Community Leaders and Activists Protest Barbers Hill Student’s Hairstyle Discrimination Ahead of Trial
In a show of solidarity, community leaders and civil rights activists gathered in Baytown, Texas, to protest the alleged discrimination faced by Darryl George, a high school student at Barbers Hill. The protest took place ahead of the trial that would determine the outcome of George’s repeated disciplinary actions for his chosen hairstyle.
The protest was organized by Candice Matthews, the statewide Chair of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, and saw the participation of prominent figures such as Quanell X, Chairman of the New Black Panther Nation, and representatives from organizations like the Nollie Jenkins Family Center and the Mississippi Coalition to End Corporal Punishment. The community leaders aimed to bring attention to what they believe is unfair treatment faced by George and to advocate for his rights.
The trial, scheduled to take place at the District Court in Anahuac, would allow both sides to present their arguments before a federal judge. KPRC 2 Reporter Re’Chelle Turner was present in the courtroom to provide coverage of the proceedings.
The controversy surrounding George’s hairstyle began in August 2023 when the school district deemed his locs non-compliant with its handbook. Despite George’s efforts to keep his locs neat and protective, he faced repeated disciplinary actions. As a result, he spent a significant portion of his junior year outside of the traditional classroom, moving from suspension to an alternative school, and finally landing in In-School Suspension (ISS), where he has remained for the past seven months.
George and his family describe his time in ISS as inhumane, highlighting long hours seated on a hard stool and being served bologna for lunch daily. They argue that the school district’s actions violate the CROWN Act, a law enacted in Texas in response to a similar incident at the same school in 2020. The CROWN Act, short for ‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,’ aims to prevent hair-based discrimination in schools and workplaces.
In response to the alleged violation of the CROWN Act, George’s family filed a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency and initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit against the state’s Governor, Attorney General, and the school district. They accuse these entities of failing to enforce the law that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles.
In a countermove, the school district filed a lawsuit in state district court seeking clarification on whether its dress code restrictions for boys’ hair length violate the CROWN Act. This legal battle highlights the need for clarity regarding the interpretation and implementation of the law.
The outcome of this trial will have implications beyond George’s case alone. It will set a precedent for how schools across Texas navigate dress codes and enforce regulations pertaining to hairstyles. The community leaders and activists rallying behind George hope that their protest and support will bring attention to the issue of hairstyle discrimination and prompt a fair resolution in this ongoing dispute.
As the trial unfolds, it is crucial that we remain vigilant in questioning discriminatory practices and advocating for equal treatment in educational institutions. The rights of students, regardless of their race or hairstyle choice, should be protected and respected. Only through these efforts can we create an inclusive and accepting environment for all students to thrive.
