A Black mother from Maryland has taken to social media to expose the racial and hair discrimination faced by her 7-year-old daughter, a cheerleader for the Maryland Twisters.
The ‘Hair Policy’
The incident began on Dec. 6, when the mother, SaRaya Woolridge, shared her daughter’s experience on Twitter.
The Maryland Twisters denied her daughter, Ryan Brunson’s participation in a cheer competition, claiming that her hair did not comply with their “hair policy.” However, the mother shared a side-by-side photo showcasing the similarity between Ryan’s hair and the reference photos.
‘Much More Hair’
Despite the evidence, the team’s management responded dismissively, stating that Ryan had “much more hair” in person than shown in the photos. Gym leader Tara Rall wrote in the email:
“Ryan does have a lot of beautiful hair. I know in your attached photos it seems similar to the girls in the photos. However, I did see her yesterday. She has much more hair than this photo shows. It is long in real life, because it’s all one length, and the other girls have their hair cut in shorter layers. With that said, Ryan needs to have her hair in a high pony.”
Following the tweet’s virality, many began reaching out to the mother, including those who had once cheered for the team. One user named @kayyhairston texted the mother, stating:
“Hi sorry to bother you i just wanted to say i cheered at the MDT since i was ur daughters age i stopped putting my hair all up in 2019 never once did the owners say anything to me so if u do decide to go to court please use my picture!!! they never said anything to me and they never should’ve said anything to ur daughter also the coach shelly i would always complain on her when i coached a twisters (another reason i left and they never did anything about bc she was older than me they always took her side all and all im jus so sorry this happened to u and i’m sick to ever b apart of it.”
‘You Don’t Play About Your Daughter, and I Don’t Play About My Mother’
Following numerous testimonies regarding the cheerleading gym, the mother also mentioned that she was informed about the coach’s daughter posting a photo of her 7-year-old child, Ryan Brunson, backstage stretching before a competition.
She stated that the woman was on Facebook defending her mother, the founder of Maryland Twisters, by discussing her daughter.
As the post continued to circulate, the daughter of the gym’s founder commented to the mother, saying:
“You don’t play about your daughter and I don’t play about my mother. So you blatantly lie and say your daughter didn’t compete??? My mother who has biracial daughters and 6 grandchildren of all shades doesn’t have a racist bone in her body you have been a problem for years at the organization and because you aren’t getting your way you are making these false accusations your daughter hair is in the middle of her back this picture doesn’t show how long your daughter hair really is. I cheered at Twisters on F5 For over 5years and with my mom being a coach I still had to wear my hair all up in a ponytail due to the length… Like I said I don’t play about my mom my mom has probably done more for the black community than you ever will.”
Maryland Twisters Issue Statement
In response to the viral tweet, the Maryland Twisters issued a statement writing:
“We are saddened at the allegations of racial bias and embrace our athletes of all races, creeds, genders, and experiences. All star cheerleading and Maryland Twisters has provided an inclusive refuge for atheletes and coaches alike for 26 years. We are proud of the diversity we draw to our cheerleading family and continue to provide options for our athletes that support inclusion, including genderless uniform choices and hair policies that support all races. We are open to course correction and continued inclusion is paramount.”
However, the backlash continued to escalate, leading the gym to suspend classes temporarily for the safety of their athletes. They wrote a message saying:
“Good afternoon Twisters families – with the safety of our athletes always at the forefront of our business, and with the escalation of threats of physical violence, we are closing our doors tonight to ensure our community’s safety. We are saddened at the allegations of racial bias and embrace our athletes of all races creeds, genders, and experiences.”
Here’s the full Twitter thread by SaRaya Woolridge.
Student Suspended For Dreadlocks
Many Black individuals continue to face racial discrimination, particularly in relation to their hair. This incident brings to mind the case of Darryl George, an eighteen-year-old student at Barbers Hill High School student who was suspended for his dreadlocks and violating the school’s dress and grooming codes.
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