Teacher ban on ‘Large Afros’ at school concert criticized

CINCINNATI (AP) — A middle-school music teacher has hit a sour note with a letter warning students against having “Mohawks, Large Afros, or any other outlandish” hairstyles for an upcoming chorus concert performance.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that vocal music teacher Steven Reeves’ letter touched off a social media firestorm, with commenters saying it was targeting black students. The Enquirer reports that Reeves is black.

Students were warned they could be sent home.

Pleasant Run Middle School apologized in a tweet on Saturday. The school said the letter wasn’t approved by the administration and “does not reflect our views at all.”

A message requesting comment was sent Monday to the teacher. The Northwest Local School District in suburban Cincinnati is working on statement.

Reeves’ letter says he’s in his first year at the school.

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This story has been corrected to show that the teacher’s last name is Reeves, not Reeve.

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Information from: The Cincinnati Enquirer, http://www.enquirer.com