Completely Adorable 12-Year-Old Might Face Expulsion Over Her Awesome Natural Hair

UPDATE: The school is no longer threatening to expel Vanessa. Haters gonna hate.

This is 12-year-old Vanessa VanDyke.

Vanessa loves her natural hair, and has been wearing it this way since the beginning of the school year.

But not everyone at her school is a fan of her hair.

Sadly, this story is not unique. 7-year-old Tiana Parker was sent home from her Tulsa school because of her dreadlocks.

This pressure to assimilate and adhere to western standards of beauty is why many people of color began straightening their hair in the first place.

@Karnythia Yep. My former boss once called me nappy-headed in front of about a dozen coworkers. #livingwhilenatural

Dacia

@daciatakesnote

@Karnythia Yep. My former boss once called me nappy-headed in front of about a dozen coworkers. #livingwhilenatural

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#livingwhilenatural you may be the smartest, most capable, dignified woman in the room but you are never " professional"

Sydette

@Blackamazon

#livingwhilenatural you may be the smartest, most capable, dignified woman in the room but you are never " professional"

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When family members suggest that you straighten your hair for an "important event"... #livingwhilenatural

Reá

@thiswomanswordz

When family members suggest that you straighten your hair for an "important event"... #livingwhilenatural

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Harassed for 2 months by Principal & teachers because of my dreads. Finally stopped when I threatened to call the ACLU. #livingwhilenatural

Brandie

@msbrandiebrown

Harassed for 2 months by Principal & teachers because of my dreads. Finally stopped when I threatened to call the ACLU. #livingwhilenatural

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Look at #livingwhilenatural and understand that we all have a story because it's common for us to be shamed for our hair.

Mikki Kendall

@Karnythia

Look at #livingwhilenatural and understand that we all have a story because it's common for us to be shamed for our hair.

/ Via

Vanessa's mother has vowed to fight for her daughter's right to wear her hair as she pleases, saying "she is beautiful the way she is."

UPDATE - Nov. 27, 11:35 a.m. ET: School officials say they are no longer threatening to expell Vanessa. Administrators released the following statement to WKMG:

"We're not asking her to put products in her hair or cut her hair. We're asking her to style her hair within the guidelines according to the school handbook."

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