Update (November 30, 2018): In a newly filed legal complaint submitted by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the two groups are alleging that the hair policy at A Book’s Christian Academy is racially discriminatory. Backing up their claims with data from the HuffPost, the complaint asserts that it is not abnormal for private schools in Florida to uphold hair policies with obvious racist connotations.
While the school is indeed private, it does participate in state voucher programs, providing financial aid to students looking to attend a private school. Such was the case with Clinton, as he was awarded a scholarship to attend A Book’s Christian Academy through the competitive program.
The LDF and ACLU asserts that the schools code of conduct is illegal, “violating federal civil rights laws that schools in state voucher programs are required to follow.”
“A Book’s ban on ‘dreads’ – a style that Black students are particularly likely to wear – does not advance any legitimate school objective,” the complaint reads. “Therefore, A Book’s policy illegally discriminates against Black students.”
Angel Harris, an assistant counsel for the LDF, said she hopes that the Department of Education opts to further investigate A Book’s Christian Academy, forcing the school to modify their guidelines. Furthermore, she expects that other schools with similar rules will take note.
Original: The first day of school can be an exciting time for both parents and children. It can also be a stressful time. For one father and son, the first day of school was unexpectedly cancelled due to the son's natural hair.
Newsweek reports Clinton Stanley, Sr. and his six-year-old son, C.J., were turned away from A Book's Christian Academy in Apopka, Florida, on August 13, 2018.
In a video posted to Facebook, Stanley said school administrators told him his son would have to withdraw from the school due to rules in the school's handbook, which say boys have to rock short hair and long locs are prohibited.
Stanley told Newsweek, “[The administrator] told me: ‘We don’t allow boys with hair below their ears. We don’t allow dreads.’”
"Can I put it in a ponytail?" the little boy can be heard asking in the video, and Stanley tells him the issue really wasn't the length, but the fact he has "dreadlocks."
“I respect their rules, but it’s not right,” Stanley told The Orlando Sentinel. “Allow kids to come as they are. You are a Christian school. In the Bible it says, come as you are … You deny a kid an education on his hair?”
In the clip posted to Facebook, the father also referenced the Bible, asking the camera why a Christian school would turn his son away, arguing the Bible describes Jesus' hair as being "like wool."
The Facebook video went viral and was shared over 10,000 times.
In response to the publicity, Orange County Commissioner Rod Love said he understood Stanley's position, but also said rules are rules.
"I’m not vilifying Mr. Stanley, I know our children are our weak spot,” Love said. “We all have rules that we need to follow.”
Love also claimed the attention has led to the school receiving a number threats.
“They’ve got so many calls, threats and law enforcement has been here,” said Love. “It’s unfortunate we have to address something like this.”
On a positive note, towards the end of the video, Stanley took time to instill a valuable lesson in his son, saying, "Don't worry, you're a king, man. You ain't cuttin' your hair for nothin!"
Word!
Having been rejected by A Book's Christian Academy, Stanley enrolled his son in nearby Lovell Elementary School.
“That went fine,” Stanley said. “He’s in school now.”
Now, check these out:
Teacher Pulls Black Student's Locs, Steps On Him In Absurdly Bold Effort To Wake Him Up
