Letter of the Day | Evolving beyond colonial hair rules in schools

THE EDITOR, Madam:

The recent controversy surrounding a Jamaican schoolboy TikToker, known as ‘Dubleblacks’, has reignited an important conversation about hair grooming standards in schools. It’s a discussion that exposes the need to re-examine outdated rules rooted in colonial ideologies.

Time and again, students are sent home or barred from school under the guise of ‘improper grooming’, when, in reality, there is nothing wrong with their hair. This raises a fundamental question: How does hair—an individual’s natural expression — affect learning in any way? The answer is simple: It doesn’t.

In today’s world, clinging to such baseless rules is not only regressive, but also discriminatory. Let’s remind ourselves of the origins of these practices. In 1526, enslaved Africans had their heads shaved to strip them of their culture and identity — a cruel attempt to erase who they were. Now, nearly 500 years later, why are we still perpetuating rules that echo those imposed by white masters during slavery?

Requiring students to cut their hair to one or 1.5 inches, deeming anything longer ‘inappropriate’, serves no practical or educational purpose. Even more concerning is the barring of students from their most fundamental right — education — because of their hair. Such actions perpetuate discrimination and undermine the values of inclusivity and equality.

Yes, rules are necessary for structure, but when rules are outdated, they must evolve. The Ministry of Education must take a stand and legislate against this form of systemic bias. No student should be denied access to education based on their natural hair.

It’s time to move forward, shedding the remnants of colonial oppression and embracing the diversity and identity of its people. Let us teach students to value their culture and individuality, rather than conforming to rules that do nothing but stifle their self-expression.

ETHAN BLAKE