Black Texas High School Student Suspended Again for Violating Dress Code
A high school student from Texas, who was previously suspended for violating the school district’s dress code with his loc hairstyle, has been suspended once again upon his return to school. The student, Darryl George, has been suspended for over two weeks for his loc hairstyle, which according to the Barbers Hill Independent School District dress and grooming code, violates the code’s rules for male students’ hair length.
The family’s attorney, Allie Booker, revealed that school officials have asked George and his mother to meet and discuss the continued disciplinary action over his hairstyle violations. The family has until Wednesday to meet with school officials. Booker expressed her belief that the school administrators may try to push George out of school, but the family does not consent to such an action.
Previously, George was informed that if he didn’t cut his hair, he would be placed in an alternative school, known as the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program. This ultimatum was given to him by school officials.
The incident has gained attention, especially considering that the state’s CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles such as locs and braids, recently went into effect. The timing of George’s suspension drew even more attention to the issue.
George’s mother, Darresha George, had previously informed CNN that multiple disciplinary notes were issued to her son for wearing his locs hairstyle in a ponytail. She also revealed that he was suspended the same week the CROWN Act was implemented.
David Bloom, the director of communications for the Barbers Hill Independent School District, declined to comment on the specific disciplinary matter involving George.
The George family is now considering legal action against the school for their treatment of Darryl. Darresha George also mentioned that school officials told her son that his loc hairstyle violated the district’s dress code, which specifies that male students’ hair should not extend below the top of a t-shirt collar or below the eyebrows or earlobes.
George was initially reprimanded for his locs and for wearing frayed jeans, which are also prohibited. The school gave him the option to change his clothes, but he would also have to cut his hair. When George declined to cut his hair, he was put on in-school suspension.