Teacher unauthorizedly removes Black child’s locs, upsetting mom
Micaela Varlack is an African American mother from Columbus, Georgia. She is expressing outrage after discovering that her 4-year-old daughter Londyn’s locs were combed out by her teacher without her permission. Varlack had Londyn’s hair styled into locs on April 14. As a result, spending $150 on the service. However, on May 6, Londyn returned home from her pre-kindergarten at Childcare Network with braids instead of locs.
Upon discovering the change, Varlack was shocked and distressed.
“Why would you comb 32 locs out of a child’s hair, to sit down and braid them, part them…,” Varlack recounted. The teacher reportedly responded, “I just didn’t [ask for permission].”
Locs specialist, Victoria Sunmola, criticized the teacher’s actions, stating:
“It’s very disrespectful because she did not have the parent’s permission to do it. The mother spent money on this service, and she crossed the line… more than anything it wasn’t her place.”
Following the incident, Londyn had to visit Urgent Care. There was potential scalp irritation caused by the removal of the locs and tight braiding. Also, Sunmola noted that such actions could indeed cause inflammation and irritation.
Varlack requested a refund for the money spent on Londyn’s hair but was initially denied. However, the Childcare Network corporate office later issued a statement:
“On Monday, May 6, a currently enrolled child asked a teacher to braid her hair. After speaking with her mother at pick-up, our staff immediately offered to reimburse the family. Please know that the physical and mental well-being of the children and families we care for is of utmost importance to us, and we are sorry that this was upsetting to the family as it was not our intent.”
Unfortunately, the time since the original situation occurred has seen another discussion spark. Now, there is the discussion about Black hair that is becoming more prominent. Micaela Varlack and her daughter are at the forefront of these talks.
Source: Black News
Teacher unauthorizedly removes Black child’s locs, upsetting mom
