A Texas high school sparked controversy by sending a Black student back to in-school suspension for refusing to change his hairstyle. 18-year-old Darryl George has already spent over 80% of his junior year out of the regular classroom due to the ongoing standoff over the school’s dress code policy.
The teen’s braided locs have been at the center of the conflict, with officials claiming that his hair violates the district’s dress code. However, George’s family argues that the punishment goes against the Crown Act, a Texas law passed in September to prohibit race-based hair discrimination.
Despite the challenges, George’s family remains determined to fight for his rights. “We are just trying to take it day by day. But we are not giving up,” said Darresha George, Darryl’s mother.
The school district’s controversial dress code policy has drawn attention in the past, with a previous incident involving a Black student being forbidden from returning to school or attending his graduation ceremony unless he cut his locs. The superintendent, Greg Poole, has defended the policy, claiming it teaches students to conform for the greater good.
As the standoff continues, George’s family has filed a formal complaint against the Texas Education Agency and a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging that the school district, governor, and attorney general have failed to enforce the Crown Act. The school district, on the other hand, has filed a lawsuit seeking clarity on whether its dress code restrictions violate the Crown Act.
It’s a complex situation that has once again put the spotlight on the ongoing issue of race-based hair discrimination, with George’s family and the school district at odds over the interpretation of the law.

