To Have Black Hair in America | Shoppe Black

This is not an isolated incident; black children all across the country are kicked out of school every year for their hairstyles. It’s a painful tradition of black hairstyles being seen as unfit in school. Worse, it’s rationalized to disrupt their learning.

FILE – In this Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, file photo, Faith Fennidy walks to a news conference outside the offices of attorney James Williams, in Metairie, La. Parents of two New Orleans-area school girls have dismissed their lawsuit against a Catholic school, Monday, Sept. 10, over its policy forbidding hair extensions. Christ the King school rescinded the policy late last month amid accusations that it was discriminatory against black students. The school and the Archdiocese of New Orleans drew widespread online outrage after video spread of Fennidy tearfully leaving school after being told her hair style violated the policy. Matthew Hinton/The Advocate via AP, File

Fennidy wore what is known as a protective hairstyle, which tucks the ends of hair away to prevent breakage while also promoting healthy growth. Protective hairstyles are most beneficial to kinky hair textures, which are more likely to tangle and break ends. Most braids, along with weaves and locs, are strongly rooted in Black culture because it’s been a proven way to protect our natural hair. However, many private schools and jobs ban these styles entirely.