Judge Dismisses Most Claims in Hair Discrimination Case

A federal judge dismissed most claims in a lawsuit filed by Darryl George, a Black Texas high school student, who alleged racial and gender discrimination after being disciplined for his hairstyle. The Barbers Hill school district maintained that its hair length policy for male students instills discipline, though U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Brown questioned the policy's overall benefit. George, who wore his hair in tied and twisted locs, was kept out of regular classes for most of the 2023-24 school year due to suspensions. The lawsuit, which invoked the CROWN Act banning race-based hair discrimination, was filed against the school district, its officials, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and Attorney General Ken Paxton. Judge Brown dismissed claims against all defendants, stating the school had not demonstrated a consistent pattern of race-based enforcement.