A judge has found that a punishment given to a black high school student, Darryl George, for refusing to modify his hairdo does not violate the state’s new legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
George, an 18-year-old male, has been absent from his usual Houston-area high school classes since August 31 due to a dress code violation at Barbers Hill district.
The district stated in its lawsuit that George’s long hair, fashioned in tied and twisted locs atop his head, violated school regulation because it would reach beyond stipulated lengths when let down. The district added that other pupils with locs follow the length policy.
After three hours of testimony, Judge Chap Cain III decided in favor of the school district, holding that the policy is not discriminatory as the CROWN Act does not clearly allow exclusions for protected hairstyles like locs.
According to the Associated Press, the judge underscored that courts should not change the legislation’s provisions.
“Judges should not legislate from the bench and I am not about to start today,” he declared.
The CROWN Act, adopted in September, intends to address race-based hair discrimination by protecting individuals from penalties for hair texture or protective hairstyles such as Afros, braids, locs, twists, or Bantu knots.
Despite the verdict against George, the judge recommended him to seek settlement through the state Legislature or school board.
George’s family has taken additional action, filing a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency and launching a federal civil rights lawsuit against Governor Greg Abbott, Attorney General Ken Paxton, and the school district.
They accuse authorities of failing to enforce the CROWN Act. The case is currently being considered by a federal judge in Galveston.
George’s attorney, Allie Booker, said she plans to seek an injunction in the federal lawsuit to prevent George’s penalty, as well as appeal Thursday’s judgment.
George, a junior, has spent much of the school year either serving an in-school suspension at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu or participating in an off-site disciplinary program.
They accuse authorities of failing to enforce the CROWN Act. The case is currently being considered by a federal judge in Galveston.
George’s attorney, Allie Booker, said she plans to seek an injunction in the federal lawsuit to prevent George’s penalty, as well as appeal Thursday’s judgment.
George, a junior, has spent much of the school year either serving an in-school suspension at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu or participating in an off-site disciplinary program.
Before the trial, George and his mother, Darresha George, were full of hope. George argued that wearing the locs brought him closer to his tribe. It helps me feel more connected to my ancestors. It’s only me. “It’s who I am.”
Following the ruling, George and his mother were extremely distraught, crying tears and declining to speak with reporters.
Candice Matthews, a spokesman for George’s family, described how the 18-year-old expressed dissatisfaction and disbelief, querying whether his schooling was being hampered purely by his hairstyle: “All because of my hair?” “I can’t get an education because of my hair?”