babble home
rabble.ca - news for the rest of us
today's active topics


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
FAQ | Forum Home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» babble   » walking the talk   » aboriginal issues and culture   » Native student denied entrance to Kindergarten

Email this thread to someone!    
Author Topic: Native student denied entrance to Kindergarten
jrose
babble intern
Babbler # 13401

posted 23 July 2008 08:38 AM      Profile for jrose     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Via Shameless By Jessica Yee

quote:
5 year old Adriel Arocha is being blocked from attending school in a Houston-area school district.

The reason?

As an Apache, he has long hair that he has been growing in his Native cultural tradition that “violates” this school’s dress code rules.

The kicker though is that the school board is willing to make exceptions on religious or other “proven” moral grounds, but doesn’t think that being Native American cuts it.

Even after Adriel’s father Kenny submitted a DNA sample of his blood and explained the long history of why many of us do not cut our hair until a family member dies, he received this response from superintendent Curtis Rhodes:

“To make exceptions, you have to be provided evidence of something, and to this point, I don’t feel I’ve been provided evidence to make an exception.”

SNIP

Growing out your hair is a tradition in many Indigenous cultures that has been going on for centuries, long before our education was institutionalized. Long hair carries our life experiences and reminds us about the teachings we’ve received along the way.


[ 23 July 2008: Message edited by: jrose ]


From: Ottawa | Registered: Oct 2006  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 23 July 2008 08:47 AM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Sounds like a peachy place to raise kids - a small town with narrow-minded morons running the damn place. Seriously, even if there weren't a religious or cultural issue here (which there most certainly is), what the heck is up with a board policy that requires boys' hair to be cut so that it doesn't reach their collar?
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
sknguy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7518

posted 23 July 2008 12:10 PM      Profile for sknguy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
So in the eyes of Texas's judiciary a "dress and grooming code" can trump human dignity? Wow, such an exemplary sample of narrow mindedness.
From: Saskatchewan | Registered: Nov 2004  |  IP: Logged
SavageInTheCity
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11625

posted 23 July 2008 06:47 PM      Profile for SavageInTheCity     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Dubya is from Texas, right?

So George's home state doesn't agree with a FN's! Who'dve thunk it?


From: INAC's Showcase | Registered: Jan 2006  |  IP: Logged
RevolutionPlease
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 14629

posted 23 July 2008 09:31 PM      Profile for RevolutionPlease     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Fuck! They'll cut my hair from my cold dead hands!

This law is seriously USELESS.

WOW!

I'm speechless.

eta: law

[ 23 July 2008: Message edited by: RevolutionPlease ]


From: Aurora | Registered: Oct 2007  |  IP: Logged
Doug
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 44

posted 27 July 2008 05:28 PM      Profile for Doug   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Oh that's just stupid. The world is not going to end because one little boy has long hair.
From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
Polly Brandybuck
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 7732

posted 27 July 2008 05:44 PM      Profile for Polly Brandybuck     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
And I am sure there is no code in place governing how short the little girls must keep their hair, so its sexist as well as racist. And stupid as well as pig headed.
From: To Infinity...and beyond! | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | rabble.ca | Policy Statement

Copyright 2001-2008 rabble.ca