My son’s Durag was confiscated when he  removed it at the school gates. He was asked if his parents were aware “he was wearing this”. When I tried to educate the school that it is actually used to maintain a particular hairstyle popular amongst young Black boys and was not a gang accessory I was informed that “some of the older boys wear them and get a lot of attention”. I understand it is not school uniform and I am not asking to change the uniform policy. What I am asking is that we make a stand for the negative perception of young Black men within schools.

This type of stereotyping can affect confidence and self worth in our sons. The durag is not a gang accessory but actually a symbol of the pride young Black men have in their natural hair and their dedication to protect it and nurture it in to their desired hairstyle. It is not intended to be an offensive item. It is harmless and for those children experiencing the effects of chemotherapy it provides an opportunity to maintain dignity while being fashionable. 

Durags were originally the headgear of poor African American women laborers and slaves in the 19th century. In the 1930s, during the Harlem Renaissance and Great Depression, the durag evolved into a hairstyle preserver.

Please sign this petition so that we can improve the respect and understanding of diversity in our schools and get the government to provide mandatory annual diversity training for teachers to enable them to better understand the demographic they teach and stop the indirect racism many of our children experience.