Black Americans have long been subjected to hair discrimination, whether it be in corporate or school settings. For 14-year-old freshman Braxton Schafer, he has had his dreadlocks in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades while OβGorman High School in South Dakotaβs hair policy was in place. Schafer and his family stated there was never an issue until now. As the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports, the school has said Schafer will have to cut his hair in adhere to the policy or leave the school.
Suggested Reading
OβGormanβs dress code states boysβ hair length must be above the collar. However, Braxtonβs father, Derrick Schafer, said, βWe donβt necessarily agree with the rule.β βWe think itβs culturally biased.β
Braxtonβs mother, Toni, stated to the Argus Leader that the assistant principal approached her at the school and told her he felt Braxtonβs hair was too long. When Toni discussed the matter with high school principal Joan Mahoney, she was told that βthe length of Braxtonβs hair is the issue, not Braxtonβs culture as a Black student with locs.β
βIt was always cultural,β Derrick said. βWe were concerned with the timing of them bringing this up because the school year had already started. When this was being discussed with us, it seemed like there were a lot of other opportunities to have that discussion.β
Keep in mind the policy has been the same since 2018. This is the same time when Braxton would have his dreadlocks. Both parents tried to pitch alternatives to the school, including Braxton wearing his hair up in a bun. Ultimately, it was decided Braxton would transfer out of Bishop OβGorman Catholic Schools after this fall semester ends.
Again from the Argus Leader:
βItβs incredibly stressful, and he feels kind of like an outsider anyways, because when youβre one of very few (Black students), and I think he might be the only one there with locs, heβs devastated, basically,β Toni said. βHe wanted to stay because he likes his friends.β βWhen I saw (Braxtonβs) face when we told him what (the administrators) said, itβs just really hard,β Toni said.
When asked about the school policy, OβGorman Catholic Schools president Kyle Groos claimed all students must abide by the code, and βupwards of about 20 male students asked to comply.β
βCan students wear dreadlocks? Yes, they can,β Groos said. βWe simply want the length of the hair to be at the collar or right above the collar. Right there is what we ask for. To be clean, neat, and well-cared for.β
Straight From
Sign up for our free daily newsletter.