In a perplexing turn of events, a Black high school student in Texas found himself suspended for an alleged violation of the school district’s dress code regarding hairstyles, just as his state had recently implemented a law prohibiting racial discrimination based on hair.
Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, was subjected to an in-school suspension due to his locs, which school officials claimed exceeded the permitted length by extending below his eyebrows and ear lobes.
The 17-year-old student, who proudly sports his hair in thick twisted dreadlocks, typically tied on top of his head, was left bewildered by the disciplinary action.
His mother, Darresha George, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the situation. Despite the setback, George intends to return to the Houston-area school on Monday, determined to assert his identity by wearing his dreadlocks in a ponytail, even if it means being forced to attend an alternative school as a consequence.
The recent incident has brought to the forefront the ongoing debates surrounding hair discrimination in both schools and the workplace.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals who have historically been targeted due to their hair texture or style.
Moreover, this incident also serves as a litmus test for the efficacy of the state’s newly enacted CROWN Act, which officially came into effect on September 1st.
The CROWN Act, short for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” aims to protect individuals from being discriminated against based on their natural hair or protective hairstyles.
This incident provides an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of this legislation in combating hair discrimination and fostering inclusivity in various spheres of society.
The law known as the CROWN Act, an acronym for “Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” serves as a crucial measure aimed at eradicating race-based hair discrimination.
Its primary objective is to prohibit employers and educational institutions from penalizing individuals based on their hair texture or choice of protective hairstyles, including but not limited to Afros, braids, dreadlocks, twists, or Bantu knots.
Texas is among the 24 states that have implemented their own version of the CROWN Act, recognizing the significance of addressing this issue at a state level.
While a federal version of the CROWN Act was successfully passed in the House of Representatives last year, it unfortunately did not garner enough support in the Senate to become law.
For Black people, hairstyles hold a deeper significance beyond mere fashion choices. Throughout the Black diaspora, hair has always played a pivotal role in cultural expression and identity.
Candice Matthews, the national minister of politics for the New Black Panther Nation, emphasizes this cultural importance.
It is worth noting that her organization is not affiliated with another New Black Panther group that has been widely regarded as antisemitic.
According to Matthews, dreadlocks are not merely a passing trend or a means to seek attention; they are instead seen as a profound connection to wisdom.
In her view, hair serves as a link to our soul, our heritage, and our connection to a higher power. Within George’s family, the tradition of wearing dreadlocks spans generations, signifying the cultural and religious significance of this hairstyle.
Darresha George, his mother, explains that their hair symbolizes their strength and roots, with the ancestors being intricately intertwined within each lock.
Looking back in history, it is evident that various African societies utilized braids and other hairstyles as a form of communication, enabling them to identify tribal affiliation, marriage status, and even providing clues for safety and freedom for those who were enslaved.
Even after the abolition of slavery, Black American hair became a political statement.
Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, Black individuals continued to face societal and professional stigmatization for not conforming to white, European beauty standards and norms in their grooming practices.
The issue of race-based hair discrimination in the workplace has been a persistent problem that has not only plagued professional environments, but has also extended its reach to public and private schools.
This troubling phenomenon came to the forefront of public consciousness in 2018, when a white referee in New Jersey made the shocking decision to demand that a Black high school wrestler cut his dreadlocks or risk forfeiting a match.
The incident was captured on video and quickly went viral, eliciting outrage from individuals across the nation.
As the footage spread, the referee faced swift consequences, including suspension from his position. Moreover, this incident served as a catalyst for change, prompting the passage of New Jersey’s CROWN Act, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at combating hair discrimination on the basis of race.
The incident and subsequent legislative action shed light on the pervasive nature of this issue and underscored the need for comprehensive measures to address and eradicate race-based hair discrimination in all spheres of society.
Darresha George recently expressed her frustration regarding her son’s dreadlocks, which he has been growing for almost a decade.
She revealed that the family had never faced any objections or complaints about his hair until now. According to George, her son’s dreadlocks are typically pinned up and do not extend beyond his shoulders.
She found it perplexing that his hair was considered a violation of the school’s dress code. In an attempt to address the issue, she even discussed the CROWN Act, a law that prohibits discrimination based on natural hairstyles, with the principal and vice principal.
However, they informed her that the act does not cover the length of her son’s hair. The Barbers Hill Independent School District strictly prohibits male students from having hair that extends below their eyebrows, ear lobes, or the top of a t-shirt collar, as outlined in the student handbook.
Additionally, the school mandates that all students’ hair must be clean, well-groomed, geometrically shaped, and not dyed an unnatural color. It is important to note that the school does not enforce a uniform policy.
The issue of the school’s clash with a Black male student over the dress code has sparked a national debate.
In 2020, officials at Barbers Hill informed a student that he would need to cut his dreadlocks in order to continue attending school or participate in graduation.
This decision gained significant attention across the country. Greg Poole, the district superintendent since 2006, defends the policy, asserting that it is both legal and serves as a way to teach students the importance of conformity and sacrifice for the greater good.
Poole argues that when individuals are asked to conform and give up something for the benefit of the whole, there is a psychological benefit that should be acknowledged.
He believes that society needs more emphasis on teaching sacrifice. In comparison to nearby districts, Barbers Hill has stricter policies in place.
For instance, Poole points out that while other districts allow students to wear jeans with holes, Barbers Hill does not.
He attributes the district’s academic success to the high expectations and strict standards that attract parents to the area.
However, Attorney Allie Booker, who represents the family involved in the dispute, dismisses the school’s argument, contending that the length of hair is considered part of a hairstyle, which is protected under the law.
In the ongoing battle against discriminatory dress codes and the stifling of personal expression, individuals like Darresha George and her son are refusing to conform to the standards set by those who are uncomfortable or ignorant.
With a firm belief that hairstyles should be protected, George asserts that her son’s well-groomed hair does not hinder anyone’s education.
To her, the administration’s insistence on enforcing a dress code is a clear display of prejudice towards Black hairstyles and culture.
On the other hand, the district defends its dress code, stating that it aims to teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority.
However, George’s situation has garnered support from young Black people across the nation who have long endured discriminatory dress codes and disparaging comments about their hair from adults.
Victoria Bradley, a 19-year-old resident of Detroit, recalls a personal experience in fifth grade when a teacher deemed her blue and pink hair as unnatural and too distracting for her classmates.
It is in response to such instances that Michigan passed the CROWN Act into law this year, providing a glimmer of hope for those fighting against hair discrimination.