JulPo/Getty Images
Marquise White, the Maryland teacher who came under fire for letting students unbraid his hair in class, is now addressing the backlash.
On Friday, May 17, White released a video via YouTube. During the hour and twelve-minute long clip, White addressed the public criticism. Initially he explained that the incident occurred during the “last ten minutes of class on a Friday.”
However, he can agree with some viewers who found the viral interaction “unprofessional.”
“I’m not negating that — me getting my hair unbraided at the school, my place of employment, yes, that was highly unprofessional,” he explained.
However, White explained that he is what he would call an unprofessional, eclectic, unconventional teacher. From there, White explained how he doesn’t feel uncomfortable teaching while showing the tattoos on his arms and legs.
“Like, I will do these things because they don’t affect my efficacy as a teacher,” he said. “If anything, I think it enhances it…”
Despite his view, White admitted that the ordeal was still “unprofessional” even though “it was a one time thing.”
“First and last time, I’ve never done that before,” he said. “I needed help, I was in a bind and I didn’t have the time to take out my hair.”
Watch his full statement below.
Social media users reacted to White’s explanation in The Shade Room’s comment section. Many of the reactions continued to be mixed.
Instagram user @mashaydaa wrote, “Teachers have evolved w/ this new generation of children . Many ppl gone see this an unethical because it’s a time and place . But I think it was harmless / simply his way of bonding with his students”
Instagram user @realbriamyles wrote, “Since he’s gotten so much attention he may as well start a virtual homeschooling business and call it a day”
As The Shade Room previously reported, White went viral after livestreaming some of his female students while they were unbraiding his hair. White is a full time teacher at the Maya Angelou French Immersion School in Hillcrest, Maryland.
Before going viral with the braiding incident, White would share TikTok with his students calling them his “besties.” Additionally, she shared footage of them throwing darts in the classroom and participating in TikTok trends. On one occassion, White even shared footage of a student painting his nails in class.
Check out the entire ordeal and the reaction of Maryland parent’s below.
