In a troubling incident, a mother found herself aghast at a note from her daughter’s teacher regarding her child’s hair. The note insinuated that her daughter was being mocked by classmates due to the smell of coconut oil in her hair. The mother, Lauren, took to social media to express her shock and discontent, sharing the note that went viral almost instantly.
The note, penned by a teacher named Jennifer, read:
Dear Lauren,
I appreciate the importance of coconut oil for your daughter’s hair, but please consider using less. Other children have been saying her hair ‘smells bad.’ If you must apply it daily, please use it sparingly so that the kids won’t tease her.
Thank you for your understanding,
Sincerely, Jennifer
Firstly, Jennifer’s writing leaves a lot to be desired in terms of grammar and clarity. It’s quite apparent that a refresh on communication skills is in order. Moreover, the note reflects a serious misunderstanding of cultural norms surrounding Black hair care, as many parents pointed out that coconut oil doesn’t have a strong scent. In fact, many people, including Lauren, use it regularly without any complaints about odor.
Lauren responded to the note with determination, stating her intention to continue using coconut oil to moisturize her daughter’s beautiful, natural curls. In her comments, she emphasized the absurdity of the situation, pointing out, “Why should I change what my daughter needs because of bullying? The focus should be on those doing the bullying, not my child!”
After meeting with school administrators, Lauren discovered that it was solely Jennifer who had an issue with the hair product, and not the other students. She recounted, “The kids never said anything; this was entirely about the teacher’s feelings towards my daughter’s hair. If bullying is happening, the teacher should be educating those kids, not telling me how to care for my child.”
This situation raises significant concerns about cultural sensitivity and understanding in educational settings. Lauren ultimately decided to transfer her daughter to a different school, a decision that underscores the unfortunate reality that a teacher’s insensitivity can lead to a child needing to start anew.
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In summary, Lauren’s experience highlights the importance of cultural competency in schools and the need for educators to understand and respect the diverse backgrounds of their students. It is essential that schools foster an inclusive environment where all students feel accepted and valued.