It is more than obvious that a full on war is taking place against Black people. Our right to be who we are poses no threat except to those who wish to keep racism, White supremacy and injustice alive. From Jesse Williams, Carmello Anthony, Gabby Douglas, Colin Kaepernick, and many others who chose to take a stand against the above, the attacks are growing and spreading far and wide. However, only the fearless will stand their ground and that is exactly what these young South African beauties did!
Trending under the hashtag #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh, Zulaikha Patel and her classmates protested the right to wear their natural hair in school and stood up against racist White school leadership who had the nerve to tell them how to wear their natural hair! According to reports, these staff members made insulting comments, such as their afros looked like a “bird’s nest” and that it was “untidy” and need to be combed. Reports also stated that they were told not to speak in their native language, which these staff members said “stop making those funny noises”, but to only speak in English. Reading these reports infuriated me! If Black girls can’t feel beautiful being their natural Black selves in their homeland, it speaks volumes about the reach of White supremacy and colonization. These are children, and to make insulting comments to young girls in a world that is already promoting the European standard beauty in media and the “White is right” lies all day long, is further damaging! Thousands have taken to Twitter expressing their anger, which also sparked an online petition to overturn the racist hair policies.
White school leadership policing Black children’s hair in South Africa. What a despicable, cruel thing. #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh
— jamilah lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) August 29, 2016
I was so happy, excited and proud to see these young girls stand up and say NO MORE! They were willing to be arrested for their stance to be who God made them to be – FLAWLESS!!!! These young queens took to the streets, social media, and did NOT back down from these racists staff members or police.
The fact that they’re protesting… I’m proud of them. This is bigger than hair! #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/NAzO9QRZ6g
— xoNecole (@xonecole) August 29, 2016
The feels. The chills. School girls threatened with arrest. And how they respond ✊🏾 #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/DNr1lhpiN4
— The Daily VOX (@thedailyvox) August 29, 2016
It was one of the most amazing events to witness as a young Black and natural woman! I salute you all!!! May Allah continue to strengthen and bless you!!!
Some superheroes don’t wear capes, they proudly wear their natural hair. #stopracismatpretoriagirlshigh pic.twitter.com/v4qFJC8hPj
— Donovan Goliath (@DonovanGoliath) August 29, 2016
It’s about time! I’m am so proud of these ladies ❤️ #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh pic.twitter.com/gxxSQS2MVa
— Minenhle Dlamini (@MinnieDlamini) August 29, 2016
Standing w/ #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh & the young women who refuse to conform to racist rules abt their hair. pic.twitter.com/cs313zPlIH
— britni danielle (@BritniDWrites) August 29, 2016
By the way Zulaikha is only 13years old! Go head young soldiers!!! 👑👑👑👑✊✊✊✊ #stopracismatpretoriagirlshigh #southafrica
