Good Hair: Perceptions of Racism (Award winning short film)

Summary

The script revolves around Thema, a newly promoted Black woman partner at a law firm, and her daughter Ama, who faces discrimination at school for her natural hair. Ama is sent home for violating the school's appearance policy, igniting a debate on racial bias. Thema initially advises compliance but reconsiders after a journalist offers to expose the school's policy. The school eventually reviews its policy, leading to a victory for Ama and a moment of pride for Thema, who learns to navigate her identity and the systemic challenges it presents.

Takeaways

• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The script revolves around a family dealing with racial and identity issues, particularly concerning the daughter's hair at her new school.
• 🏢 Thema, the mother, is a newly promoted partner in a law firm and faces questions about her qualifications and the reasons behind her promotion.
• 📚 Ama, the daughter, is sent home from school because her natural hair is deemed non-compliant with the school's uniform policy.
• 🤔 The school's policy on hair is challenged, highlighting the systemic bias against Black hair and the broader issue of racial discrimination.
• 💼 Nicole, a colleague of Thema, expresses concerns about Thema's promotion, suggesting that it might not be solely based on merit.
• 🏫 The school authorities initially enforce a strict uniform policy but later reconsider their stance after potential media exposure.
• 📰 A journalist from The Herald, Issa, offers to write an article to challenge the school's policy, which could impact the school's reputation.
• 🤝 Ama's ally, Kerry, a white student, supports Ama and questions the fairness of the school's policy towards hair.
• 👩‍🏫 Teachers at the school have differing views on the policy, with some showing support for Ama and others defending the status quo.
• 💪 Ama's mother, Thema, initially advises her to conform but eventually supports her daughter's right to express her identity through her hair.
• 🏛️ The script ends with a victory for Ama and a change in the school's policy, indicating a small but significant step towards inclusivity and racial equality.

Q & A

What is the main conflict Thema faces in her professional life?

Thema faces the challenge of being the only Black woman in her department and recently promoted to partner, which leads to questions about whether her promotion was solely based on merit or influenced by identity politics.

Why does Ama get sent home from school on her first day?

Ama is sent home because her hair does not comply with the school's uniform and appearance policy, which requires all hair to be of a reasonable size and length.

What is Nicole's concern about Thema's promotion?

Nicole wonders if Thema's promotion to partner is due to her qualifications alone or because the firm believes she possesses a quality they are lacking, possibly implying a quota-filling rather than merit-based decision.

How does the school's policy on hair length affect Ama?

The school's policy on hair length is discriminatory against Ama's natural hair, leading to her being sent home and feeling singled out due to her race.

What is the significance of the conversation between Thema and Richard regarding her promotion?

The conversation reveals the complex dynamics of diversity and meritocracy in the workplace. Richard admits to promoting Thema not only for her qualifications but also for her identity as a Black single mother, highlighting the firm's strategic use of diversity.

How does the school initially respond to the issue of hair discrimination?

Initially, the school enforces a strict policy that leads to Ama being sent home. However, after a call from a journalist, they decide to review their uniform policy in relation to hairstyles and ethnicity, temporarily suspending enforcement against students from African and Caribbean backgrounds.

What role does the media play in resolving the conflict at the school?

The media, represented by Issa from The Herald, plays a pivotal role by threatening to expose the school's discriminatory practices, which prompts the school to review and temporarily halt enforcement of the policy against Ama.

What is the underlying message in the conversation between Ama and Kerry about the school's policy?

The conversation underscores the unfairness of the school's policy, as it disproportionately affects students like Ama with natural, voluminous hair, suggesting a bias against racial and cultural differences in appearance.

How does Thema's attitude towards Ama's situation evolve throughout the script?

Initially, Thema is more focused on pragmatism and compliance with the school's rules for Ama's future. However, after engaging with the school and the media, she becomes more supportive of Ama's right to express her identity and be proud of her natural hair.

What is the outcome of the conflict between Ama's natural hair and the school's policy?

The conflict results in the school deciding to review its uniform policy regarding hairstyles and ethnicity, leading to a temporary suspension of enforcement against students like Ama, allowing her to wear her hair in its natural state.

Outlines

00:00

🏢 Work and School Challenges

The first paragraph introduces Thema, a newly promoted partner at her law firm, who is preparing for an important presentation. There's a humorous exchange with her daughter, Ama, about hair and the mortgage. At work, Thema's colleagues discuss her promotion and the potential reasons behind it, hinting at racial dynamics within the firm. Ama faces a dilemma at school due to her hair not complying with the school's uniform policy, leading to a conversation with a teacher, Mrs. Cross, about the issue.

05:23

🤔 Racial Bias and School Policies

In the second paragraph, a conflict arises between Mrs. Cross and Miss Woodward over Ama's hair, which is deemed too long and obstructive to other students' view. The school's policy is challenged, and the conversation touches on racial bias and the differential treatment of students based on their racial and cultural backgrounds. Meanwhile, Ama meets Kerry, another student who sympathizes with Ama's situation and questions the school's policy.

10:24

👩‍💼 Navigating Professional and Personal Values

The third paragraph delves into Thema's professional life, where she is faced with questions about her recent promotion and the reasons behind it. A conversation with her boss, Richard, reveals that her promotion was influenced by her identity as a Black single mother, highlighting the complex interplay between merit and identity politics in professional settings. At home, Thema and Ama have a discussion about Ama's hair and the school's policy, with Thema advising Ama to be strategic in her battles against discrimination.

15:25

📰 Media Attention and School Reform

In the fourth paragraph, the situation at the school escalates as a journalist from The Herald, Issa, expresses interest in writing a story about Ama's hair discrimination. Thema is hesitant to become a public figure for the cause but eventually agrees to Issa's proposal to use the potential article as leverage against the school. The school's headmaster, Mr. Hyatt, receives a call from the newspaper and decides to review the school's policy, leading to a temporary change that allows Ama and other students to keep their natural hair.

20:33

💪 Personal Pride and Collective Victory

The final paragraph concludes the story with Ama's victory in being allowed to keep her natural hair at school. Thema reflects on the situation, expressing pride in Ama for standing up for herself. The narrative ends on a note of personal empowerment and the importance of self-acceptance, suggesting that the fight for individual rights can lead to broader changes in societal norms and policies.

Keywords

💡Biometrics

Biometrics refers to the statistical analysis of biological data. In the context of the video, it is mentioned in relation to consumer claims against corporates' use of biometrics, which likely involves the collection and analysis of unique biological data like fingerprints or facial patterns. This is a significant theme as it raises questions about privacy and the ethical use of personal data.

💡GDPR

GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation, a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. The script mentions GDPR in a humorous context, indicating the importance of data protection and privacy in contemporary society. It also reflects a growing awareness and sometimes the comical misunderstanding of such regulations.

💡Partnership

In a professional context, partnership often refers to a position within a company where an individual shares ownership and responsibilities. In the video, Thema's promotion to partner is a significant milestone, indicating her success and the challenges she faces as the only Black woman in her department. It also raises questions about diversity and meritocracy in professional settings.

💡Racism

Racism is the discrimination against individuals or groups based on their race or ethnicity. The video script addresses racism through the issue of hair discrimination at a school, where a Black student is sent home for not adhering to the school's appearance policy. This incident sparks a broader discussion about racial bias and the need for inclusive policies.

💡Natural Hair

Natural hair in this context refers to hair that has not been chemically altered or straightened, typically associated with Black hair textures. The video's narrative revolves around the school's policy on natural hair, which is seen as discriminatory by some characters. This term is central to the video's exploration of racial identity and cultural acceptance.

💡Affirmative Action

Affirmative action is a policy of treating individuals preferentially in employment and education based on their membership in groups that have historically been discriminated against. Thema's promotion and its implications are discussed in the context of affirmative action, raising questions about the role of diversity initiatives in achieving professional success.

💡Cultural Appropriation

Cultural appropriation is the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often in a way that is disrespectful or exploitative. While not directly mentioned in the script, the concept is relevant to the broader discussion of cultural norms and standards, particularly in the context of hair and beauty standards.

💡Discrimination

Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially based on race, age, or sex. The script explicitly addresses discrimination through the school's policy on hair, which disproportionately affects students of African or Caribbean backgrounds, highlighting systemic biases in institutional policies.

💡Identity Politics

Identity politics refers to political positions or actions advocated by or for people who share a particular social identity, often related to race, gender, or sexual orientation. The video touches on identity politics through discussions about Thema's promotion and the school's hair policy, reflecting on how identity can influence opportunities and treatment.

💡Meritocracy

Meritocracy is a system in which the advancement of individuals is based on their abilities, performance, and achievements rather than factors such as wealth or social class. The video questions the concept of meritocracy by exploring the role of identity and external factors in professional success and educational opportunities.

💡Privilege

Privilege refers to special rights, advantages, or immunities granted or available only to a particular person or group. The script indirectly addresses privilege through conversations about race and professional success, suggesting that certain individuals may have an easier path due to their social or racial background.

Highlights

Tema's first day as partner is marked by a presentation, but it is interrupted by a phone call about her daughter Ama's school issue.

Ama is sent home from school because her hair does not comply with the school's uniform and appearance policy.

Tema and Ama discuss the incident, with Ama expressing her frustration and reluctance to change her hair.

Tema gives Ama the day off to figure out a way to comply with the school's policy without compromising her identity.

Sam and Nicole discuss Thema's promotion and the potential racial dynamics at play within their firm.

Ajay, a teacher at St. Mary's, questions the school's decision to send Ama home and shows support for her.

Tema faces a moral dilemma when a journalist, Issa, proposes to write an article about Ama's situation to pressure the school.

Tema's boss, Richard, admits to promoting her partly due to her identity as a Black single mother, challenging the notion of meritocracy.

The school's headmaster, Mr. Hyatt, decides to review the uniform policy after a call from a newspaper, potentially influencing the school's stance on hair discrimination.

Tema reflects on the importance of standing up for one's identity and the complexities of navigating systemic issues.

Ama's friend Kerry points out the double standards in the school's policy, highlighting the racial bias.

The school staff has a heated discussion about the uniform policy, revealing differing opinions on the matter.

Tema considers using the threat of a newspaper article to force the school to change its policy, showing her determination to protect Ama.

Ama and Thema have a heart-to-heart conversation about the challenges of being Black in a predominantly white institution.

Thema learns that her promotion might be tied to her identity, leading to a deeper conversation about diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

The school's decision to review its policy is influenced by external pressure, demonstrating the power of media in social change.

Transcripts

[MOUSE CLICK]

[PAGES FLIPPING]

[THUD]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

THEMA: Let's not be late on the first day.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Now you're embarrassed.

I've seen you in front of the mirror.

AMA: OK, that's enough.

THEMA: I can touch.

I gave you good hair.

AMA: And Dad didn't contribute?

THEMA: Not to your hair, or the mortgage.

[CHUCKLES]

Give me a kiss.

[FAUCET RUNNING]

NICOLE: In a rush?

SAM: Want a good seat.

NICOLE: It's GDPR, not Adele.

SAM: Yeah, I know.

It's Thema's first presentation since she made partner.

NICOLE: I'm not sure how I'd feel if I were her.

SAM: Meaning what, exactly?

NICOLE: Well, she's the only Black woman in the department

and she just got the job.

SAM: So?

NICOLE: So, if I were her, I'd be wondering why.

SAM: That could say more about you.

NICOLE: The entire firm are thinking the same thing.

SAM: Nicole, she's more than qualified.

NICOLE: Qualified is a given.

But nobody gets partnership just because they're qualified.

They get the position because they've

a quality the partners think they're missing.

SAM: Would you be saying this if she were a white man?

[DOOR SQUEAKS]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

THEMA: And so we've seen a huge spike

in consumer claims against corporates,

use of biometrics, the--

[PHONE BUZZING]

Excuse me.

Can I just take a moment?

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

What's wrong with your clothes?

AMA: Nothing.

THEMA: Why did they call me then?

MRS. CROSS: Mrs. Ossie?

THEMA: Yes.

It's Mrs. Assay.

MRS. CROSS: Mrs. Cross, geography.

THEMA: So what's happened?

MRS. CROSS: Please don't look so worried.

THEMA: It's just that they said there

was an issue with her uniform.

MRS. CROSS: It's not specifically her uniform.

It's her hair.

THEMA: Her hair?

MRS. CROSS: It doesn't comply with the school's uniform

and appearance policy.

All hair needs to be of a reasonable size and length.

THEMA: Oh.

OK.

Sorry.

It's actually a relief.

MRS. CROSS: I know it's her first day and--

THEMA: No, it's fine.

We'll sort it.

MRS. CROSS: Thank you.

And sorry again.

[CAR DOOR SHUTS]

[CAR DOOR OPENS]

[SIGHS]

[CAR DOOR SHUTS]

[SIGHS]

AMA: My hair.

THEMA: Shhh.

AMA: It's ridiculous.

THEMA: It's life.

[SIGHS]

AMA: What are we going to do?

THEMA: Well, I'm going to back to work after dropping you

in town so that you can figure out a way to flatten this.

AMA: I don't want to flatten it.

THEMA: Ama, I'm giving you the day

off school so you can go shopping.

Take the win.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

SAM: You're not going out for lunch?

THEMA: I just need to get on with my work

after cutting the presentation short.

NICOLE: Sam, we have a reservation.

SAM: Which means they'll hold our place.

THEMA: What restaurant around here

needs a reservation for lunch?

SAM: Not food.

Tanning booth.

Topping up before holiday.

THEMA: Oh, OK.

[CHUCKLES]

SAM: Don't laugh.

We're not all born with a tan.

THEMA: It's not actually a tan.

SAM: I just mean I'm the one who needs more color.

You're already brown enough.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MISS WOODWARD: Nina, in future I'd

appreciate it if you inform me before sending

one of my pupils home.

MRS. CROSS: I wasn't aware I needed your permission.

MISS WOODWARD: It's a courtesy.

MRS. CROSS: If one of my form does something

wrong in your class, I wouldn't need

you to alert me in advance of following school policy.

MISS WOODWARD: I wasn't aware that you could do hair wrong.

MRS. CROSS: It's too long.

MISS WOODWARD: For who?

MRS. CROSS: Some of the students can't see the whiteboard.

MISS WOODWARD: Have they actually complained?

MRS. CROSS: April, we have sent a number of children home

in the past for a variety of reasons,

and you haven't objected on those occasions.

MISS WOODWARD: I didn't have a reason to before.

This is different.

MRS. CROSS: Don't make this about something it isn't.

MISS WOODWARD: I'm not convinced it isn't about that.

MRS. CROSS: What do you think, Ajay?

AJAY: I didn't realize I was part of this conversation.

MISS WOODWARD: You're not.

I don't know why she asked you.

MRS. CROSS: I'm just saying, if anyone

would have an opinion we should listen to, it could be Ajay.

MISS WOODWARD: Because he's Asian?

MRS. CROSS: I didn't say that.

MR. HYATT: We've had a number of Black students over the years.

It's never been a concern in the past.

MISS WOODWARD: It doesn't mean we shouldn't review regularly.

Norms change.

MR. HYATT: Miss Woodward, the reason

we have an 80-person waitlist for this school

is that we have an excellent reputation.

No one's forced to be here.

I don't think expecting students to stick to our school uniform

policy it's too much to ask for.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

AJAY: Hey, Issa.

I'm well, thanks.

Listen-- I reckon I've got something

you'd be interested in.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[FAUCET RUNNING]

KERRY: I'm Kerry.

AMA: Ama.

KERRY: Yeah.

The whole year knows who you are.

Not many people get sent home first day.

[CHUCKLES]

AMA: Not sure that was the reputation I was looking for.

KERRY: Yeah.

Well, everyone knows that policy is bull.

AMA: Not Mrs. Cross.

And I've got geography next.

KERRY: Nina Cross is a dictator.

You know, she has a tape measure for our skirts.

AMA: Seriously?

KERRY: Yeah.

Three inches below the knee.

Windsor.

[CHUCKLES]

AMA: At least I know I'm not being singled out then.

KERRY: You don't think?

AMA: Sounds like she's just anal.

KERRY: My hair's longer than yours

and the school doesn't say anything to me.

AMA: Well, my hair's bigger.

KERRY: So what?

You can't help the way your hair grows.

And who decided that hair that grows like yours

is less presentable than hair that grows like mine?

I'm following you.

[CHUCKLES]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MRS. CROSS: Ama.

AMA: Yes, Mrs. Cross?

MRS. CROSS: Would you like to go back to the ladies

to tend to your hair?

AMA: But there's nothing to tend to, miss.

RICHARD: The end of year accounts

because the results have been rather good this year.

We are able, again, to have a summer--

[PHONE BUZZING]

--party.

THEMA: Twice in two days.

AMA: Apparently a record.

THEMA: Do you know how lucky you are not to have been suspended?

AMA: I don't care if they suspend me.

THEMA: Oh, you don't care do you?

I'm glad that we've cleared that up.

We discussed this.

AMA: We didn't discuss anything.

You decided.

THEMA: But you didn't have a problem with it this morning.

AMA: Now I do.

THEMA: Why?

AMA: Because I know they're not treating me like the others.

THEMA: Be grateful that you got through life this far

without noticing before.

AMA: It wasn't a problem before because my old school didn't

care how I wore my hair.

THEMA: They also didn't care if you turned up.

AMA: You know, I never missed a single lesson.

I always played by the rules.

I had a good life.

THEMA: You haven't even started your life, baby girl.

You want a good life, then you need to get a good job.

In order to get a good job, you've

got to go to a good university.

To get into a good uni, you've got to go to a good school.

St. Mary's is a good school.

AMA: You never went to a good school.

THEMA: That's why it's taken me this long

to make junior partner.

AMA: Even Kerry knows it's racist.

THEMA: Who's Kerry?

AMA: She's just one of the students who agrees with me.

THEMA: And what color is Kerry?

AMA: Irrelevant.

THEMA: White people have lots of ideas

of how to tackle issues that affect us.

AMA: She's just a student.

There's nothing she can do.

THEMA: It's so easy to be a social justice warrior

when you've got no skin in the game.

You think she's going to pressure her parents

into helping change the rules?

It's one thing posting "Black Lives Matter,"

but it's another when you've got genuine risk.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

AMA: Sometimes you need to push back.

THEMA: And sometimes you need to pick your battles.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Ama, it gets harder than just hair.

It goes to the root of who you are, how you dress,

how you talk, what you wear, what you eat.

Please, baby girl.

Don't fall at the first hurdle.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[SIGHS]

[PHONE BUZZING]

Hello?

AJAY: Evening.

Is this Mrs. Assay?

THEMA: Mrs. Assay.

Yes.

Speaking.

AJAY: My name is Ajay.

I'm a teacher at St. Mary's.

THEMA: What's Ama do now?

I spoke to one of your colleagues

and said that she'll turn up tomorrow

with policy appropriate hair.

AJAY: Well, I don't think she should have to.

THEMA: Are you speaking as a representative of the school?

AJAY: I'm not.

THEMA: So what's this about then?

Or have you just broken GDPR?

AJAY: I hope you'll forgive the intrusion once you

hear why we're contacting you.

THEMA: We?

ISSA: Hi, Thema.

I'm Issa from the Herald.

THEMA: To what do I owe this pleasure?

ISSA: I'm wanting to write a story about--

THEMA: No, thank you.

ISSA: Decisive.

May I ask why?

THEMA: I'm not looking to be a martyr for a cause.

ISSA: This is not an altruistic request.

THEMA: No?

ISSA: Black women spend six times more than they

have than white women.

Between hair pieces and wigs and braids,

I'm spending 2,500 a year.

THEMA: Only 2,500?

ISSA: This would be the perfect entry

point to write an article deconstructing the narrative

that European hair is an aspirational,

should be the standard.

THEMA: It's still a pass.

I suspect the school won't appreciate

being portrayed in this way.

ISSA: That's the idea.

THEMA: And their displeasure might

manifest in a way that would not be advantageous to my daughter.

ISSA: They wouldn't dare.

THEMA: Not a risk I'm keen on taking.

She's the only Black person in the whole of her year

and I'm not looking to find another way for her

to stand out.

And to be honest, I've already got an affirmative action

question mark hanging over my recent promotion.

I don't want to compound that by being

the Black family in the paper because

of insert racist incident.

ISSA: Have you asked why you were hired?

THEMA: Well, I hadn't planned to.

ISSA: You should.

But I'm a journalist.

Questions are my occupational hazard.

Can I use the article as a threat,

just to push hard enough that they back off Ama?

[SIGHS]

THEMA: And what if they don't concede?

ISSA: I won't write it.

The threat of the article should suffice.

Look.

Think about it.

You have Ajay's number.

And I won't write anything until you sign off.

THEMA: OK.

ISSA: Thank you for your time.

RICHARD: It's honestly not a concern of mine.

It's nothing to apologize for.

THEMA: Thank you.

It's just I don't want you to think

I was fully committed, especially after just

being promoted.

RICHARD: I have two children of my own.

I completely understand.

One of the benefits of being my partner

is a degree of flexibility in your working schedule.

[CHUCKLES]

THEMA: Richard.

RICHARD: Mm-hmm?

THEMA: Why me?

RICHARD: What do you mean?

THEMA: Why did you promote me?

RICHARD: You're more than qualified.

THEMA: Qualified is a given.

No one gets partnership just because they're qualified.

They get the position because they

have a quality that the partners think they're missing.

RICHARD: What kind of answer are you looking for?

THEMA: An honest one.

RICHARD: OK.

[SIGHS]

I hired you because you are more than qualified, but also

because you're a woman, a single parent.

You've been on scholarship and, if it makes you happy,

because you're Black.

THEMA: I'm not sure it does.

RICHARD: Does me making new partner for those reasons

invalidate your promotion?

THEMA: Well, it doesn't undermine the assumption

that identity politics were at play.

RICHARD: Senior partners own the firm.

We're not going to risk our reputation to appear woke.

THEMA: Still, I'd prefer it if I just

got the job purely on merit.

RICHARD: No one gets hired purely on merit, Thema.

There are two types of people in this world--

those that know why they hire white middle class

men and those that hire them because they

think that they're the best possible candidates

on every single occasion.

I'm not the latter.

THEMA: No?

RICHARD: No.

I know why I hire white middle class men

and I know why I hire single Black mothers.

There are times when it's going to be more

effective to leverage the appearance

and lived experience of somebody like me,

but increasingly, there are times

when it's going to be more effective to leverage

the appearance and lived experience of somebody

like you.

THEMA: So that's why I've got the job.

RICHARD: I got this job because my uncle is an MP.

Do you think I've ever given it a second thought?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

My son has a job at a BAFTA award-winning production

company because we represent them.

Do you think I feel guilty about being able to give him

that opportunity?

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Do you think a white middle class man

has ever walked through that door

and questioned my motivation for promoting him?

THEMA: I doubt it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

RICHARD: You've lived your entire life

knowing that the deck is stacked against you

and yet, still you question your right to be here.

Who cares why you were promoted?

What matters is that you were promoted.

It's up to you how you decide to use it

and whom you decide to hire after you.

Your feelings are noted, with it based on the assumption

that the rules are fair.

You should know by now the game is rigged.

In this life, you take your shot wherever you get it.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[DOOR OPENS]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[PHONE LINE RINGING]

[PHONE RINGING]

AJAY: Hi, Thema.

THEMA: Do it.

[PHONE RINGING]

SPEAKER 2: I have the Herald on the line.

MR. HYATT: Who is on the line?

SPEAKER 2: The Herald.

MR. HYATT: The who?

SPEAKER 2: The newspaper.

MR. HYATT: Oh, the newspaper.

Yes, of course.

Put them through.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Good morning.

ISSA: Morning, Mr. Hyatt.

My name is Issa and I'm a features writer at The Herald.

MR. HYATT: Good morning to you as well.

And how may I be of service?

ISSA: I was hoping to get a quote.

MR. HYATT: Regard to our A-level results?

ISSA: Actually, hair discrimination.

MR. HYATT: Hair discrimination?

ISSA: Yes.

Is it true that you're not allowing a female Black student

to wear hair in natural state?

MR. HYATT: It's not that we're not

letting her have her hair out because of her race.

It's just school policy to present

your hair in a particular way, regardless of your background.

ISSA: But to just confirm, she is Black?

MR. HYATT: She is.

ISSA: And you're not allowing her to wear

a hair in a natural state?

MR. HYATT: Just so you're all aware,

we're currently reviewing our uniform policy,

in relation to hairstyles and ethnicity.

So until further notice, students from an African

Caribbean background will not be sent home for that reason.

MRS. CROSS: What?

MR. HYATT: I received a call from the Herald.

MRS. CROSS: The newspaper?

MR. HYATT: They were planning on writing

a story until I assured them there

was no story to write about.

MRS. CROSS: Paul, we should be applying the same rules

to all our students.

MISS WOODWARD: Unless all our students aren't the same.

MRS. CROSS: So instead, we just pander to the PC brigade?

MR. HYATT: This isn't a fight.

Anyone in this school has the energy nor time to indulge.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

THEMA: Don't gloat.

AMA: We won, did we?

THEMA: I don't know if that's the moral of the story.

AMA: Well what do you know?

THEMA: That I'm proud of you for being proud of being yourself.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Go on then.

[CHUCKLES]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

SPEAKER 3: Get more from the Open University.

Check out the links on screen now.