A Maryland mom took to X (formerly Twitter) to share that her 7-year-old daughter was a victim of hair discrimination at the hands of her cheerleading team. In a series of tweets, the mom outlined that her daughter's hairstyle met the requirements, but that her coach called out the hairstyle in front of the team, saying that it didn't meet requirements before attempting to restyle the girl's hair.
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"Over the weekend, Ryan was discriminated against at her first competition this season," the mom, who has the username Bae_Z_ on X. She then shared pictures of her daughter's hairstyle for the competition, as well as the reference photos she received.
She highlighted a hair option that says girls can wear their hair "half up half down with curls or natural curls above shoulder length hair ONLY," which is what the mom chose, saying, "We were told Ryan cannot wear her hair like this because its thicker and not layered!"
"Her coach approached us the morning of the competition without even a hello telling me she cannot wear her hair in this style. When i asked why not she had no answer. She then began to put Ryan’s hair in a makeshift ponytail to show me how easy it is…," the mom explained, sharing an email she sent to the Maryland Twisters organization leaders in a series of screenshots.
"I immediately sent an email to the Owners (above referenced) and was met with nothing but a dismissive tone and basically being told im a liar. It was never addressed about how me nor my child was treated. No accountability whatsoever. Just constant gaslighting," she continued.
"I’ve been informed that the coaches daughter has posted a photo of my child backstage stretching before Sundays competition… shes also on FB defending her mom by talking shit about Ryan, a smart friend advised her to delete! Too late! Im adding it to the case! " the mom explained, sharing Facebook screenshots of what the coach in question's daughter allegedly posted.
She also shared that she was being harassed by the daughter on Instagram as well.
After sharing more screenshots of her correspondence with the team leaders, she then went on to share that instead of examining their behavior and trying to compromise, Ryan was cut from the team. "When i asked to be spoken to with respect as an adult and a PAYING customer, my child was put off the Team," she revealed.
The organization leaders explained it as "Our values simply do not align."
A former member of the Maryland Twisters, who is also a young Black woman, reached out to the mom on social media, saying that she had worn her long hair in the same style without facing repercussions.
"I cheered here for two years and sadly this doesn’t surprise me at all. So sad for your baby ❤️," someone else replied to the tweet.
"I just want to know what was the difference??? Am I blind & she was probably so excited to perform that is very sickening…," one person replied.
"that disrespectful a– email would’ve pissed me off as a parent!! that tara lady didn’t even try or care to fix the issue. it seems like the coach and tara are both on a power trip," another person said.
"I want them to leave little black girls and they're hair tf alone. She looks adorable I hate that for us," someone else commented.
"As a Black girl who cheered in the suburbs and an all star team and a current coach. I can absolutely confirm that they discriminated against her. Look at their page too girls hair way longer than hers smh," another comment read.
