In a case that has garnered national attention, Darryl George, an 18-year-old Black student, is seeking to return to Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, after spending most of his junior year in in-school suspension due to a conflict over his hairstyle. George’s hairstyle, consisting of tied and twisted locs, was deemed a violation of the school’s dress code, which prohibits hair that extends below the collar, eyebrows, or earlobes when let down.
Despite complying with the dress code by keeping his locs tied up, George faced ongoing disciplinary action. He was ultimately forced to leave Barbers Hill in August 2024 after the school once again placed him on in-school suspension during the first days of the new academic year. His attorney, Allie Booker, stated that the repeated punishment caused George “significant emotional distress, ultimately leading to a nervous breakdown” and that his withdrawal from the school “was not a matter of choice but of survival.”
Legal Battle Over Hair Discrimination
George and his family have filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the school’s enforcement of its dress code amounts to racial and gender discrimination. The lawsuit also cites the Texas CROWN Act, a law enacted in September 2023, which prohibits race-based hair discrimination in schools and workplaces. The CROWN Act specifically protects hairstyles such as locs, braids, twists, and Afros that are often worn by Black individuals as part of their cultural identity.
However, in February 2024, a state judge ruled that the school district’s enforcement of its hair policy did not violate the CROWN Act, a decision that the George family is now challenging at the federal level. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown has already dismissed most of the racial discrimination claims but allowed the gender discrimination claim to move forward. George’s legal team has also requested a temporary restraining order that would allow him to return to school without facing further punishment for his hair while the lawsuit is ongoing.
In an affidavit filed in court, George pleaded for the opportunity to continue his education without further disciplinary action. “Judge Brown, please help us so that I can attend school like a normal teenage student during the pendency of this litigation,” George said. A court hearing is scheduled for October 2024.
Barbers Hill School District’s Defense
The Barbers Hill Independent School District has defended its dress code, asserting that the policies are in place to “teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority.” The district has also noted that other students with locs comply with the dress code by keeping their hair within the length limits.
In response to George’s legal claims, attorneys for the school district argued that the court lacks jurisdiction over the restraining order request because George is no longer a student in the district. However, they acknowledged that George may still seek damages for any harm he believes was caused during the time he was enrolled.
Impact of the Case
This case is part of a broader national conversation about the enforcement of school dress codes and their impact on Black students. Studies have shown that such policies disproportionately affect students of color, particularly those who wear natural or protective hairstyles. Advocates argue that these policies reinforce negative stereotypes about Black hair and contribute to a hostile school environment for minority students.
The outcome of George’s case could have far-reaching implications for the enforcement of the CROWN Act in Texas and beyond. If successful, his lawsuit could challenge the scope of dress code policies in schools and strengthen protections for students who wear culturally significant hairstyles.
As the case proceeds, George has expressed his desire to return to Barbers Hill for his senior year, hoping that the court will grant him the opportunity to finish his education without facing further penalties for his hairstyle.
Feature photo credit: Shutterstock/Yuri A. The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
