Dear Editor:
I am writing to you today as a concerned and frustrated parent.
My son, Samuel Hernandez, is a Junior at Post High School. He is an honor student and leader in the band. Until recently, Samuel was also an athlete; participating in cross country. He is an outstanding young man with no behavioral problems or issues whatsoever!
A few days before the first cross country meet, Samuel was notified by the coaches that he had to cut his hair above his collar in order to be involved in any athletics. He chose to stop participating in athletics at that time. He has continued to follow the school rules as outlined in the PISD student handbook and has continued to be an outstanding student and band member. Please note that pages 48-49 of the PISD Student Handbook has the dress code listed and there is no mention of requiring male students to cut their hair. The handbook says that both girls and boys must have hair that is “neat and trim,” and that they must be a “natural color.” The dress code also stresses “good hygiene.” These are reasonable and appropriate standards and are fair since they apply to all students.
Samuel came home this week and said that there was an announcement over the speaker at school stating that there has been a change to the “extracurricular handbook” (which none of us has seen) and now all male students who participate in extracurricular or UIL activities must cut their hair above the collar. No information and no notification of this has been provided to me as a parent and I have not been able to locate this “extracurricular handbook” on the website or elsewhere.
On page 45 of the handbook, it describes harassment, bullying, and gender discrimination. No reasoning for these actions has been articulated. This activity is clearly bullying, intimidation, and harassment designed to force my son to conform to someone’s PERSONAL OPINION about what is appropriate for male hair. This is an opinion that is based on personal bias and it is extremely disrespectful; and completely ignores any and all minority cultural considerations. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 forbids sex discrimination in any institution receiving federal assistance. Surely, Post ISD would never dare to tell a female student that she cannot have short hair in the same way they are attempting to tell my son he cannot have long hair? This is clearly a case of gender bias that has been escalated to discrimination against my son based on his gender and it is completely unacceptable.
As you may be aware, last December, Magnolia ISD eliminated their discriminatory hair policy after being sued by the ACLU for gender discrimination against multiple students. A federal court even issued a temporary injunction against the school district, finding that the archaic policy likely violated both the United States Constitution and Title IX. If Post ISD moves forward with their plans to force these rules, there are several minority students who will be facing an egregious violation of their rights and cultural values. In a video of Samuel performing at the most recent football game, you can see Samuel playing his tuba beside several girls in the band. There is absolutely zero difference between Samuel’s hair and the other band members. His hair has absolutely no effect on his performance and is in no way distracting from the music; furthermore, the entire show was inspired by and based on Samuel’s ideas. Who gets to decide that his hair must be a certain way just because he is a male? If Samuel and others are removed from the band because of their hair, it will disrupt the entire band weeks before competition. This is not something we can wait to handle and this urgent situation must be addressed immediately!
Samuel’s personal preference is to have his hair long. He is proud of his hair and he takes good care of it. It has never been used as a distraction in class and has never caused a disruption at any time. His hair is a source of pride. It is “neat and trim,” and his “hygiene” is exemplary. There is absolutely no reason to infringe upon his rights in any shape or form. At this time, I am adamant that he will not be forced to cut his hair; he will not be excluded from any extracurricular or UIL activities (including marching band); and, he will absolutely not be subjected to any form of punishment for his refusal to accept the discriminatory bullying and harassment based on his gender. If this becomes a problem, we will not hesitate to contact the ACLU of Texas and push this as far as it needs to go.
I look forward to working with PISD to address this most distressing situation as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Melanie Heatherington
Concerned Parent
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