Kanaan VyShonne Barton says he’s following all other school rules but shouldn’t have to cut his hair: ‘My locs represent strength’

Kanaan VyShonne Barton says he’s following all other school rules but shouldn’t have to cut his hair: ‘My locs represent strength’

A Black student at a Mormon university in Hawaii said he has been told by staff to cut his shoulder-length hair because it does not adhere to school policies, he said.

Kanaan VyShonne Barton, a student at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, told the Salt Lake Tribune he has been engaged in a battle with the school since September over the length of his hair, which he has refused to cut.

The university requires students to follow an “honor code”, which states hair should be “neatly trimmed”, although the code has no official guidance on length.

  • ieatpwns@lemmy.world
    141·
    8 months ago

    Why should a school, or any establishment really, have any say over what you do to your own body?

    • Zahille7@lemmy.world
      2·
      8 months ago

      I mean I agree, but at the same time if you work in food service you’re not technically supposed to let your beard grow long, and you should always have your hair (if it’s long) in a ponytail/bun or wear a hat/hairnet.

      Still, I agree. I went to a private Christian high school for a couple years, and it was also the same time that I wanted to grow out my hair. I didn’t get told to cut it until like the last few weeks of school, and both me and my mom ignored it. It was my last year at that school anyway.