Ohio School Bans African American Hairstyles

Recently (June 14), the Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, Ohio sent a letter home to parents about their dress code. Part of the letter read in part:

Afro-puffs and small twisted braids, with our (sic) without rubberbands, are NOT permitted.

Now, what they mean by "small twisted braids" are called box braids, which are a protective style that black girls have worn for generations. I will also note that as a teacher in urban schools, box braids are also popular with boys as well. "Afro-puffs" are essentially ponytails for African-American girls.  When pulled back, the hair puffs out instead of staying down. The dress code rules ban piercings and Mohawks, but not other kinds of ponytails or braids.  

Which seems to be a sadly wrong standard operation procedure.  It is often the case for African-Americans who choose to wear their hair naturally--that is, they choose not to put straighteners and other chemicals in their hair. They are often singled out for restrictions because the hair is seen as too "different" or too "radical", especially in academic or professional settings.

Hmm.  I'm thinking this was not a good move.  Not only from the obvious, but because I know from experience when you get a parent mad, the school never hears the end of it.  

Turns out a lot of parents made a lot of noise.