{"id":177918,"date":"2018-08-22T00:00:05","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T04:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/?p=177918"},"modified":"2018-08-22T00:00:05","modified_gmt":"2018-08-22T04:00:05","slug":"black-girl-expelled-hairstyle-school-policy-blasted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/canadianinquirer.net\/v1\/2018\/08\/22\/black-girl-expelled-hairstyle-school-policy-blasted\/","title":{"rendered":"Black girl expelled over hairstyle; School policy blasted"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Some accused Christ the King Middle School of racism, including social activist Shaun King on Twitter and rapper T.I. on Instagram. (File Photo<\/a>: ShaunKing\/Twitter<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

NEW ORLEANS \u2014 Video of a young black girl walking dejectedly out of a New Orleans area Catholic school in tears after being told her hair extensions violated school policy prompted thousands of social media comments Tuesday\u2014 many expressing puzzlement or outrage.<\/p>\n

Some accused Christ the King Middle School of racism, including social activist Shaun King on Twitter and rapper T.I. on Instagram.<\/p>\n

Sixth-grader Faith Fennidy’s brother Steven posted Facebook video showing her leaving school with relatives. Her braids are pulled back and hang slightly below the neckline.<\/p>\n

Fennidy’s post says there are practical reasons for the hair extensions.<\/p>\n

\u201cExtensions make the hair easier to maintain. It allows my sister to have access to the swimming pool without having to get her hair Re-done every night,\u201d his post said. He said the school wouldn’t compromise.<\/p>\n

The family told WWL-TV they are considering a discrimination lawsuit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis policy was communicated to all parents during the summer and again before the first day of school,\u201d Archdiocese of New Orleans Schools Superintendent RaeNell Houston said in a statement to media. \u201cFurthermore, the school leadership worked with families as needed to ensure compliance.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Anti-Defamation League, South Central Region and the Urban League of Louisiana issued a joint statement late Tuesday voicing concern about the school’s \u201cracially insensitive grooming policy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cADL and the Urban League are deeply troubled by the policy in question as well as the manner in which the school is disciplining students of colour under this policy,\u201d the statement said. \u201cThe policy shows racial insensitivity and bias by the administration to students and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n

The statement said the groups called for the school to revise the policy, withdraw current disciplinary action issued under it and apologize to the affected students. \u201cIt should also implement reasonable grooming standards that foster learning while respecting diversity, as well as institute cultural competence and anti-discrimination training for all staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

The video shows Faith Fennidy appearing to fight back tears while adults around her can be heard in a brief, contentious discussion. \u201cI don’t want this to happen,\u201d a woman is heard saying. A man who refers to Faith as his daughter curtly replies, \u201cYes, you do.\u201d Faith slips a pink backpack emblazoned with images of fern leaves and wild animals onto one shoulder and walks out of the building.<\/p>\n

Reactions to the Facebook post were largely against the school. \u201cThere is absolutely nothing wrong with her hair,\u201d was typical of many.<\/p>\n

Some posters acknowledged the private school’s authority to make such rules, but were still critical of the policy.<\/p>\n

Others accused the school of targeting black hair styles.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet’s be clear \u2014 this is Christianity as White Supremacy,\u201d King’s tweet read.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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