The hashtag #StopRacismAtPretoriaGirlsHigh is trending in South Africa. It comes as students, from the all girls school in Pretoria, would not stand against the racism they face because of their hair.
According to various articles in Times Live and News24 students had been told that their hair looked like a "bird's nest" or were given a brush to neaten their hair.
I've been moved by the powerful images of the young women standing in protest. Standing up for themselves and for others who feel discriminated against because of the texture of their hair.
There's an incredible clip where students are told that they will be arrested, however, they fearlessly respond: "They're going to arrest us guys!" "You can arrest us!" "TAKE US ALL!"
Frustrated that we're still fighting this battle and inspired by their defiant words, I began to type:
Take us with Our Big Hair, Afros‚ Bantu Knots‚ Dreadlocks and Braids.
Take us because we're not afraid to speak up.
Take us with our hands raised.
Take us in broad daylight.
Take us while people stand and watch.
Take us to set an example.
Take us to control us.
Take us to instil fear.
Take us because we do not appreciate being told how to comb our hair.
Take us to silence us.
Take us because you don't understand us.
Take us just because.
Take us because we're bold.
Take us because we challenge the status quo.
Take us because we don't fit into the mindset you framed us.
Take us as we were.
Take us as we are.
Take us for who we will become.But before you take us, why don't you ask us what we're fighting for? Instead you claim to know us - yet you can't lock eyes and hold a conversation with us.
The things is, you'd actually be surprised - that when you finally speak to us and not at us - instead of wanting to take us, you'd undoubtedly stand with us.
So take us. Arrest us. And then what?