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School Segregates Black Japanese Student at Graduation Over Hair
A Black Japanese student said he just wanted to honor his roots with his hairstyle. He ended up not participating in his own graduation.
By Jay Allen
A high school in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture made headlines this week over news it segregated a Black Japanese student from his peers during graduation. The problem? His hair. Unfortunately, it isn’t the first time a mixed race student has faced issues with their hair color or style.
“I just wanted to honor my roots”
The student, 18, is the child of a Japanese mother and Black American father who holds citizenship in both countries. (Japan doesn’t permit dual citizenship; however, dual citizen status is honored until a child turns 20.)
Before the graduation ceremony, the student opted to put his hair into cornrows. He thought this was in the spirit of school regulations regarding hair styles, as he says teachers told him his hair “shouldn’t touch his ears”.
