Many schools enforce strict dress codes, but sometimes, those rules backfire spectacularly. When one private Christian high school told a student to dye her hair back to its natural color, they had no idea they were dealing with a genetic condition—or how perfectly she’d comply with their demand.
A natural white streak mistaken for a trend
The student, who had poliosis, was born with a natural white streak in her otherwise dark hair. Though she was teased as a child, her look became trendy as hair streaks—similar to Dua Lipa’s "rogue" hairstyle—gained popularity. But when in-person classes resumed, a teacher immediately reported her for violating the school’s dress code, which banned "unnatural colors" and "extreme hairstyles."
The controversial hairstylePhoto via Reddit
Sent to the principal’s office over something she was born with
Despite never having dyed her hair, she was sent to the principal for breaking the rules.
"One of my cousin's teachers took one look at her hair and sent her to the principal's office, insisting my cousin's 'unnatural, extreme' hair was in violation of the dress code and 'too distracting,' despite the fact that she's never dyed/bleached any part of her hair in her life," her cousin shared on Reddit.
A school principal talks to a mom and her daughterCanva
The student tried to explain, but the principal refused to listen. Instead, she was given an ultimatum:
"When you come back tomorrow, I expect you to have dyed your hair back to its natural color and don’t dye it again! As long as you are at our school, you are to adhere to the dress code!"
Malicious compliance at its finest
Smiling, the girl agreed to follow the rules. And she did exactly what they asked—just not in the way they expected.
Since she had been told to return her hair to its ‘natural color’ and never dye it again, she dyed the white patch black to match the rest of her hair.
Teachers praised her for ‘fixing’ her hair—completely unaware that the white streak would grow back naturally in just a few weeks.
Supportive commentvia Reddit
Her white streak returns—and the school panics
As expected, the white roots started growing back, and another teacher sent her back to the principal’s office.
This time, she stood her ground.
"Well, you told me to dye my hair back to its 'natural' color and to never dye it again! So I did just that. I dyed my hair the color of the hair on most of my head to get rid of the white streak, which, by the way, is how my hair naturally grows and didn't dye it again, so now the roots are showing! I did exactly what you told me to do!"
A woman has her roots done at a hair salonCanva
The school refuses to back down—until her parents step in
The principal wasn’t buying it and suspended her on the spot.
Her parents were called to pick her up, but they came prepared. They brought:
- Old photos showing she had always had the white streak
- Proof that poliosis runs in the family—her father had the same hair pattern
After seeing the evidence, the school had no choice but to reinstate her. However, they weren’t happy about it.
A school principal not looking happyCanva
‘You’re lucky we’re making an exception’
Instead of apologizing, the school warned her:
"Extreme hair is still a distraction to the other students, and they are going to wonder why you're getting special treatment. Consider yourself lucky!"
From that day forward, she wore her white streak proudly—while continuing to receive judgmental stares from administrators.
Internet reacts: ‘This is the best malicious compliance ever’
The brilliant response earned plenty of praise online.
Supportive commentvia Reddit
Other users criticized the school, with u/SpiritRiddle pointing out:
"I like how they were so quick to enforce the rule, but once they realized they had messed up, instead of apologizing, they tried to make it her fault."
She’s not coming back
After everything that happened, the student decided not to return to the school the following year.
She had proven her point, but she wasn’t about to stay somewhere she wasn’t respected.
And as for her white streak? She’s now wearing it proudly, knowing that no principal, teacher, or outdated dress code can take away who she is.
This article originally appeared earlier this year.
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21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.