CRAIG LANDRUM FLINT HILL, VA.
LAST WINTER I FOUND CAROLIVIA HERRON’S ““Nappy Hair’’ on the shelves of my local bookstore and read it cover to cover right there. I was so excited to find a book that, far from featuring white characters with their faces painted brown, actually celebrated my lovely, kinky hair. As a black woman who threw out straightening combs, relaxers and other implements of shame years ago and now proudly sports an Afro, I have to wonder about the parents at PS 75. It’s tragic that they seem not to have even read the book, but it’s absolutely horrifying that they’re ashamed of their hair and their heritage.
MELINDA K. SUTTON
IT’S A SHAME THAT ANY SCHOOL, NOT TO mention one in dire need of improvement, should lose a good teacher. Your article makes little mention of the school administration’s response to those protesting the use of ““Nappy Hair.’’ Why was this volatile group allowed to hold sway in the school, and why would the principal have a teacher confront such a group with no warning? Doesn’t the school have policies that would have helped diffuse the situation? I’ve worked as a school librarian and school-board member for close to 10 years. I’ve seen knee-jerk reactions to individual and group concerns disrupt a school, and I’ve seen administrations and school boards handle complaints in a reasonable fashion. The second process supports good schools; the first does not.
