St, George, Utah: Native American second-grader sent home from school over traditional mohawk

[Miles Archer]

http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/nation/2015/09/17/native-american-child-sent-home-over-traditional-mohawk/72367380/

ST. GEORGE, Utah — A 7-year-old Native American student was removed from his classroom this week after school officials decided his Mohawk haircut was too distracting.

The second-grader, whose parents are Seneca and Paiute, chose a hairstyle that is popular with native peoples in many places, his father said Thursday, but his wife still received a call from the school saying it went against the Arrowhead Elementary School’s dress code.

He was allowed to return to class only after a member of the Seneca National Tribe, located in New York, penned a letter to Washington County School District administrators confirming that the hairstyle is a common tradition among tribal members.

“It is common for Seneca boys to wear a Mohawk because after years of discrimination and oppression, they are proud to share who they are,” wrote William Canella, a Seneca Nation Tribal Councilor. “It’s disappointing that your school does not view diversity in a positive manner, and it is our hope that (the boy) does not suffer any discrimination by the school administration or faculty as a result of his hair cut.”

[newfie11]

1. Cause everyone must look the same ya know.

This is ridiculous! This attitude perpetuates discrimination.

[leftofcool]

2. The irony here is just amazing

Name your school "arrowhead" after a specific tool used by many tribes and what is now considered to be an artifact then send a kid home for having a traditional NA hair cut. Priceless.

[BlueJazz]

6. I noticed that also and thought..WTF??

[PatrynXX]

9. yeah like what the (n/t)

[malthaussen]

12. Do ya think maybe the football team is called "Redskins?" n/t

[Stryst]

27. Probably no

At least I've never known of an elementary school to have a football team.

[workinclasszero]

22. Only in Murica baby!

SMH

[geardaddy]

24. That was my first thought.

SMDH

[madokie]

3. I rec to get this story out for more eyes to see

We had a kid in school who was expelled over the very same thing and this was back in the '50s. it sucks that hair has anything to do with anything.

[Fred Sanders]

19. Was he also Native American sporting a traditional haircut, because that sucks?!

[LWolf]

4. Our local natives

don't traditionally wear mohawks.

I have, though, non-native students who choose mohawks as a style choice; usually a late spring cut. Local boys like shorter mohawks. I've had a few girls who actually do big, dramatic mohawks.

Why does anyone care?

Our dress code says that students have to wear clothing that is safe, that fits well, and that covers butts, bellies, and breasts, and that allows them to move and learn in the school environment without obstacle and without distracting others from learning. No inflammatory writing on clothing. I guess, if we wanted to, we could claim that mohawks are "distracting." They often are...on the very first day a student shows up wearing it, for the first few minutes. That's over before they even get through the classroom doors, though.

I think I'm answering my own question. The portion of the human population that needs conformity to be secure...anything that doesn't fit their norm threatens them. It's sad.

[AlbertCat]

17. that allows them to move and learn in the school environment without obstacle

So panniers are out?

?itok=svj-uVcl

[dorkzilla]

23. As long as they don’t interfere with MY hair

What would Monsieur Leonard say???? Quelle horreur!

[LWolf]

29. lol

I don't think they could fit through the classroom door, or in one of those terribly uncomfortable chairs in the cramped little sardine-can space we've got.

[Phentex]

25. My not native son wears a mohawk by choice...

He is a sophomore in college and keeps some version of one year round.

I think he got his first when he was in fourth grade.

We weren't sure how the school would take it or how other people would take it. But it's his hair and he can wear it the way he wants. Turns out most of his friends loved it and the school didn't care at all. I thought it was weird when people said to me "Oh, you are a brave mom."

I have Sasquatch hair so I am the last person to tell anyone else how to wear their hair.

[LWolf]

30. I think it's weird, too.

Again...who cares? Aren't there actually important issues to deal with?

[JackInGreen]

5. FFS

Black hair, not ok. Native hair, not ok. Jeeeeezus fuck *smashes everything in sight and collapses*

[retrowire]

7. this is sofa king stupid. eom

[Omaha Steve]

8. PLEASE post this in First Americans too

[Miles Archer]

15. Done.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11911011

[malthaussen]

10. Sumptuary laws are always a bad idea

You know those signs you see that read "I can't believe I'm still fighting about this shit after fifty years?" In '68, I protested dress codes in my junior high. Seems I was in the minority then as well as later, since even people of more-or-less good will support sumptuary laws, often on grounds such as not wanting children to lord it over one another (or even do violence to each other) because they have a $500 pair of sneakers (guess only adults are allowed to brag about their status symbols).

-- Mal

[liberal_at_heart]

11. I am so sick of the whole "distraction" excuse. They are kids. They get distracted by everything.

In fact they need distraction. If you try to take all distraction away they get bored and don't engage. Are school administrators not taught pediatric psychology and biology in college? If not, they need to be.

[lunatica]

26. No distractions of any kind are allowed in elementary schools. Period.

No talking, no giggling, no turning around in your seat, no clothes that are on the list of no-no clothes, no frigging thinking outside the box gorddammitt! No questions asking, no freedom of speech, no talking back, no strange ideas, no strange looks, no cultural differences, no SQUIRMING!!

Just shut up, sit down, and repeat what I say only.

[yardwork]

13. Petty minded authoritarians are destroying this country.

[Rex]

14. Yes. Well. A mohawk could have shutdown the entire school district! Did they call in the SWAT team?

In 2015 America, nothing surprises me anymore. Not even total ignorance of other cultures you SHOULD know about...because you work in a FUCKING SCHOOL!

[Fred Sanders]

20. Good thing he was not carrying a clock.....

[Beowulf42]

16. Absurd

that they have theoretically named their school, Arrowhead Elementary, to in some way honor Native American heritage and they have no idea that a mohawk, actually named after a Northeastern Indian tribe, is a traditional haircut for Native Americans. Revoke their administrative and teaching credentials and send them back to community college. Damn, we are a stupid bunch.

[Skwmom]

18. Ridiculous. n/t

[Stainless]

21. Well.......at least he didn't bring a clock to school

BTW, I live in St. George. One has to experience living here to know just how ignorant and clueless the majority of the population truly are. The schools and the teachers are merely reflections of the ignorance perpetrated by the predominately Mormon value system. The climate and scenery are what draws people like me to this beautiful place.

[Enthusiast]

28. Kicked and recommended! Thank you for calling this to our attention, Miles.