Black Texas Student Faces Ongoing Suspension Over Loc Hairstyle: A Closer Look

Francis Page Jr. | 9/20/2023, 5:10 p.m.
A Black high school student in Texas found himself in the midst of a controversy when his loc hairstyle ran …
Darryl George, a 17-year-old junior, has been suspended from Barbers Hill High School for not cutting his loc hairstyle for more than two weeks. Michael Wyke

A Black high school student in Texas found himself in the midst of a controversy when his loc hairstyle ran afoul of the Barbers Hill Independent School District's dress code. Darryl George, the student in question, has now faced a second suspension upon his return to school, as reported by CNN.

Darryl George's suspension has stretched for over two weeks, all stemming from his loc hair- style, which, according to his fam- ily, breaches the district's dress and grooming code. This code stipulates that "male students' hair will not extend, at any time, below the eye- brows or below the ear lobes," a rule previously highlighted by CNN.

Allie Booker, an attorney representing the George family, dis- closed that school authorities have summoned Darryl and his mother for a meeting to discuss the ongoing disciplinary measures related to his hairstyle infractions. The family has been given until Wednesday to meet with school officials, as stated by the attorney.

Booker, sharing her expectations, mentioned, "What I expect for them to try to do is to put him out of school, but they won't do it with our consent."

Previously, the family was informed that if Darryl didn't cut his hair, he would be placed in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, also known as an alternative school.

In response to these devel- opments, David Bloom, the director of communications for the Barbers Hill Independent School District, conveyed that the district could not comment on disciplinary matters involving a student, as reported by CNN.

Darryl George, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, found himself in trouble for wearing his locs in a ponytail, which led to multiple disciplinary actions and in-school suspension, according to his mother, Darresha George.

It's noteworthy that Darryl's suspension occurred during the same week when the CROWN Act, a Texas law prohibiting discrimination based on one's hair texture or protective hairstyle, such as locs and braids, came into effect.

Darresha George expressed that the family is contemplating legal action in response to these incidents.