Teen kicked off basketball team for hairstyle

[marmar]

Teen kicked off basketball team for hairstyle
By Cameron Smith


George Steinbrenner famously refused to let Yankees players compete with any facial hair, or "unruly" haircuts. While those relatively manic standards were applied to professionals (extremely highly compensated professionals, at that), a similar measure is now being used to keep an eighth grader off his junior high basketball team.

According to a number of sources, the Indianapolis Star and Associated Press chief among them, the parents of a Greensburg (Ind.) Community Junior High School student have filed a lawsuit against the district citing discrimination against their son, who was kicked off the team because his hairstyle violated a code of appearance established by Greensburg High coach Stacy Meyer, pictured above, which was stipulated in the school's extra-curricular code.

TheIndyChannel.com reported the lawsuit claims coaches told the player he wouldn't be allowed on the court if he failed to cut his hair by a certain date. When the 14-year-old questioned why that was necessary, he was also told that he would be kicked off the team if his parents -- Patrick and Melissa Hayden -- protested the policy.

Obviously, the player and his parents decided to fight for his rights rather than acquiesce to the extracurricular policy's claim that a player's hair be above his eyebrows, collars and ears. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://rivals.yahoo.com/highschool/blog/prep_rally/post/Teen-kicked-off-basketball-team-for-hairstyle?urn=highschool-304424

[T Wolf]

1. Jesus fucking christ - there are still some idiots out there fighting about HAIR!!!!!!!

I guess the key is to prevent ex-military types (or wanna-bes) from having any access to children.

Back in 1969, I quit my HS b-ball team rather than give in to the ex-marine sgt. who insisted on shaved heads for his players.

Turned out OK since I switched to soccer and haven't looked back (except for losing that last year of playing the game I liked above all others).

I would have thought that we would have advanced beyond this bullshit. I guess even this is too much "progress" for idiot amerika. Of all the minor, insignificant issues...

[Drale]

2. GET RID OF THOSE SIDEBURNS!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzpk5dMhVE4
Its sad that people can't except others to who they are not what they look like. I really do feel bad for people who are so shallow that they can't see past hair.

[Very_Boring_Name]

20. LOL! That's exactly what I thought of when I read the first sentence of this thread.

[SpiralHawk]

11. "Torture the hairy ones. Smirk." - RepubliJeebus (R)

[Puregonzo1188]

3. What decade is this?

Let the kid's hair be as long as he (or his parents) want.

[Obamanaut]

4. But on the other hand, this might be a good life lesson for the day when

the young man seeks a job that has grooming standards. Such things do exist.

[sadbear]

5. Apples and oranges

[Obamanaut]

6. "You cannot work for our company looking like a rag bag" is quite similar to

"You can't play on our team looking like a rag bag."

Same piece of fruit.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

7. delete

Posted with bug, doesn't show in My Posts.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. Long hair =/= rag bag. -nt

[Obamanaut]

9. Neither of my earlier posts mentions hair, merely grooming standards

that may affect employment, and 'rag bag', which many would consider inadequate grooming if one has that appearance.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. OP is about long hair.

You reply "this can become a lesson about grooming standards on job".

How is that not conflating?

[Obamanaut]

12. I'd rather consider in conflating grooming to conform to team rules with

grooming to conform with most business models, which would include much more than hair.

[cherokeeprogressive]

62. It was? Link me to the word "long" please.

[Fumesucker]

70. ...

From the OP: "TheIndyChannel.com reported the lawsuit claims coaches told the player he wouldn't be allowed on the court if he failed to cut his hair by a certain date."


One doesn't normally cut hair in order to make it longer..

[cherokeeprogressive]

82. Couldn't have been a spikey mohawk could it?

Nah.

[Fumesucker]

83. Which would still be long at least in places..

There are those in positions of authority who going on fifty years later still have a hair fetish straight from the worst of the sixties, we all know it but some of us wish to deny the obvious.

It's all about control just for the sake of control, a dead giveaway of an authoritarian mindset.

[immoderate]

13. Except that students have rights.

Workers -- not so much. :(

--imm

[onenote]

16. why should that "lesson" be applied only to those playing basketball

Other students presumably will someday enter the job market. Indeed, a student who enters the job market as a basketball player won't be held to those "grooming" standards.

It really is apples and oranges.

[Obamanaut]

18. It shouldn't be limited to any team, but should instead be applied throughout

the student body.

That is why many schools go to a 'uniform' type dress code, so there will be no doubt as to what is expected.

[Fumesucker]

25. Everyone should learn to toe the line and do as they are told by their betters..

The world would be a much more pleasant and advanced place without people who buck the system, all progress throughout human history is thanks to those who unthinkingly and unhesitatingly follow the rules laid down by those who are in positions of authority.

[Obamanaut]

32. Most people have rules to follow. Traffic laws, taxes, limited nudity

in public, don't pee on police cars - rules are everywhere, and you follow a lot of them.

[Fumesucker]

37. The most important rules to follow are those that make the least sense..

Because those are the rules that show whether we are truly obedient to our betters or not.

[Xicano]

77. What if we made up a rule that you had to crawl on your hands & knees to work everyday?

Or be fired from your job?

Telling somebody how they must cut their hair is the same exact thing we criticize the Taliban for in forcing men to have beards.

n/t

[Fumesucker]

87. Some people here think you should follow that rule, crawl to work on your hands & knees..

And if you question it you deserve to be fired..

At one time I would have been surprised to see such an opinion on DU but not any more, not for some time as a a matter of fact.

[Xicano]

88. I agree.

Very unfortunate isn't it..

Take care Fumesucker.

:hi:

[mrfrapp]

91. +1

[Rage for Order]

79. Basketball is optional

If he doesn't want to abide by this particular coach's rules he can play pick-up basketball at the court at the local park.

:shrug:

[IdaBriggs]

85. And that will REALLY help him as he goes for a scholarship! nt

[RayOfHope]

94. +1, and most people will miss your sarcasm, I'm sure. n/t

[XemaSab]

22. Name one job that does not allow shaggy hair on men

(Other than like, the military.)

[FLAprogressive]

27. Police and fire departments, for one.

[Obamanaut]

30. The President looks neat, pretty much all congresspeople look well-groomed,

diplomats from other countries look nice in their UN addresses, CEOs and other successful businesspeople look fairly nice - need more?

[Occulus]

44. ALL the jobs you just mentioned wear suits.

I don't think that's a coincidence.

[Codeine]

61. Our retail store doesn't.

Short, tidy hair and no facial hair beyond a trimmed 'stache are part of our appearance code. Not that rare.

[Obamanaut]

68. You said "name one", and several have been named, and still you protest. nt

[walldude]

23. Yes it's a great life lesson in conformity for no reason..

maybe the kid doesn't want a job that bases performance on how your hair is cut.

[Hippo_Tron]

28. He's 14 years old

Perhaps we can let kids be kids for a little while before forcing them to conform.

[spanone]

14. sounds like school was in the sixties

[blueamy66]

15. Great.

Another waste of taxpayers' money.

Rules are rules...

This is the problem with today's society.....parents sue schools instead of teaching their children that life sometimes isn't fair and rules need to be followed.

[Fumesucker]

17. Who is wasting the taxpayer's money?

The parents who are protesting an idiotic and pointless rule or the school officials who instituted the idiotic and pointless rule?

[blueamy66]

34. How freaking hard is it to get a hair cut?

You don't wanna cut your hair, then don't expect to play ball.

Have you ever heard of the "rules" that the pro leagues impose? Are these little boys gonna sue then?

[Fumesucker]

36. Why is it so freaking important that these kids have their hair at a particular length..

The hair cutting and the ball playing have nothing at all to do with each other, Pat Tillman had long hair when he played in the NFL, indeed long hair seems to be pretty common in the NFL.

[awoke_in_2003]

55. and let's not forget...

someone who is considered one of the ELITE players in the NFL

[Pithlet]

66. What's really scary

Is that there are people that are okay with giving coaches so much control over their kids. For "team unity" Criminy! Yeah, tell my kids what they can wear, and when to be at practice, and drills and such. But surely there are limits. It's a sport, people. Not a friggin cult.

[blueamy66]

67. But Pat Tillman

had to wear certain socks, shoes and his uniform a certain way.

NBA players have similar rules.

[Fumesucker]

69. Now you're slipping into self-parody..

This discussion is about hair length, I pointed out that the NFL does not have a rule about hair length and you point out some other rule that has nothing to do with the subject at hand, to wit: hair length.

[blueamy66]

74. No, I am still speaking about obeying rules.

What don't you understand?

Great, Tillman had long hair. But he had other rules that he had to abide by.

People these days are just too quick to sue. Sue cause the dry cleaner lost my pants....sue cause I was involved in a little fender bender....sue a teacher for talking mean to little Johnny.

Kids need to learn to ABIDE BY RULES and not run to Mommy and Daddy with every little problem.

[Fumesucker]

84. I understand you are hung up on rules for the sake of rules..

The point of the discussion is that hair length has nothing to do with football or the ability to play the sport at the highest level, therefore rules about hair length are just arbitrary and serve no purpose except to demonstrate the power of those making the rules.

I would far rather my kids learn that rules can be and often are arbitrary and capricious and that one should fight the rules and those who set them if he or she thinks the rules wrong and improperly applied.

[blueamy66]

93. We'll have to agree to disagree.

That is all.

There are much more important matters to discuss today. :-)

[Occulus]

42. Harder than it is to let the hair go long.

The one takes effort, time, and money; the other takes time without action.

See? It is harder to cut it than it is to ignore it.

[walldude]

24. Actually the problem with society is

people see rules and follow them no matter what. Give one VALID reason for this rule.

I'd rather see my tax money pay for this kids fight then to send another drone to Afghanistan.

[taterguy]

31. VALID REASON: John Wooden had the exact same rule

I remember a documentary about UCLA. Walton was interviewed and recounted an argument he with Wooden. Walton said he had every right to have long hair. Wooden responded that he did, and that Wooden had the right to park Walton at the end of the bench. Walton couldn't get to the barbershop fast enough.

Take it up with the Wizard of Westwood if you disagree.

[blueamy66]

33. One valid reason?

Cause it's a rule. If you don't like the rule, don't play the sport.

Follow rules. Don't sue.

That's all it takes.

I went to Catholic School....boys were dry shaved...parents didn't SUE. This is bullshit.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. What a sad worldview.

[awoke_in_2003]

56. after reading that post...

I have "all in all you're just another brick in the wall" going through my head.

[Occulus]

40. "Cause it's a rule."

Sorry- not a valid reason.

If you feel a rule is unjust or unreasonable, you have a grievance. Under our laws, you have the right to petition for redress.

If you don't like that rule (!!), you can move, because that rule won't ever change.

[Goblinmonger]

48. This is a sport. Because it's a rule is a valid reason.

"I want to play."
"No. Sorry. We have our 5 players on the floor."
"So, I want to play. You can't stop me just because of a 5-player rule and the rule that you get to decide who is out there."

Uniformity on a team isn't crazy of a concept.

[Occulus]

53. Is it a rule in this particular game?

Do the rules of the game forbid long hair?

[Pithlet]

64. But there's no rule in basketball about hair.

Or, are you saying that coaches can just make any rule they want and it's valid? "So, kids, you have to get a tattoo of the team logo, or you can't be on the team...." Obviously, not. So, if a rule is ridiculous and without merit, then the argument can be made that it isn't valid. Just because coach says so doesn't cut it.

[IdaBriggs]

86. The rules of the GAME are part of the sport. The coaches opinions

on hair length at a *PUBLIC* school are something different.

[Xicano]

80. +1000

n/t

[Xicano]

78. See post #77

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x132931#137396

[Xicano]

81. If Nobody Challenged Ridiculous and Unfair Rules, Women Still Wouldn't Be Allowed to Vote.

n/t

[kctim]

19. So what did the

principal, superintendent and school board all say when the parents brought the issue up with them?

[Fumesucker]

26. Judging by my experiences as a parent with concerns I took to the principal, board, superintendent..

They were told "This is the rule, if you don't like it your kid can go to school somewhere else".

Heh, we even had a coach that was sexually active with (high school) students and the administration wouldn't do anything, he is actually married to a former student of his these days.

[deaniac21]

21. I bet if he gets reinstated he will get tons of PT.

[baldguy]

29. She asked my why I'm just a hairy guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dyl0j3WU6Y

[cherokeeprogressive]

38. Hmmm... Basketball Team? Hair... Basketball Team? Hair... Basketball Team? Hair...

Young Master Hayden chose hair. His individuality is more important to him than being a part of a team. That's his decision, and I wholeheartedly support it. I also support his removal from the team for believing that the rules didn't apply to him.

I'm not sure though, that I'd kick him off of the team just because his parents protested the policy, but I'm betting there are two different stories on that one: Their story, and that of the coach.

Either way though, you either want to be part of a team, or not. Maybe Master Hayden should take up golf.

[Pithlet]

63. And making hair style a requirement and forcing that choice is unnecessary.

Uniforms are clothes and you can change your clothes daily. You can't change your hair cut from day to day. Your hair is a part of your body. And the nonsense points about how it prepares people for the real life is just blather. Who knows what sorts of professions the kids who play basketball will want to go into. They may not choose professions where that will matter. They should still get to play basketball. And those who will know it, but they should still have some time to do what they like before they come to that time in their lives. It's just controlling nonsense for no reason. And it's based in outdated bullshit sexist notions that long hair is for girls and short hair is for boys. There's no reason for it.

[shanti]

39. heh

when son #4 was in middle school, he had dreadlocks and also played on the basketball team. it was never an issue. however, he ended up cutting them off on his hs team simply because he moved faster without them (son #4 has THICK, heavy hair). the coaches were happy, said he now looked "all american". :/

just my .02.

[AsahinaKimi]

41. I wonder if it would be a problem if he was Samoan and playing football??

[cherokeeprogressive]

45. You DO realize that picture is from a hair products commercial, right?

[AsahinaKimi]

49. so does it mean the photo is faked? Photo shopped?

He does play football with long hair does he not?

[cherokeeprogressive]

51. Faked. And yes, he does play football with long hair. I'm not sure though what Troy's hair has to

do with a middle school kid whose opinion is that his individuality is more important to him than being part of a team.

[AsahinaKimi]

52. Why should

having long hair have anything to do with one's ability to play the game? The NFL obviously does not make it a hard and fast rule. I have seen it on many professional levels lately, for example Vladimir Guerrero. Tim Lincecum has long hair. Even the great one, Wayne Gretzky had fairly long hair.


You could argue that is Professional sports, and once a person reaches that level of play, they can do mostly anything they want, like having a ton of tattoos, or piercings, and say that High School level players should have limits put on them, because they need discipline to be better at what they do.

Maybe so.. I am not sure what the answer should be. Then again, why are women allowed to have long hair in sports, and men are not? When I played field hockey in high school, no one told me I needed to shave my head. I wasn't even required to wear a pony tail.

Seems to me Brandi Chastain and her fellow team mates won a gold metal with pretty long hair.

[cherokeeprogressive]

58. Why should a player be forced to wear uniforms with colors he/she doesn't like?

For that matter, why should I be forced to play football on the field every Friday night during high school football season when my favorite sport is baseball? I prefer to swing baseball bats on Friday nights. Why can't I bring my baseball bat to football games?

Will this kid go on to sue a future employer because his assigned office has four walls, when he prefers six, or eight?

There is a really good post upthread about John Wooden and Bill Walton and long hair. Wooden's response to Walton's resistance was that Walton could wear his hair however he wanted to. Walton could wear his chosen hairstyle at the end of the bench.

Going back to my original point... I fucking HATE the team colors. I think I'll wear my own. What do you think about that?

[AsahinaKimi]

89. Again

I was talking about hair..not the slippery slope.

[Obamanaut]

75. This line from your post is quite accurate re professional sports:

"...You could argue that is Professional sports, and once a person reaches that level of play, they can do mostly anything they want..." including, but not limited to, torturing/maiming dogs and betting on the outcome of that torturing/maiming - then get a bunch of people to give you a butt load of money.

[AsahinaKimi]

90. See above...

I was talking about hair.. not the slippery slope.

[awoke_in_2003]

59. individuality is very important to teenagers. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. To most teenagers who choose to engage in team sports... not so much.

[awoke_in_2003]

57. "Troy, have you been using my shampoo"?

"didn't you""
"no"
didn't you?"
"no"
"didn't you"
"Yes"

[seabeyond]

43. so the coach has rules. buck up and follow or dont play. nt

[Goblinmonger]

47. Holy crap; we agree.

Something must be wrong.

[seabeyond]

50. lol. we probably both have teens who take sport seriously and see the building of team

following coach, and doing the job. no whine. do. i think it is excellent to have expectations of these kids. teaching discipline ect...

plus i have a cold and tired of the petty crap. lol

[Pithlet]

65. Everyone has to dye their hair blue and get a tattoo. It's for the team.

So, the coach out of line or not? Okay, maybe not that tattoo. But hey, the hair will grow out. Anything for team unity, right?

[seabeyond]

71. well pithlet, if the coach is demanding a tattoo, then i would have a different answer.

it isnt the same as telling a kid to cut his hair, is it.

[Goblinmonger]

46. Sometimes it's about the team.

And not about just following rules to follow rules. Coaches try to build a team that has cohesion. Each has their own way. The team would be very important in basketball. My son is a varsity wrestler and even there the team is very important so that they feel the desire to work even harder in a match so that the team can win the dual.

[awoke_in_2003]

54. I went to high school...

with a couple of guys (I forgot where they were from), but it was against their tradition to cut their beards or hair until the reached maturity. No one had a problem with this, but then again, Cleveland was a multi-cultural haven. I really miss that town.

[Sabriel]

72. This is a public school, right?

If one of the content-area teachers demanded that a student cut his hair, or else he couldn't be in his class, would that be OK, too?

This is a PUBLIC school, and the teachers and coaches are not supposed to be mini-dictators who govern their tiny domains with arbitrary rules.

If the coach wants to enforce a hair rule, then he (and all the other faculty) needs to get the principal to put it in the dress code, along with the "finger-tip length shorts/skirts" and the "no cleavage" stuff.

I love the comments on the link:

"what a 'nancy-boy' just cut your dang hair! or don't play at all!! Welcome to the real world, its full of rules we all don't like. idiot parents."

and

"i just have 2 things to say. WAY TO GO COACH!!! and why does a boy want to look like a little girl?"

[ProgressiveProfessor]

76. Actually that has happened

The school lost.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7101561.html


There was another case in Texas. They compromised with a braid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD7kYoE9rXA&feature=fvw

[KG]

73. My basketball coach, he done kicked me off the team, for wearin' high-heel sneakers

and actin' like a queeeeeen!!!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy51CTN6AfE

[Brooklyns_Finest]

92. Chinese mothers are superior

Because they wouldn't let their kid go to school looking like a mess.