Just the other week, I finally got around to mailing an envelope off to Locks of Love, non-profit that makes wigs for children who have long-term hair loss for medical reasons. My son’s not keen on haircuts, so for a long time, he didn’t bother. By the time he finally got around to getting to the salon, his hair reached to his shoulder blades. Because it was “virgin hair” (never died or permed), the pony tail cut off was perfect for making into such a wig.
At least he didn’t get kicked out of school, unlike four-year old Taylor Pugh. That lad is also growing out his hair for donation (whether to Locks of Love, or another organization). But the preschooler goes to school in the Mesquite Independent School District, near Dallas, Texas.
Taylor has been suspended for having too-long hair, and spends his days in the library, with a teacher’s aide. Seriously. In trouble for hair-length that was perfectly acceptable for the country’s founding fathers. Hair that has a social benefit for donation.
But then, this school district has some pretty stringent dress policies. Why, even your shoe laces have to be the correct color, and your socks had better match. Only certain colors of slacks are permitted, and they’d better not be the same color as your shirt. Corduroy pants aren’t acceptable, either.
Sure, I don’t want to see anyone’s cleavage, top or bottom, and this trend of guys wearing pants so low they have to walk around clutching them is pretty damn dumb. But when a school is spending that much time on a kid’s hair length, you gotta wonder if there’s enough time to focus on real issues, like good science education …
Today’s a “bank holiday”, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day., so I thought I’d add this in as well:
Black and white photograph of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, with the caption, "DR. KING He didn't lead a major civil rights struggle and get assassinated for you to walk around with your pants around your knees."
Andrea's Buzzing About: 
Cold Spaghetti :: Just Posts for a Just World: January 2010 said,
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Stephanie said,
20 January 2010 at 0:50
I would think you could get an exception for growing your hair out for a charitable cause–then again, why should you need an exception.
My step-son currently has a mo-hawk. When he came over it with the first time he thought I’d be mad. Nope. It’s just hair. Now a dope shirt–that’s different.
andrea said,
19 January 2010 at 22:43
Heh; my daughter showed me that very same video after she read this post!
Laurentius Rex said,
19 January 2010 at 20:36
I thought we had fought and won the hair battle in the 60’s
Some things are worth getting kicked out of school for. Fucking Idiots
I once had a conversation with my brother as to whether he though our school was more like the one in Kes, or the one in If. If he said, without a doubt, all the petty rules and pretension. Strangely enough I first saw if when it was shown during a general studies class in the sixth form.
codeman38 said,
19 January 2010 at 18:33
Great, you just got an Internet-meme earworm, which came about thanks to American Idol last week, stuck in my head again:
Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, you’re looking like a fool with your pants on the ground…
The remixes are particularly epic.
Theo said,
19 January 2010 at 15:51
First time poster and I have three words for you. This. Is. Awesome!!