A judge will determine on Thursday whether the Texas School District may continue to punish a black teenager to refuse to change its hairstyle.
A junior Darryl George at Naibers Hill High School in Mont Belviyu, about 30 miles from Houston, has been in the school suspension or off-site disciplinary program for most of the school. NBC News reported that school officials stated in August that George’s hair – which he wears in Draldlock, violates a district dress code above his head, away from his face and neck, which regulates the length of the boys’ hair. According to the student handbook, male hair cannot expand the hair eyebrows or back of the ear lobe.
George has received letters and messages from people encouraging him and supporting his decision not to cut his hair, said Elie Booker, a family lawyer. The 18 -year -old has said that support has made all the differences between the headline -making controversy.
“I just want to know them that I listen to them and appreciate everything and I keep fighting,” he told Booker in a text message shared with NBC News. “This fight has been a struggle over me, but with their words, it keeps pushing me.”
George’s family says that his punishment violates the newly implemented Crown Act of the state. The district filed a lawsuit in September, requesting a judge to clarify whether it is so. Last month, State District Judge Chap Can III in Annuak ordered the case to go into the trial, which is slaughtered for Thursday.
“The Texas Crown Act protects hair texture and wearing brades, twists and wearing LoC. People with agenda want to make the Crown Act a blanket allowance of student expression. Again, we are ready to legally resolve the issue, ”Greig Pole, Superintendent of the Niye Hill Independent School District, said in a statement shared with NBC News.
The village. Greg Abbott signed the Crown Act in the law last May, which prevents race-based child discrimination in work, school and housing facilities in the state. The law protects hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists – or “protective hairstyles” – and school prevents districts from implementing policies that are usually associated with a hair texture or protective hairstyle or historically race. ” School officials have admitted that the law does not address the length of the hair, but the Texas Crown Act co-written MPs said the law aims to protect George’s hairstyle.
“I think I am remembering my full experience of being in class,” George told the Associated Press in October. “I hope I can start becoming a child again, start living my life, can start playing football again and enjoy my year, in his last few years in high school.”
According to the AP, the family has filed a formal complaint against the Texas Education Agency and Ebott and the State Attorney General Kane Pasteon with a case of civil rights.
Juan a. Lozano / AP File
George’s family argues that the school sentence violates the Crown Act of Texas. Juan a. Lozano / AP File
“I have a son, 18 years old, who wants to go to school, who wants to get his education, and play with him. Why? “George’s mother, Deresha George told AP this month. He said that he is happy that the family will have his day in court.” I am happy that we are also heard. I am happy that things are moving forward and we are happening through it. “
School officials have repeatedly maintained their position. Last month, Pule took out an advertisement in Houston Chronicle stating that the school’s policy does not violate the Crown Act and announced that the district “will not be under political pressure.”
This is not the first time the district has found in warm water on its hair policies. In 2020, two students filed prosecutions after being suspended at the length of their dredged. Both students withdrew from school but the cases are pending. One of them finally returned after a temporary prohibition was given by a judge to return to the premises.
One of the students, D&Re Arnold, could not do graduation studies due to his hairstyle, followed by national attention. Arnold received public support from stars like NFL Player Dendre hopkins And Burnis kingMartin Luther King Junior’s daughter, in 2020, actor Gabrielle Union and her husband, Dwayne Wade invited Arnold at the Academy Awards, where Oscar -winning Animated Short Film “Hair Love” producer Matthew Cherry accepted Arnold during her acceptance speech.
For George, the family lawyer said that he is optimistic about the result of the test and is expected to finally return to school without facing discrimination.
“I am confident that we have the law,” said Booker. “What I want is to be comfortable in our natural situation. We should not change or conform. ,
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