School Suspends Rastafarian Student Over Dreadlocks

[Genivaria]

A violation of the student's rights. Pretty clear cut.

I see what you dd there

Completely unintentional I swear.

[Lavan Tiri]

the school should be shut down.

Rastafarian is a much more logical religion than many of the actually recognized ones. Yet the school spits on it because it doesn't have a billion followers and wasn't around at the time of the Founding Fathers.

If a kid wearing a crucifix had been suspended he would have filed a lawsuit (or merely threatened the school with one) and won.

Plus freedom to dress in schools man. Uniforms suck big time and no school should force people to wear them. It's not cool.

the school should be shut down. everyone involved in the mistreatment of this student should be blacklisted and reported as well as have their licenses revoked. Also, the student should be compensated a fair sum paid out of pocket by the school.

I expect fellow Rasta people will support their brother in arm...

Shut down....no.

Otherwise, get into a bunker. The world's ending.

[WestRedMaple]

I can support uniforms - because it's the same for everyone in the same for each gender, but there should be culturual/religious exceptions. For example, a Muslim student should be allowed to wear a hijab with the uniform if she wants to. And a Rastafari student should be allowed to wear his hair in dreadlocks.

The bigger thing for me is the fact that there's a restriction on hair for males, but not for females. Doesn't make any sense.

Rarely are uniforms ever the same for the two sexes. I went to an elementary school with uniforms. The poor girls were stuck freezing in skirts in winter while the boys wore pants.

I oppose any sexist policy in public schools. My tax dollars should mean no discrimination.

[Wisconsin9]

Dress code bans something that isn't disruptive at all; new report suggests bears shit in woods.

[Neutraligon]

Dress code bans something that isn't disruptive at all; new report suggests bears shit in woods.

There are some ways of dressing that are distracting, but this is too much. Also, what's up with the difference between hair regulations for males and females. it's completely BS.

[Empire of Narnia]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

[Wisconsin9]

Dress code bans something that isn't disruptive at all; new report suggests bears shit in woods.

There are some ways of dressing that are distracting, but this is too much. Also, what's up with the difference between hair regulations for males and females. it's completely BS.

Some ways, sure, but when schools versus clothing makes the news it's almost always because the school is being completely fucking idiotic.

[Salandriagado]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

How is that any different from Christians worshipping a Jewish man?

[Benuty]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

How is that any different from Christians worshipping a Jewish man?

Do not tell them that they might freak out, besides only certain sects literally believe this not so Jewish sounding "Jesus" fellow, and God are literally the same. Which would mean God in the very sense of the word killed himself.

[WestRedMaple]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

How is that any different from Christians worshipping a Jewish man?

Well, technically, that would be a Christian man/god. Jews don't believe Jesus is God while Jesus does/did.

[Geilinor]

How is that any different from Christians worshipping a Jewish man?

Well, technically, that would be a Christian man/god. Jews don't believe Jesus is God while Jesus does/did.

Jesus wasn't the one who said he was God.

[Benuty]

Well, technically, that would be a Christian man/god. Jews don't believe Jesus is God while Jesus does/did.

Jesus wasn't the one who said he was God.

Quite correct.

[WestRedMaple]

Well, technically, that would be a Christian man/god. Jews don't believe Jesus is God while Jesus does/did.

Jesus wasn't the one who said he was God.

But the Christian version of Jesus believed he was. Whether the real person actually believed that or not, the Christian faith is rooted in Jesus being god and knowing it.

[Geilinor]

Jesus wasn't the one who said he was God.

But the Christian version of Jesus believed he was.

Where does the Bible say so?

[Cyrisnia]

The school board can go fuck themselves if they don't fix this.

[Benuty]

Jesus wasn't the one who said he was God.

But the Christian version of Jesus believed he was. Whether the real person actually believed that or not, the Christian faith is rooted in Jesus being god and knowing it.

A schism (which became the Christian faith) of various jewish heterorthodox movements believed he was. "Jesus" most certainly did not given the fact the verses would prove contrary to such a claim.

[Cetacea]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

Rastafarianism is a Christian sect, and they worship Jah. Ras Tafari is the second advent of the Messiah Jesus. Rastafarians believe that God lives in the flesh of all righteous people both Men and Women can be God Incarnate

[Libertarian California]

I dunno...schools have dress codes, but my school makes an exception for turbans. Although turbans are much cleaner than dreadlocks.

[The New Sea Territory]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

And Jesus was a Jewish Hippy. Your point?

[Libertarian California]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

Religion in general is hilarious.

Muslims worship a 7th Century murderer, and there isn't even much evidence for Jesus existing.

[Revanchism]

From what I could tell from their website, yes. One with what seem to be school uniforms.

For the edification of the class, here's their student handbook.

HAIR/SHAVING
1. Boys’ hair may not extend lower than the top of a school shirt collar.
2. Boys’ hair may not be pinned up, pulled back, or put in a pony tail.
3. Hair cannot be worn to fall below the eyebrow line.
4. Any style of hair that creates a distraction or a safety hazard shall be considered inappropriate.
5. Hair may not be dyed colors other than natural colors.
6. Extreme hairstyles such as mohawks are not allowed.
7. Lines or designs shall not be shaved in the hair.
8. Eyebrows that are shaved to create a decorative design or distraction are prohibited.
9. Boys must be clean-shaven. Beards or goatees are not permitted.
10. Mustaches are permitted, provided they are neatly trimmed and do not extend beyond the corners of the mouth.
11. Side burns cannot extend past the natural earlobe.

They sure are tough on hair...

That's ridiculously stupid.

[The New Sea Territory]

I dunno...schools have dress codes, but my school makes an exception for turbans. Although turbans are much cleaner than dreadlocks.

Fuck dress codes. They are, 50% of the time, forms of behavioral alteration designed to make the student submissive to authority.

[Lies and Ignorance]

What's the general thought on this? Does the school have a good point?

Ugh, no.

Should the student either cut his hair or find a private school?

Literally no.

Or should he simply be allowed to follow the tenets of his religion so long as they are not disruptive to the education of his peers?

Despite the fact that this is a leading question, the answer is yes, he should.

If the dreadlocks are disruptive, how so, and could this possibly be solved by something short of a disruption to this particular student's education?

Alright, look, considering Louisiana's legacy, I admit I don't expect a lot of tolerance or racial consciousness from their educational authorities, but this just seems petty. A hairstyle is not a distraction because it is different - dress codes that premium conformity over diversity are inherently regressive, and in this case racist. You should expect student to be hygienic and professional, but excluding cultural dress and minority expression from the definition of "professional" is pure white supremacy.

By suspending this young man indefinitely, the school has clearly shown that their concern is not whether he receives his education. This is not a problem with the kid, this is a problem with an intolerant school administration.

[Geilinor]

Rastafarianism is hilarious. Their "God" is actually an Orthodox Christian man.

Religion in general is hilarious.

Muslims worship a 7th Century murderer, and there isn't even much evidence for Jesus existing.

Almost all historians agree that Jesus existed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus

[Salandriagado]

I dunno...schools have dress codes, but my school makes an exception for turbans. Although turbans are much cleaner than dreadlocks.

Fuck dress codes. They are, 50% of the time, forms of behavioral alteration designed to make the student submissive to authority.

No they aren't, they're safety features.