Workplace discrimination Black Texas teen banned by high school to attend graduation after refusing to cut dreadlocks – USA TODAY

A Texas student may not be allowed to walk in his graduation because of his hairstyle.

DeAndre Arnold has faced in-school suspension, a policy that bars him from the classroom, for failing to cut his long dreadlocks. Officials at Barbers Hill High School, a public school in Mont Belvieu, Texas, told Arnold and his parents that he may be forbidden to attend graduation in three months unless he cuts his hair. 

Arnold’s family said he has been wearing his hair in locks since the seventh grade and it is an expression of his Trinidadian heritage.  They have asked the school for an exception to the rule.

Barbers Hill Independent School District officials insist it’s not about dreadlocks but there are rules about length.

“There is no dress code policy that prohibits any cornrow or any other method of wearing of the hair,” the district’s superintendent, Greg Poole, said. “Our policy limits the length. It’s been that way for 30 years.”

DeAndre’s mother, Sandy Arnold, said her son has had dreadlocks for years and always followed school policy by keeping it off his shoulders, above his earlobes and out of his eyes. The family says the trouble over his hair began after winter break. Sandy Arnold said school officials told her son it was no longer enough for him to keep his hair up at school.

Barbers Hill’s 2019-2020 handbook states: “Male students’ hair will not extend, at any time, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes. Male students’ hair must not extend below the top of a t-shirt collar or be gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a t-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down.”

Arnold would tie his hair up with clips and rubber bands to comply with the school’s policy.  But, Arnold’s mother said Barbers Hill officials abruptly amended the rule in December 2019, forbidding adornments worn in the hair for male students.

Rick Kana, school principal at Barbers Hill, had warned Arnold’s mother that her son was not complying with dress code policy before the December meeting, ABC reported.

Arnold is not the only student at the school being penalized for the length of his hair.  Kaden Bradford, Arnold’s cousin, is currently a sophomore.  Bradford’s mother said her son has been growing his dreadlocks since the sixth grade.  But, she said Principal Kana told Bradford in December that he could not return to school unless he cut his hair.

Arnold’s and Bradford’s experiences are among several cases where students have been penalized for their hairstyles.  Last week, a student in California was given an in-school suspension and missed three days of school because he refused to cut the hair falling below his eyebrows.  The student was allowed to return to school after the incident attracted social media attention.

In 2018, a student in Texas chose to shear his dreadlocks during a wrestling match rather than become disqualified.

Some say Barbers Hill’s dress code policy discriminates based on race. 

“The dress code is designed by white people for white people and is damaging to black bodies,” said Black Lives Matter activist Ashton Woods.

Gary Monroe of the United Urban Alumni Association called the incident, “a black and white issue.”

“DeAndre (and) his family should not have to go through this. But I expect it from a board that has zero diversity,” said Monroe.

Arnold’s ordeal is quickly gaining national attention.  Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who has dreadlocks, tweeted support Wednesday for the high school student.

Even Texas Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson-Lee, posted a supportive tweet on Thursday, where she called Arnold’s punishment “a disappointment.”

Community members voiced their opinions about Arnold’s suspension during a school board meeting on Monday where most opposed the school’s policy. 

“We’re here for DeAndre, but it’s about more than that,” his mother said. “This is about all the other DeAndres that could come through Barbers Hill.”

Barbers Hill ISD released the following statement on Tuesday:

“Barbers Hill ISD has a long standing dress code, but we absolutely allow dreadlocks. What we do not allow is any action that circumvents or violates the provision regarding hair length. The student in question was NEVER forbidden from attending school. The U.S. Constitution allows a school board the right to implement local community expectations, and Barbers Hill ISD’s continual academic and extra-curricular successes are a direct result of our communities’ high expectations.”

Arnold said school officials told him he can’t come back to school until he cuts his dreadlocks. His mom says she won’t cut them.

The Arnold family said Tuesday that the school district had 48-hours to come up with a resolution.

“If not, we’re going to take this to court, because they’re in violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that pertains to discriminating against somebody in regards to their religion,” said Arnold’s father according to Fox 26 News.

Protecting natural hairstyles: NJ bans hair discrimination after wrestler forced to cut dreadlocks or forfeit his match

Protected by California law: Dreadlocks, cornrows and other natural hairstyles

Last year, California became the first state to ban workplace and school discrimination against black people for wearing hairstyles such as braids, twists and locks. The state’s governor signed the legislation into law in July.

CONTRIBUTING: Associated Press

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