On Thursday, a Texas judge delivered a verdict regarding the state’s CROWN Act, determining that school dress codes can legally restrict a student’s hair length. The ruling disappointed Darryl George, a high school student from the Houston area, who had taken legal action against the Barbers Hill Independent School District after facing suspension due to the length of his locs hairstyle.
At a news conference outside the courthouse, Candice Matthews, a spokesperson for the family, said George had tears in his eyes as they left the courtroom. She said the ruling disappointed, angered, and confused the family.
“Darryl made this statement and told me this straight up with tears in his eyes, ‘All because of my hair? I can’t get my education because of my hair? I cannot be around other peers and enjoy my junior year because of my hair?'”
The George family opted not to attend the trial, but their attorneys intended to appeal the ruling. In response to the verdict, Barbers Hill Independent School District Superintendent Greg Poole stated that the district’s dress code aligns with the law and does not infringe upon students’ rights to self-expression.
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Poole referenced a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and suggested that similar reasoning could be applied to the CROWN Act. Discrimination against protective hairstyles dates back to slavery, according to Adjoa B. Asamoah, the lead legislative strategist and co-creator of the CROWN Coalition. This organization advocates for national legislation banning hair discrimination.
“We know that hair discrimination includes being fired … being passed over for promotions, and even having offers of employment rescinded,” she said. “And it’s been the reason that far too many children, too many Black children in particular, have missed school or had negative educational experiences.”
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The Texas CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles associated with specific races or cultures, was enacted in September 2023. State Representative Ron Reynolds, who co-authored the Act, expressed disappointment with the trial’s outcome. Reynolds emphasized the importance of continuing advocacy efforts to protect students like George.
The controversy stemmed from the school district’s dress code, which permits locs hairstyles but imposes restrictions on the hair length of male students. The code specifies that boys’ hair should not extend beyond specific lengths. Last September, the district initiated legal action to clarify whether its policy violated the CROWN Act.
George and his family pursued further legal action, filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against school officials and state leaders. Supporters of George staged protests, underscoring the case’s significance in addressing issues of racial discrimination and cultural identity.
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In reflecting on his experience, George expressed frustration at his isolation during the academic year, emphasizing the cultural significance of his locs hairstyle. His mother, Darresha, expressed gratitude to supporters for their unwavering support.
In a public statement earlier this year, Superintendent Poole reiterated the district’s commitment to maintaining standards and expectations, even if it means pursuing legal avenues. The case exemplifies the ongoing struggle for equality and the intersection of cultural identity and educational policies.
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