A Black high school junior in Texas, Darryl, faced a week-long suspension from Barbers Hill High School due to his loc haircut.
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This suspension occurred despite the recent enactment of a state law, known as the CROWN Act, on September 1, aimed at prohibiting discrimination based on hair.
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School administrators cited his locs being tied into a ponytail as the reason for the suspension.
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This is not the first time Barbers Hill High School has been involved in such a controversy, as a similar incident occurred in 2020, leading to the creation of the state's CROWN Act.
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Darresha George, Darryl's mother, expressed her son's frustration and anxiety over being repeatedly punished for his hairstyle, which she deems irrelevant to his education.
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The school threatened to transfer Darryl to an alternative school unless he cut his hair by the end of the week, citing a policy that mandates male students to keep their hair above their eyebrows, earlobes, and T-shirt collar.
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A district spokesperson argued that their policy aligns with the new law as it pertains to hair length, not specific hairstyles.
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Democratic State Rep. Ron Reynolds, who contributed to the legislation, criticized the school for repeating a similar controversy despite being aware of the policy.
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A family lawyer suggested that Darryl's suspensions likely constitute discrimination, as locs hold cultural significance for Black individuals.
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The Texas Legislative Black Caucus called on the school district to comply with the CROWN Act and requested that Darryl's disciplinary actions be expunged from his record.
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