Four-year-old Jabez Oates had never gotten a haircut before, and his mother, Jessica Oates, didn't have a problem with it. In fact, she thought her son looked adorable with his brown locks.
However, other people didn't seem to think so, calling his long hair "inappropriate" and "weird." But it wasn't until Jabez went to school that Jessica realized how cruel some people are.
Little Jabez
Jabez was a young, energetic boy who was eager to go to school. But since he was too young to start kindergarten, Jessica decided to enroll him at a preschool in Barber's Hill Kindergarten Center.
When he learned that he would be starting preschool in 2017, he was on cloud nine. But his excitement quickly wore off when the teachers told Jabez he wasn't allowed to come to class.
In Trouble
Jabez had an amazing first and second day of preschool. He made new friends and played with them all day.
However, when Jessica arrived at the preschool on the third day, the staff refused to let Jabez in. What had her son done that got him kicked out of preschool?
Confused
Jessica was aware that some four-year-old boys could be difficult to cope with, but her son was always calm and quiet.
She couldn't understand why the school would suddenly refuse to let him in. Had he gotten into a fight? Did he misbehave in class? But soon, she would realize that Jabez wasn't the problem at all.
The Problem
The staff at preschool told Jessica that her son wasn't allowed to come back because his hair was too long.
According to them, Jabez's hairstyle was downright "inappropriate." Jessica couldn't understand why they were offended by her kid's hair. After all, it was a personal choice, and Jabez loved his long brown locks.
Long Hair Wasn't Allowed
So, you can imagine how shocked Jessica was when the school told her that boys can't wear hair that grows below the ears, the eyebrows, or touches the collar.
“I thought I had all my ducks in a row,” she said. “I got my son prepared. I got him so excited to go to school for his first day of school.
She Had No Other Choice
"We don't know anyone around here, so I got him excited to meet new friends. Now it's just sad," she continued.
Devastated, Jessica had no other choice but to deal with the situation. So, the next day she sent Jabez to school with his hair in a bun. Did the administrators let him in this time?
The School's Policy
According to the school's policy, not only was long hair on boys prohibited, but accessories, like man-buns and ponytails, were also not allowed.
This meant that Jabez still couldn't attend the preschool, which was starting to affect his mental health.
Jabez Was Upset
"My son was confused by the whole thing," Jessica told TODAY Parents.
"Mommy, why can't I go see my teacher?' 'Mommy, why can't I see my friends?' So we even went inside the school to speak to the principal, but that just made it worse..." With that, Jessica decided to fight the system.
Creating An Online Petition
Jessica created an online petition to get the American Civil Liberties Union involved.
If the short hair rule isn't enforced on girls, why can't boys have long hair then? Her petition received 16,494 signatures. But, not everyone shared the same opinion as Jessica.
Hate Comments
"I've been told, and it makes me so angry, we have been told to jump off a cliff," Jessica said.
"I've been told that me and my son have a target on his back, and we're going to be ostracized. And most of the hatred has come from adults." But what did the school district say?
The School District's Statement
"There are procedures in place for addressing concerns over policy if it is Ms. Oates' desire to have her son educated in Barbers Hill ISD," the school district told to NBC News.
"But we would and should justifiably be criticized if our district lessened its expectations or longstanding policies simply to appease." So what did the Department of Justice think of this incident?
The Suggestion
The battle between Jessica and Barber Hills Kindergarten Center ended when the United States Department of Justice investigated the incident.
According to the Department of Justice, Jabez's preschool hadn't violated any laws, but they suggested the district change the dress code regarding hair.
Long Hair Could Be Allowed
They suggested the school district allow boys wear their long hair using rubber bands. However, they still would have to follow the dress code.
Did the school district follow their suggestion?
Approved
The school board voted to approve this change in the students' dress code.
However, Jessica says this is a hollow victory for her: "Do I send him to a school where people are going to potentially emotionally torment him?"