Wow, what a way to screw up a kid's first day of kindergarten. My heart breaks for this little boy. I remember how eager my kids were for that big milestone and what a happy day it was.
This child had a different experience.
When all other Seminole, Texas students were headed to their first day of school on Monday, one little boy was sent home because his hair was too long. The five-year-old boy, Malachi Wilson, is a part of the Navajo Nation, and according to his parents, it’s against their religion to cut his hair. CBS 7's Lauren Lanmon reports.
The district says they were only following procedure and after proper documentation was shown that he was truly Native American, he was allowed to register. But his mother says even though he is in school now, they’ll never get back their first day of Kindergarten.
“Malachi was excited to start school all summer long. After we had enrolled him he was excited, everyday it was the question, ‘mom, are we going to school?’” said Malachi’s mother, April Wilson.
Excited about his first day of school, Malachi walked into the doors of F.J. Young Elementary only to be told he couldn’t attend because his hair was too long.
“Our hair is sacred to us, it makes us part of who we are,” said April.
“I trim it, it grows back,” said Malachi.
Malachi was eventually allowed in after his parents presented proof he was a "real Navajo."
Evidently the word of his parents wasn't enough. It required documentation, which strikes me as a sexist and racist way to handle things.
Mostly though, I just feel badly that a kid who was so eager to start school had such a bad experience. I hope he can overcome it.
[h/t Tequila]
