Thu | Mar 28, 2024

Letter of the Day | When black hair is against the rules

Published:Tuesday | May 3, 2022 | 12:05 AM

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I read with great concern reports published a few days ago stating that one of our schools barred students for wearing their hair “too high”. For those who say that these school rules foster order and lead to law-abiding citizens, it is important to note that these rules have been in existence for years, yet indiscipline remains rampant in our schools and we have one of the highest murder rates in the world.

The notion that black hair must be trimmed to an ‘appropriate’ length is discrimination masquerading as discipline. Institutions have a right to prescribe a dress code. However, they do not have the right to impose rules that lead to self-hatred and discrimination. Only Blacks are shamed and punished for wearing hairstyles consistent with our natural hair texture. We cannot continue to support rules that punish our students or our people for their natural ethnic features.

To those who say that ‘rules are rules and rules must be obeyed’, we have a moral obligation to refuse to obey rules that are oppressive and unjust. If Bogle and Nanny had blindly obeyed the rules, we would still be in chains. It is time to conduct a comprehensive review of all our rules. We cannot continue to support rules that have their origins in racist ideas of superiority.

It is time for us to unlearn these deep-seated prejudices and standards that have taught us to hate our natural features. We cannot tackle the bleaching phenomenon while teaching our students that our inherently black features and characteristics are ‘inappropriate’.

The shaming and vilification of black hairstyles must cease. After centuries of learning, it will not be easy. But as we approach our 60th year of Independence, it is critical to engage in constructive dialogue and take decisive action to help our people unlearn some of the negative notions instilled in us, and relearn values that will enhance our racial and cultural pride.

In the United States (US), there is an active movement to end discrimination on the basis of black hairstyles. Fourteen states have already passed the Crown Act to make it illegal to discriminate against persons in public schools and workplaces on the basis of how they wear their natural hair. In 2017, the US Army lifted its ban on cornrows, twists, braids and locs. Our policewomen are still precluded from wearing braids and locs.

The matter of black hair is not a trivial issue. This is a human rights issue. These archaic hair rules have caused many of our people to internalise the subliminal idea that natural black hair is unacceptable and just not good enough. It starts in our schools and continues in the workplace. It is time for Jamaica to enact our own Crown Act. No school or public entity should bar persons for wearing their African textured hair the way it naturally grows.

ZULEIKA JESS

Attorney-at-Law