A black Texas high school student was suspended from his spot just days after a state law banning discrimination based on hairstyle took effect.
Darryl George, a junior at Barbours Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, received several notices and an in-school suspension for tying his hair in a ponytail, his mother Darresha George said. cnn,
This happened the same week that Texas’ crown act It went into effect, banning discriminatory practices against natural hair textures and styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots in the workplace and school.
Darresha said her son is disappointed by the school’s actions.
“She’s very concerned right now, very upset because she’s being punished for something that is irrelevant to her education,” he told CNN.
The family has hired a lawyer and is considering legal action.
The school denies that the suspension was based not on his hairstyle, but on his height. The school told Darresha that the disciplinary action was a result of her son’s failure to comply.Dress and Beauty Code,
According to the code, the school’s rule on hair for males is as follows: “The hair of male students must not, at any time, grow below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes. The hair of male students must not grow below the top of the head. Needed.” -The shirt collar should be gathered or worn in a style that allows the hair to extend over the top of the T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ears as it goes down.”
Darryl was also punished for wearing torn jeans, which is banned by the school.
His mother said the 17-year-old boy can change his clothes, but he is not willing to cut his hair.
In addition to the suspension, if Darryl doesn’t get his hair cut by the end of the week he is at risk of being placed in an alternative education program.
Darresha believes the school’s policy violates the Crown Act, and said she and her son will continue to fight.
“I want to see their policy change and stop discriminating against black kids. I want to see my son out of ISS (in-school suspension). I don’t want any other kid coming after my son to have that.” Have to go through this situation again.” ,” Darresha said.
The family’s attorney, Eli Booker, told CNN that the school’s policy on hair segregates black students.
“It makes you believe that it’s OK, even if left out, to have long hair not allowed – even if it’s local and it’s kept neat and clean,” Booker said. “So basically, you’ve got to cut your ponytail; you’ve got to cut your ponytail.”
Locs are an African hairstyle in which hair is wrapped, braided, twisted, or twisted to resemble a rope. Locs prevent hair from losing moisture and can last longer.