Constitutional Law
Kindergartener Wins Court Battle Over Long Hair
Posted Jan 22, 2009, 04:42 pm CST
By Martha Neil
A kindergartener in Texas may continue to wear his hair long, a federal judge has ruled, apparently finding that the school district's policy of requiring the child to conceal his braids and isolating him in special classes when he didn't do so violated his constitutional rights.
The father of five-year-old Adriel Arocha is a following a native American religious practice by having the boy wear long hair, as he himself also does, reports the Houston Chronicle.
"Adriel’s father, Kenney Arocha, who is part Apache Indian, says that he considers his hair sacred—not to be cut except during major life events, such as the death of a loved one," the newspaper explains.
The American Civil Liberties Union joined with Arocha in the suit, which resulted in a temporary injunction being issued against the Needville Independent School District policy in October followed by a permanent injunction this week.
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