new thread
I rarely post new threads, but check out this link:-
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?Dato=20071003&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=71003048&Ref=AR&imw=Y
This is about a black male student who wears his hair in a bun and has been suspended from a charter school. I guess the legal issue is whether a charter school is private or not. Discrimination is allowed in the US in private schools, but not in the normal school system (except in Texas, but that probably violates federal law).
This student is playing the religion card. His mother is one of the very small number of black people who are jewish, and she is citing the old testament as saying that he shouldn't cut his hair.
So I suppose according to that passage that guy will have a beard as soon as he can grow facial hair, and for the rest of his life?
Well, at least now I know where exactly I need to quote from if I want to escalate some possible hair discrimination issue in the future to one of religious discrimination. ALthough I'll probably have to grow back my goatee for that to work :p
Anyway, good luck to that guy.
I honestly hope he wins the case.
IMO any school should allow long hair as a haircut.
If someone would tell me to leave an education institution (like in this case), or I don't know, don't accept my job application because I have long hair, I'd take it as seriously as if that someone told me to leave because, for example, I'm Jewish (and I am Jewish).
I wonder actually if many Jews have long hair... The only one I know is Steven Seagal. Mostly I see short haircuts or Payos with beards.
I'm not religious though :P
Hello Stas...
I hope he wins too. There is no room for long hair discrimination anywhere in my opinion.
Happy Sukkot.
Tristan
I think they have an additional problem that because they are black some people may not believe that they are actually Jewish, which hardly seems fair.
Hey elektros..
Thanks for posting..
For those interested the reference passage in the Old Testament refers to the vow of the Nazirites found in the book of Numbers; Chapter 6; specifically verse 5.
All of Chapter 6 is pretty interesting. These nazarites would be as a model of sacred status--with increased responsibility--entered into voluntarily, by any man or woman, willing to accept the terms of the challenge. They would accept responsibility for kedushah, (holiness), and abide by the laws.. including not cutting the hair..
Check it out if you get the chance...
Be Blessed...
Tristan
Yes, the Nazirites. Now, the thing is that the vow of the Nazirites is for Nazirites who make a special commitment. And so it is not a "whole-Jewish-faith" rule but rather one for the best and most devoted who take on the extra devotions and rules.
If he claims to be a Nazirite, I can see this passage proving cutting hair is against his religion. If not and he claims it is part of being Jewish, then his case is not as strong. Of course he should not be forced to cut his hair as the coercion to cut hair is something immoral in pretty much every faith.
Exactly! ... I should've been clearer... Thanks David.
Tristan