Substitute teacher says religion, not blue hair, behind trouble

[icymist]

Watch out Cookie Monster. Being blue isn't cool in Vivian.

Ask Jennifer Harmon. The 39-year-old mother of one recently was told her blue hair was unacceptable after nearly a week of substitute teaching at Vivian Elementary/Middle School.

But Harmon, whose appearance has remained the same since early 2006 and was evident during her substitute application process, doesn't think it was her hair color or an accompanying nose piercing that got her in trouble. Rather, it was religion.

The same early December day a fellow substitute teacher asked if she was Wiccan, Harmon found herself in Principal Jamie (Rene) Tolbert's office answering questions about her appearance and whether she had discussed religion with students.

"Not only was I extremely confused and upset because I was never made aware of any policy prohibiting teachers from having blue hair and nose piercings, but when (Tolbert) asked me about religion I started to panic," said Harmon, who said she is not Wiccan and does not subscribe to any particular religious faith. "Of course, I never spoke to the children about religion. I would never do such a thing."

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[New Earth]

1. how ridiculous is that?

:eyes:

[Ilsa]

2. Okay, fess up: everyone here with blue hair raise your hands.

Isn't that part of the thirteen principles in the article you posted? :P :sarcasm:

[icymist]

3. "Yup! Blue hair, therefore a witch! " shouted the common people.

Sir Venevere: "Well, how do you know that she's a witch?"
Commoner: "She turned me into a newt!"
Sir Venevere: Looking the man over with a surprised look, "A newt?"
Commoner: "Uh, uh,.... I got better."

[Jackpine Radical]

5. Maybe a blue scalp...?

I only got this fringe of actual hair, probly too little for anyone to notice if I dyed it blue or blaze orange, for that matter.

[Hellenic_Pagan]

4. Wow!

That is amazing...

I had blue hair - and was openly Pagan - while working at...

wait for it!

A POLICE DEPT.

Yep. My hair matched the uniforms. It wasn't an issue because the people I worked with were cool and accepting. My hair went through many changes though - blue, purple, stop-sign red, and then black. I didn't get complaints for my hair...

It's a shame that issues like this still happen... and why is being a Wiccan "worse" than having blue hair? How does one imply the other?

I'm clueless here!