《中英對照讀新聞》Massachusetts school backs off ban of hair braid extensions－麻州學校停止髮辮接髮禁令

◎張沛元

A Massachusetts charter school that came under fire for what some students and parents considered a racist policy of banning hair braid extensions has suspended the rule.

（美國）麻薩諸塞州一所特許學校，因一項禁止髮辮接髮的政策，遭學生與家長批評有種族歧視之嫌後，已暫停實施這項規定。

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The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School in Malden backed off the provision in its hair/makeup rules after trustees met Sunday.

在該校董事週日開會後，麻州莫爾登神秘谷地區特許學校不再實施此一頭髮／化妝規定。

The decision follows a state attorney general letter to the school, saying the policy was illegal because it singles out students of color.

在校方作出這項決定前，該州總檢察長致函校方，指稱這項單獨針對有色人種學生的政策違法。

The American Civil Liberties Union had also filed a complaint against the school with the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, saying the rule is discriminatory.

「美國公民自由聯盟」也向該州的初等與中等教育局申訴，指稱該校這項規定有差別待遇。

The issue came to light when the parents of twin 15-year-old black girls said their daughters were punished for wearing extensions, while white students hadn’t been punished for violations of hairstyle regulations. （AP）

這項議題之所以眾所周知，是因為一對15歲黑人雙胞胎女孩的家長說，他們的女兒因接髮遭到懲處，白人學生卻沒有因為違反規定而受罰。（美聯社）

《新聞辭典》

back off：例句，放棄；放手；停止。例句：The manager started to criticize his subordinates, and then he suddenly backed off when he saw the boss was coming.（經理開始批評他的部屬，但在看到老闆進來後突然住口。）

come under fire：慣用語，遭受批評。

single out：慣用語，（為批評或表揚等）單獨挑出。例句：She was singled out for special treatment as a woman.（她因身為女性而得以享受特殊待遇。）