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A TEXAS student has reportedly been suspended from school for wearing his hair in a dreadlock hairstyle.
His high school is now facing harsh criticism as a new law banning race-based hair discrimination just went into effect in Texas in on September 1, 2023.
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Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School – which is located about 35 miles east of Houston – has been suspended most of the school year for the hairstyle, according to local ABC news affiliate KTRK.
The student’s mother, Darresha George, told the news outlet her son was told his hairstyle violated the school’s dress code policy.
“I know he’s upset and he feels terrible about it,” Darresha said.
In a separate interview she told CNN: “He’s very anxious, very aggravated right now because he keeps getting punished for something that’s irrelevant to his education.”
Darryl was reprimanded by a school official for his hairstyle and for wearing frayed jeans, which are also prohibited, per his mother.
He was told he had to change his clothes and cut his hair.
After Darryl refused to cut his hair, he was suspended, per Darresha.
The family has now hired an attorney and are considering legal action against the school.
The mother has said her son will not be forced to cut his hair.
The family plans on fighting the school policy.
“I want to see their policy change and stop being discriminatory against Black kids. I want to see my son out of ISS (in school suspension),” Darresha said.
“I don’t want any other child that’s coming behind my son to go through this again.”
According to the Barbers Hill Independent School District’s dress code policy: “Male students’ hair will not extend, at any time, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes.
“Male students’ hair must not extend below the top of a T-shirt collar or be gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down.”
The school district also prohibits geometric patterns, mohawks, unnatural hair colors, such as purple, blue, green or orange, as well as any type of ribbons or hair accessories.
Any student in grades nine through 12 who violates the school’s dress code policy will be given in-school suspension, per the policy.
In May, Texas became the 21st state to sign the CROWN Act law into effect, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination at schools, workplaces, and in housing policies.
The CROWN Act stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, according to the coalition’s website.
The organization says a 2021 research study for girls has indicated that hair discrimination can be very harmful and have long-term effects on youth.
“Learning how to confident is an essential part of growing up. But early experiences of hair discrimination can have a negative impact on building self-esteem,” the website said.
“From formal school policies that ban hairstyles inherent to Black culture to microaggressions from teachers and classmates, Black children are unfairly targeted everyday.
“This harmful discrimination can last throughout a person’s lifetime, both in terms of experiencing discrimination and long-term effects it can have on confidence and self-esteem.”
Rep. Ron Reynolds of Missouri City, who helped author the CROWN Act, has commented on the Texas student’s suspension.
“Absolutely zero excuse for this school district that knows the policy to do this all over again,” Reynolds told KTRK. “It feels like deja vu.”
A district spokesman has replied to Reynolds comments telling the same media outlet that the policy “is not in conflict with the CROWN Act.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Barbers Hill Independent School district for comment.
Houston City Council commissioner, Rodney Ellis, has put out a statement on Facebook about the student’s suspension.
“I am infuriated to witness the continued discrimination against Black students at nearby Barbers Hill High School. Just seven days after the Texas CROWN Act became the law of the land, Barbers Hill ISD leaders are shamefully persisting in their crusade against students of color.”
He also said: “When young students are punished for simply expressing their cultural identity through their hair, it sends a chilling message that their heritage is unwelcome and that they do not belong.”
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