But Ms. Linda Whitman didn’t see any of that.

Ms. Whitman, a strict teacher known for her idea of “professionalism,” disliked anything she considered “distracting.” That day, her eyes locked onto Courtney’s beads the moment she stepped into the room. The class settled in, notebooks out, pencils ready, but Ms. Whitman’s gaze stayed fixed.

“Courtney, come to the front of the class,” her voice rang out suddenly.

Courtney’s heart dropped. She stood slowly, confused as whispers stirred around her.

Ms. Whitman pointed at her braids. “This hairstyle is inappropriate for a learning environment. The beads make noise. It’s a distraction. You were told about our standards.”