A left-handed 4-year-old in Oklahoma was forced to write with his right hand because his teacher claims being left-handed is evil and associated with the devil.

KFOR reports the student, Zayde Sands, is only 4 years old, and it’s his first year at Oakes Elementary in Okemah, Oklahoma. However, his introduction to public school has been marred by an ignorant teacher who believes being left-handed is evil and sinister.

Zayde’s mother, Alisha Sands, reports she noticed her left-handed son attempting to write with his right hand at home after beginning the school year. She asked him why he was writing with his right hand, and not his left. Sands said:

I just asked ‘Is there anything his teachers ever asked about his hands?’

Sands reports her son raised his left hand and said:

This one’s bad.

Concerned, Alisha Sands sent the teacher a note about her son’s allegation. The unnamed teacher responded by sending home an article calling left-handedness “unlucky,” “evil,” and “sinister,” as well as pointing out that “the devil is often portrayed as left-handed.”

Alisha Sands said she couldn’t believe the teacher would be promoting such ignorance:

It breaks my heart for him because someone actually believes that, believes my child is evil because he’s left handed, it’s crazy.

Sands says she went to the school superintendent with the article, but was disappointed by the response:

There was no suspension of any kind. There was basically nothing done to this teacher. She told them she thought I needed literature on it.

Sands said:

I don’t feel like the school did what they were supposed to for him.

Currently Sands is keeping her son at home, and says her son Zayde will likely transfer to another class.

KFOR contacted the school for comment on this disturbing and developing story. The school said they are aware of the situation and the district is investigating.

Sands says she will file a formal complaint with the Oklahoma Board of Education.

Bottom line: Telling a 4-year-old that being left handed is bad or evil is unacceptable in any situation, and constitutes a form of child abuse.

Story via KFOR – Watch the news video below –