same to a girl? I would definitely speak to the head of governors and perhaps beforehand speak with someone at the area education office. Who is it supposed to be distracting - the other children will be batting far less of an eyebrow than the staff.

bd67th · 07/09/2018 20:52

Every child should be allowed to attend school with their hair as it naturally grows out of their head. Banning afros and demanding that black and mixed race children braid their hair is racist and puts an extra styling time and expense on the child and their family. As long as the child's hair is clean and safely tied back (if long enough), the school should accept the hair style.

Seeingadistance · 07/09/2018 20:53

Where are these schools with their unreasonable and ludicrous demands about children's hair?

I'm in Scotland and see schoolchildren of all ages and both sexes with a variety of hairstyles and colours - many of which according to MN can see a child isolated from their classmates or punished in some other way. It's bizarre! As long as hair is tamed in some way for practical classes or PE, then there is no problem, surely?

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 20:53

So if it's a similar length to a peer's hair but due to the afro nature it can't be tied up, surely go to school, tell them it cant be tied up because logistics of afro hair, show them if need be (but I'd imagine it wouldn't be needed) and that's that.

It may well be someone who's looked at 2 kids with similar length hair and thought 'they both need it tied up'.

It sounds like the school would be fine with braids, which doesn't sound like a school who've got an issue with afro style hair. It just needs to either be short or tied back.

jewel1968 · 07/09/2018 20:54

OP said hair is not long enough to be tied up. There is also an assumption that people know how to plait. One of the reasons my kids have the most amazing curly fros is cos I don't know how to plait 😀.

bd67th · 07/09/2018 20:54

In case I wasn't clear, the afro is the natural form taken by a black or mixed race person's hair, so banning afros is denying the child the right to attend school with their hair in its natural state, and is hence racist.

Twillow · 07/09/2018 20:55

Or get some outrageous corn rows -that spell fuck off- and go to the press

fascinated · 07/09/2018 20:57

Racist.

Original poster
Mumkris · 07/09/2018 21:01

You see, his Afro is not long enough to be tied back. It is super curly if you know what I mean. I agree when you say it is only fair that all boys with long hair should have it tied back. But his hair has different texture.
Now about this being a distraction. There are black and biracial kids in school but they cut it short. I imagine children talk about hair and appearance a lot. In my opinion, the school just cannot handle it. I would like the headteacher to do a talk about acceptance and respect and love for each other. The message is simple: love yourself and love people around you. If you don’t like the skin you are in or the natural hair you have than you need help.

OP posts:
motortroll · 07/09/2018 21:05

They are being ridiculous. Put in s complaint. If it's not long enough to tie back then it can't be tied back. I wonder if he was s girl with Afro hair if they'd say the same.

SoupDragon · 07/09/2018 21:05

How has he got to Y6 without them complaining before?

curlykaren · 07/09/2018 21:10

Nits are perfectly able to colonise afro hair!

Original poster
Mumkris · 07/09/2018 21:12

It is happening in London! In a religious school. It hurts me so much. Previous years? I cut my son’s hair previously against his wish - a BIG mistake! He hated it and cried. I will never do such thing again. We just had enough. I am not a person who likes to complain. But I cannot be quiet any more.

OP posts:
AfterSchoolWorry · 07/09/2018 21:15

curlykaren

Yea, I read further and found out it was a myth!

MaisyPops · 07/09/2018 21:16

I agree when you say it is only fair that all boys with long hair should have it tied back. But his hair has different texture.
I'd have that chat with the teacher. Explain and show them.
If it gets longer you seem reaosnable enough to keep it tied back.
Take it from the view of lack of understanding on different textures and then escalate if you get nowhere.

HonestReally · 07/09/2018 21:24

Wow, I think this is a perfect Daily Mail sad face opportunity. I hope the school put some of their comments in writing!

PAlm5 · 07/09/2018 21:49

This is so saddening. I have Afro hair. Very tight curls and difficult to tie up. Also can not afford to permanently have it braided. I was told at school when I was about 14 that my hair was not acceptable and I needed to be tied back more neatly. It was tied back, it just had a lot of flyaways and the puff at the back was huge. It's the nature of my hair, nothing I can do about it!

It was a horrid feeling and has stayed with me since. I suggest sitting down with the head and calmly explaining what the situation is. You cannot police black children's hair based upon the way you would style and take care of the hair of white children, or Asian children, etc etc. It is all different, hair means different things to different people, and not all hair is put upabble!

I struggle with this kind of cultural unawareness. It honestly would make me want to remove my child from the school (not that I would) but I would definitely be angry.

Sending Thanks

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