Lack of understanding at school after childs dreadlock ripped out

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[Larasky]

Morena everyone,
I have a situation on my hands that I was hoping someone could give me some advice on.
 My son is 9 and has been growing his dreads for 8 years. 
His favourite dread was ripped out of his head at school by another child.
 The school has not taken any action towards this child and is not taking the matter seriously.  I find it difficult to explain myself and wondered if someone might be able to post a simple explanation on the importance of our 'manes' to our beliefs.
 I have discussed with my son the feelings he went through when this happened, and that our hair is holds our strength and essence and this is why he felt as though his power was ripped away from him.  It is a different story trying to explain to the school.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Blessings to all

[RAS ALLOE]

Gritings, i fil 4 u, rita nw itz ol abt gettn ini self strength 2 konqa babylon, tz a pity that è fav lox wz cut, but stil lyf goz on.  Irie

[Ras Erik]

This might help:

"The Nazirite:

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite, they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink.  They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.  As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

"During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head.  They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the LORD is over; they must let their hair grow long. "

- Numbers Chapter 6, verses 1-5

If you are raising your child to be a Nazirite, Holy and separated to the Lord, then you could explain to them that his locks have spiritual significance to him.

[Nazarite I]

Yes I.  I and I Nazarite vow is an important part of I and I Rastafari Livity.  I and I seperation unto the Most High.

Let I ask the I though, what is the I hoping to achieve by getting the school to take it seriously? Does the I want the other child punished in some way for pulling out the lock or just for the school to gain overstanding of the I's point of view?

[Ras Erik]

That's a very good question Nazarite I.

I exercised poor judgment in my response to Larasky, and I apologize to her if I burdened her spirit with my response.

Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Posted on: December 11, 2010, 05:18:00 AMLarasky, I would just explain to your son that his strength and essence is in his mind, his heart, and his soul, and that no one else can ever take that away.

[Nazarite I]

Yes I. Teaching the child to overstand will do more good than getting in an argument with the school.

By all means, try and get them to sight why the issue is important to the I but don't go looking for a fight or to punish the other child for something they don't overstand.

Blessed love and guidance.

[1080man]

Cutting or ripping someones hair without consent is a felony actually in the states

[Nazarite I]

So the I would have the Empress have a child charged with a felony? Fire!

No reason to bring that into it. From the sounds of it, this is the result of a misoverstanding. No reason to escalate it like that. That will bring nothing but negativity.

Blessed love.

[DeanM]

It may be a felony in the states, but in the UK (where I'm living), I don't know. But don't get the police involved, I would advise. Maybe sit with the parents of the other child and explain to them the significance of a Rasta's hair. I think this was a case of major misoverstanding, as opposed to religious hatred.

Irie

[joseph]

"Who Jah bless, no man curse".   Your son is one of gods people and no one can take that away.