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Open Letter to Principal of Harrison College

159 Comments

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Christopher Croney
11 years ago

Is there anywhere I can obtain a written form of the Afros being permissible to wear at school?

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Marsha Caddle · petition starter
11 years ago

While we know this open letter could have counted on much more support, we are very encouraged by the 500 signatures it has received to date, and thank you for engaging. We will close it here and forward, along with your signatures. We hope it will stimulate further intelligent debate on the issue, and that students across Barbados will see the benefits of a more inclusive approach to education.

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Leslie Humphrey
11 years ago

Regressive policies should never be encouraged.

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Sandra Goodridge
11 years ago

Shameful.

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Sonia Watson
11 years ago

We were born natural and there's nothing wrong with it. I am proud to be natural, it is who I am and part of my culture. No one should be forced to wear their hair based on someone's belief. Self acceptance is important and no one should be singled out based on their preference. The tongue is very powerful, be mindful of how you use it. Once a thought is spoken it cannot be taken back. This is a delicate topic and should be handled in a way so as not to have a negative effect on one's self esteem or morale. Don't single out people because they're different and not in with the popular crowd. We should uplift each other and dpeak to one another kindly. Let's stop the discrimination amongst ourselves and instead accept and embrace diversity after all we are all unique in our own way. To each his own, all we need is love. Taking a quote from Bambi, "if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say nothing at all."

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Marissa
11 years ago

outrageous

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Jae
11 years ago

Are plantation owners still in charge in Barbados? It would seem so since you are denying what God created, similar to plantation owners who thought that they could tell enslaved Africans what to think, do, feel, and be. Let the girls love themselves, they are living in this era, not the era of slavery. Get with the times and don't teach the girls self hate. So sad.

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Carl (Ras Iral) Talma
11 years ago

When we were students of Kolij in the 60's, we were addressing issues such as this as we wore our afros; come on Ms Wade, this is 2015.

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Kamasha Williams
11 years ago

#rockinmynaturalhair #twistouts

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allison blackman
11 years ago

This is disgusting!! And this has to stop.

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Jenny Reece
11 years ago

It just goes to show that there are atill a lot of educated, neo-colonist fools in charge of mus-educating our black children in Barbados. That Teacher should be fired, had this occurred in Canada she would have been let go for being racist ! Sad that Bajans still so igeunt!!!!

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Karen Foster
11 years ago

This ban is ludicrous and obsurd. As a wearer of natural hair, I'm offended that my sweet island is accepting the thoughrs od

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Kurt
11 years ago

Disgusting. What is wrong with people? Racist.

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Nicole Dodd
11 years ago

As a Canadian of Barbadian descent I am extremely disappointed by Ms. Wade and her administration's decision to ban natural hair being wore out. This is a step backward for the acceptance of black beauty and this is not teaching teens self-confidence or self-acceptance at a time when it is crucial to solidify these concepts for these young women. School is supposed to be a safe place. This rule goes in direct conflict with that safety. Is Harrison College trying to create conformists engrained with self-hatred? Or innovative individuals who are proud of who they are?

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Asha Nurse
11 years ago

I wish you luck in getting this rule removed.

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La-Tanya Wallace
11 years ago

remove the ban from black girls being able to wear their natural hair

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Belle Black
11 years ago

Let us be real about this. These girls are not being discriminated against because of their hairstyle but hair texture. If another student with curly hair or straight hair had worn the same style would this have even been an issue? Probably not. These girls' hair is not even distracting. A simple style pulled back with a bandeau. However the texture of their hair in their full glory obviously makes these administrators uncomfortable. The colonial mindset is there. That tightly coiled hair should not be exposed. Is not considered pretty. Instead of applauding these girls for embracing who they are instead you try to shame them? As an educator please be more concerned with what is going on in the kids' heads than what's on it.

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Soyini Ayanna
11 years ago

Please decolonize your mind! I support young, black West Indian girls in loving their natural selves!

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Bridgette Harris
11 years ago

This is ridiculous and offensive. The hair someone was birn with is not a distraction or unprofessional. Whatever it is you claim to teach at your institution is completely undermined by this ludicrous rule. Your value and validity have nothing to do with your hair.