The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, having met today, all members present—three days following the re-opening of all schools, public and private—expressed its strong condemnation of several schools, both private and public, that discriminate against Rastafarians and those students who wear their natural hair in locks.
The Constitution of Antigua and Barbuda protects freedom of religion, freedom of association, and the freedom to hold a belief system that differs from the majority’s.
The Cabinet noted that objection to natural hairstyles on the heads of students may be couched in language covering school deportment; however, the object, as the Cabinet sees it, is to enable discrimination against children from the Rastafarian community.
That debate about exclusion of Rastafarians from schools ended in Antigua and Barbuda nearly 50 years ago. Schools are not to discriminate against members of the Rastafarian community, or those who choose to wear their hair in the same manner as the Rastafarians practice. That is the policy as articulated by the Government.
If it becomes necessary, the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda will be induced to change policy into law.
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The constitution also give protection for all religions and freedom of conscience not to be vaccinated with GB experimental kill shot. BUT THE SAME CABINET ONLY EXEMPTED RASTAS. I DID NOT HEAR THE RASTAS FEFENDING OTHER RELIGIONS.
THE CABINET IS A CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE.
AUGUST 8TH WE WILL NOT FORGET SEW YOU AT THE POLLS. FREEDOM FROM GOVERNMENT TYRANNICAL RULE.
You’re speaking foolishly. The government has the right to mandate certain regulations in a health crisis. This present matter is not as crisis. It is more a matter of esthetics, of which some learning institutions have taken an unreasonable posture. The cabinet in it’s wisdom has chosen to settle ungoing issues as it discriminates against a sector of our juvenile population.
A vaccine can be made mandatory if the Healthcare professionals deem it crucial to preserve life and holistically protect the community.
The problem with the vaccine mandates was that it was NOT universally agreed by healthcare professionals that the vaccines had yet been proven safe and effective. They were and are still fairly experimental. The population also was not convinced. So, mandating them on the whole world and punishing dissenters, although “understandable” actions by panicked officials, was an overreach by elected authorities. Even now people are in mental anguish wondering if their life expectancies have been reduced and if they will collapse suddenly over the next year or two. The hairstyle situation is not a life or death situation. Wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but it doesn’t really matter much which way it goes.
Which these so called vaccines didn’t — because they didn’t prevent infection of the recipients nor prevented transmission from them. They only lessened symptoms. They were of no benefit to the community.
Once again, another of the ABLP’S dead cat narratives – I’ve lost count of how many that is now, but what I can tell you is that these “dead cats” are now outnumbering anything that the government will inform Antiguans about the CURRENT ISSUES that really concerns us.
THE ABLP CLOWN SHOW CONTINUES UNABASHED AND UNABATED. POOR WE!
COME ON GASSY, RING THE ALARM …
Yes Gassy needs to ring the alarm on these women who wearing these stupid and retarded one piece suit that I see them wearing that has strip themself to you know what , but they have time to come argue about hair, if a school has its policy stick to it, the same way the police force and the army and even navy has theirs stick to it. She should have enqired at the begnning of regristration, rather than having to place her and the school in the media.
When changing policy to law please add in the boys with the long hair (as long as they are well groomed they shouldn’t be a problem).hair has nothing to do with what education or learning
I certainly agree. Hair doesn’t stop one from learning
Its not just schools ABLP!!! There is also a similar problem at alot of workplaces; mainly hotels, telling men they have to shave or they will be sent home or dismissed if they don’t comply even when they have a valid reason not to do so due to recurring ingrown hairs and very bad razor bumps from shaving that a mash up them face. I don’t understand the reasoning when hair does not impede one’s ability to learn at school or to perform at work!!! People should be free to wear their hair how they feel comfortable as long as it is well maintained clean. Stop going backwards!!
Health crisis of the mind in this state,it was a mandate alot of people choices was snatched they could not go to school have a social life isn’t that discrimination also. If you don’t vaccinate you cannot eat or survive in this country. The hypocrisy
With respect to the Adventist church why do they think that some wrongs are right?
They don’t respect other religions
They don’t respect Sunday worshippers
It now seems that they don’t respect democracy
Sad!!
This freedom does it also refers to someone not taking the vaccine on religious grounds. There are religions that are against taking vaccine.
The Rastas were given a religious exemption. If other religions were excluded, then that could be seen as discrimination. However, Rastas have always been against vaccines — so that distinction may have made a difference.
While I understand the emotional response to all of this, past rules were probably there for a reason e.g. to prevent the spread of lice etc. amongst school children in the olden days. It’s easier to ensure that hair is clean and healthy if it is cut for boys and combed through for girls. School personnel probably have more urgent things to spend their time on than trying to evaluate every different hairstyle and outfit that a student might choose, hence simple rules for uniforms and grooming. Even muslims don’t force their young girls to wear hijabs etc. Why can’t the young Rasta girls just go with standard hairstyles while young and then grow the locks when older? Also, the British system with standards and uniforms, although “colonial” educates better than the American system where rules are more relaxed. Even Americans show respect to persons educated in British-type systems. So, why should we lower our standards? The students have lots of other problems to overcome at home, in communities etc. to learn anything. So, why take away the structured system that helps them to remain focused and achieve their goals? I do agree though that modern locks are done a lot better and are probably healthier than in years gone by so whereas there might have been clear reasons to ban them in the past, it is understandable that persons would question whether those rules should still apply today.
All children should not only be entitled to an education, but ENCOURAGED.
Missing the point here, using education as a divisive tool is short sighted & ignorant.
Knowledge is power.
Even The US Army has made improvements to its allowances for People of African Descent in its most recent grooming and appearance standards: “This is one of the many facets of putting our people first and recognizing who they are as human beings. Their identity and diverse backgrounds are what makes the Army an ultimate fighting force.” // “Under the PAST standard, Soldiers are allowed to braid, twist, lock, or cornrow their hair if they are uniform and no greater than 1/2 inch in width. Individuals must also have appropriate size and spacing between each braid, cornrow, twist, or lock, and are authorized one distinct type of hairstyle at one time. The NEW and UPDATED standard removes the CONSTRAINTS of dimension requirements.”
“We must learn to live the African way. It’s the only way to live in freedom and with dignity.” ―
Which these so called vaccines didn’t — because they didn’t prevent infection of the recipients nor prevented transmission from them. They only lessened symptoms. They were of no benefit to the community.
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