Trial begins over a black student punished by Texas school district because of his locs hairstyle

ANAHUAC, Texas (AP) — A trial began Thursday to determine if a Texas school district can continue to punish a black high school student for refusing to change his hairstyle that he and his family say is protected by a new state law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination.

At issue is whether Darryl George's monthslong punishment for violating his Houston-area school district's dress code limiting the length of boys' hair violates the CROWN Act.

The Barbers Hill school district filed a lawsuit seeking clarification of the new law.

The bench trial is scheduled to last one day.

State District Judge Chap Cain III is expected to issue a decision soon after its conclusion.

Dozens of people filed into the courtroom in Anahuac, outside Houston, where George and his mother, Darresha George, told reporters they were hopeful his punishment would soon end allowing him to return to regular classes.

“We're going to get justice today,” Darresha George said. “I'm nervous but I'm happy.”

The CROWN Act, 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.

Sara Leon, an attorney for the school district, told Cain that the Barbers Hill dress code “is consistent with the CROWN Act” and that the policy “is race neutral.”

Allie Booker, Darryl George's attorney, said when lawmakers approved the new law, they discussed allowing longer hairstyles to be gathered up and still be protected by the CROWN Act.

“They can force an individual to knot it up, bun it up, but the style itself is protected. It doesn't allow for a cut. It allows for a manipulation,” Booker said.

The Barbers Hill school district said George's long hair, which he wears in tied and twisted locs on top of his head, violates its dress code policy because it would fall below his shirt collar, eyebrows or earlobes when let down. The district has said other students with locs comply with the length policy.

George, an 18-year-old junior, has not been in his regular classroom at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu since Aug. 31. He has instead served in-school suspension and spent time in an off-site disciplinary program.

In court documents, the school district maintains its policy does not violate the CROWN Act because the law does not mention or cover hair length.

In a paid ad that ran in January in the Houston Chronicle, Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole wrote that districts with a traditional dress code are safer and have higher academic performance, and that “being an American requires conformity.”

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.