Tayjha Deleveaux is a student at the CR Walker Senior High School in the Bahamas. Earlier this month, she went to school with an “Afro puff” that made administrators threaten punishment if she did not “clean” up her “untidy” hairstyle.
According to principal T. Nicola McKay, she was trying to clamp down on students wearing their hair in a way that “looks like it would not have been combed for days.”
The school system responded to the incident in a Facebook post:
“We are fully cognizant of the sensitivity of this matter and are confident that after review with the school administrator, the school board and the individuals involved, the matter will be amicably resolved.”
Many have taken the side of the school and have stated that the school’s dress code prohibits natural hairstyles. Many believe the school system is extremely strict about students appearance. Tayjha’s mother wrote a Facebook post in support of her daughter and to repudiate the school.
Tayjha Deleveaux
Grade 11 Student Council Representative
Key Club Sergeant at Arms
Junior Achievers Assistant VP of Finance (NIB Company)
Teachers Cadets member
7 BJCs
First Class Pass in Pitman bookkeeping and accounts exams.
Recommended to sit her Accounts exam in 11th grade because she is a straight A student!
AND EVERY FIBRE OF MY BEING TELLS ME THAT SHE IS ON THAT PREFECT LIST!
Never received a parent teacher conference until now and for her NATURAL BEAUTIFUL KINKY HAIR that God blessed her with!
I will not be silenced! Someone has to stand up and let these people know that this foolishness has to end!
If no one else has the balls I certainly do!
If they don’t wanna listen to me the WORLD will know one way or the other!
The high school student’s story resonated with others on the Net, and just like that #supportthepuff and #isupportthepuff hashtags were born.
https://twitter.com/HollyMay_20/status/700387624746414080
If my hair bothers you
Stay bothered#supportthepuff pic.twitter.com/Zrq8aJ5sl8— UKafrolista (@UKafrolista) February 18, 2016
oh..my puff is too big…ah well 😄#SupportThePuff pic.twitter.com/au7JzJ7fnU
— UKafrolista (@UKafrolista) February 18, 2016
#SupportThePuff #NaturalIsProfessional The movement is making waves! 💁🏽 pic.twitter.com/C0wk8xHZ8n
— Tara (@tarajane_lewis) February 18, 2016
I #SupportThePuff just because as black women we should be able to have our own standards. pic.twitter.com/vgjwLT7Xu6
— Thegirlzlifemagazine (@thegirlzlife) February 18, 2016
#SupportThePuff because this is a hairstyle like others and I love it <3 pic.twitter.com/DALLWPoqDE
— BlackBeautyBag (@blackbeautybag) February 18, 2016
So because their hair isn't straight and flowing and slicked down, it's unkempt and nasty? Get your lives together. #SupportThePuff
— Petty White (@omwtfhritp) February 17, 2016
I stopped relaxing my hair 3 years ago. #naturalhair is beautiful. I #SupportThePuff pic.twitter.com/5MtNRXo0qV
— Moni Boyce (@moniboyce) February 17, 2016
