8-Year-Old Girl In Tears After She Wasn't Allowed To Be In The Class Picture Because Of Her Red Hair

Oct 14, 2019 by apost team

Eight-year-old student, Marian Scott, burst into tears after Paragon Charter Academy in Jackson, Michigan refused to let her participate in class picture day because of her red hair extensions.

In an interview with TODAY, Marian’s mother, Latoya Howard, 35, said, "Marian had been wanting colorful braids for a long time". Latoya went on to share how thrilled her daughter was about getting red extensions for school picture day.

"Marian couldn’t stop staring at herself in the mirror. She kept saying, 'Thank you mom!' over and over again."

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On Thursday, October 3, Marian couldn’t wait to debut her new extensions for class picture day. Her newfound pride in her appearance was dashed when the school refused to let her have her picture taken, citing her new extensions as the reason. Marion’s parents were horrified by their daughter’s humiliating experience.

"If she's not a disruption to the class then why is she a disruption to the picture?" Marion’s father, Doug told NBC. "Marian had to stand in the hallway while everyone was taking pictures. They said she couldn’t represent the school."

Marion’s father later told a reporter with WILX TV: "All of this is uncalled for, they didn't even call us. Marian didn't leave the house, go on the street and get this done on her own, no - she's 8 years old, we did this ourselves in our own home and there's no way I felt like this would happen."

School officials told TODAY that they took numerous steps to inform parents in advance about the picture day dress code. They also said an automated call was placed on every family to remind them about the policy. Marion’s parents insist they never received such a call. NBC later confirmed that the school’s student handbook states that “hair must be of natural tones.”

Marion's parents feel that the school's dress code is flawed. Latoya and Doug say they’re working hard to ensure the academy’s dress code policy is rewritten.

"My daughter is always happy,” Doug told TODAY. “So to see her crying, it breaks my heart.”

Was Marion treated unfairly? Do you think race played a factor in the school's picture-day dress code? Let us know in the comments and be sure to pass this article along to your friends and family.