Judge Rules Texas High School That Suspended Student Over Hairstyle Did Not Violate Law

According to CNN, Texas high school that suspended a student over the length of his dreadlocks did not violate state law, a judge ruled on Thursday.

The case centered around Barbers Hill Independent School District, which suspended student Darryl George for violating its policy on hair length for male students.

George and his family say the policy violates the CROWN Act, which bans discrimination over hairstyles “commonly or historically associated with race” such as braids, locks, or twists. Which went into place for Texas on September 1, 2023, that’s meant to prohibit discrimination of hairstyles.

The judge ruled the district’s policy does not violate the law because it focuses on hair length, not style. Barbers Hill Independent School District Superintendent Greg Poole told CNN, “hair length of male students is only constitutionally protected for Native American students.”

The school’s policy affirms that “Boy’s hair will not extend below the eyebrows, below the ear lobes, or below the top of a t-shirt collar.”

Co-author of the CROWN Act and Texas State Representative Ron Reynolds testified on Darryl’s behalf. Upset with the ruling he said, “We will not stop. We will continue to speak truth to power.”

George remains strong and refuses to cut his hair and his family is pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit.