This is America, the freest country on the planet; yet it does not feel that way to the African American woman who chooses to wear her hair in its natural state.  There are so many organizations who ban the wear of natural hair in our country.  This sends the message, "Your hair is not professional and is a distraction to others."  How can we promote high self-esteem and proper self-image if we constantly tell our young African American youth that their hair in its truest form isn't good enough?  It teaches them that they have to put up a facade to make it in today's world.  I know this first hand because I have several friends who wear wigs and weaves to work every day, because they don't feel their superiors could appreciate their afro or their box braided style.  Would they prefer we give our daughters a buzz cut or a fade while they are in school? 

Per blackgirllonghair.com: 
The Horizon Science Academy of Lorain, Ohio has updated its dress code as of next year and has banned two of the most popular hair styles for African-American/black young women who do not have relaxed (chemically processed) hair. A letter sent to parents details changes to the dress code for the upcoming school year and includes the line: 

The letter states, "Afro-puffs and small twisted braids, with our without rubber bands, are NOT permitted." 

With this change, the school is banning a protective style that Black girls have worn for generations. Afro-puffs are essentially the black version of the ponytail (when pulled back our hair puffs out instead of laying down). The dress code restrictions highlight an age-old struggle that naturals face from both within and outside of the black community. Our hair is viewed as radical, funky or unruly in its natural state, and restrictions are sometimes placed on us in academic and professional settings that do not extend to our non-black counterparts. 

Please help by signing this petition and letting the school know that banning natural styles such as the Afro Puff and small twisted braids not only seems discriminatory, but it teaches young African American women to dislike the way her hair naturally looks with no chemical processing because it is unbecoming to the professional work and educational environment.