8 times kids stood up for their natural hair

Zoë EttingerApr 24, 2020, 22:42 IST

Promise Sawyers and DeAndre Arnold both stood up for their natural hair.Qui Daughtery/Facebook/Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images

Though some parts of the world are making strides in stamping out prejudice, young people of color continue to struggle with acceptance of their natural hair.
At school and in job interviews, they have had been told their hair is unacceptable, and in response, they have taken to social media to stand up for their appearance and who they are.
In 2019, Promise Sawyers' mother shared a video of her daughter responding to bullies who made fun of her Afro. The video has been watched nearly 2 million times.
DeAndre Arnold made headlines when he was barred from his school graduation for refusing to cut his dreadlocks. This year, he was invited to the Oscars by the creators of the short film, "Hair Love."
Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

In 1964, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibited schools that receive public funding from discriminating on the basis of race or religious belief. However, to this day, students of color still face discrimination for their natural hair.

Schools across the United States and internationally have come under fire after stories of children being suspended or barred from school activities over their hair have spread online.

Take a look at times kids stood up for their natural hair.

Read the original article on Insider

In 2016, Ruby Williams was told by teachers that her hair was "too big" and was distracting other pupils. She explained her issues with the school in a video for the BBC.

Ruby Williams. BBC News

In 2016, Ruby Williams was told by teachers that her hair was "too big" and was distracting other pupils. She explained her issues with the school in a video for the BBC.

After facing potential suspension from her school in the Bahamas for her "uncombed and unkempt" hair, Tayjha Deleveaux started the viral hashtag #SupportThePuff.

Tayjha Deleveaux. Insider

After 17-year-old Kerion Washington was rejected from a job at Six Flags because of his dreads, the media attention helped him launch a modeling career.

Kerion Washington. ABC News

Farouk James is an 8-year-old model from London who celebrates his natural hair. His unique look has helped him gain more than 284,000 Instagram followers.

Farouk James. Insider

In a Facebook video, Audrey Carter told a fellow student making fun of her, "My name's not Afro. You will assign me as my real name."

Audrey Carter. King 5 News

DeAndre Arnold withdrew from his school after he was told he couldn't attend graduation unless he cut his dreadlocks, an important part of his Trinidadian culture.

DeAndre Arnold at the Oscars. Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images

Ashanti Scott stood up to her school after they laid out discriminatory policies on black students' hair, which misnamed cornrows as "cornrolls."

Ashanti Scott. ABC News

After standing up to bullies at her school who made fun of her Afro, Promise Sawyers made a video in which she said, "Don't let anyone steal your joy."

Promise Saywers. Qui Daughtery/Facebook

17 hilarious photos of royals taken at the perfect time

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

8 times kids stood up for their natural hair

In 2016, Ruby Williams was told by teachers that her hair was "too big" and was distracting other pupils. She explained her issues with the school in a video for the BBC.

After facing potential suspension from her school in the Bahamas for her "uncombed and unkempt" hair, Tayjha Deleveaux started the viral hashtag #SupportThePuff.

After 17-year-old Kerion Washington was rejected from a job at Six Flags because of his dreads, the media attention helped him launch a modeling career.

Farouk James is an 8-year-old model from London who celebrates his natural hair. His unique look has helped him gain more than 284,000 Instagram followers.

In a Facebook video, Audrey Carter told a fellow student making fun of her, "My name's not Afro. You will assign me as my real name."

DeAndre Arnold withdrew from his school after he was told he couldn't attend graduation unless he cut his dreadlocks, an important part of his Trinidadian culture.

Ashanti Scott stood up to her school after they laid out discriminatory policies on black students' hair, which misnamed cornrows as "cornrolls."

After standing up to bullies at her school who made fun of her Afro, Promise Sawyers made a video in which she said, "Don't let anyone steal your joy."