An angry mother in Phoenix, Arizona yanked her 12-year-old son from Teleos Preparatory Academy last week because they had a problem with his braids. ABC 15 reports that Brittany Anderson made the decision after getting a call about her son, Nasir, from a teacher. "He is clean cut with two french braids going to the back. The teacher told me I need to come and pick him up from school an basically could not return until his hair is no longer the same.," Anderson wrote in a Facebook post.
Although the school's handbook says girls are allowed to wear braids, it rules them out for boys, along with shaved heads, rat tails, and mohawks. Anderson says she spoke to authorities at the public charter school, pointing out Nasir is well mannered and doesn't cause trouble. The school stuck by its policy, prompting Anderson to make the decision.
However, it seems Teleos has had a change of heart. Great Hearts Academies which runs Teleos decided to re-evaluate their dress code to make it more culturally aware. "This event has triggered an internal review to determine what changes may be needed to ensure this policy is sensitive to the cultural diversity we are proud to have in our academies...we appreciate this young man and his family bringing this forward and will make appropriate adjustments," they said in a statement.
The school is welcoming young Nasir back. ABC 15 contacted Anderson, who said she is grateful for the change. As of now, she has no plans to re-enroll her son back at that school.
