Title: Texas School District Seeks Clarification on Dress Code and Discrimination Laws Amidst Student Suspension
Subtitle: Barbers Hill High School faces controversy over student’s loc hairstyle
Date: September 19, 2023
Mont Belvieu, Texas – Barbers Hill Independent School District is under scrutiny after suspending a student for nearly two weeks due to his loc hairstyle. The school district has now sought court clarification on whether its dress code violates the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural) Act, a state law that prohibits discrimination based on hair.
Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior at Barbers Hill High School, has been serving in-school suspension for more than two weeks because his locs were deemed to violate the district’s dress code. According to the dress code, “male students’ hair will not extend, at any time, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes.”
In a statement, district spokesperson David Bloom stated that Barbers Hill Independent School District has asked the court to determine “whether the newly passed CROWN Act prohibits grooming policies addressing the length of a male student’s hair.” Superintendent Greg Poole also shared that they are seeking the interpretation of the judicial system in Texas, despite their belief that the law does not govern hair length.
The controversy intensified when George was suspended again this week, shortly after returning from his original suspension. However, the school district made it clear that they would not “enhance” the disciplinary action against him. CNN previously reported that repeated violations of the dress code would result in George being sent to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, also known as an alternative school.
Darresha George, Darryl’s mother, mentioned that her son had received multiple disciplinary action notes for wearing his locs in a ponytail. She added that he was suspended on the same week that the state’s CROWN Act, which bans discrimination based on hair texture or protective hairstyles such as locs and braids, became effective.
The school’s dress and grooming code specify that “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.” Despite this, George has worn his locs in a ponytail and braided, as they hold sentimental value with strands from his grandfather and father.
The George family has expressed their intention not to cut Darryl’s locs, and they are now considering taking legal action against the district. This case has sparked a wider discussion about the intersection of dress codes, cultural expression, and discrimination.
As the controversy unfolds, the court’s interpretation of the CROWN Act and its impact on grooming policies will undoubtedly shape the outcome of this tense situation. Barbers Hill High School and Barbers Hill Independent School District’s response to the ongoing debate will play a significant role in defining their commitment to inclusivity and diversity within their educational institution.
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