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Kanaan VyShonne Barton says he’s following all other school rules but shouldn’t have to cut his hair: ‘My locs represent strength’

A Black student at a Mormon university in Hawaii said he has been told by staff to cut his shoulder-length hair because it does not adhere to school policies, he said.

Kanaan VyShonne Barton, a student at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, told the Salt Lake Tribune he has been engaged in a battle with the school since September over the length of his hair, which he has refused to cut.

The university requires students to follow an “honor code”, which states hair should be “neatly trimmed”, although the code has no official guidance on length.

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[–] givesomefucks 61 points 9 months ago (1 children)

It was always weird how many Mormons and Scientologists lived in Hawaii...

Like, I get turning to a cult in Utah, there's nothing going on and pretty much everyone else is in it already.

But you live in Hawaii, just go hang out at the beach

[–] FlyingSquid 36 points 9 months ago (2 children)

In my view as a haole from the mainland who's never visited our 50th state...

A black Mormon is weird.

A black Hawaiian Mormon is weirder.

A black Hawaiian Mormon that still has natural hair? That goes beyond my understanding.

[–] CosmicTurtle 11 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Mormonism has very strong ties in Hawaii. They sent missionaries there when the state was annexed by the US.

While not as strong as Utah, it very much is there.

[–] FlyingSquid 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Gotta convert those swarthy Polynesian heathens, I guess.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

You gotta get them when they don't know you yet

[–] phoneymouse 7 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

They settled in a town called Laie on Oahu and built a BYU campus there. Right next to the university they set up a massive tourist attraction called the Polynesian Cultural Center. They have five mock villages set up, each representing one Polynesian cultural group. They put on demonstrations and performances. There is also a big show in the evening with dancing. The whole spectacle is run by Polynesian students from one of the cultures who are receiving a free education from BYU in exchange for staffing the PCC. The PCC also poses as a recruiting operation for the Mormon church as they try to “lure” tourists to the temple to learn more about Mormonism as part of the villages tour.

The whole situation is very bizarre and while it is cool that the students are getting an education, they are working really hard for it. It’s possibly a bit predatory in that way and all wreaks a bit of cultural appropriation.

[–] General_Shenanigans 7 points 9 months ago

I had no idea the center was run by Mormons prior to visiting. While walking around, one of them approached us with a pamphlet and tried to get us to board a bus so they could take us to their temple. I was like, “Let me get this straight. You, a perfect stranger, would like me and my girlfriend to get in your bus, so that you can take us to some unknown location that we’re not familiar with? No thanks.” My mind was a little blown by that. It is a super touristy place though, so I wonder how many people they actually convince to go see their church. Like an attraction or something.

[–] BothsidesistFraud 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Mormon missionaries go everywhere. I have met Mongolian mormons.

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[–] [email protected] 47 points 9 months ago (13 children)

What is with conservative groups and their weird fixation with hair length? It's not like its a historically set thing for men or women.

[–] [email protected] 35 points 9 months ago (1 children)

The best part is the Mormon depiction of Jesus has long flowing locks that go at least past his collar and a beard. The church promotes being clean shaven and a stereotypical military cut for boys.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago

Brigham Young had a long beard. Brigham Young would not be able to attend Brigham Young University because of the honor code about being clean shaven.

[–] satanmat 27 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Conformity and control.

We’re all alike so I must be correct because everyone around me looks and believes like I do

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Exactly. Just more cogs for the machinations of religion and capitalism.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (2 children)

I know, right? You'd think the long hair would give their priests better grip lmao /s

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago

The tale of Samson. It's always the tale of Samson.

Why, why why? Delilah!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

It’s about keeping people in their gender roles.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Guess they never read the bit about Samson.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

I don’t think they read any bit of it.

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[–] sagrotan 28 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Mormon (!) private (!!) school. You visit the private educational institution of a cult and you wonder why they wanna make you cut your hair? Wait for the cool-aid.

[–] BothsidesistFraud 2 points 9 months ago

Moreover he knew this requirement going in. Who cares. Go to another school if you don't like the policies of the cult school

[–] wjrii 26 points 9 months ago (2 children)

https://archive.ph/yhf6D

During a meeting the following month, Barton said Kau was more explicit than anyone before. Barton said the man told him he needed to lose his locs, that they were “a distraction” and that Barton was “trying to push his own agenda and be defiant.”

BYU campuses are not healthy places.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago

A religion running a school. Did you expect it to be?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

Definitely not a place where women should ever feel safe...

[–] [email protected] 22 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Here's what's going to happen.

At the end of the school year, his bishop--his local religious leader--is not going to renew ecclesiastical endorsement. Barton will be invited to 're-apply'. If he does re-apply, he will find that he is no longer competitive. If he's very, very lucky, BYU-H will forward his academic records to whichever school he continues his education at.

This is the way that BYU handles students when it doesn't want to make a scene by simply kicking them out.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Hawaii Mormon School is my favorite indie band

[–] AFaithfulNihilist 2 points 9 months ago

I wonder if they have a choir, The Hawaii Mormon school music project would be an interesting alternative to the haunting Langley School music Project

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Maybe kids could focus on learning if the fascion police would get off their backs. Geez.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

he has been told by staff to cut his shoulder-length hair because it does not adhere to school policies

So, none of the girls at his school have shoulder-length hair?

[–] BothsidesistFraud 3 points 9 months ago

Dress codes and grooming standards are always the same between the sexes true

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

What about swapping school?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (5 children)

Lol, look into how easy it is to get away from this ~~cult~~ religious organization. It not just the school they'd have to leave, they'd have to escape the church and hope that the church/school is decent enough to allow the student to transfer the credits they've already paid for.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Don't cut your hair off, cut yourself off ... from religion.

[–] FlashZordon 6 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I work with an older guy who goes to a Mormon church. I have longer than average hair and he always makes side comments about how long my hair is whenever we're talking. It never feels malicious or anything. But it's just brought up CONSTANTLY.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Maybe he has a crush on you? I mean that's what I'd think if anyone talked about my hair that often. (Even if I didn't believe he was crushing, I'd mention it every time he brought up repetative comments about my appearance.)

[–] FlyingSquid 5 points 9 months ago

That is a total "Not the Onion" headline.

[–] EdibleFriend 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Religious schools have basically always been like this. When I was in a Catholic school in the 80s I remember them literally measuring boys hair and sending notes home.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

On one hand, 1 Corinthians 11:14-15:

Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.

But, then, on the other hand...

1 Corinthians 11:1:

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1000007276

Getting some real mixed messages here, 1 Corinthians 11.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

Why would you want to associate with a school that has rules about things like this? They don't care about this student. Would probably be happy that they are "out of their hair".

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