Legal experts are coming to the defense of a
Rastafari high schooler in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, who was kicked out of class for having
dreadlocks, arguing that school officials violated his right to religious freedom.
According to a letter published last week by the Louisiana chapter of the
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a student - identified only as "John Doe" - was sent home from the first day of school at
South Plaquemines High School on August 8th because his dreadlocks were too long. The student reportedly tried to return to school at least twice, but was repeatedly dismissed - even after he pinned up his dreadlocks to meet length requirements.
"Although the school has not given
John Doe written notice of his suspension, the actions of the school and Superintendent Rousselle are the equivalent of an unlimited suspension," the letter read.
School dress codes have a tendency to spark controversy, but the incident in Louisiana is complicated by the fact that the student, who ultimately missed ten days of school because of the dispute, claims to be a follower of the Rastafari tradition, a monotheistic religion that draws upon Judaism and Christianity and is popular in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean. Not all Rastafari communities conscript believers to sport dreadlocks, but many Rasta males - including late musician and Rastafari
Bob Marley - believe that growing long, locked hair is required by Leviticus 21:5, which reads, "They shall not make bald spots upon their heads, or shave off the edges of their beards, or make any gashes in their flesh." As such, the
ACLU's letter argues that sending the student home violates his First and Fourteenth amendment rights - especially his freedom of religion.
