Black girl forced to leave Catholic school after being told braids violate uniform policy

A video has emerged of a black school girl crying as she is forced to leave school grounds for having braids – a hairstyle the school said didn’t comply with uniform policy.

The 11-year- girl, who goes to Christ the King Middle School, in Louisiana, is captured on video by her brother, crying as a school administrator informs them that braids are not a part of the school policy, and she would have to remove them or leave.

Faith Fennidy’s brother Steven initially posted it on Facebook, writing:

Extensions make the hair easier to maintain. It allows my sister to have access to the swimming pool without having to get her hair Re-done every night.

The family told WWL-TV that they are considering suing the school for discrimination.

Activist Shaun King picked it up and accused the school of racism. He wrote:

It just happened again. Christ The King Middle School in Gretna Louisiana expelled this beautiful young Black girl saying that her hair style was ‘unnatural.’

She was humiliated and removed from the school over it.

Let’s be clear – this is Christianity as White Supremacy.

Archdiocese of New Orleans Schools superintendent RaeNell Houston said in a statement:

This policy was communicated to all parents during the summer and again before the first day of school.

Furthermore, the school leadership worked with families as needed to ensure compliance.

Braids are a type of hairstyle that black people adopt in order to maintain their thick, kinky-curly hair.

This hairstyle makes it more convenient to play sports, it keeps the hair healthy and allows it to grow. Many in the community argue that the school’s new policy disproportionately impacts black students.

People online are appalled with the school's decision.

Others pointed out that braids are more than just a hairstyle.

This isn't the first time such an incident occurred in America. A boy was forced to register at a different school after he went to one and was told he would have to remove his dreadlocks or be de-registered.

More: Child's dad withdraws son from school after he was threatened to be de-registered for 'having dreadlocks'

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