As I’m looking back at the actual wording now, it doesn’t seem as blatant. I am actually wondering if they have changed the wording, I remember it being more obviously discriminatory (specifically mentioning braids) when I read it initially. So good on them if they have made positive changes.
I have often found that "distracting" or "unconventional" is shorthand for, "Don't show up with hair that is distracting/unconventional to white people. My son has been told before by peers that his hair is in violation of dress code (because his barber always creates lines along with his fade), but thankfully the school has never picked that fight with me.
There are specifics in the family handbook that require no “distracting” or “unconventional” hairstyles. They seem to be fairly lax on enforcing many of the very strict guidelines for appearance (it’s a classical charter school) which I have been glad about. So it isn’t something that I am currently seeing unfair treatment being handed out, but it stands out to me as a rule that could more negatively impact students of color.
It seems near impossible to police "unconventional" or "distracting." Both of those are completely subjective. Me, for one, have never been distracted by other people's hair.
I’ve wondered how and/or whether it’s my place to address this rule at my kids school. Thank you for sharing.
Tell me more about what's going on with your students.
As I’m looking back at the actual wording now, it doesn’t seem as blatant. I am actually wondering if they have changed the wording, I remember it being more obviously discriminatory (specifically mentioning braids) when I read it initially. So good on them if they have made positive changes.
I have often found that "distracting" or "unconventional" is shorthand for, "Don't show up with hair that is distracting/unconventional to white people. My son has been told before by peers that his hair is in violation of dress code (because his barber always creates lines along with his fade), but thankfully the school has never picked that fight with me.
There are specifics in the family handbook that require no “distracting” or “unconventional” hairstyles. They seem to be fairly lax on enforcing many of the very strict guidelines for appearance (it’s a classical charter school) which I have been glad about. So it isn’t something that I am currently seeing unfair treatment being handed out, but it stands out to me as a rule that could more negatively impact students of color.
It seems near impossible to police "unconventional" or "distracting." Both of those are completely subjective. Me, for one, have never been distracted by other people's hair.