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A young girl who faced expulsion for her natural hair has been allowed to remain enrolled in her school.  12-year-old Vanessa VanDyke says that school officials gave her one week to decide whether to change her hair or leave Faith Christian Academy in Orlando.

Vanessa has attended the parochial school since the third grade. 

From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Vanessa’s mother said school officials didn’t threaten to expel her daughter until after the family complained that children at school were bullying Vanessa about her hair. “It says that I’m unique,” Vanessa said. “First of all, it’s puffy and I like it that way. I know people will tease me about it because it’s not straight.”

Read more at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In a statement, school administrators told WKMG that “we’re not asking her to put products in her hair or cut her hair. We’re asking her to style her hair within the guidelines according to the school handbook.”

Sounds like a little bit of media attention on this story has the school singing a different tune. Much love to Vanessa and her mom for maintaining a positive self-identity. 

Thoughts on the story?

What message has the school sent to young black girls about their hair?

Sound off below!