This High School Senior Was Told He Must Cut His Dreadlocks Or Miss Graduation
One Texas teen is in danger of suspension, and of not being able to walk in graduation with his class. This decision stems from the fact that the school district is trying to make him cut off his dreadlocks.
Deandre Arnold had attended school in the Barbers Hill Independent School District, located in Mont Belvieu, Texas, for ten years. He has been growing out his hair, in this SAME district, ALL ten of these years.
During his time attending school in this district, Deandre’s parents have had to sign an exemption waiver about his hair, citing spiritual and cultural significance.
As such, he has never had much trouble with the school’s dress code policy — which includes regulations on male hair length — until NOW.
See, the exemption waiver that Deandre’s parents previously signed, was reportedly amended — without their knowledge — making the waiver null and void.
The district is alledgedy stating that Deandre will no longer be allowed to pull his hair back in order to adhere to the school’s dress code.
The dress code is designed by white people for white people and is damaging to black bodies.
Ashton Woods, Black Lives Matter activist
According to Yahoo Lifestyle, Woods went on to say that “Every trustee on the board is white and has been on the board over 10 years. And they have got to go because if not, they’re going to continue to harm these black and brown children.”
Unfortunately, the school district, itself, is not very diverse, either. Only 3.1% of the student population in the district are African American, while 70.6% are White.
The district’s dress code is established to teach grooming and hygiene, instill discipline, maintain a safe and positive learning environment, prevent disruption, avoid safety hazards, and teach respect for authority
Barbers Hill Independent School District, Student Handbook
I can’t believe that it is 2020, and this is still an issue. The Superintendent of the district made the statement that this has been the policy for 30 years. Is it not maybe time to amend the policy?
See an interview with Deandre and his parents, below. Personally, my heart breaks for him.
