DeAndre Arnold, a senior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, is fighting for his right to walk in his graduation after a dress code change at the school is barring him from having dreadlocks on the day of graduation. Deandre has been suspended and won’t be allowed to walk at graduation in three months unless he cuts his dreadlocks.
Arnold, who is Trinidadian, explained to Click 2 Houston that he usually wears his dreadlocks up, away from his shoulders and ears while in school, which was initially accepted at the school. However, due to a new dress code that was implemented during the winter break that bars male students from having hair longer than their eyebrows, his dreads are now banned altogether.
Activists have rallied behind Arnold and his family, accusing the school of discrimination. They stood with the family for support as they addressed the Barbers Hill ISD school board.
“The dress code is designed by white people for white people and is damaging to black bodies,” said Black Lives Matter activist Ashton Woods.
However, the school’s Superintendent Greg Poole, says that their issue isn’t about dreadlocks specifically, let alone race. Instead, the policy prohibits the length of Arnold’s hair.
“There is no dress code policy that prohibits any cornrow or any other method of wearing of the hair. Our policy limits the length. It’s been that way for 30 years,” Poole said.
Despite the explanation, director of The United Urban Alumni Association, Gerry Monroe, is not buying it.
“They have 48 hours to come up with a resolution, or we’re taking this to federal court.” Monroe threatened.
