Darryl George lost the fight to keep his locs at a certain length
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On Thursday, a judge ruled that Barbers Hill Independent School District’s dress code does not violate the CROWN ACT, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools, and housing policies.
According to NBC News, the decision was met with frustration by George’s family and tears from the teenager, who still could not accept the court’s choice.
Candice Matthews, the George family spokesperson, relayed some of the frustration Darryl expressed, telling reporters that he said, “All because of my hair? I can’t get my education because of my hair. I can’t be around my peers and enjoy my junior year because of my hair.”
To no surprise, the school district was relieved by the court’s decision, with Sara Leon, a rep for the district, saying, “We appreciate clarification for the court because it’s an important question. We’re glad to understand what the law means.”
Darryl George attends Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas. The high school junior wears his locs in a ponytail style. While the locs themselves are not considered a violation, the length of his hair is.
The Barbers Hill Independent School District’s dress code specifically states, “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.”
As a result, George was initially suspended the same week the CROWN ACT went into effect in Texas in early September. From that point on, he has either been in in-school suspension or an off-site disciplinary program. In December, it was calculated that George spent more than 80 percent of the school year outside of his regular classes due to multiple suspensions.
Even though George has styled his locs in a way that allows his hair to not go below his ears, the school district has still punished him. He even claims that other boys in his school have longer hair than him but have not been disciplined by the district once.
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