VICTORY PARK – Meet the Long Hair Dudes, a group of boy learners from King David Victory Park who banded together to fight for their school’s hair policy to change.
Their aim was to show that as modern society develops, schools should also be willing to encourage self-autonomy.
The ‘dudes’ wanted to destigmatise the concept of boys having long hair showing that they too could grow their locks and yet still look presentable.
The four had a two-year battle with the school to have the policy changed, which prohibited boys from growing their hair like the girls.
However, the school was staunch on the matter and the boys had to begrudgingly cut their hair.
So they decided that if they were to cut their hair they would do so for a great cause, and their cause was cancer.
On 22 February, the school held a ‘Think Pink Drive’ where the whole school was asked to wear pink and donate R20 which would be given to Jared Wood, a former learner who in his matric year in 2015 was diagnosed with brain cancer and could not participate in his final year exams.
Wood is currently in remission and the school has applied that he write his examinations, though he still has ongoing medical tests and the money raised would go towards that.
On the day, the school hall was filled with learners who came to support the Long Hair Dudes as they accepted defeat in one of the most chivalrous gestures the school has been a part of.
One of the dudes, Ravi Masters said he was not keen on cutting his hair, though he saw the positives in doing it for a great cause.
“I am still going to campaign for our right to have long hair, but I think that this is best, most appropriate way to actually have ended this entire hair battle,” he said.
Another dude Yaron Peretz said the effort to grow his hair and then having to cut it all off left him very emotional.
“I also shed tears of joy a little, I know that though it was not easy for me it is going to make someone very happy.”
Wood said the great act of kindness from the Long Hair Dudes showed that he had great support from the school and was so appreciative for all that was done in honour of him.
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