Rasta Teen Forced to Cut Hair

[Jenn! 918]

Teen Faces Punishment For Long Hair

Daly Says He Can't Cut Hair Because Of Religious Beliefs

POSTED: 10:05 pm CDT September 26, 2007

LEAKEY, Texas -- A Leakey High School senior is being told by his school district to cut his hair, but the student claimed religious values ban him from cutting it.Now, Ben Daly, 18, said he's being punished by the school district.Daly said he is willing to take it all the way to the Supreme Court. In the meantime, the Daly said he has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union.

"I've gone here since kindergarten. I know everybody, basically," Daly said.

In the small town of Leakey, everyone knows about Daly's haircut fiasco."My faith is Rastafarian," Daly said.

Rastafarianism is a religion created in the early 1900s."We take citing from Old Testament, stating you're not suppose to cut your hair," Daly said.

Daly was told on the first day of school that his hair was too long. He was told to cut it or face discipline." I talked to the superintendent, and that's when he supposedly got word from his attorney that my religion is illegitimate," Daly said. Now, the former Baptist turned Rastafarian said he's being punished.Daly said he is being educated and isolated from the rest of his classmates because of his hair. He said sometimes he gets lonely, but the school district said he violated their rules and must be disciplined.

"I get to go outside for 15 minutes just to exercise," Daly said. John Daly, Ben's father, said he supports his son. "In this crazy world, anything about peace and love is a way of life," John Daly said regarding Rastafarianism.

Superintendent Fred McNeil said Ben must follow the dress code like the other students. McNeil admitted Rastafarianism is a religion but needs the support of the school board. "The school board can say what they want, but it's already been proven in other states," McNeil said.

In Louisiana, eight children, also Rastafarians, were allowed back to school after they were banned for extreme hairstyles. And just a few weeks ago, Gov. Rick Perry signed into law a bill that protects students from being punished for expressing religious viewpoints."It's a little town, and it needs to come into the 21st century," John Daly said.

"I just want my education like everyone else," Ben Daly said.

Source

Edited September 27, 2007 by Jenn!

[Sister Fracas 5]

oh for crissake... you'd think they'd worry about something more important like making sure kids are learning, keeping kids safe, etc...

[Krikit 1,164]

Bigots. I knew it had to be a southern state.

[tweety 1]

Just watched the little video on the news site... that boy's hair doesn't exactly look long.... I would have expected something different. I guess they prefer a military hair cut lol.

[almaty 19]

i agree..the school needs to worry about education and graduation rates

[Mephys 2]

Just watched the little video on the news site... that boy's hair doesn't exactly look long.... I would have expected something different. I guess they prefer a military hair cut lol.

I agree to that. I was expecting a guy with hair to the middle of his back or something. He definitely cuts his hair from time to time because it would take about 4 months only to have that lenght. Besides, his haircut is pretty comon these days for teenage boys in the city areas.

[KarenCee 3]

If this was ALL we had to worry about in our school systems we'd be doing great. Geez...the things school boards get their panties in a wad about...

[Saddle Bronc 124]

i agree..the school needs to worry about education and graduation rates

Spot-on, Dean--I've had some excellent (as IT professionals) colleagues who've sported "rooster-tails".

Boils down to McNeil being a chop***k!

[Nagishkaw 510]

No one should ever sever their hair...unless one is in mourning. Hair is a very sacred thing, after all.

[Jasman0717 9]

Wow, I thought those days were way gone by

[Nagishkaw 510]

Not in my culture starved neck of the woods, Bro Jim.

[almaty 19]

No one should ever sever their hair...unless one is in mourning. Hair is a very sacred thing, after all.

total agreement..when i was young i had longthick hair..and only cut it after 2 1/2 years for the lost of a friend..hookahey

[Jasman0717 9]

Not in my culture starved neck of the woods, Bro Jim.

I remember when I went into high school long hair was frowned on but by the time I was a senior no one gave a #######. Maybe it had to do with the sex, drugs and rock n roll

[Nagishkaw 510]

I love hair farmers. Really, I have always been a hair disciple and I think I will go out that way.

[Ban Hammer 13,332]

I love hair farmers. Really, I have always been a hair disciple and I think I will go out that way.

i'm a leg and back hair rancher