Student Faces Discipline Over Hairstyle, Aims for a Return to Normalcy

For over four weeks, Darryl George, an African American high school student in Texas, has been isolated from his peers as a form of disciplinary action due to his hairstyle. Recently, he was assigned to an alternative disciplinary program where he is slated to spend several additional weeks away from his usual school environment.

In a discussion with The Big Big News, George articulated his disappointment about the educational and social opportunities he’s missing, including his involvement with the school’s football team.

“I am losing the complete educational experience that a classroom offers,” stated George on a recent Thursday.

Initially removed from his regular classes in his Houston-based school in August, George faced disciplinary action when school officials determined that his dreadlocks violated the school district’s dress code by extending below his eyebrows and ears. However, his family contends that his hairstyle does not contravene any established rules.

By the time he is readmitted to Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, in November, George will have been absent for 56 out of the first 67 days of his junior year. The family has initiated a federal civil rights lawsuit, claiming that the state has not effectively enforced a recently passed law that prohibits discrimination based on hairstyles.

However, George and his family have no plans to change schools. They aim to make a stand, particularly because the school has had previous conflicts over similar issues with other African American male students.

“We must assert our position that Darryl will not alter his hairstyle and will not be forced to leave his community,” said Candice Matthews, a civil rights activist serving as the family’s spokesperson.

After spending considerable time in in-school suspension, George’s family received a letter from the school’s principal, assigning him to the alternative disciplinary program not just for the dress code violation, but also for other offenses including tardiness, disruption in the in-school suspension classroom, and failure to adhere to school directives.

Although Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole noted that the specific reasons for George’s current placement couldn’t be disclosed, he clarified that it was not solely due to his hairstyle.

Darresha George, Darryl’s mother, mentioned that her son did use profane language to vent his frustrations with the in-school suspension. According to the family, George had also been tardy twice. Nonetheless, they believe that the core issue stems from his hairstyle.

“They are clearly retaliating against him,” stated Allie Booker, the attorney representing the family.

On his first day at the disciplinary school, George was placed in a cubicle where he works on school assignments. While he can engage with teachers, he believes he is lagging academically.

“I don’t feel like I’m grasping the educational material being presented,” George commented.

Renuka Rege of Texas Appleseed, a social justice advocacy group, said that while Texas school districts have significant leeway in deciding what behaviors warrant alternative disciplinary education, it is uncommon for a student to be transferred solely for a dress code violation.

Ashley Sawyer, senior staff attorney at the Advancement Project, a civil rights advocacy group, pointed out that dress code violations disproportionately affect students of color. Students often face pressure to comply with norms that do not take into account their cultural or heritage-based preferences, such as wearing natural hair.

George’s family has submitted two religious exemptions related to his hairstyle, one of which has already been rejected, and the other is still under review, as per their attorney Booker.

For generations, men in the George family have worn dreadlocks, a hairstyle with both cultural and religious significance, according to Darresha George, Darryl’s mother. She emphasized the emotional toll this situation is taking on her son both academically and personally.

“Only I can see the emotional impact this is having on him, the sorrow, the reluctance to face each day,” she said, fighting back tears.

Darryl George looks forward to a return to his regular life. “I wish to resume my youthful experiences, rejoin my football team, and make the most of my remaining high school years,” he said.

The article was reported by Mumphrey from Phoenix and Ma from Washington D.C.

The educational team at The Big Big News is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The Associated Press is exclusively responsible for the content.

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More about Disciplinary action over hairstyle

• Texas School District Dress Code Policies
• Federal Laws on Discrimination in Education
• Overview of Civil Rights Lawsuits in Education
• Understanding Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
• The Cultural and Religious Importance of Hairstyles
• Texas Appleseed: Social Justice Advocacy
• Advancement Project: Civil Rights Advocacy