Black student seeks judge’s help to return to Texas school after punishment for hairstyle

A Black high school student in Texas, Darryl George, has found himself in a difficult situation due to his hairstyle. After facing punishment for nearly all of his junior year over his hair, he has decided to leave the Barbers Hill Independent School District. His attorney reports that this move was prompted by the district’s insistence on in-school suspension, which he faced on the first and second days of the new school year.

George, 18, wishes to return to Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu for his senior year. He has petitioned a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order barring district officials from imposing further discipline over his hair, allowing him access to his school while his federal lawsuit proceeds.

This request comes after U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown dismissed most of George’s initial claims of racial and gender discrimination but allowed the gender discrimination allegation to stay in court. The judge raised questions about the effectiveness of the school’s hair policy, suggesting it could cause more harm than good.

In an affidavit, George expressed his desire to attend school like any typical teenager during the pending legal process. The judge has scheduled a hearing for October 3 in Galveston regarding George’s request.

Attorneys for Barbers Hill Independent School District contend that the judge lacks jurisdiction to grant the restraining order due to George’s withdrawal from the school. The district maintains that his exit does not prevent him from seeking past damages, though they argue he has not experienced any constitutional violations.

The district defends its hair policy as one aimed at instilling discipline, promoting grooming and hygiene, preventing disruptions, and ensuring safety. However, George’s attorneys claim he was “forced to unenroll” from Barbers Hill due to the emotional distress caused by the district’s disciplinary measures. They argue that the actions taken against him led to a nervous breakdown, necessitating his transfer to another school.

George left Barbers Hill not of his own volition but out of necessity, his attorney said, emphasizing that his mother moved to the area for better educational opportunities. George’s long hair, which he styles in locs, has been at the center of the controversy. The school district states that his hair length violates their dress code, while other students with similar hairstyles have been able to comply with the same rules.

Additionally, the lawsuit includes claims that the school’s actions contravene the CROWN Act, a newly enacted state law that prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and styles. The CROWN Act protects against penalties for natural hair textures and protective hairstyles, such as locs, braids, and Afros. A state judge previously ruled against the school district, stating that their disciplinary measures do not violate this law.

Barbers Hill’s hair regulations were also contested in a previous federal lawsuit brought by two other students. While both withdrew from the school, one returned after a judge granted a temporary injunction, suggesting a likelihood that students’ rights to free speech and protection from racial discrimination could be challenged if the policy were upheld. That case is still ongoing.

As this contentious legal battle unfolds, the focus remains on the intersection of student rights, cultural expression, and school policies within this Texas school district.

Source: CBS News