10-year-old suspended from elementary school for colorful hairdo

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Ten-year-old Anaya Seely enjoys going to school at Detroit’s Cook Elementary.

The fifth grader’s favorite subject is science.  Her mother, Bonita Seely, says Anaya gets good grades and likes to study.

For the next three days Anaya will not be doing any school work in class because she has been suspended due to her hair.

That's right. Bonita Seely was told the school thinks her daughter’s new doo is a distraction to the learning process.

The pink, yellow, and orange that Anaya once enjoyed showing off got her pulled into the principal’s office on Monday.  “They said I need to stop and I just need to take it out,” said Anaya Seely.

When 7 Action News asked her what she thought when the school asked her to change her hairstyle, “That it’s not pretty,” she said.

The 10-year-old and her mother believe the colorful locks are just a way for Anaya to express herself and she should not be punished for just being herself.

Anaya says part of her influence is singer Willow Smith who - in her song 'Whip My Hair Back And Forth' - sings about expressing her individuality.

“I picked this hairstyle because I like to express myself through my hair and I like bright colors,” said Anaya.

For now, she plans to catch up on her school work from home.  Anaya also plans to not let anyone define what is beautiful to her.

A spokesperson for Detroit Public School contacted 7 Action News late Wednesday evening. He said the girl had been suspended for a behavioral issue, adding the district would never suspend a student over her hair.