Recently, a 13 year old girl in South Africa brought awareness to the world of the discriminatory policies in some South African schools that do not take Black culture into consideration. In her case, she was prevented from entering the school premises because she wore an afro. This led to demonstrations by her fellow students at Pretoria High School for Girls since the young lady refused to change her hairstyle. It was uncovered that South African schools that were initially White dominated still hold on to their archaic policies that do not embrace the cultural needs of Black students. But, such policies are not restricted to South Africa. Surprisingly, some schools in Jamaica have similar policies as it relates to a student's hair. This week, upon the opening of new semester, a three year old boy was denied entry into Hopefield Preparatory School in Kingston, Jamaica. The mother was told by the Vice Principal that the boy's hair was long, untidy, dirty and needed to be cut because it may contain headlice! Now, there are children of other races at this same school with long, unsecured hair who have not been chastised in this manner. So, of course, it must have been disheartening and embarrassing for a mother to be challenged on not maintaining her son's upkeeps. The South African school's governing body, in consultation with teachers, parents and affected students, suspended the school's hair restrictions. However, the unbending Hopefield Prep's principal of 40 years is standing by the school's insensitive, rigid policies that they cannot accept male students with "long hair". It is apalling that such practices are still prevalent in black-dominated countries during the 21st century.
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