Discrimination: Lawmakers failed test, and voters should remember
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Last week, our state Senators tried to make an important statement about what will be tolerated in our great state. They voted 32-2 to pass Senate Bill 850, "Prohibiting racial discrimination based on certain hair textures and hairstyles." The bill was inspired by a black high school basketball player in Beckley, who was stopped from participation because of his dreadlocks.
The team's rule regarding hair styles was simply that they be kept "neat." One wonders what the Beckley administration does to girls basketball players who put their hair into braids, buns or ponytails to play ball. For that matter, what of the young men who tie up their longer hair or use a headband when they play?
But, of course, dreadlocks are generally a hairstyle not associated with white players. Tarsha Bolt was absolutely correct to question the decision, in speaking on behalf of the bill:
"It was just not right. Why was he targeted?" she asked during a Senate Judiciary meeting last week. "Why were his dreadlocks targeted? He's a good kid. He has good grades. He has the skills to make the team. Why should his hair have him benched? And why should he be bullied to strip himself of his identity?"
As you can see by the vote totals, senators understood her concern and agreed with her. Well, all but two. Those two were Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, and our own Mike Azinger, R-Wood. In fact, according to a report in the The Register-Herald of Beckley, Azinger went so far as to scold Bolt for speaking out, telling her she was trying to "undercut authority," and pick the rules for herself. Take a moment to again read the words he used to try to silence her.
Senate passage of the bill did not, unfortunately, mean much in the long run. After its passage it was referred to the House of Delegates … where it was dropped into a committee to, it seems, die from lack of attention. Members of the House have, for the most part, made any attempts at anti-discrimination quietly go away this session.
At the least, though, we know where our lawmakers in the state Senate stand on such matters. Mountain State voters will get their chances to show where they stand, soon enough.