5- year old Adriel Arocha shouldn’t be at the center of a firestorm right now. He should be in school learning alongside his classmates in his hometown on the outskirts of Houston, Texas. But a controversy around his physical appearance is holding him back:

Michelle Betenbaugh says her 5-year-old son, Adriel Arocha, wears his hair long because of religious beliefs tied to his Native American heritage.

But the leaders of the Needville school district have strict rules about long hair on boys and don’t see any reason to make an exception in his case.

The dispute illustrates a problem American schools have faced for decades: how to balance individual student rights against rules designed to maintain order and discipline in the classroom.

The case also shows that some rural Texas school districts often have stricter grooming codes that reflect the traditional or old-fashioned values of small-town America when compared to those in big-city school districts such as Houston’s.

Adriel’s mother has appealed to the school district to make an exception, as the child wears his hair long in observance of the Apache traditions of his father, which regard hair as sacred.

The school district’s response wasn’t just negative; it’s ignorant and insulting:

“What is their religious belief that defies cutting hair and following our policies?” Rhodes said. “They have not produced any information except they are Native American Indians.”

The Houston Chronicle reports that Texas law says that government cannot pass laws that infringe on one’s right to exercise his or her religion. It seems like the school district isn’t aware of this law. Meanwhile, Adriel’s mom says they won’t move because of this:

“It would just teach our son that it is easier to roll over and do what you’re told and not stand up for your rights,” she said.

Check a video here which outlines the saga.

Via / Chron.com