Judge Rules Texas High School Student’s Dreadlocks Do Not Violate State’s CROWN Act
A recent ruling by a judge in Texas has sparked controversy and debate over the state’s CROWN Act, which aims to prohibit race-based hair discrimination. The case involves Darryl George, an 18-year-old Black high school student who has been facing disciplinary action for his dreadlocks. The judge’s ruling has left many questioning the effectiveness of the CROWN Act and its ability to protect individuals from discrimination.
The incident began when Darryl George was banned from attending regular classes at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu. Instead, he was directed to in-school suspension and an off-site disciplinary program due to the length of his dreadlocks, which the school claimed violated their dress and grooming code. However, Darryl’s mother, Darresha George, argues that his hairstyle is simply braided and wrapped up on top of his head.
The CROWN Act, short for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” was passed with a bipartisan vote in the Texas legislature and signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott last May. The act was intended to allow for the inclusion of hairstyles such as braids, locs, or twists, which are commonly associated with Black culture. However, the school district argues that the law does not grant unlimited student expression and that their dress code does not violate the CROWN Act.
Greg Poole, the superintendent of Barbers Hill ISD, defended the school’s position in a statement to ABC News. He believes that conformity is necessary for unity and that being an American means being part of something bigger than oneself. However, local activist Candice Matthews strongly disagrees with Poole’s stance and criticizes his oversight of children’s educational journeys.
In an attempt to clarify the terms of the CROWN Act, the school district filed a lawsuit through the Texas judicial system. They hope to determine whether the length of hair should be a factor in the law and whether their own dress code complies with the act. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for future cases involving race-based hair discrimination in Texas.
Darryl George’s family has not remained silent throughout this ordeal. They filed a federal lawsuit against Governor Greg Abbott and the state’s Attorney General Ken Paxton, alleging that they failed to enforce the CROWN Act and protect Darryl’s constitutional and state rights. The family claims that their son has been subjected to improper discipline and a violation of his rights due to the governor’s and attorney general’s inaction. However, Abbott and Paxton have not yet responded to ABC News’ request for comment on the matter.
The ruling in Darryl George’s case raises important questions about the effectiveness of legislation like the CROWN Act in combating hair discrimination. While the law was designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on race and hairstyle, its application seems to be open to interpretation. This case serves as a reminder that the fight against racial inequality is an ongoing battle, and more work needs to be done to ensure that individuals are protected from discrimination in all aspects of their lives.
Overall, the ruling in Darryl George’s case has sparked a heated debate surrounding the CROWN Act and its ability to protect individuals from race-based hair discrimination. As the lawsuit proceeds, it remains to be seen how this case will impact future interpretations of the law and the fight against racial inequality in Texas schools.
