I read here in west-central Georgia of the Vicksburg High School’s recently announced policy that male students with dreadlocks will not be allowed to escort young ladies of the Homecoming Court. Would somebody please explain to this 54 year-old white man why not.

It seems to be discriminatory at best and ignorant at minimum that such a policy would be formulated, enacted, much less enforced. I saw a picture of youngPatrick Richardson with his clean dreadlocks and saw absolutely nothing wrong with his hair. You folks are making a mountain out of a mole-hill. When are you going to learn to make sure your policies are legal before you formulate, implement, and try to enforce them? The state already has paid out over $38,000 to the student who couldn’t escort her girlfriend to the prom. A person would think Mississippi officials would have learned from that case.

Apparently not.

If these young men are attending school, making good grades, and staying out of trouble, why should it matter what their hair looks like as long as it is neat and clean? I hope every young man affected by this ludicrous policy will take apparently necessary legal action in the federal courts to protect their rights.

Welton Underwood

Cataula, Georgia