A judge ruled that a Texas high school was not violating the state’s CROWN Act by punishing a Black student over the length of his hair.
Darryl George, 18, sued the Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas after he was suspended from classes for months over his locs hairstyle which officials say violates the district’s dress policy.
The district’s policy allows students to wear locs hairstyle but limit the length of the hair for male students. The policy says “boy’s hair will not extend below the eyebrows, below the ear lobes, or below the top of a t-shirt collar.”
George’s family argued that the policy violates Texas CROWN Act, a law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of hairstyles “commonly or historically associated with race”.
But, district officials say the CROWN Act does not address hair length.
On Thursday, State District Judge Chap Cain III sided with the school district ruling that the district’s policy “does not prohibit nor does it discriminate against male students who wear braids, locs, or twists.”
The family’s spokesperson, Candice Matthews told reporters after the trial that George, who has either been serving in-school suspension or in an off-site disciplinary program since August, left with tears in his eyes.
“All because of my hair?” he said, according to Matthews. “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.”
The school district released a statement after the ruling saying they “appreciate clarification from the court because it’s an important question.”
“We’re glad to understand what the law means,” the district’s representative added.
But the matter is far from over. Matthews said that George’s attorneys plan to file for an injunction in an upcoming federal civil rights lawsuit. In the meantime, George will continue to serve in-school suspension.
