Freedom of Expression Includes Hair Color

Student should have the right to wear their hair anyway they choose. Whether they wear their hair naturally or processed, brunette and going blonde, blonde and going redhead, redhead going black, straight hair going curly, curly hair going straight, having an afro, adding a weave, shaving it off, being bald, wearing a wig, wearing a scarf, or even going Red, White or Blue like the Roosevelt Alma Mater.

It's about being proud of ones individuality, having the freedom of expression through clothes and hair, being accept by peers, and being seen. Especially about been seen! Just as an adult's face lights up when complimented on their glistening salt and pepper hair, so does a students' self esteem rise when they are complimented on the way they look.

Its also about what students can control in their lives, because adults control so much. No one knows what the future will hold, especially high school student who are on the journey to adulthood.

What I've discovered is the more we nurture, protect, defend students civil rights including their freedom of expression the more they strive towards excellence. They thrive! It's when we take away those right that they may seem rebellious when in fact they're demanding equality.

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein.

I don't believe hair color or its grooming affected Einstein in any way. Einstein's messy hair didn't take away from his brilliance or make anyone else less intelligent.

Martin Luther King, Jr inspired so many, that it brought about change. We have come a long way since then, let's accept and welcome Diversity.