In a recent controversy, Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas has come under fire for its ongoing refusal to allow a Black student to attend regular classes due to his chosen hairstyle. The student, Darryl George, has been suspended for 13 days for not conforming to the school's dress code policy. This incident has reignited a months-long standoff over what the student's family deems as discriminatory practices.

According to a disciplinary notice issued by Barbers Hill High School, George's hair is considered non-compliant when let down. The notice stated that he already spent a month at an off-site disciplinary program before his first day back at the school. In fact, George has missed more than 80% of his junior year in his regular classroom due to this ongoing dispute.

The controversy first arose in August when George was initially pulled out of the classroom because school officials claimed that his braided locs exceeded the allowed length, falling below his eyebrows and ear lobes. The family contends that the punishment contradicts the CROWN Act, which became law in Texas in September, aimed at preventing hair discrimination based on race. However, the school argues that the CROWN Act does not specifically address hair length.

Barbers Hill Independent School District's dress code policy gained attention in 2020 when another Black student was prohibited from returning to school or attending his graduation ceremony unless he cut his locs. Superintendent Greg Poole has defended the policy, stating that it is legal and teaches students the value of conforming for the greater good.

The school has stated that George's return to in-person suspension was due to his failure to comply with the dress code, tardiness policy, disruption in the in-school suspension classroom, and non-compliance with school directives. As George completed his punishment at the off-site disciplinary program, he was informed by district spokesperson David Bloom that he would be sent back to in-person suspension if he did not trim his hair.

In response to these events, George's family has lodged a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency and filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the school district, as well as the state's governor and attorney general, alleging a failure to enforce the new law against hair discrimination.

Meanwhile, the Barbers Hill Independent School District has taken legal action of its own. The district has filed a lawsuit in state district court seeking clarification on whether their dress code restrictions violate the CROWN Act by limiting student hair length for boys.

State Representative Ron Reynolds, a Democrat and chair of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, plans to address the issue in the next session by proposing an amendment to the law that specifically addresses hair length. Reynolds stated that this action is necessary to prevent schools from using such pretextual arguments to avoid complying with the CROWN Act.

George expressed frustration over feeling singled out, as he has noticed other boys at his school with longer hairstyles than his own. The family's request for an exemption based on the hairstyle's cultural and religious significance was denied, adding to their sense of injustice.

This ongoing conflict has sparked a larger conversation about hair discrimination in schools and the need for clearer guidelines to ensure that students of all racial backgrounds are treated fairly. As the legal battles continue, the fate of Darryl George and the dress code policy at Barbers Hill High School remain uncertain.