Ready to get mad? A 6-year-old boy has been given in-school suspension by his Texas school that administrators say will be in effect until his mom cuts his long hair. Because really, folks, why bother educating a kid with long hair? Don't you know he's already doomed?
Yes, oh Internet, that was sarcasm. I happen to think JoJo Johnson looks absolutely darling with his long blond hair. And I'm appalled at the message this school district is sending to its students.
They're telling kids that education is not nearly as important as one's looks.
Because really, that's what the hair debacle is all about, isn't it? The district officials have decided that they don't approve of the look of little boys with hair that stretches beyond the bottom of the earlobe. And for that, they're willing to sacrifice a little boy's classroom time.
Congrats to the Frenship Independent School District and Oak Ridge Elementary School both. You've just told every child in your district that it's best to take the superficial path in life.
And we wonder why we have a bullying problem in America? When school officials are so eager to focus on looks, they foster a community where the kids will do the same.
And before you say JoJo's mom is also making this about looks by refusing to bow to the district, it bears noting that this little guy's long hair isn't just a style choice. He is of Native American descent, and it is a Cherokee tradition for males not to cut their hair. Technically, his mom says, that makes the choice a protected right.
The law seems to be on her side, and I'm hoping she'll win. But frankly, she shouldn't need a religious excuse to protect her son's hair.
School districts need to be led by people who care more about the important things -- you know, like educating kids (!) -- than issues as shallow as the length of one's hair.
What do you make of the message that's being sent by punishing this kid with time out of the classroom?
Image via Rochelle, just Rochelle/Flickr
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
This Hot Dad Wants to Cook You Dinner
This Hot Dad Cooks AND Does the Dishes
Comments 568
This is so silly, and harmful. The idea that gender roles, at the age of six, outrank an education are exactly what is wrong with our educational system in the United States! Focus on what matters! His hair is not distracting others, or himself, from classroom activities. I could see this fight if he had purple hair, or were playing with it to the detriment of his own learning abilities, but just for looks? Oh, c'mon.
I think they'll win too, and this will be a good learning momement for the kid on overcoming adversity, just look at Clay Matthews.
Not a mom yet and I really hate the snowflake comment though I also find it amusing. Children could easily be compared to snowflakes as no two are absolutely the same. And no, NO "snowflake" should have to cut their hair because authoritie figures simply don't like it. Stop being sheep and blindly following stupid rules. His hair is not distracting what so ever. These school officials obviously do not like a male child with long hair and that is WRONG. Stop trying to make everyone the same. We are all different and should embrace our differences.
*authority
There is a difference in a dress code and having long hair. When kids wear clothes that show too much skin or shirts that have offensive words on them, this is distracting and detracts from the educational experience. A kid having shoulder length hair shouldn't interfere with learning. If it does, then little girls are going to have keep short hair also.
if he is Cherokee he should have roll number that protects his rights.. you cant just say oooohhh somewhere down the line there was was someone in the family that was Native American sooooooo I can grow my hair long and that is the one part of the tradition I am going to express...there is a lot more to the heritage than that and it is offensive the Native American community to be use in this manner