‘Hair Vs. Hoops’ A Silly Lawsuit
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Any time a school basketball coach requires his young men’s hair to be above their eyebrows, collars and ears, it’s just a matter of time before some player complains about the rule. And considering the popularity of hairstyles such as dreadlocks and cornrows, it won’t be surprising if African Americans are among the loudest protesters — although long-haired white players who idolize the likes of NBA All-Star Steve Nash might also be opposed.
But whether the rule affects black players more than white players is beside the point. The real question is whether it’s appropriate for coaches to make hairstyles a factor in who stays on the team and who’s dismissed. Patrick and Melissa Hayden recently filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, arguing that the Greensburg Junior High team’s haircut policy should be declared unconstitutional. Their 14-year-old son was kicked off the team last fall after refusing to cut his hair in compliance with the team rules. The Haydens contend that the policy violates their son’s rights and also discriminates by gender because it doesn’t apply to female players. They’re suing because the coach and school officials wouldn’t change the rule.
“What they’re trying to do here is teach [their son] a life lesson, which simply is that you fight for what’s right,” Ron Frazier, the Haydens’ attorney, told the Indianapolis Star. “This is classic David versus Goliath, and they want their son to understand that.”
I fear they’re teaching him a totally different lesson, one closer to Homer and Bart than David and Goliath. This is a classic example of selfish, spoiled individuals who believe rules shouldn’t apply to them, at least not before litigation to try to get their way. The Haydens should want their son to understand that life is full of choices and consequences — great and small — applicable to both rights and privileges. They should also want him to grasp the difference between those last two concepts.
