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| (Photo courtesy of Curtis Young/Available on Associated Press) |
Last week I shared the heartbreaking story of 7-year-old Tiana Parker. She was sent home from Deborah Brown Community School in Tulsa, Oklahoma because her hair was deemed inappropriate and distracting. According to the school’s policy, ‘hairstyles such as dreadlocks, afros, mohawks, and other faddish styles are unacceptable’. Shortly thereafter, I also shared an exclusive interview with father, Terrance Parker.
Here’s a quick update and statement from the Parker family regarding the pending policy change at Deborah Brown.
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“If the policy changes and locs and afros are allowed, we will of course be happy for future students and family’s at Deborah Brown Community School. However, that does not change the fact that our 7 year old daughter Tiana was made to feel that there was something wrong with her appearance, in turn coming home in tears. Even now, we have not been contacted by any of the administrators at Deborah Brown Community School nor has an apology been made to our daughter.
Regarding next steps, our focus is on Tiana and all of the “Tiana’s” in the world who have ever been made to feel this way. This is now much bigger than Tiana, and we know that the conversation cannot end here.”
The family has been in touch with community leaders, civil rights advocates, women empowerment groups, attorneys and more. As of now, they are exploring all of their options and are grateful for the overwhelming amount of public support.
