I realize this is an old article but I found it using StumbleUpon. First of all, I am also Native American and I know and understand the ignorance and abuse bestowed upon our culture by the US government up to this day (which most don’t know about and those who do, don’t talk about it). The education system here (which is really inferior compared to other countries) needs an extreme overhaul, with eliminating ridiculous rules being tops on the list. While acknowledging the need for structure and order, I also see the flagrant force to get people to conform to ‘their’ way of seeing and doing things. Some people (tyrants) like the idea of everyone looking, dressing, speaking and acting in the exact same way. We were not meant to be clones nor robots nor are we to be subordinate to any other human beings and their beliefs, and there is no such thing as one person’s belief being superior or ‘God’s favorite’ over anothers. In fact, people are the ones who invent such ideas because so many have a lust for power and control over others. They feel they are authorities on what the Great Spirit wants, what is best for everyone, and it is their duty to make all others comply. Rhodes stated himself that he has always been a follower, that he “just did as he was told”. How mindless is that? Never questioning if something was right for HIM or not. And these kinds of people in authoritarian positions are a danger to everyone. In this way, you are not taught To think, but HOW to think, and if you do not conform you are rejected or punished. It’s as simple as educating yourself on Native American culture (and not some watered down version), the treaties made by the US to Native Americans (which have been repeatedly violated by the US government by the way), and simply teaching school children the difference between our two cultures (other cultures as well) and eliminating racial and religious biases that only serve to exclude and hurt others. This is not ‘God-like’ nor so-called ‘Christian’ behavior nor is this even constituional! And what does his (or anyone’s) hair have to do with learning. Are you teaching Socialism? After all that, I wouldn’t even want to live in a town like Needville (Need-to-evolve-ville) where everyone is a narrow-minded, bigoted clone with power and control issues or simply sheeple. Diversity is not only more interesting, but what would we have to compare anything to if we were all exactly alike in every way? We need an evolution revolution. Thank you for sharing this, good to know. I’ll have to come back to find out the outcome. Many blessings~Linda, from the Monacan Indian Nation

It is genocide on the most basic level when you think about it. The old ways have been beaten out of so many til if something is not done, we will be no more than darker-skinned caucasians [sp?]

That’s disgusting! I sure hope you win.

I’ve been a public school teacher for many, many years and have seen many boys of different ages with long hair. I’ve also seen many girls with very short hair. It makes absolutely no difference to the other students, and it shouldn’t. I also see many students with skin of varying colors, and students of varying sizes and shapes, students with a range of abilities and talents …. and they are all still just kids who want an education.

I’m wondering if girls are not allowed to have short hair, or are they required to wear dresses? Are the boys required to wear neck ties and carry brief cases? Sounds crazy to me.

Some rules are outdated and backward and this rule about boys having short hair is ludicrous and makes the superintendent and school system look backwards and ludicrous.

I hope that the people of this town stand up and show respect for this little boy, his family and their traditions by showing that they not only allow differences but embrace such.

http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/07/stone-age-admin.html

Know that my heart is with you.

http://www.dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2008/07/stone-age-admin.html

Know that my heart is with you.