A Texas high school student, Darryl George, has been at the center of a legal battle over his dreadlocks and the school’s dress code. Despite his efforts to seek protection from punishment, a US judge has denied his request for a court order.
Since the beginning of the school year in August 2023, George has faced disciplinary actions for refusing to cut his braided dreadlocks, citing their cultural significance in the black community. The school’s dress code states that hair cannot be below certain lengths, leading to George’s suspension and placement in an off-campus program.
Despite returning to the same school this year, George was once again placed on in-school suspension on the first and second day of the new school year, prompting him to unenroll and transfer to another school. His legal battle continues with a federal lawsuit alleging that his punishment violates the Crown Act, a state law prohibiting race-based discrimination of hair.
In a recent ruling, a state judge found that George’s punishment did not violate the Crown Act, adding another layer to the ongoing legal saga. As the case unfolds, George and his family continue to fight for his right to wear his hair in a way that reflects his cultural identity.
