A Texas school is under scrutiny as it faces potential Child Protective Services (CPS) intervention after suspending a Black student for wearing locs, a hairstyle deeply rooted in his cultural heritage.
Seventeen-year-old Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School near Houston, was initially suspended on August 31 due to his traditional locs hairstyle. This suspension coincided with the implementation of Texas’ Crown Act, a new law that prohibits racial hair discrimination in educational institutions and workplaces.
Barbers Hill High School’s dress code policy restricts male students from having hair that extends beyond their eyebrows or earlobes, even when tied back. George has refused to cut his locs, leading to his prolonged stay in in-school suspension (ISS).
After completing a two-week suspension, George returned to school with his locs tied atop his head, but uncut. He received another suspension, according to Dr. Candice Matthews, a civil rights activist assisting his family.
George’s mother, Darresha, expressed concerns about her son’s conditions in ISS, where he reportedly sits on a stool in a cramped space for eight hours without a proper desk. The school also provides students in ISS with limited meal options, affecting Darryl’s education and well-being.
Allie Booker, an attorney representing the George family, announced plans to contact Child Protective Services due to the inadequate conditions in which Darryl is placed. Booker intends to file a lawsuit against the school for racial discrimination and Crown Act violations.
Barbers Hill High School’s communications director, David Bloom, argued that the school’s hair length policy does not violate the Crown Act, citing a statement from Rep. Rhetta Bowers, a supporter of the law. However, the George family and their advocates remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual significance of Darryl’s locs.
“Darryl’s hair is spiritual, his hair is a connection to his ancestors. His hair is a connection to God,” stated Dr. Candice Matthews, underscoring the importance of the hairstyle to George’s identity.
As the legal battle intensifies, the emotional toll on Darryl George continues to mount, with his family and supporters determined to challenge the school’s actions.