Darryl George, an 18-year-old African American student in Texas, has been the focus of widespread controversy as a result of his suspension from his high school due to the perceived excessive length of his locs hairstyle. The suspension which exceeded a month, resulted in the recommendation of the student’s transfer to a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, also known as an alternative school, until November 29, as stated in an official notice sent to Darryl’s mother.
In the notice signed by Barbers Hill High School principal Lance Murphy, George was admonished for “multiple infractions of campus and classroom rules”. Among these, the principal cited the disruption of the ISS classroom, failure to comply with staff directives, tardiness, and a breach of the dress and grooming policy.
The notification letter from the principal deemed George’s actions as chronic and repeated violations of the district’s prior communicated standards of student conduct, which ultimately justified his referral to the alternative program. While this decision is causing heightened legal tension, the dispute arises particularly due to George’s locs hairstyle. George, keeping his hair in braids or a ponytail, is alleged by the school district to have violated the dress code that dictates hair length limits for male students.
George and his family, staunchly against the restriction, contend that the dress code policy infringes upon the Texas CROWN Act. The act legally disallows discrimination based on hairstyles associated chiefly with race. Subsequently, the family entered a federal civil rights lawsuit against eminent Texas authorities, including Governor Greg Abbott, for their alleged oversight concerning the implementation of the act.
Amidst these intense circumstances, George will be allowed to rejoin his class on November 30 but the decision to refer him to an alternative school is final and unappealable within a 60-day period, as defined by the Texas Education Code.
Greg Poole, superintendent of the Barbers Hill Independent School District, firmly denied any link between George’s disciplinary referral and his hairstyle, claiming other undisclosed infractions. Conversely, Allie Booker, George’s family attorney, deems the disciplanary measures as retribution for the ongoing legal battle with the school district.
On another recent development, a judge in the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas denied the school district’s motion to remove the case from federal court, escalating the discourse on the matter further. Meanwhile, Candice Matthews, a spokesperson for George’s family and renowned civil rights activist, shared that despite the upsetting circumstances, George is determined to continue his education in the alternative program. George also remains firm in his decision to keep his hairstyle intact.
George’s ordeal, which began with an in-school suspension since August 31 because of his hairstyle, has brought the district’s dress code under scrutiny. The Barbers Hill Independent School District clarified on Thursday that their dress code does permit locs, but it sets boundaries on the length of the hairstyle for male students. The clarifications brought more attention to the intricacies of the dress code, setting the stage for further deliberations.
