British Teen Banned From School Because of Her Red Hair

There are plenty of reasons for a student to be sent home from school — she wore an inappropriate outfit, he cheated on an exam — but one school in the United Kingdom has declared red hair a cause for disciplinary action. According to The Telegraph, 17-year-old student Emily Reay has had bright red hair for the past three years, but the faculty at Trinity School in Carlisle declared the shade unacceptable upon the pupil's return from Easter break. If she does not dye her hair a more "appropriate" shade, she will not be allowed to continue her education.

Naturally auburn-haired, Emily offered to pin her hair up or wear a hat, but she was told no and that her only options were to find a more natural color or significantly tone down the existing hue. Emily is fighting back, and her parents support her. "The school's uniform policy clearly states no unnatural hair colors, like blue or green," mother Julie Reay told The Telegraph. "Is ginger not a natural hair color?" Emily's red hair is a huge part of her identity, and she considers it her trademark, saying she would lose her confidence if she had to dye her hair brown. "The laughable thing is my hair was brighter than this on prom night," she confessed. "I won best hairstyle award."

We think that it's unreasonable of the school to ask Emily to change her mane. Her hair color isn't affecting anyone but her, and she clearly loves it. The school has also waited on this issue for three years. Why now?