Let’s talk about the latest drama going down in Barbers Hill, Texas, located east of Houston. Our young nephew Darryl George is still fighting the good fight against some seriously outdated dress code policies, but the system’s throwing up roadblocks left and right.
Darryl, a junior at Barbers Hill High School, has been rocking his locs since he was in elementary school. It’s not just a hairstyle; it’s part of who he is. But the school district’s been giving him hell, saying his hair violates their dress code. They’ve had him sitting in in-school suspension since August 31. Can you believe that?
Now, here’s where it gets even more messed up. Darryl and his mom, Darresha George, filed a grievance with the district, hoping to get some justice. But guess what? The school board shut it down, claiming they filed too late. Talk about adding insult to injury!
Allie Booker, the family’s attorney, ain’t having it. She’s calling out the district for playing games, saying they’re just trying to avoid dealing with the real issue. And she’s right on the money – this is about more than just hair. It’s about respecting our culture and our right to express ourselves.
Remember the CROWN Act? It’s supposed to protect us from this kind of discrimination. But Barbers Hill is trying to say it doesn’t apply to them because their policy is about hair length, not style. Come on now, we all know what’s really going on here.
Darryl’s case is blowing up. It’s got the attention of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and even the U.S. Department of Education. They’re investigating whether the district’s policies are violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
Through all this, Darryl’s staying strong. He’s not backing down, and neither is his family. They’re taking this fight to federal court, challenging the constitutionality of the dress code and the in-school suspension.
This isn’t just about Darryl anymore. It’s about all of us – our right to be ourselves, to embrace our culture, and to get an education without having to change who we are. The struggle is real, but so is our resilience.
Keep your head up, Darryl. We’ve got your back, and we’re not letting this one slide. It’s time for Barbers Hill to step into the 21st century and recognize that our hair is our crown, and nobody’s got the right to tell us how to wear it.