Marquis White, a Maryland middle school science teacher who gained viral attention after allowing female students to unbraid his hair in class, has been cleared of any wrongdoing and is set to return to work. The incident, which sparked widespread debate and controversy, led to an investigation into White’s conduct.
On May 5, White posted a video on social media showing him at his desk while several female students took down his braids. The video quickly went viral, igniting discussions about the appropriateness of his actions. Some viewed the situation as harmless, arguing that it provided a safe and creative environment for the students, while others questioned its propriety.
Among those who defended White was rapper Cardi B, who publicly supported him and argued against his dismissal. “He should not be fired,” she said on Instagram Live. “You can see he is a genuine person and a cherished figure in the school community. When you like your teacher, it makes you want to pay attention more in class and it makes you want to do better in class.”
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On July 5, after a thorough investigation, White announced on social media that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing. In his video, he expressed gratitude towards Cardi B for her support and thanked the local school community, parents, and those who defended him online. He described the investigation process as “long, extensive, and arduous” but ultimately appreciated the thoroughness that ensured he was not an “actual weirdo that slipped through the cracks.”
Despite being cleared, White acknowledged that he made an error in posting videos of his students on his personal social media accounts, even though he had parental approval. As a result, he will face a five-day suspension without pay for violating school district policies regarding student privacy.
“It’s understandable,” White said. “I’m not fired. I was never fired. I never lost my job. The County came out and said I was reassigned. I was just reassigned to my house. I couldn’t go to the school because they had to investigate the things that people were saying about me. I was just at home on administrative leave.”
White is set to return to school in August, where he plans to continue making learning enjoyable and impactful for his students. “I’ll be back at the school in August, doing what I do best: making learning fun and impacting the lives of countless students,” he concluded.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of teacher-student interactions in the digital age and the importance of adhering to school policies while fostering a positive learning environment.
