Black girls lead protest after South African School accused of banning Black hairstyles

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As a “South African”, I have been deeply moved by its people and lately, the protest that is going at a school that is allegedly banning Black hairstyles.

Racial and cultural history

South Africa’s history is rich and deeply rooted. Historically, the country is most widely known for its issues with racism and apartheid which led to civil rights activist, lawyer, and former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, to his arrest and jailing. South Africa is no stranger to protests on issues that are unjust and unfair.

South African School reportedly Black bans hairstyles

It continues after a hair policy at Pretoria Girls High School (formerly a white-only institution in South Africa) prompted a protest claiming it’s being discriminatory to the girls of color.

Protest

Pretoria is located in Gauteng, South Africa. Zulaikha Patel, pictured above, is one of the students who helped lead a protest against the discriminatory hair policy which is alleged to be banning black/afro hairstyles.

The story has reached news airwaves after this picture below went viral of Patel putting her first up against a white man.

Shortly thereafter, an online petition was launched asking South Africans to support the girls by demanding the school to review its policies, in which many are claiming is discriminatory.

When education authorities met with students, parents and teachers, some of the girls cried as they recalled their experiences.

“I have a natural Afro, but a teacher told me I need to comb my hair because it looks like a birds nest,” one girl told the provincial head of education. Another said her mother forced her to cut her hair because she “didn’t want trouble” at the affluent school.

Discouraged from speaking

The students also said they were discouraged from speaking African languages while in school. Some said they experience racial epithets by being compared to monkeys or told they were too concerned with race and politics to achieve the academic excellence the school demands. Some said they were told they belonged in schools in black townships, which are still poorly funded and on the outskirts of the city.

Essays on South Africa school banning hairstyles

A final year student at the school penned an essay for The Daily Vox, a youth-oriented news site, describing some of the incidents girls at the school have experienced.

In one, Black girls speaking their mother tongue were told to “stop making those funny noises,” and in another incident students were forced to comb their hair before being allowed to eat dinner.

“Our schools undervalue blackness and focus more on containing us than nourishing us,” wrote Malaika Eyoh.

“Racially charged incidents between students and staff members are commonplace, as are sweeping these issues under the rug.”

Statement from the school

Pretoria High School for Girls has not yet commented on the matter, but the school’s code of conduct says that cornrows, dreadlocks and braids may not be more than 10mm in diameter.

My thoughts

I commend these young ladies for taking a stand against policies they feel that are unjust and unfair. Most importantly, standing up for what’s right and protesting policies that impedes on them wearing their natural authentic hairstyles they were blessed with.

To my sistas in South Africa at Pretoria High School, rise. Continue to rise and be heard!