School Suspends Rastafarian Student Over Dreadlocks

[Yumyumsuppertime]

The Times-Picayune sums it up nicely.

The ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter this week to Plaquemines Parish school officials contesting a Rastafari student's suspension in Port Sulphur for having dreadlocks that extend beyond the top of his shirt collar.

The ACLU letter, written by staff attorney Candice Sirmon, said "John Doe's religious faith is Rastafari, and wearing his hair in dreadlocks and not cutting his hair is central to his religious beliefs."

Plaquemines Superintendent Denis Rousselle could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

"The school administrators and Mr. Rousselle have prohibited John Doe from returning to school as long has his hair remains in dreadlocks, as his religion requires," Sirmon wrote.

Sirmon's letter said that on Aug. 8, the first day of the school at South Plaquemines High School, the student was told that he had to cut his hair and that, when he did not do so, he was not allowed to return to school.

"The school administrators and Mr. Rousselle have prohibited John Doe from returning to school as long has his hair remains in dreadlocks, as his religion requires," the letter states. "Despite his numerous attempts to attend school, John Doe has been forced to miss 10 of the first 1 days of this school year."

The ACLU states that it "is unconstitutional under both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article 1 § 8 of the Louisiana Constitution. Additionally, the school board's dress code policy is in violation of Louisiana's Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, La. R.S. § 13:5231 et seq."

In other words, despite the child's religious beliefs clearly stating that he is not to cut his hair, the school has indefinitely suspended him until he violates said beliefs. It's not even like he's looking for the right to smoke ganja in the hallways: he simply wants to be able to follow a simple, non-disruptive element of his faith. This shouldn't be any more of a controversy than a Catholic student wearing a cross, or a Hindu student wearing a bindi.

What's the general thought on this? Does the school have a good point? Should the student either cut his hair or find a private school? 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? 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?

[Greed and Death]

The Times-Picayune sums it up nicely.

The ACLU of Louisiana sent a letter this week to Plaquemines Parish school officials contesting a Rastafari student's suspension in Port Sulphur for having dreadlocks that extend beyond the top of his shirt collar.

The ACLU letter, written by staff attorney Candice Sirmon, said "John Doe's religious faith is Rastafari, and wearing his hair in dreadlocks and not cutting his hair is central to his religious beliefs."

Plaquemines Superintendent Denis Rousselle could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.

"The school administrators and Mr. Rousselle have prohibited John Doe from returning to school as long has his hair remains in dreadlocks, as his religion requires," Sirmon wrote.

Sirmon's letter said that on Aug. 8, the first day of the school at South Plaquemines High School, the student was told that he had to cut his hair and that, when he did not do so, he was not allowed to return to school.

"The school administrators and Mr. Rousselle have prohibited John Doe from returning to school as long has his hair remains in dreadlocks, as his religion requires," the letter states. "Despite his numerous attempts to attend school, John Doe has been forced to miss 10 of the first 1 days of this school year."

The ACLU states that it "is unconstitutional under both the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article 1 § 8 of the Louisiana Constitution. Additionally, the school board's dress code policy is in violation of Louisiana's Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, La. R.S. § 13:5231 et seq."

In other words, despite the child's religious beliefs clearly stating that he is not to cut his hair, the school has indefinitely suspended him until he violates said beliefs. It's not even like he's looking for the right to smoke ganja in the hallways: he simply wants to be able to follow a simple, non-disruptive element of his faith. This shouldn't be any more of a controversy than a Catholic student wearing a cross, or a Hindu student wearing a bindi.

What's the general thought on this? Does the school have a good point? Should the student either cut his hair or find a private school? 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? 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?

It is a good thing Louisiana has a state analog of the Religious Freedom Restoration act.

[The New Sea Territory]

Just saw this on TYT.

Um. Well. The school is stupid.

[Yumyumsuppertime]

The Times-Picayune sums it up nicely.



In other words, despite the child's religious beliefs clearly stating that he is not to cut his hair, the school has indefinitely suspended him until he violates said beliefs. It's not even like he's looking for the right to smoke ganja in the hallways: he simply wants to be able to follow a simple, non-disruptive element of his faith. This shouldn't be any more of a controversy than a Catholic student wearing a cross, or a Hindu student wearing a bindi.

What's the general thought on this? Does the school have a good point? Should the student either cut his hair or find a private school? 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? 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?

It is a good thing Louisiana has a state analog of the Religious Freedom Restoration act.

Do you believe that it applies in this case?

[Vicious Debaters]

Dreadlocks aren't disruptive in any way. Well, besides the fact that dude is going to be getting so much tail that he'd better make sure he doesn't accidentally impregnate his female classmates. Chicks love Rasta stuff.

My ruling: let him go back to class. Rastafarianism is a real religion, one that's been around for a long time and has history. This is no different than not letting a Muslim student wear a Hijab.

[Alyakia]

let me guess, girls are perfectly allowed to have hair "that extend[s] beyond the top of [their] shirt collar."? don't give much of a shit about the religion angle.

[Stormwind-City]

Hmmm, all I can say is wat. The school overreacted and blah blah. But want I want to know what type of dreadlocks they are. Are they the nasty never wash or comb dreads because those could be a health thing.

[The Two Jerseys]

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

Usually the private schools are the ones with the rules about cutting your hair. I've never heard of such a rule in a public school.

[The New Sea Territory]

Dreadlocks aren't disruptive in any way. Well, besides the fact that dude is going to be getting so much tail that he'd better make sure he doesn't accidentally impregnate his female classmates. Chicks love Rasta stuff.

My ruling: let him go back to class. Rastafarianism is a real religion, one that's been around for a long time and has history. This is no different than not letting a Muslim student wear a Hijab.

Or a Pastafarian wearing a pasta strainer. Or a Dudeist wearing a bathrobe and sandals. Religious Freedom means Religious Freedom.

[Pandeeria]

Well that's stupid.

[Ifreann]

While I'd generally be sympathetic to dress codes placing a restriction on hair length or style for reasons of health and safety, this doesn't appear to fit that bill.

[Vicious Debaters]

Or a Pastafarian wearing a pasta strainer. Or a Dudeist wearing a bathrobe and sandals. Religious Freedom means Religious Freedom.

Well the thing is that you could make an argument that if someone made up a fake religion to be disruptive, that would be stupid and worth going after.

But Rastafarianism is a real fucking religion: More real than the satire religions like Pastafarianism or the "Look at me I'm a cool guy" religions like Dudeism. It's an Actual, real, serious fucking religion that's been around for many fucking generations. If this man is actually a Rastafarian (and it seems like he is), they're seriously disrespecting his religious freedoms.

[Mushet]

What a dumbass rule, this is a public school?

[Yumyumsuppertime]

What a dumbass rule, this is a public school?

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

[Pandeeria]

What a dumbass rule, this is a public school?

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

Double the bullshit.

[The Lithuanian-Surinamese Caliphate]

While I'm generally against religious exemptions, I think this is ridiculous and they should let him keep his hair.

[Ifreann]

Dreadlocks aren't disruptive in any way. Well, besides the fact that dude is going to be getting so much tail that he'd better make sure he doesn't accidentally impregnate his female classmates. Chicks love Rasta stuff.

My ruling: let him go back to class. Rastafarianism is a real religion, one that's been around for a long time and has history. This is no different than not letting a Muslim student wear a Hijab.

Rastas prefer it not be called Rastafarianism. FYI.

---

Or a Pastafarian wearing a pasta strainer. Or a Dudeist wearing a bathrobe and sandals. Religious Freedom means Religious Freedom.

Well the thing is that you could make an argument that if someone made up a fake religion to be disruptive, that would be stupid and worth going after.

But Rastafarianism is a real fucking religion: More real than the satire religions like Pastafarianism or the "Look at me I'm a cool guy" religions like Dudeism. It's an Actual, real, serious fucking religion that's been around for many fucking generations. If this man is actually a Rastafarian (and it seems like he is), they're seriously disrespecting his religious freedoms.

Many fucking generations? Dude, it's from the 30s.

[Amareval]

SUE THEM= LOTS OF MONEY

[Pope Joan]

They'd just better not mess with Hasidic students, that's all.

https://i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/1686729472/h268CB021/

[The New Sea Territory]

Or a Pastafarian wearing a pasta strainer. Or a Dudeist wearing a bathrobe and sandals. Religious Freedom means Religious Freedom.

Well the thing is that you could make an argument that if someone made up a fake religion to be disruptive, that would be stupid and worth going after.

But Rastafarianism is a real fucking religion: More real than the satire religions like Pastafarianism or the "Look at me I'm a cool guy" religions like Dudeism. It's an Actual, real, serious fucking religion that's been around for many fucking generations. If this man is actually a Rastafarian (and it seems like he is), they're seriously disrespecting his religious freedoms.

Pastafarianism is an official religious affiliation for the state, since you can get a driver's license picture and other stuff with a pasta strainer. Dudeism is a real religion. It's Daoism meets the Big Lebowski.

I'm not disagreeing with you, he is being mistreated. However, religious freedom applies to ALL religions, even satirical ones.

[Ifreann]

What a dumbass rule, this is a public school?

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...

[Vicious Debaters]

Rastas prefer it not be called Rastafarianism. FYI.
... Dude, it's from the 30s.

All of my knowledge about Rasta-stuff comes from Reggae songs and people who seemed consistently high whenever I interacted with them.

Pastafarianism is an official religious affiliation for the state, since you can get a driver's license picture and other stuff with a pasta strainer. Dudeism is a real religion. It's Daoism meets the Big Lebowski.

I'm not disagreeing with you, he is being mistreated. However, religious freedom applies to ALL religions, even satirical ones.

That's really interesting, I didn't know that.

[Lavan Tiri]

And why is it the schools buisness if he wants to have dreads? Thank God UMS isn't so dumb. I get to keep mah dreads.

[WestRedMaple]

So their policies are sexist and violate religious protection. Thanks for nothing

[The New Sea Territory]

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...

Nowhere near as tough as my school....