First They Came for Little Girls in Braids, But I Said Nothing Because I'm Not A Girl and Don't Wear Braids

Tales of tolerance, British edition:

A teenager was sent home from school after the headteacher ruled she was the wrong race to have a braided hairstyle.

Olivia Acton, 13, was told she could not join her classmates at Middleton Technology College because her tightly plaited hair was too "extreme" for the strict uniform policy.


Olivia--Separate and Unequal

However, two other pupils at the school who have an Afro-Caribbean background are allowed to attend the school with similar hairstyles because it reflects their cultural heritage.

The teenager usually has her hair brushed straight but had it braided during a family holiday.

She was stunned to be turned away when she returned to school. She was told she can only go back to the classroom if she unpicks the plaits. . .

[T]he school insists the uniform policy is an important way of maintaining standards and ensuring all youngsters are a part of the school community.

Funny how "community" now means "a group that excludes me."

(via Gindy)