Texas school’s punishment of a black student over locs is going to trial

ANAHUAC, Texas (AP) — A judge ordered Wednesday that a trial be held next month to determine whether a black high school student in Texas can continue being punished by his district for refusing to change a hairstyle he and his family say is protected by a new state law.

Darryl George, 18, has not been in his regular classroom at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu since August 31.

Instead, he has either been serving an in-school suspension or spending time in an off-site disciplinary program.

His Houston-area school district, Barbers Hill, has said George's long hair, which he wears in neatly tied and twisted locs on top of his head, violates a district dress code that limits hair length for boys.

The district has said other students with locs comply with the length policy.

George, a junior, said Wednesday that he has felt stress and frustration over what he sees as unfair punishment, but that he was grateful to soon be getting his day in court.

“I'm glad that we are being heard, too. I'm glad that things are moving and we're getting through this,” George said after the hearing in Anahuac, with his mother, Darresha George, standing next to him.

State District Judge Chap Cain III in Anahuac set a February 22 trial in a lawsuit filed by the school district regarding whether its dress code restrictions limiting the length of boys' hair violates the CROWN Act.

The new Texas law, which took effect in September, prohibits race-based hair discrimination and bars employers and schools from penalising people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including Afros, braids, locs, twists, or Bantu knots.

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