A judge denies a request from a black student who was punished for his hairstyle, sparking a debate about racial discrimination and dress code policies in schools. The case of a black student being disciplined for her hairstyle, and her appeal being denied by a judge, has sparked a wider debate about the issue of racial discrimination in school policies, and how beauty standards and dress codes can disadvantage minority groups, especially black students. The incident is not the first of its kind in the United States, and reflects a broader debate about students’ rights to express their identities, particularly through their natural hair.
A US judge has denied a request from a black student in Texas who had asked for a court order to protect him from punishment at his secondary school over his hair style. Officials suspended Darryl George, 19, last August, saying his dreadlocks violated the dress code. Mr George asked district Judge Jeffrey Brown to issue a temporary restraining order so he could return to his Houston-area school as a federal lawsuit he filed over the suspension proceeds.
But in his ruling in Friday, Judge Brown denied the request, saying he had waited too long to ask for the order. Since the start of Mr George’s previous year at Barbers Hill High School, beginning in August 2023, he has been handed several disciplinary penalties for refusing to cut his hair. The school district referred to its dress code, which says hair cannot be “below the top of a T-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down”.
But Mr George refused to cut his braided dreadlocks, with the family citing its cultural significance in the black community. He was removed from class and placed on in-school suspension, and later required to attend an off-campus programme. “He has to sit on a stool for eight hours in a cubicle,” his mother told the Associated Press news agency last year. “That’s very uncomfortable. Every day he’d come home, he’d say his back hurts because he has to sit on a stool.”
Mr George returned to the same school this year. But lawyers for Mr George said last month he had been forced to unenroll and transfer to another school because school officials had placed him on in-school suspension on the first and second day of the new school year, which began in August. A federal lawsuit brought by Mr George and his mother will continue.
Mr George has alleged his punishment violates the Crown Act, a recent state law prohibiting race-based discrimination of hair. The law, which took effect in September 2023, bars employers and schools from penalising people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including dreadlocks. In February, a state judge ruled that his punishment did not violate the Crown Act.
Hair-Based Discrimination in the Context of Structural Racism
In many cases, school rules governing hairstyles are not culturally neutral. They often enforce standards of beauty and grooming that align with white norms, which are considered more “presentable” or “professional.” Natural hairstyles that are common among Black people, such as dreadlocks, braids, or afros, are often deemed inappropriate or against school rules. Yet, these hairstyles are part of Black culture and identity that have been passed down through generations. These policies reflect a more subtle form of racial discrimination and can be part of structural racism.
When a Black student is punished for their hairstyle, it is not just a violation of a school rule, but also a matter of how the institution’s rules may be offensive or discriminatory toward a minority group. These types of punishments send the message that a person’s natural self-expression—especially natural hair, which often carries deep cultural significance—is disrespected or even problematic. This places Black students in a difficult position, where they must choose between conforming to standards that do not reflect their culture or facing punishment
Rights of Expression and Identity in Schools
Schools are places where students learn, not only about academic subjects, but also about self-expression and identity. Hair, for many, is not just a matter of appearance, but also a way for them to express their culture, history, and even their personal beliefs. Natural hair for Black students often has a deeper meaning than just style. Therefore, when school policies restrict this expression, it can be seen as an attempt to suppress a particular cultural identity.
In this context, the judge’s denial of the Black students’ petitions demonstrates the challenges that the legal and educational systems face in adapting to cultural diversity and expression. Students should be given the space to express themselves without fear of punishment or pressure to conform to non-inclusive beauty standards. Unfortunately, the judge’s decision seems to reinforce the perception that institutions, including schools, are still not fully responsive to the cultural needs and individual rights of minority students.
The Importance of More Inclusive School Policy Reform
This case also highlights the urgency of reforming school dress code policies to be more inclusive and equitable for all students, regardless of their race or cultural background. Many schools still implement policies that do not take into account cultural variations, especially when it comes to hairstyles. This has the potential to lead to implicit discrimination, especially against students from minority backgrounds.
This reform must involve a more inclusive approach, where all hair types—whether straight, curly, afro, or dreadlocks—are allowed as long as they do not pose a safety hazard or interfere with the learning process. Several states in the US, such as California and New York, have begun taking steps in this direction by passing the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair), which protects the right of individuals to express their natural hair in schools and workplaces without risk of discrimination. However, more states and schools must adopt similar laws to prevent Black and other minority students from being consistently disadvantaged by biased policies.
Negative Impact on Black Students’ Well-Being
Punishing Black students for their hairstyles can have a negative impact on their emotional and psychological well-being. Being punished for their natural appearance can lead to feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and marginalization in the school environment. It can also send the message that an aspect of their identity—something beyond their control—is not accepted or valued in society.
For Black students, schools, which should be safe places to learn, can potentially become places where they feel constantly judged or treated unfairly. The impact of this treatment can be profound, even causing students to feel alienated from their education and unwilling to participate in school activities. This can ultimately impact their academic achievement and mental health in the long run.
The Need for Education that Values Diversity
It is important for schools to promote education that values diversity, whether in terms of culture, identity, or self-expression. Schools should not only teach academic subjects, but also values of inclusivity and respect for differences. Punishing students for their appearance is not an appropriate way to teach these values.
Instead, schools should provide space for open dialogue about cultural diversity, including discussions about hair and self-expression. This will help create an environment where students of all backgrounds feel accepted and valued. Teachers and school staff should also be trained to understand the importance of cultural sensitivity, so that they can implement policies that are fair and nondiscriminatory.
Significance of the Judge’s Decision “judge denies” in the Context of Students’ Rights
The judge’s denial of the students’ appeal also raises questions about the extent to which students’ rights to express their identities are protected under the law. While schools have the authority to set dress codes, such restrictions should not infringe on students’ rights to express their culture or personal identity. In many cases, policies that restrict cultural expression, such as natural hair, can be considered a form of racial discrimination that violates civil rights.
This ruling may influence similar cases in the future and encourage further discussion about how the legal system should address issues of discrimination based on cultural expression. Courts should more carefully consider the impact of school policies that may appear neutral on the surface but actually disproportionately target or disadvantage minority groups.
Conclusion – The Need for Equality and Recognition of Rights in Schools
This case highlights the need for broader reforms in the education and justice systems to ensure that all students, regardless of race or cultural background, have equal rights to express themselves. School policies should reflect the diversity of society and respect the right of every student to express their identity, including through hairstyle.
The judge’s ruling denying the appeal of the black student is a reminder that appearance-based discrimination still exists and must be taken seriously. To create an inclusive educational environment, both schools and the legal system must move toward greater recognition of individual rights and respect for cultural diversity.