West Orange Students Planning ‘Durag Protest,’ Principal Says

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Some students at West Orange High School are reportedly planning to protest the school’s ban on wearing durags on Friday. But although they’re “acting in good faith,” they face a tough battle, according to their principal, who says he won’t bend on the issue.

Principal Hayden Moore released a statement in advance of the protest, explaining the school’s reason for prohibiting durags and emphasizing that “this is not an issue on which I will compromise.”

Moore’s full statement follows below:

“As the principal of West Orange High School, I work every day to make our school and community the absolute best it can be. We are a proudly diverse and inclusive community, we lean forward into every opportunity to embrace our differences and provide dignity and decency for all, and we value all community members and gladly listen to the chorus of differing opinions.

“The students who wish to stage a protest over the school’s ban on durags and other items of non-religious headgear are acting in good faith and with a sincere desire to express themselves through their attire. I want you to know that we consider the input of our stakeholders and review our handbook annually, making sure we improve our policies and update our handbook as time moves forward. I am committed to listening to students’ suggestions with respect. However, as principal, I am responsible for making the final decision on whether or not we choose to adopt the suggestion and this is not an issue on which I will compromise.

“Dress codes exist to signify that school is a professional learning space that deserves respect. Our policies are in place so that we can all focus on building our students’ academic focus and commitment to learning. We set the highest expectations for learning, behavior, and appearance. Durags and other non-religious head coverings are not aligned with the professional appearance that we promote to our students and therefore, are not allowed as part of our school day attire.

“While we believe there is a time and place for such head coverings, almost all organizations have some type of dress code policy. For the vast majority of employment opportunities, even for our students who now work part time jobs as well as for their future employment before and after college, durags, bonnets, and baseball caps are not considered workplace attire. As we move our children towards their adult roles, we want them to look the part for the leadership positions we prepare them to assume. Whether they are moving towards college, military, the business community, law enforcement, real estate, medical professions, engineering, education, or office work, our students know that rarely would these professional workplace environments consider non-religious head covering appropriate. One does not envision a doctor, engineer, banker, teacher, or an architect wearing one of these head covers while at work. Of course, there could be a time and place where those in these professions may choose to wear a durag, but it wouldn't be in a professional setting. Clearly, most would never wear a durag to a job interview. Again, it is a matter of time and place and West Orange High School classrooms are not the appropriate setting.

“With regard to culture, I agree that durags, baseball caps, bonnets, shower caps can be a part of our cultural expression, but so are ties, suits, polo shirts, and jackets. Black culture has always infused, created, and made popular a variety of fashion items and we enjoy that freedom of self-expression. We deserve acknowledgement and take pride in all that we have contributed to world-wide fashion. But again, not everything we wear is appropriate for a seriously committed high school learning environment.

“I understand the complications some students experience due to medical or other hair issues. We have at times allowed head coverings when being used to avoid personal embarrassment due to a medical issue and exercised our discretion to allow a student to wear a head covering for the day. We respect the dignity of all our students and recognize the need to be flexible at times where holding fast could result in humiliation. Students are, after all, all our children, but this planned protest is not about such a case and we will continue to hold to our standards, regardless of a protest that may occur.

“We are working every day to help our children become responsible, respectful young adults, who leave our care ready to succeed in whatever path they may choose, and that preparation includes setting and holding standards that encourage them to present professionally in every context.

“Mountaineers, please be advised that this subject is simply not open to debate. Students who come to school wearing durags, baseball caps, hats, bonnets, shower caps, hoods or any non-religious headgear will have those items confiscated and be subjected to discipline.”

• See related article: NJ Hair Discrimination Bill Blocked By House Republicans

REACTIONS

Not everyone agreed with Moore’s statement, which was posted to social media. Seen online:

• “Explain how ties and polo shirts are expressing culture.”
• “So it's ok to wear pajamas, onesies, slippers, crocs and sweatpants to school but it's not ok to wear du-rags, bonnets and hair caps because it's not ‘professional’… sure.”
• “Implying that this subject is not up for debate is so paradoxical to the matter in which you want students to behave in school. If students are expected to act like adults in the workforce at school and then are demeaned and treated like children, it’s just not consistent. Are we children or young adults? Either way, encouraging healthy schooling environments requires debate and expression of opinion from all involved.”

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