Girls in South Africa are protesting this insanely racist hair policy at school
Students at Pretoria Girls High School in Pretoria, South Africa, have been protesting their school’s new code of conduct that has racist undertones.
Here is the #PretoriaGirlsHigh code of conduct that all enrolling children agree to. pic.twitter.com/KBu5NgCGIK
— 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕒𝕟 𝔸𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕟 🌍🇿🇦 (@Clint_ZA) August 28, 2016
One of the policies in the alarmingly restrictive new code outlines how students should do their hair. Many of the black students viewed this restriction as an attack on their cultural identity. According to BBC, girls with afros have been told to straighten their hair because it looks “untidy.”
“This is about our identity as black people. We’re tired of being told to be less than what we are so we can fit in,” a protester told BBC.
High school girls in Pretoria, South Africa protest for the right to wear their natural hair https://t.co/BB3gzONHje pic.twitter.com/CKdE0RbMFX
— As It Happens (@cbcasithappens) August 31, 2016
A hashtag campaign #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh was started and showcases the incredible young girls fighting for racial justice in their school.
Her name is Zulaikha. She's 13 years old. She's been in detention for her hair before. She is the future. pic.twitter.com/xCmvVAfbnI
— The Daily Vox (@thedailyvox) August 29, 2016
Tiisetso Phetla former pupil at the school says, she experienced this #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/QsTlSf9rTw
— African Child (@ZikhonaTshona) August 29, 2016
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Another policy tells students to not speak their native languages while at school. The Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, disagrees with the new code and tweeted in support of the protestors.
Secondly, it is unacceptable to ban students from speaking their African languages at school. #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 29, 2016
To assert our language & hair, is to assert one's cultural belonging. Schools must embrace cultural diversity #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 29, 2016
People on Twitter are also using the hashtag to show solidarity with the courageous young girls. false
Love & solidarity w incredible South African schoolgirls & all standing up to racism #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/QCGeWryEAG
— Mona Eltahawy (@monaeltahawy) August 28, 2016
(3) I stand with these amazing girls from Pretoria Girls High. It's time we stand up and speak out#stopracismatPretoriaGirlsHigh
— aqua tofana (@AuntyKay_) August 27, 2016
The petition created to stop racism at Pretoria Girl High has almost reached its goal of 30,000 signatures in just three days. That is not surprising considering the bravery and fortitude of these young girls in their quest for justice.
