Students Protest School’s Suspension of Peers for Wearing Braids

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In a growing controversy surrounding dress codes, a charter school in Massachusetts has faced backlash after suspending two female students for sporting braids. Yes, you read that correctly—braids.

At the heart of the matter are twins Mia and Dana Evans, sophomores at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden, Massachusetts. The school enforces a stringent dress code that prohibits any “unnatural” hairstyles. School officials initially instructed the Evans sisters to remove their braids weeks ago, citing a policy against “anything artificial or unnatural in their hair.” When the girls did not comply, they endured two weeks of daily detention and were subsequently barred from attending prom and removed from their sports teams.

Their mother, Lisa Evans, expressed disbelief and anger regarding the situation. “We’ve told them there’s nothing wrong with their hair. It’s beautiful as it is, and there’s no need for correction,” she stated. Lisa believes the policy unfairly targets students of color, particularly those who wear braids or extensions reflective of their cultural heritage.

The Evans sisters are not alone in their experience; other black and biracial students have also faced suspensions, detention, and hair inspections due to the school’s outdated and discriminatory policy. Lisa noted that her daughters had previously worn braids without issue, but enforcement became stricter last month. “All the children of color were lined up for hair inspections, regardless of whether they had braids or not,” she revealed.

The school argues that its policies, which also ban nail polish, makeup, hair coloring, and excessively long hair, are intended to foster equity. “Our policies are meant to promote a culture focusing on education rather than style or materialism,” the school stated. However, anti-discrimination organizations are questioning this rationale. The regional Anti-Defamation League has raised concerns about the policy’s implementation and its potential discriminatory effects, calling for an investigation.

Moreover, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice pointed out that the policy may violate federal anti-discrimination laws. Matthew Lee, the committee’s project director, emphasized the cultural significance of braids and extensions, stating, “It’s hard to see how braiding, a culturally significant practice for people of African descent, can be equated with ‘distracting’ hair colors.”

The Massachusetts Charter Public School Association also voiced disapproval, stating that the policy contradicts the values educators strive to instill. Notably, over 40% of the school’s student body identifies as people of color, yet there is only one black teacher among a staff of about 170. State data reveals that black students at the school were more than twice as likely to be suspended compared to their white peers.

Students at Mystic Valley are speaking out against the dress code, arguing that it disproportionately affects black students. Seventeen-year-old Tara Johnson commented, “Why are we targeted while white students who dye their hair or wear makeup face no consequences?” Mia Evans added, “You have to advocate for what you believe in; that’s how we create change.”

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In summary, the suspension of students for wearing braids at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School has sparked a larger conversation about hair policies and discrimination in schools. Many students and organizations are advocating for changes to what they see as outdated and biased regulations.