Federal court upholds young boy’s religious rights to long hair

[Skabewis]

Houston, Texas (AP)

A federal appeals court ruled July 9 that a Texas school district cannot punish an American Indian kindergartner for wearing his hair in traditional braids to express his family’s religious beliefs.

The ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upholds a Houston lower court ruling.

The 5-year-old boy’s parents, Kenney Arocha and Michelle Betenbaugh, argued their son, identified in court papers as A.A., has a constitutional right to wear a hairstyle that conforms to his Native American religious beliefs. Arocha hasn’t cut his hair in 11 years, believing the long braids have religious meaning. His son’s hair has never been cut.

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[WhiteWolf89]

How is long hair religious? I know Sikhs are not supposed to cut their hair because they believe that hair is a creation of God and shouldn't be cut. I've never heard the same thing from Native Americans.

[lbgood]

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[Joe's Dad]

How is it that you claim to be native american and are clueless on this subject. It seems like you would have a basic general idea LOL!!!!!!!

The whitewoofy dude is pretty stupid when it come to NDN things, but he does hang out here.

I've been asked if I would cut my hair if it meant my job. I said I'd just find a new job. Ain't no biggie. I've had my hair at least past my shoulders for over 40 years. No sense in changing now "lol:

[ac_miss]

Needville School District should have researched others schools in Texas before they went to court. The school district that I reside in did the same thing over 20 years ago and lost.

Anyhow...I don't understand why it's considered a disruption if boys were allowed to grow their hair long. Girls do many thing to do their hair and even color it purple (just a an example). LOL.

[WhiteWolf89]

How is it that you claim to be native american and are clueless on this subject. It seems like you would have a basic general idea LOL!!!!!!!

I've always thought that long hair was a symbol of how strong your spirit is. But I didn't think it was a religious requirement because I know Native Americans who don't follow Native religion and they have long hair.

[SuzzeQ4]

I've always thought that long hair was a symbol of how strong your spirit is. But I didn't think it was a religious requirement because I know Native Americans who don't follow Native religion and they have long hair.

I know white people who don't follow religion but where crosses, don't mean it stops being religious, just cuz a non spiritual person does it