HOUSTON — A Texas judge has refused to grant an injunction that would have allowed a Black student, who has been disciplined for his hairstyle, to return to his high school without facing further penalties. Darryl George, 19, has been embroiled with the authorities of Barbers Hill High School since last year over his dreadlocks, which the school claims violate its dress code.
The school’s dress code stipulates hair must not fall “below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down.” George has chosen not to cut his braided dreadlocks, a decision supported by his family who emphasize the hairstyle’s cultural significance within the Black community.
The legal action by George includes a federal lawsuit that challenges the school’s grooming policy as discriminatory. The matter came before district Judge Jeffrey Brown, but his request for a temporary restraining order was denied on the grounds that it was filed too late.
Previously, in the 2023-2024 school year, George faced multiple disciplinary actions for the same reason. His mother described the punitive measures, which included placing him in an off-campus program, as harsh. She recounted the physical discomfort her son experienced from being made to sit on a stool for eight hours daily in a confined space.
The contention around George’s hair comes amidst a broader national conversation about hair and racial discrimination. The Crown Act, enacted in Texas in September 2023, prohibits racial discrimination based on hair texture and hairstyles like dreadlocks. However, there has already been a state ruling against George, which found that the school’s punishment does not violate this new law.
Following the repeated suspensions at the onset of the current academic year, George was compelled to unenroll and transfer to another educational institution. His legal representatives argue the school’s decision to remove him from the general student population from the first day highlights persistent issues with how cultural expressions are dealt with in educational settings.
The case continues to unfold as George and his mother pursue their lawsuit against the school district. The outcome of this legal battle could influence policies in schools across Texas and potentially wider regions, serving as a litmus test for the application of the Crown Act in educational institutions.
Legal analysts are keeping a close watch on the proceedings, noting the potential for significant legal ramifications concerning racial equality and personal rights in schools. What outcome this case will ultimately inspire remains to be seen, as the debate around race, individual rights, and cultural identity continues to evolve in the educational sphere.