new thread
Found while Google searching to find pics to download for my personal collection. :) Both are Texas cases involving Native Americans, the parents of a 5 yo fighting on his behalf, and a high school 17 yo senior. Two of the links include pictures of the kids; 5 yo has waist-length, has never had his hair cut. The teen has shoulder-length hair. Cute kids! They fought the law.... and WON! I am posting these in hope that some of you experiencing discrimination (especially you young people still in school), will make use of legal resources in fighting back. There are resources given, that might help you start a case of your own.
Granted, this is USA courts, so this may not apply for you international hyperboard members. What these cases show, is that the 'community standards' arguments often cited by school boards, is both discriminatory, and violates basic personal freedoms. Paul KMF will find some useful information in dealing with his own son's case, and he now has two cases to use in his favor in arguing against the practice of forced hair cuts on male students.
Sorry these aren't hot-linked, you'll have to cut & paste in your browser window.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6223788.html
http://www.houstonpress.com/2008-07-10/news/a-native-american-family-fights-against-hair-length-rules/
(Paul KMF will have a field day over the school superintendent's 'community standards' guidlines definition. It irked me!)
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=21480
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/270994
Definitely worth your time to read through all of these, especially the second link.
And a brief update on my health: I had my surgical consult and am having an outpatient surgical procedure done June 1st, minimally invasive procedure, so recovery should be quick. Will put an end to my severe anemia and accompanying fatigue. It is actually going to be far less invasive than what was originally proposed, as there will be no incision or hospital stay involved. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, hopefully I will soon be well enough to be rooting on the sidelines again, encouraging the newbies.
From side of the pond it sounds like very much like that superintendent's standards in schools over that side of the pond NEEDS to be REFORMED URGENTLY!
How backward and feeble they are!
Cheers,
John.B
Pfft, it's a control thing, it seems to me whether it be a local school or a multi-mega corporation; somehow they enjoy micromanaging their subjects lives. Still, at least we're not in North Korea where citizens are only allowed to have their hair cut to one of a number of state approved cuts...!!!
Steve B
Oh dear not the old North Korea thing again!
Well, I commented eariler on sex based discrimination and now we have what I determine to be race based discrimination. I am 1/8 Native American, but, I fail to see what difference that makes. Does one have to be at least 1/8, 1/4, 100%, etc. I'm glad this young man gets to keep his hair, but, I have a better idea. Why not let everyone grow their hair as they please and get off the sexual and racial issues. Looks like we would have far more pressing things to worry about than how long a man or boy wears his hair. These ultra conservative robots have spent so much time trying to be what they "think" society wants them to be that they don't even really know who they are anymore. I believe these people are envious and bitter. Their hearts are hardened and their minds narrowed. They draw satisfaction in taking the youth and exuberance from others.
Stay well and best wishes to you, Carol.
jeffrey
Thanks for posting these, Carol. I had read about one of these cases before, and it's nice to know it turned out well. It's always good to see the white hats prevail, even though in those old films the white hats would never have been the Indians. Times change, and the good old days weren't always so good as people think.
Carol, best wishes and speedy recovery on getting your health issues resolved. May you have a quick recuperation.
MB
That's great news Carol! Thanks for the links.
The only problem I see is that the Native American card was played. I do have some Cherokee but I don't think I'd gain any grounds going that route. Longhair should not be something ok for one ethnic group but not others. But it's a step in the right direction!
Speaking of this I wanted to mention that around B'ham I see more and more longhair black guys, most with dreds but some with straight or wavy hair. I applaud them. I have talked to a least one that also had problems with the local county school policy.
Like me they have no real "religious" basis for their hair length. There is a vague connection between Rastafarians and Nazirites but the local guys I've talked too never mention this as a reason to grow it, they just like the look.
I'm glad to hear that your health situation is looking up! Maybe all that positive energy we've been sending you helped.
I am glad you are here, Carol.
Paul