When it comes to current events, or politics, I'm very vocal in my beliefs. It's nothing short of amazing that I've kept my opinion on non-sports matter totally mute on this site. Most likely, I always will. You come here for Bengals news and discussion and that's it. I'm well aware of that. But there is one issue out there that's somewhat related to the Bengals that might peeve you off. Meet Dustin Reader.
Dustin Reader, an eighth-grader at Garfield Middle School, received an in-school suspension Monday because of a haircut he received over the weekend in honor of the Cincinnati Bengals.
His barber, Chris Campbell of the B Street barbershop Razor Sharp, cut Bengal stripes on the sides of Reader’s head and a large capital B on the back to resemble the team’s helmet, and on Sunday, he colored his head and scalp to match for the game. The colors were washed out for school on Monday, according to his parents, but he barely got off his bicycle at Garfield when he was sent to his principal’s office.
The rule he reportedly violated:
Because it’s a discipline issue, school officials would not talk about it, but confirmed the suspension was for violating the school’s code of conduct, which prohibits “unnaturally colored hair, extreme/distracting makeup, haircuts and hairstyles.”
What's the lesson being taught here for young hardcore Bengals fan, Dustin Reader? I'm sure songs of certain new political leaders is just as distracting, if not indoctrinating than a haircut that supports a local team. It's the freaking Bengals, man. What about prep rallies where many students show their support with face paint and "unnaturally colored hair"? Does that apply? And who exactly is getting distracted by this? How many students would have sat mesmerized, like one of Tom Savini's zombies, of Reader's haircut?
I realize that school is a place for learning. And I suppose we learned that some schools would rather preach on the importance of fashion rather than teaching students on how to learn through distractions. We wouldn't want young minds to go through life having to face and work through distractions, like the babe on the first floor who winks at you every time you pass her in the hallway. Yummy. What's that? What was I saying?