Sunday, September 20, 2015

Alexis Farrell, 5th Period: Native American Boy Pulled From Class Over Mohawk Hairstyle

In Utah at Arrowhead Elementary School, a young Native American boy was called to the office because his mohawk hairstyle was "violating school policy." Apparently, the principal says that the students were not used to the hairstyle and so this grabbed her attention. The article states that the school's online handbook does not mention certain hairstyles that are against school policy but the mother was sent immediately to pick up her son just because of his hairstyle. Then, the parents suggested that they would bring their tribal membership cards to the school to demonstrate their heritage but the school would only accept a letter/documentation from the tribe leader. The child was not sent home nor suspended but his father claims he thinks "the school's handling of the situation felt discriminatory."

I think this is absolutely absurd. This boy should be proud to share his culture with his peers and teachers, not ashamed of it. In the article, it says the school's online handbook only mentions that "extreme hairstyles" are not acceptable. Before they decided to take the boy out of class, I think that the school should have established what is considered extreme. Several kids are wearing this mohawk hairstyle and I can definitely think of hairstyles that are more extreme. Additionally, I think the school went too out of their way to retrieve proof of this boy's heritage. The parents had to go through more trouble just to get the letter form the tribe leader. It would have been much easier for the school to contact the parents via email or phone call and discuss the matter rather than taking the boy to the office just for his hairstyle.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/native-american-boy-mohawk school_55fec2c4e4b0fde8b0ce9c5d
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8 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 20, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    This is ridiculous! It is so weird to here stories about kids getting in trouble for things like this since we come from a school that actually feels like a family, and no one cares how you dress or what you look like. I feel bad for all the other schools that have such a strict policy, that a boy can't even express, not only himself, but his heritage. It makes me feel so lucky!!

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  2. AnonymousSeptember 20, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    I completely agree with taytum. There are several ways to show your culture and that is all this young boy was trying to do. He should not be punished for that.

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  3. BookerTStudentSeptember 20, 2015 at 10:14 PM

    Since when was expressing yourself and your culture wrong?? This is crazy. The fact that the school blamed a boy for breaking a rule that didn't even exist in their school handbook is absolutely wrong. Madeline Jones 4th period

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  4. UnknownSeptember 21, 2015 at 10:39 AM

    How can a CHILD be punished or questioned for expressing his CULTURE? I think this is insane.

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  5. UnknownSeptember 21, 2015 at 1:11 PM

    This was a completely ridiculous move the principal pulled. Pulling a child out of class for a hair style that represents his heritage is unnecesary and distracts him from learning.

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  6. UnknownSeptember 21, 2015 at 7:22 PM

    This is like dress code for girls sort of :/

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  7. UnknownSeptember 21, 2015 at 8:36 PM

    This is crazy. He should not be punished.

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  8. BookerTStudentSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    This is ridiculous. Kids should be able to have their hair in any style they want. They're kids for crying out loud. They don't know how to really express themselves other than having their favorite hair style or favorite outfit to wear. He should not be punished. -Kayleigh Smerud

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