Can textured hair discrimination impact educational opportunities for students?

Roots

Consider a strand, not merely a fiber, but a living echo. It is a whisper from ancient earth, a testament to journeys across oceans, a chronicle etched in its very curl and coil. This strand, deeply connected to our ancestral memory, carries within it the story of identity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of communities across time.

When we consider how the textures of hair, so profoundly linked to our heritage, can encounter barriers within the very halls of learning, we are not merely discussing a superficial concern. We are addressing a rupture in the continuum of self, a silencing of ancestral voices that can reverberate through a student’s entire educational experience.

The inherent architecture of textured hair, often characterized by its elliptical cross-section and the unique coiling pattern of its keratin filaments, is a marvel of biological adaptation. This structure, distinct from the rounder cross-sections of straighter hair, allows for greater volume and a different interplay with light. It is a biological signature, a natural crown that has adorned humanity for millennia. Yet, this very distinction, a gift of genetic inheritance, has been historically weaponized within systems that prioritize a singular, often Eurocentric, standard of appearance.

Hair’s Ancestral Architecture and Identity

From the earliest African civilizations, hair was far more than a biological outgrowth. It was a complex language, a visual encyclopedia communicating social standing, age, marital status, spiritual beliefs, and tribal affiliations. Intricate braiding techniques, passed down through generations, served as maps of lineage and community ties (The Kurl Kitchen, 2024).

These were not casual styles; they were deliberate expressions of self and belonging, rituals of connection that bound individuals to their collective past. The care of hair, the adornment of it, was a communal act, a space where knowledge was shared and bonds strengthened (Umthi, 2023).

The very architecture of textured hair carries stories of adaptation and ancestral identity.

The advent of the transatlantic slave trade brought a brutal disruption to these profound connections. Enslaved Africans, upon their forced arrival in the Americas, often had their heads shaved. This act was a deliberate, dehumanizing attempt to sever their ties to homeland, culture, and spiritual strength (IDRA, 2025).

It was an act of erasure, designed to strip away individual and collective identity, forcing conformity to an imposed standard. This historical violence laid a foundation for the devaluation of textured hair, transforming a symbol of heritage into a mark of perceived inferiority within the dominant societal gaze.

Colonial Echoes in Educational Spaces

The legacy of this historical subjugation persists in modern educational environments. Policies, often framed as promoting “neatness” or “professionalism,” frequently carry the indelible marks of colonial aesthetics (Mail & Guardian, 2022). In many instances, these seemingly neutral rules disproportionately target students with Afro-textured hair, penalizing natural styles such as locs, braids, twists, or Afros (IDRA, 2025). The implicit message is clear ❉ certain forms of ancestral beauty are deemed “unprofessional” or “unkempt,” creating a direct conflict between a student’s inherent identity and the expectations of their learning environment.

The very concept of “good hair,” a term that arose from distinctions between enslaved people based on hair texture, continues to shape perceptions (Griffiths & Houghton, 2021; Emmanuel, 2025). This internalized hierarchy, favoring sleek or wavy hair, positions natural textured hair as “bad hair,” a source of shame or frustration (Scholars Strategy Network, 2018). When this deeply rooted bias infiltrates school policies, it creates an atmosphere where students are made to feel unwelcome or ashamed of their cultural heritage (Congress, 2024).

• Historical Erasure ❉ The forced shaving of African captives’ hair during the transatlantic slave trade aimed to dismantle cultural and spiritual connections.
• Colonial Standards ❉ School policies often mirror Eurocentric beauty ideals, stemming from colonial efforts to suppress African culture.
• Implicit Bias ❉ Rules on “neatness” or “professionalism” frequently carry biases that penalize natural textured hair, echoing historical prejudices.

Ritual

Stepping into the space of how hair’s care and presentation shape our educational experiences means acknowledging the profound connection between our physical self and our inner spirit. For those whose lineage flows through textured hair, the daily rituals of hair care are not merely about aesthetics; they are acts of remembrance, moments of connection to ancestral practices, and affirmations of self. When these sacred rituals, or the resulting styles, are met with disapproval in academic settings, it challenges a student’s sense of belonging and their right to exist authentically.

The rich tradition of textured hair styling, spanning millennia, encompasses a vast array of techniques and tools, each with its own history and cultural resonance. From the intricate cornrows that mapped escape routes during slavery to the powerful Afro of the Civil Rights era, these styles represent not just beauty, but a living archive of ingenuity, resistance, and communal identity (The Kurl Kitchen, 2024). The hands that braid, twist, and coil are performing acts that echo generations of wisdom, passing down knowledge and cultural narratives through the very act of styling.

How Can Styling Traditions Be Misunderstood in Schools?

Many protective styles, such as locs, braids, and twists, are not only deeply rooted in ancestral practices but also serve practical purposes for textured hair. They protect delicate strands from environmental damage, reduce breakage, and allow for healthy growth. Yet, these very styles are often the subject of discriminatory school policies.

Students wearing their hair in these heritage styles face disciplinary actions, including suspensions and exclusions from classes (IDRA, 2025). This creates a distressing dilemma ❉ a student is compelled to choose between their education and their cultural identity, or even the physical health of their hair.

Hair rituals, born of ancestral wisdom, become points of contention when Eurocentric norms prevail in learning spaces.

The psychological toll of such experiences is significant. Students facing hair bias often report feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and discomfort within school environments (Mbilishaka & Apugo, 2020; ResearchGate, 2023). This “esthetic trauma,” as the Association of Black Psychologists terms it, can result in internalized racism and a negative self-image (TRIYBE, 2025). When a child is repeatedly told that their natural hair is “unprofessional,” “messy,” or “distracting,” it chips away at their self-worth and ability to concentrate on their studies.

The Ripple of Disciplinary Actions

The impact of hair discrimination extends beyond emotional distress; it has tangible academic consequences. Students removed from classrooms due to hair violations miss valuable instructional time (Legal Defense Fund, 2024). Research reveals that Black students are disproportionately subjected to discretionary disciplinary actions, including those related to dress code and hair policies, at rates significantly higher than their peers (Brookings Institution, 2021). These discretionary suspensions, not mandated by law, steer students towards poorer academic performance and contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline (Brookings Institution, 2021).

A powerful illustration of this impact is the experience of Darryl George, a Black high school student in Texas, who faced months of in-school suspension and placement in an off-site disciplinary program for wearing his hair in locs that exceeded the school’s length policy (PBS, 2024). Despite the existence of the CROWN Act, a law designed to prohibit race-based hair discrimination, the school district argued its policy was “race neutral” and legally upheld its actions (PBS, 2024). This case illuminates how deeply ingrained biases can circumvent even protective legislation, disrupting a student’s fundamental right to education.

Relay

How might the currents of historical prejudice, once a distant echo, continue to shape the very fabric of our learning environments, influencing not just policy but the unspoken perceptions that govern a student’s daily experience? This query invites us to consider the intricate interplay of biological reality, historical context, and the profound social dimensions that determine access to educational opportunity. The relay of ancestral wisdom, carried in the very coils of textured hair, meets the rigid structures of systems built upon a different historical narrative, often with detrimental outcomes for those whose heritage is visible.

The impact of textured hair discrimination on educational opportunities is a complex phenomenon, extending beyond overt disciplinary actions to subtle, yet pervasive, forms of bias. These subtle messages, known as microaggressions, can be as damaging as outright bans. They manifest as unwanted touching of hair, intrusive questions about its authenticity, or dismissive comments about its “manageability” (Mbilishaka & Apugo, 2020; ResearchGate, 2023). Such daily assaults on identity create a chronic stress response, diverting mental energy from academic pursuits and fostering an environment of hypervigilance (TRIYBE, 2025).

What are the Systemic Effects of Hair Bias on Learning?

The Dove 2021 CROWN Research Study for Girls illuminates the widespread nature of this issue. It found that 66% of Black children in majority-white schools experienced race-based hair discrimination (The Official CROWN Act, 2023). Even more strikingly, 86% of these children faced such discrimination by the age of 12 (K-12 Dive, 2023).

These statistics are not mere numbers; they represent countless instances where a child’s inherent appearance became a barrier to their comfort, confidence, and ultimately, their engagement in learning. The study also revealed that while 90% of Black girls considered their own hair beautiful, microaggressions and discrimination led to lower self-esteem (K-12 Dive, 2023).

This persistent bias compels many students to alter their natural hair, often through chemical treatments or heat styling, to conform to Eurocentric standards (Scholars Strategy Network, 2018). This decision, often driven by a desire to avoid negative stereotyping and social exclusion, comes with its own set of costs ❉ physical damage to the hair and scalp, and the psychological burden of suppressing a part of one’s authentic self (Scholars Strategy Network, 2018). The time and effort spent on altering hair to “fit in” detracts from time that could be spent on academic work, potentially making students less competitive than their peers (CBC Radio, 2021).

The legislative response, such as the CROWN Act, seeks to address this systemic injustice by prohibiting discrimination based on hair texture and protective styles (Legal Defense Fund, 2024). While a significant step, the implementation and enforcement of these laws remain critical. As seen in the Darryl George case, even with protective legislation, interpretations of school policies can still uphold discriminatory practices (PBS, 2024). The journey towards true equity requires not just legal frameworks, but a deep cultural shift within educational institutions.

Decolonizing Educational Spaces

Decolonizing education demands a critical examination of how historical power structures continue to shape present-day norms, including those related to appearance. It means recognizing that the concept of “neatness” in hair, when applied universally, often serves as a vestige of colonial efforts to “civilize” and control indigenous peoples (Mail & Guardian, 2022). For African students, particularly in countries with a colonial past, mandatory short haircuts in schools echo a legacy rooted in the belief that African culture, including natural hair, was inferior and needed suppression (TikTok, 2024).

To truly dismantle hair discrimination, educational institutions must move beyond superficial policy changes. They must engage in comprehensive anti-discrimination policies that explicitly prohibit bias based on hair texture and styles connected to racial, cultural, or religious identities (IDRA, 2025). Beyond policy, cultural competency training for educators and administrators is vital.

This training should foster an understanding of the cultural significance of various hairstyles and address implicit biases that influence perceptions (IDRA, 2025). It requires a genuine collaboration with affected communities, ensuring that grooming policies honor and respect cultural expressions (IDRA, 2025).

1. Policy Reform ❉ Schools must adopt clear anti-discrimination policies that specifically include hair texture and protective styles, moving beyond vague “neatness” rules.
2. Cultural Pedagogy ❉ Educators need training to understand the historical and cultural significance of diverse hair practices, countering implicit biases.
3. Community Dialogue ❉ Genuine engagement with Black and mixed-race families helps create policies that are inclusive and affirm student identities.

The impact of hair discrimination on educational opportunities is a stark reminder that the fight for equity is deeply personal and inextricably linked to cultural heritage. When a student is forced to choose between their authentic self and their right to learn, the educational system fails not only that individual but also its promise to foster a diverse and inclusive society. The path forward requires a profound commitment to recognizing and celebrating the rich legacy held within every strand of textured hair, ensuring that schools become spaces where all students can truly flourish, unbound by the echoes of historical prejudice.

Reflection

The story of textured hair, as it flows through the generations, is a living archive of human spirit. Each curl, coil, and wave carries the ancestral whispers of resilience, artistry, and identity. When we ask how the prejudice against this heritage impacts the pursuit of knowledge, we are invited to consider a deeper truth ❉ that true learning can only happen in spaces where the whole self is welcomed, honored, and seen. The enduring significance of hair within Black and mixed-race communities, a symbol of connection to deep historical roots and ancestral wisdom, means that any assault upon it is an assault upon the very soul of a student.

As Roothea, we believe that nurturing hair is an act of self-reverence, a continuity of ancient care. Our collective work continues, seeking to ensure that every student’s crown, in all its natural glory, is recognized not as a distraction, but as a source of strength and a rightful part of their radiant presence in the world.

References

• Brookings Institution. (2021, February 23). Penalizing Black hair in the name of academic success is undeniably racist, unfounded, and against the law.
• CBC Radio. (2021, January 28). Tangled Roots ❉ Decoding the history of Black Hair.
• Congress. (2024, August 2). Addressing hair discrimination and cultural bias in education.
• EHRC. (2022, October 27). Preventing hair discrimination in schools.
• Emmanuel, M. (2025, April 25). Reclaiming our roots in higher education ❉ A call for policy development to address hair-based discrimination in UK educational institutions. Greenwich Academic Literature Archive (GALA).
• IDRA. (2025, February). Confronting Hair Discrimination in Schools – A Call to Honor Black History by Protecting Student Rights.
• K-12 Dive. (2023, June 30). Here’s what schools should know about the growing CROWN Act.
• Legal Defense Fund. (2024, March 27). Civil Rights Organizations Follow State Court Ruling with a Letter to Texas School Leaders Warning About Race-Based Hair Discrimination.
• Mail & Guardian. (2022, February 8). Neat hair at school is a colonial mess.
• Mbilishaka, O. & Apugo, N. (2020). Brushed aside ❉ African American women’s narratives of hair bias in school. ResearchGate.
• PBS. (2024, February 22). Judge rules that Texas high school legally suspended Black student over hairstyle.
• Scholars Strategy Network. (2018, May 24). Why Policies about Hair Matter for Educational Equality.
• The Kurl Kitchen. (2024, November 5). The Cultural Significance Of Natural Hair In Different Communities.
• The Official CROWN Act. (2023). 2021 Dove CROWN Research Study for Girls.
• TikTok. (2024, December 5). Colonial Influence on Haircuts in African Education.
• TRIYBE. (2025, May 15). Beyond the roots ❉ exploring the link between black hair and mental health.
• Umthi. (2023, September 14). The Cultural Significance and Representation of Afro-Textured Hair.