*Kentucky State House candidate Attica Scott was appalled to learn that the dress code policy at her daughter’s high school prohibits many of the hairstyles favored by black students with natural hair.
Butler Traditional High in Louisville has banned cornrows, braids, twists, and dreadlocks, according to the school’s policy, which Scott posted on Twitter Wednesday night. “Hair styles that are extreme, distracting or attention-getting will not be permitted,” the policy states.
Soooo…my daughter had registration today and let’s just say she’s not happy abt the #JCPS no natural hair policy. pic.twitter.com/ApPDyv3sbo
— Attica Scott (@atticascott) July 27, 2016
Scott and her daughter, Ashanti, who is an incoming sophomore at Butler, say the prohibition of some of these hairstyles is new this school year.
“I don’t understand why we’re going to focus on something like natural hairstyles when we should be focused on education,” Scott said. “They specifically outlined hairstyles that are worn most by black kids. To me, this stinks of institutional racism.”
Scott called the policy discriminatory against black students who wear their hair in a natural state. Since Scott posted the policy on Twitter, the story has gone viral, making national headlines and sparking outrage.
Singling out culturally specific hairstyles may send a signal to students of color that their very being is a distraction in the classroom
— ACLU of Kentucky (@ACLUofKY) July 28, 2016
This cannot be real, how u gonna tell somebody they can’t wear their hair the way it grows out their head ? https://t.co/PJljGrF2Ju
— kayla (@k4yl44) July 28, 2016
@atticascott Don’t know what offends me more: the policy or “cornrolls.”
— Ashlee 2 Last Names (@AshleeEats) July 28, 2016
We must share this outrageous policy far and wide so it can be stopped. #JCPS @atticascott @ACLU #natural https://t.co/Lwe0SUEKCp
— Vicki Hurst (@brookgarden) July 28, 2016
.@HannahDrake628 pic.twitter.com/p4ouz9rCGs
— Attica Scott (@atticascott) July 28, 2016
On Wednesday evening, Jefferson County Public Schools’ Twitter account tweeted to Scott’s account, saying that the dress code policy was not a JCPS policy, but one decided by Butler’s school-based decision-making committee.
@atticascott Hi, Ms. Scott. Not a JCPS policy. It’s a policy of @BTHS_Bears – approved by its SBDM Council. There is a process for review.
— JCPS (@JCPSKY) July 28, 2016
Butler High’s Twitter account then responded, “We value any feedback regarding our policies. Please contact school admin. if you have any questions/concerns.”
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