Texas teen threatens legal action after school tells him to cut off dreadlocks

A Texas family is threatening legal action against their local school district after their teen son was told he couldn’t walk at graduation because of his long dreadlocks. DeAndre Arnold is being forced to either cut his hair or face in-school suspension. Omar Villafranca spoke to Arnold and his family to see how they are handling the situation.
Watch "CBS This Morning" HERE: bit.ly/1T88yAR
Download the CBS News app on iOS HERE: apple.co/1tRNnUy
Download the CBS News app on Android HERE: bit.ly/1IcphuX
Like "CBS This Morning" on Facebook HERE: on. 1LhtdvI
Follow "CBS This Morning" on Twitter HERE: bit.ly/1Xj5W3p
Follow "CBS This Morning" on Instagram HERE: bit.ly/1Q7NGnY
Get new episodes of shows you love across devices the next day, stream local news live, and watch full seasons of CBS fan favorites anytime, anywhere with CBS All Access. Try it free! bit.ly/1OQA29B
Each weekday morning, "CBS This Morning" co-hosts Gayle King, Anthony Mason and Tony Dokoupil deliver two hours of original reporting, breaking news and top-level newsmaker interviews in an engaging and informative format that challenges the norm in network morning news programs. The broadcast has earned a prestigious Peabody Award, a Polk Award, four News & Documentary Emmys, three Daytime Emmys and the 2017 Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast. The broadcast was also honored with an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award as part of CBS News division-wide coverage of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[@Kevin-ll5vu]

How does someone’s hair interfere with learning

[@XegnoPure]

@Mr Lion That's not an answer unless you can explain why "he looks like a girl" would interfere with learning. Also, he doesn't even look like a girl, so wtf. EDIT: Ok, he kinda does

[@andrewandy55431]

Exactly, how does hair affect your learning ability? Now a learning disability can impact your learning in a certain academic subject. I know this, because I myself have a learning disability and I know the racism that DeAndre Arnold is currently experiencing because I am Mexican and I know what racism appears as. However, what Barbers Hills I.S.D. is applying to this young black man is completely unjust. I would sue the school district for unjust racial discrimination.

[@cdmp777]

It doesn’t. It’s just another way to control people.

[@chosenfallen2024]

@@maidenthe80sla Naw its pretty much a religous reasons that don't make sense. As usual

[@chomper4x4]

@@maidenthe80sla In the Phillipines 1 teacher can lead 40 children, they all wear uniforms through high school. In the USA 1 dissident can distract 40 students from learning over frivolous identity politics using their hair as a banner of racist pride.

[@terrygrey5817]

Did he really just compare coming to School in underwear to him wearing the own hairstyle? Get this dude fired man

[@tristenbenavidez9165]

Fr dude not even in the same lane

[@tincredible]

Right. He went beyond an apples/oranges comparison. He compared ants to giraffes!

[@blairbutler6507]

He a white blue eye no offense to those white people who are awake but people like him don't take me by surprise you just mad cause yo hair can't grow like ours I myself is Rasta so ik the importance of hair in the black community ...the white man during slavery cut our hair and never allowed it to grow out after they saw how long our hair can be without the help of anything so black people my people if u can and ur not bald 🇧🇴 keep ya hair cause when they see u they think twice Jah! Rastafari ‼️💯

[@travishamilton1353]

Yep he did

[@tayhereford5177]

@@blairbutler6507 He racist

[@jermaineprince401]

The kids graduating should put on dreadlock wigs right before they walk across the stage.

[@tompekac]

Love that idea, lol

[@shannongeorgiapeach76]

That is a great idea!!!

[@khanyeen1]

That's BRILLIANT!!!

[@lailae631]

BEST THING I HEARD TODAY!!!💝🤩 LOVE IT!✊🏽👍🏽👌🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽🙏🙏🙏🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

[@jermaineprince401]

2 2 ✊🏾💯

[@kylanivy2699]

This man just referred hair to underwear just plain ignorant, and why can’t they just update the rules.

[@tompekac]

That was so crazy

[@tiastips5806]

They did update the rules in December. This is why the wholesale mess is now happening. Before December as long as the hair was pinned up above the ears it’s was not a problem. Please be reminded that this young man has been attending school there since the 7th grade. It is now half way through his senior year. He is an honor roll student never been in trouble why all of a sudden is it a big deal about his hair?

[@stoptheviolence3358]

So the school district is called “Barbers Hill” and they want him to cut his hair. The irony

[@thebluewhale8891]

Damn it, Barbers.

[@HooFHearteD77]

Look up Jessica Oates & Jabez. This is low-key a transgender agenda going on at Barbers Hill.

[@BalancedEarth]

This is what happens when you have a conclave of barbers dictate laws and regulations. Big Wigs out there want to monopolize the length and style of hair.

[@coughpillbox748]

That's not irony, it's just poetic

[@illtv4365]

I thought this exact thing when I heard the name. To the word lol

[@GT-wj3gl]

This is so stupid. He's not harming anyone for having long hair.

[@tricksnotreats7277]

Jak Jones that guy is a racist and an attention seeker.

[@mystic507]

left-wingers-are-terrorists tf

[@luisdb2844]

left-wingers-are-terrorists lmao

[@parentpatrol2752]

Safety reasons

[@luvitluvitbaby]

left-wingers-are-terrorists Make the rule universal for males and females then. Otherwise it’s gender discrimination. The rule was put in place to target 🎯 him specifically because of his race.

[@SheniceSays214]

This is about stripping a child of their self-confidence and their self-esteem. He earned his credentials. Let him walk and get his diploma.

[@kirstieb8025]

Shenice Says and his heritage

[@pinklady7184]

Dreadlocks are unhygienic. I don't want any doctor with dreadlocks to treat me. Sorry.

[@letstalk8749]

@@pinklady7184 u r so irrelevant 😪

[@letstalk8749]

@@pinklady7184 how so

[@pinklady7184]

Rosheida Nelson I am sorry if you are offended. I myself have Glass Hair syndrome - in other words, thick frizzy hair that look like barbed wires. I cannot possibly use combs or brush on my hair. Instead, I use fingers for combing. Finger-combing is effective and fast, starting from the bottom and working way up to roots. See the channel by 22nd Century Natural Woman about the benefits of fingercombing. She does afro haircare products. I use Argan oil on my frizz.

[@RogueSniperGaming]

They wouldn’t dare do this to a white female...

[@jammzy2959]

This policy doesn't apply to girls...its ridic

[@morenikeogunsusi9579]

@1WildlandFirefighter there are some schools who have kicked black females out because of their hair. I've watched and read the stories

[@amarrimosley-jenerette9869]

1WildlandFirefighter maybe not this school but In general yes🤣💀

[@Senor_bob05]

Morenike Ogunsusi But that’s not our school

[@avishagisrael6386]

That school benefited 4 years from his attendance by being that attendance bonus... "now let's punish him" way to go.

[@truthv5463]

Left wingers are terrorists you sound foolish how many whites don’t follow rules on a daily basis and cry victim after you’re exposed !! Guilty racists always try to justify wrong doing period ... Now do this Acts2 verse 38

[@lailonnib]

left-wingers-are-terrorists wtf are you talking about they just changed the policy in December 😒

[@Shaney_Lee]

KD Bradshaw the change the policy about hair styles. The issue at have is the hair length. The kid has a tough decision to make. Welcome to the real world.

[@jannonjackson2628]

😤😤😤

[@macairekamba8414]

@left-wingers-are-terrorists After this life you'll find out how miserable you were in this world🤣🤣🤣. Race, go see it in the tomb and come tell us the story😭

[@joshuatelem8796]

How many of his classmates are gonna stand up for him? That's the only way these things change.

[@miguelbermudez5426]

If he is in a majority white school many will not our of fear.

[@buckshothunter2177]

Rallying now these days solves nothing.

[@its420somewhererightnow]

I have the school's #. Call and give them a piece of your mind. We did!✊🏽💯💯

[@regulargirl8367]

BuckShot Hunter You need to have faith

[@PunaniJohnny]

Only way is if a majority decide to boycott the walk

[@Anthony-ze9cu]

A dress code should not even consider telling someone how to wear there hair stay in yo lane

[@frankiec5602]

Thats so stupid I don't see nothing wrong with his hair at all it's about race at this point

[@superduperjoi6800]

"Everytime we get ahead, they move the finish line"- -Janelle Monae as Mary Jackson NASA computer in Hidden Figures movie.

[@coughpillbox748]

Complaining that standards are always being elevated, classic

[@ryannorris7413]

Are you serious? Yeah the whole world is out to get you lol that mentality is the real problem.

[@Kuza.Madeit]

ryan norris its true tho, yu cant deny it

[@FaithandNova]

@@ryannorris7413 you're in denial. You don't live through what we go through often.

[@cinnamonbun216]

@@ryannorris7413 stop ryan. your privilege is showing

[@xPersianxKing]

The funny part is, he would probably meet a professor in college with double the length in dreadlocks. I can almost guarantee that.

[@coughpillbox748]

Yes i had a philosophy professor with longer flowy silver hair, he was a total hippy

[@phoneone1371]

Got to say as a trump voter iam on his side ,this is bizarrow world in 2020 .Who frigging cares

[@DontBeMad911]

But is the teacher graduating?.. no

[@b1bbscraz3y]

@@phoneone1371 not that it matters but why did you feel the need to share that information?

[@ISa-jy8ol]

@@phoneone1371 ditto

[@SA-yw5uw]

How is expressing and embracing your culture a “violation”?

[@shouldacomewithawarninh4974]

So true

[@bornintheGLaMouRx3]

Teachers and children’s at the school should be protesting for him

[@AndySaenz]

Wow, I didn't know cutting your hair was a pre-requisite to graduating from HS and doing your graduation ceremony? This school district is crazy.

[@maryc8552]

Yes, for heaveaven's sake, why should a school be able to set rules about what kids look like or what they wear, or for that matter how they behave? Schools have no right to have rules! That is barbaric!

[@concernconcern7701]

Every school and job has rules. They agreed to them when the enrolled. They should stick to the agreement they made upon enrollment and grow up.

[@concernconcern7701]

@KING BLACK PANTHER 9000 if you want to, for example, drive a car, you get a license. It's a rule. If you want to graduate from this school you follow their rules. It's that simple. Not everyone is trolling and implying such just because others dont share your view is very immature. Someday he will be offered a job and refuse it for the same reasons. Then he can play with his hair and we will pay his way through life.

[@concernconcern7701]

@KING BLACK PANTHER 9000 It is stated in the video that the length of the hair is the problem not the style. Also, if the child has the right to do anything he wants with his hair, why cant the school have rights to do what they think is best for their students. I am married to a black woman and have 2 kids with her. Her and her family have had dreads and I like the style. I will also teach my kids to obey rules and be successful. Their hair length will come in second when deciding their future. Professional men will almost always have neat, short hair. I would like to see this boy grow up to be president of our country someday but he's off to a bad start if his hair length is so important that it will hinder him in high school. It's not always about what we can do, sometimes it's about what we should do. There will always be people with frivolous lawsuits trying to cash in.

[@concernconcern7701]

@KING BLACK PANTHER 9000 He should be focused on learning and he's decided to take a stand on a haircut. Just silly. Unfortunately, our laws sometimes support this behavior. That's why when I go to the front desk in my local hospital there is a woman sitting there with purple hair. However, there are no professionals with purple hair in the hospital such as doctors, nurses, or office staff. Maybe they legally could fight to have purple hair but they choose focus on being professional instead.

[@morrismckenzie153]

I say everyone put on a dreadlock wig for his graduation lol

[@SAMZIRRA]

That is actually a really smart idea. Nice.

[@acharich]

Hmm, could be seen as appropriation.. 👀

[@smc130]

Morris Mckenzie ...YES!!!

[@infinitysteppingstone331]

@@acharich Or as a one-day show of tremendous solidarity.

[@coughpillbox748]

@@acharich yeah. There is no way that could happen in this current social climate without a fight breaking out

[@aboveaero]

Reminds of when Native Americans were forced in boarding schools and they were also forced to cut their braids.

[@shannongeorgiapeach76]

I get dress codes, at the beginning of the school year, you sign that you have read the school handbook, in which the dress codes are established. However, this situation is stupid. He is graduating and leaving H.S. if they didn't have an issue during the school year, then it should not be an issue to graduate. Its hard enough to get kids to finish H.S. and is an honor. Sorry, the school is dead wrong!!

[@MultiTurbospeed]

Senior year is stupid just drop out and go get a GED

[@bridgettjohnson7437]

@@MultiTurbospeed Nope...he put in his time to get to where he is, a force they want to "F" WITH....GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. He's EARNED his RIGHT to walk accross the stage with his peers and RRECIEVE HIS PAPER...he should NOT BE DENIED.

[@dperr338]

Crazy this has become such a heated issue with Darryl George. Exact same thing happened here but people seem to be more supportive of the student in this case.

[@katferguson]

It can't be a specific length? Does that apply to females too? His hair didn't grow overnight, what's the problem?

[@katlap3101]

Kat Ferguson, people are stupid, it’s his hair and it’s cool

[@vi4reel]

Kat Ferguson they clearly said it’s for males student dress

[@gloking7683]

@soli Sanchez they have bigger things to worry about not his hair like seriously how is that rule going to help them when something bad happens?I bet you they have people violenting the dress code and getting away with it every day.

[@gloking7683]

@soli Sanchez By your logic it seems that education and safty isn't important. He's been at that school for 4 years and im pretty sure there are other students with longer hair that will be able to walk. Also there are kids wanting to hurt other kids and this is what they are worried about. Education and safety is more important than hair kid.

[@CraftyLeoCooks]

@soli Sanchez lol He kept his hair up when in school and maybe that made them so mad that they AMENDED the dress code in December to say, it didn't matter if your hair was up or down it had to be a specific length. He was following the dress code until they changed it 🤷🏾‍♀️ sounds suspect to me

[@abidababida7096]

REALLY? in the 21st century we’re still dealing with this kind of 1940’s stupidity? NEVER CUT YOUR HAIR KID. BE YOU.

[@koiv4U]

you do know there are reasons why certain hair cuts are banned right? like being able to hide contraband inside yo weave or dreads or afro, ect. rules exist for a reason, why don't you do your homework before you project out of anger.

[@b1bbscraz3y]

or he could just cut his hair and graduate. seems like he values that specific hair more than graduating school. doesn't make sense really

[@bilbobaggins4710]

Or move to africa or Haiti or Jamaica problem solved

[@ISa-jy8ol]

F this school

[@ISa-jy8ol]

@@b1bbscraz3y its wrong to target him like this. If there is any other student of any race or gender in the school with hair this long who is allowed to walk, this is WRONG. Seems stupid to cause a lot of upset over soneones hair style. Im from CO and at my school we were allowed to have whatever hairstyle we wanted and autonomy was fine. Most black peoples hair is naturally curly and coarse. Dreadlocks are a traditional, culturally rooted hair style which helps them maintain a clean and neat appearance. As you can see in this video, his dreads are neat and tidy and he is a clean and appropriate looking kid. I wouldnt even care if he had a hundred facial piercings and green bi hawks. Graduating from high school has nothing to do with your hair cut no matter what it is. A teacher has no right to target the traditional cultural hairstyle kf a black boy in 2019 no matter how pervy that teacher obviously is. He should be fired.

[@damionbirge8265]

Never cut your locs! They look fresh. Sue the school district and get paid ✊🏾

[@kakanomanches3782]

Damion Birge amen brotha takes patience to grow locs various stages you go through

[@Senor_bob05]

They’re out of dress code the school has done nothing wrong also if you think you can win against a school then that’s just plain stupid

[@yeettus7013]

@@Senor_bob05 i actually won against my school because they called my natural hair unprofessional

[@Senor_bob05]

Yeet Tus well that’s once again plain stupid

[@yeettus7013]

@@Senor_bob05 u mean my school or me?

[@jewels3596]

Are they serious? His hair is natural! He's a good kid. HE Gets good grades and is respectful. Let him WALK!!!!!!

[@Angela-qz3lr]

kbamm69 some dreads are natural, and some are not. Natural doesn’t just mean that your hair just grows from your head. To tell whether someone’s hair is natural or not, is by the process of them doing the hairstyle. When you relax your hair, your hair from your head grows straight, but it’s not natural because you used chemicals to relax it. From the looks of it, his hair LOOKS natural, but neither of us actually know because we don’t know the process of how he got his dreads

[@VIi726]

Jewels exactly. I’ve never sat in class and been like man I really want to focus on this geometry but I can’t because this dudes hair is touching is damn shoulders

[@tiabee1637]

@kbamm69 you sound ignorant. Hair that grows from you head is not natural? Surely he gets his groomed, but try letting yours grow if you can without running a comb or brush through it and see the results. Stop speaking on things you know nothing about.

[@reverse_king99tps58]

Angela natural dreads are people born with dreads like me if I cut my dreads rn it will grow again without doing anything I have them since little

[@fmajer86]

I'm sorry I know this is a serious topic but.... Is that school seriously named Barbers Hill?? 😂😂😂

[@lizardchosimbastedanko3077]

Explains alot 😂😂😂😂

[@soulerflare7]

Serious topic 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@bigaceboogiewoogie1928]

Felicia Majersky the irony huh? 😂😂😂😂👍🏾

[@Eric345]

I know that school. It’s a mostly white school. Wealthy part of town. I can see why they don’t like it.

[@matthewcooper3535]

Synchronicity is a thing.

[@squarehammer4619]

It's a sad day when we worry that much about the length of someone's hair

[@jjames7771]

It's a sad day when this news. But poor poor black people are soooo mistreated. If only the entire corporate media, every multi national corporation or anyone in a position of influence would only cater to them...oh wait.

[@presidenttnediserp428]

@@jjames7771 Even wealthy, educated blacks get mistreated. The devil doesn't work in mysterious ways.

[@jasonrice5094]

@@jjames7771 you sound jealous

[@ISa-jy8ol]

Agreed. Especially when we ignore all the really important stuff. This boy is being harassed. Whoever made this choice is a power hungry freak who should be fired and never allowed to work in leadership positions again. They lack critical thinking skills and are out of touch. Fir them! Is there any other student of any race or gender with hair this lomg who is not being told the same thibg? If so, this is blatant discrimination and harassment.

[@matthewkiser4454]

President T Nediserp End discrimination. Abolish Affirmative Action.

[@DJ-ys9pv]

He’s graduating aka leaving the school lol why would they want to impede his future when he’s soon to be gone from them anyways?

[@namastewellness]

D J You’d be surprised the things they do for no reason but to maintain their illusion of « supremacy. »

[@myssakay]

My senior year, our school was threatening to not let kids walk if they decorated their caps or wore converse. We also had to petition for a friend of mine to walk because she had a brain tumor and missed “too many” days. I still find how limiting all of this is very sickening. Let kids express themselves! It’s not vulgar or distracting to anyone but the school board.

[@saltmoon995]

The difference in that is that his natural hair growing from his head and decorating a cap is a choice

[@coryddp7254]

I wonder why the School board amended the rules in December

[@johnbasterson7938]

Because of this kid. Duh. Its obvious.

[@joeanybody1964]

Probably cuz they just started wearing their hair up for a loophole in the rule to undermine its purpose

[@Flowergurl2000]

His hair, his choice!,,,

[@MK-fk4kp]

If kids are allowed to have long hair, the school will be full of hippies, then they will vote DemoKKKrat!!!

[@liraven7676]

@@MK-fk4kp we all know long hair automatically makes you a left leaning voter!

[@Ivan220996]

"Barbers Hill" school, obviously conflict of interest....

[@Solodolo84]

This story writes itself. 😂😂😂 cut my hair, you must be joking.

[@ftwtech]

That’s what I was thinking LOL!

[@its420somewhererightnow]

He compared this young man's hair to wearing underwear to school!🙄💯💯

[@jayjohn3045]

Yes because he's and freaking IDIOT!!!

[@playlistkweentv7421]

Hair is a natural thing it's apart of everyone

[@michealkelly9441]

He was banned from walking at graduation yet weeks later he was invited by Gabrielle Union to walk down the red carpet at the Oscars👌👌

[@mamawtina1128]

He's GRADUATING so who cares if his hair isn't in accordance to someone else's opinion of what "appropriate" hair length should be.

[@m.layfette6249]

He's a Young, Educated, Respectful, Black man who is College bound. That's the Main issue here. Plain and Simple!

[@leticiavarga1009]

Oliff v. East Side Union High School District (1972).

[@BH-nf5lv]

Raspberry Dove-Ali highly doubtful

[@sunkcostfallacy2738]

Who cares? Just let him wear the hair. What a petty world we inhabit.

[@nateortega2912]

I agree

[@blondie7240]

I too agree to rules, but then decide I'm above them

[@WarofThoughts]

That is like saying, why make the military march in time, why not just let them march how fast they want? Why should we have any kind of standards? Stop being so petty! It doesn’t work like that, hun.

[@wulfenii64]

@@WarofThoughts because graduation isn't the military. It is one minute walking up to the podium to be handed a sheet of paper that represents the previous 9 years of a life.

[@jings1926]

[e-mail] -principal [e-mail] - superintendent email them now.

[@chip73731]

They are more worried about hair than bullying...

[@namastewellness]

StarPerson A This is the ultimate form of bullying.

[@kennypowers99]

Just lawyer up and they’ll let him got to school.

[@unknownwarrior5672]

Or he can just cut his hair....its not like it won't grow back and he's a senior..

[@kev1064]

Unknown Warrior or the school/district could learn to be respectful and not compare his hair to underwear.

[@AssassinPictures]

smh it's like I'm watching a boondocks episode lol

[@777Samiboy]

lol new season of boondocks gonna milk this

[@lsrpjune3500]

Sam yeah lmao I’m actually kindve hype cause, they will do this

[@coughpillbox748]

@@777Samiboy they're still making new seasons?

[@777Samiboy]

@@coughpillbox748 I think they were making the new season but creators dad was John Witherspoon RIP so i think its on the back burner rn

[@Satsui_No_Hado]

At the end of the day it's just hair, here's a young man that is proud of his hair, he's just about to graduate , why is this even an issue

[@JegTreSpillerDama]

Mike, it's not "just" hair.

[@spacesoup6797]

Michelle Moore calm down Karen go back to playing Detroit

[@jonzee9190]

@@JegTreSpillerDama right it's "black" hair.

[@RELENTLESSxRG]

At the end of the day rules are rules. Idiots always want to play the race card.

[@Mark-sd7fc]

Mike az Seems like a nice young man his family should be proud

[@princejay9661]

"They say they want you successful, but then they make it stressful You start keeping pace, they start changing up the tempo"- Mos Def

[@MT-wr7et]

Ohh god his mom is definitely a “can i speak to the manager” type of person

[@smc130]

I’m on the student’s side!! I’m an Anglo Texas grandma and I say where do I have to go and who do I have to see?? This is ridiculous. The young man is handsome!!

[@mrs.sherry]

Same ...I'm 54 yr old white grandma in Texas and I feel like you do on this. It is ridiculous. I say leave him be and let him walk the ceremony with his classmates..

[@SKSC-bx1pf]

I love you dear Grandmas. I know your casseroles taste good

[@smc130]

This young man was invited to tell his story on the Ellen Degeneres show which aired in San Antonio TX today. Ellen pleaded with the school district officials to let this young man walk across the graduation stage in May. Ellen is right to support him when girls in his school have always been allowed to wear their hair shoulder length! Gender discrimination!! Come on! He’s a smart and decent young man. All this hype over hair? Please!!! Focus on what’s important in this life.

[@Carelock]

Kids coming out of school not able to read or do math and this is their concern???

[@Carelock]

Ianfirespider This story should be visible, it shows the ineptitude of government. The school system should be focused on education, not hairstyle.

[@Carelock]

Ianfirespider Perhaps, but any energy they put into this is wasted energy that could have been spent on said education.

[@JessiesFamily]

It's BS to tell him to cut his dreads off, wtf?! They're out of their mind, a$$!@$, sounds fishy.

[@tiastips5806]

So they changed the rules to impede this child’s progress

[@Fun2654]

@Spacedcrown3131 this is his family tradition from the country his father is from

[@leticiavarga1009]

Spacedcrown3131 It is against the constitution. I am sure you believe in amendment 2 and I believe in amendment 1. This is a public school and not a Military school where short hair is part of the uniform. Your hair is your freedom and can be work how you want it.

[@Fun2654]

@@leticiavarga1009 freedom of expression is under the 1st amendment

[@tiastips5806]

Spacedcrown3131 If you read and or listen to the story- you will find the in December the rules where indeed changed to penalize this student.

[@namastewellness]

Spacedcrown3131 They said they did change it. It was no longer just about the style but the link. Prior to Christmas break the length was not an issue and if it was written anywhere it was never enforced.

[@blakelip3]

From African American girls not being able to wear their natural hair now this smh sad

[@Shaney_Lee]

BLAKE DA GREAT this matter is not about African American girls not being able to wear their hair. Stick to the facts 😊

[@blakelip3]

ShaneyLee i know what the situation is......don’t act like it didn’t happen

[@blakelip3]

Anton Carraway 🙄 gtfoh troll first we aren’t African American, then we aren’t black (black is a color) stfu with that bs

[@lamonesjr4744]

@Anton Carraway Big facts negros in America will never understand we can't be from 2 different continents at the same time but let them continue to call themselves made up names by our oppressor🤷

[@lamonesjr4744]

@@krystenj.smart_girl0132 facts

[@maliaarnold9051]

So he could probably claim he feels like he’s a girl and his hair could be long, but as a boy he can’t. How backwards is that?!?!

[@pla6ue]

Lol right?

[@lailonnib]

Bingo

[@Shaney_Lee]

Malia Arnold this then cause a greater issue for the LGBTQ community. People abusing gender change just to get ahead. If that's the case, this cause a bigger issue for the world at large in my opinion.

[@vonh7047]

Okay but being trans isn't "feeling" like you are the opposite gender. You have the brain of the opposite gender and your body doesn't match. There is a lot more to it than a grown man just being like "Okay I'm a girl now." It's a long process.

[@pla6ue]

@@Shaney_Lee And that absolutely happens. I'm all for treating everyone fairly, but at some point it breaks and goes too far. Like if someone goes from male to female, and another person gets LEGALLY in trouble for calling them "sir" or referring to them as a man(because you can NEVER biologically change your gender). People want equality, but then when some are given an inch they take the whole 9 yards and that's not cool at all. It seems often times people that demand tolerance, are the most intolerant SoB's on the planet.

[@beateremail6384]

School: We want you guys to express yourselves creatively. Me: *Grows Hair Longer* School: You can’t do that, go to the principles office

[@POWERMINDS747]

I'm glad that the teenager is standing his ground!

[@catherineparkerdouglas4114]

That is BS to change the policy in December and he's getting ready to graduate in a few months. Sue. Sue. Sue.

[@user-uu8vn6oh1j]

www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/School-that-banned-Houston-area-boy-for-long-hair-11952817.php They did it a little boy too in pre school. Google Greg Poole he wants these boys to follow the rules but let’s his son break them, by leaving the scene. Poole was arrested for not producing son for questioning after an accident. He doesn’t deserve to be paid by tax payers dollars if these are the fights he wants to pick instead of helping

[@lostnnotfound7080]

Listen to the principal accent anytime you hear one of those you already know what it is

[@brittneyj5225]

Lost Nnotfound Exactly. That “good ole boy” accent 🙄

[@VIi726]

Lost Nnotfound not all of us. We just can’t change the way we grew up talkin with our accent lol

[@lostnnotfound7080]

Brittney J we know all too well

[@memeaw76]

Right

[@jayliche3266]

Imagine them telling girls their hair couldn’t be a certain length

[@nunya5230]

Long hair violates dress code why is that even apart of the dress code

[@djkranek]

What does the length of this kids hair have to do with his academic achievements? This is some serious BS! The hair police need to stop!!

[@michellegriffin4697]

Wtf? It's just hair! My grandson, daughter and son in law have dreads. Having dreads doesn't stop them from going to work, school or any damn thing else.long as it's legal.

[@msrenee7023]

They are called locks, not dreads! Somebody’s relatives gave that name to it not black people.

[@hshbsbsbsbs1222]

He wants him to cut it because he is going bald 💀

[@Malyt538]

LMFAO

[@madisonburksparker4287]

"every school has a dress code" my school doesn't have a dress code. 🤔

[@loveme4me]

Should have said he can't cut it due to his religious beliefs. Problem solved

[@jings1926]

[e-mail] -principal [e-mail] - superintendent email them now.

[@hephzbah1130]

Ivy Bey: Peace Moor. You’re right. Natives wear their hair how they want. If our people Would only declare our nationality they wouldn’t have this issue.

[@ryanwilson5936]

jay jay Works for christians...

[@freelander4058]

Ivy Bey No religion gets you nowhere except to be ridiculed. Why do you think he is making this a color issue ?

[@Emily_CiK]

I completely agree with your comment. Its what I would've said. For the people in the comment section who don't agree, who are we to say what his family believes and what his hair means to him as a man on his own journey with God. You can see by the interview its something to do with who he is and his core beliefs. Muslim women cover their hair. Who's to say some black folks don't grow dreads for theirs!

[@bigal8120]

I was done soon as seen the Superintendent!!! When he opened his mouth that told me everything I needed to know about how this school thinks... Don't cut your hair bruh!!! Rock on...

[@AbsFabbs]

Big Al right?!? Coming to school on your underwear?????? I can imagine trying to have a reasonable conversation with that supe.

[@gabrieleelizabeth6521]

FABS i went to this school and it’s not just the superintendent it’s most of the staff too. full of close minded people who have no idea what cultural diversity is

[@AbsFabbs]

gabriele elizabeth why does this not surprise me!! Congrats on making it out of there!!

[@gabrieleelizabeth6521]

FABS thank you :)

[@marvinwalkerjr.9223]

“I don’t think, I know.”. He said that with great vehemence.

[@Riconnaissance]

01:53 "I don't think you can go to school in your underwear." Bro, like 99% of people wear underwear to school every day. lol

[@9ZERO6]

Underrated comment 😀

[@brdlju3]

Leave the kid alone. This reminds me of the little girl in grade school who couldn’t have a school photo because she had her hair done especially for her picture.

[@amnielove5660]

That was painful; it had me in tears. This should never happen to children.

[@koiv4U]

except her mom didn't try to make a show out of it by claiming "muh racism"

[@matthewkiser4454]

Amnie Love Really? Affirmative Action must really make you cry. That’s the law that punishes every newborn baby with white skin and a penis.

[@JesseWright68]

@@matthewkiser4454 You're an idiot.

[@brdlju3]

Mark Guerrero she had her hair neatly braided and extensions with a highlighted red tint. I believe it was racial discrimination because little Caucasian girls can put highlights in there hair that’s neon blue, green, blonde or whatever they choose and that’s ok? No it’s not. I would understand if it was dragging the floor or so big it flopped around on the student sitting behind her(beehive)even full of lice... but this is getting ridiculous!!!

[@davidmaguschak6410]

More outdated rules, in this day and age.

[@yvonne3582]

Outdated would imply that it’s been in the books for some time, this was just placed in in December. Makes it that much more blatantly discriminatory.

[@lmarshell7228]

This is ridiculous... More important things to worry about in this world. Let this kid finish school in peace. I seen him on Ellen a couple days ago. I pray everything works out for you young man 🙏🏾

[@paularicard1780]

Well,well,well it seems like every one else won't be walking now either! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jonarundadadottir5313]

Are there actually rules about the length of the hair for boys??? Hiw crazy and illogical!!

[@ct5951]

Sex discrimination.

[@WarofThoughts]

Correct. These codes are common throughout Texas and probably I would assume much of the deep south. They apply to white boys and black boys. I assume it probably has to do with a comment by St. Paul that long hair on a man was a dishonor. Paul had been raised in a Roman influence culture and this would be I assume where he got this impression.

[@David-bg3xc]

Yeah I’m from Texas and I had my hair pretty long and pulled back but they’d always give me crap. Doesn’t make sense it wasn’t violating anything

[@rodsteel6595]

It's a dumb rule...... but it's not about race, and this news network craftily presented it as such.

[@wateriswet1845]

My brother can’t have hair that touches his ears or he will get fired.

[@iowaoutdoorhobby8741]

We are in USA dont forget freedom. We not in north Korean.

[@chaunceychappelle2173]

Freedom was never intended for people who look like him... thus, his dilemma.

[@paperairplane4751]

@Miss Dor's daughter the flag represesnt freedom

[@iowaoutdoorhobby8741]

@Miss Dor's daughter you are right but USA is way better than north Korean, and on top of that, I rather have the law and policies instead of drugs dealer, gangsters, or murderers.

[@KristinShoots]

did he just compare that young man’s hair to underwear??

[@jayjohn3045]

see how stupid he really is

[@Hope-si1kb]

I really didn't know this was a thing. I got such a mixed school, Latinos, blacks, whites, a few asians, and even middle eastern people. So I'm just so used to seeing everyone with different colors and different cultures. I live in a small international city. I just never knew people actually had to deal with this

[@texasveteran7231]

Good luck in college young man keep up the good grades never cut your hair for anyone.

[@regulusmine2336]

Yeah, and stay out of the military. They'll cut your damn hair and there's nothing that he would be able to do about it. Little brats everywhere and people cheering them on.

[@texasveteran7231]

@@regulusmine2336 I served 17 yrs cut my hair weekly in army unless deployed and I had no problem following strict dress code. This young man here is acquiring a education in high school and as stated has good grades. The only brats I see are the childish adults focusing on a boys hair and disrupting his education and spending time focusing on his hair instead of doing their job. Wasted time and tax dollars

[@regulusmine2336]

@@texasveteran7231 , wasting yours and mine too. I admit that I should refrain from such self intoxicating silliness - including my own. But this is ridiculous. C' mon. Racism? And the fact that this story of self abortion is on national news and you and I are giving it dignity with our attention and words? I'm just sick of the excrement that's driveled out. You got to call bs when you see it. All this kid is Iearning is a lifetime of " it's not fair" , and victimhood. Look at what his angry parents are teaching him instead of telling him to learn about life and sometimes one has to sacrifice one's childish proclivities. The worst thing to happen to him would be that he wins his spoilt brat lottery.

[@koiv4U]

*cough* job interview

[@koiv4U]

@Jak Jones well unlike blacks whites seem to be better off because they at least HAVE families.

[@glenbaker5311]

Who cares about his hair, at least he,s going to school,, get a grip,, gb

[@tricksnotreats7277]

Sterling Archer man, that must suck.

[@txmademigo8327]

if it was a problem they would have told him to cut it along time ago.

[@Queen21649]

Cashout Rosas exactly

[@morenikeogunsusi9579]

Exactly. Some idiot made a comment saying "these people needs to just follow the rules" not exactly sure why it's a problem. If he's come this far, and has done right and stayed out of trouble his hair isn't the issue. The school is. Why stop someone from being successful and graduating. And what they don't see to understand is no matter how many times you cut your hair... It will continue to grow back. Just like the females who have long hair who they don't call down to their office every week.

[@txmademigo8327]

Morenike Ogunsusi yep

[@RimRunnerRR]

Heartless fools will always find a way to hate and discriminate.

[@DivineLioness]

Good take legal action! And keep your locs ✊🏽🦁

[@rodsteel6595]

He has no case!!! Civil law requires that you must prove that he's being racially targeted. And that is next to impossible seeing that the rules have been in place for over 30 years.

[@7doves795]

@@rodsteel6595 gender discrimination. If the girls are allowed to have long hair.

[@mrs.chandler9384]

Divine Lioness Dreads are disgusting

[@xxbuddybluexx9246]

@@mrs.chandler9384 if there not washed and taken care of yes but his looked relatively clean and we'll kept.

[@jacksonheathen2092]

@Bad Cattitude Exactly. I finally agree with you for once. If he washed that greasy ethinic mop once in a while, then I doubt anyone would have ever made an issue over style or length.

[@billp3914]

It’s a bully issue They did the same on my son He’s white

[@jacksonheathen2092]

Your white son had dreadlocks?

[@billp3914]

Jackson Heathen Long hair and a pony tail Had been saving it 4years for a hair for cancer group

[@infinitysteppingstone331]

@@billp3914 Wow. When will stupidity this end?

[@1goldbaby]

@Cyndi Rothrock it's " you're raising NOT YOUR!!!

[@randyrichardson1542]

@@jacksonheathen2092 lmao u thought....then come to find out hes a angle who donates his hair. Nice try tho

[@kyramannix3950]

So schools can tell boys how long they’re allowed to grow their hair now..

[@orionb5217]

Right like what does that have to do with education?? Nothing . I'm glad I graduated 10 yrs ago we didn't have to deal with this back then

[@FaLL0uTZ0mBie]

My man was wearing a goku shirt. He’s gonna go ssj3 now out of spite

[@judyspaulding4141]

Native American have this battle all the time!!!

[@matthewkiser4454]

Get in the back of the bus. Liberals care more about illegals than you. Vote republican

[@geecollins4915]

Judy Spaulding IKR ... why is the length of your hair a problem????

[@Adoni3]

@@geecollins4915 Republicans allowed standing rock to happen. Sit down child. We are voting for bernie becuase he actually cares about native Americans

[@Adoni3]

@@matthewkiser4454 funny how the white illegals always comment about asylum seekers

[@PlayCodeCreate]

Judy Spaulding *sometimes too. There fixed it for you. 🙄

[@tincredible]

Why do bigots use the most extreme examples to justify their points? How does coming to school indecently exposed (i.e. in underwear) compare to coming to school with a certain hairstyle that distracts or impede's no one's education?

[@bigdaddyyumyumthechocolate8481]

So this code is only for men? Because girls have long hair . Gender discrimination is what it sounds like to me.

[@brip799]

I do think they also share that ridiculous mentality that "males have short hair and females should have long hair", but I think he is being targeted because of his race and not just long hair, dreadlocks. He hasn't done anything wrong. He is expressing his individuality and it is his culture would they should HAVE to respect. They just now update the dress code to try to be petty when he worked hard like everyone else to come this far. It's disappointing that their are such stupid people in positions of power like this or even in existence.

[@leticiavarga1009]

I agree this to be gender. Oliff v. East Side Union High School District (1972).

[@bigdaddyyumyumthechocolate8481]

@@leticiavarga1009 Yeah gender and race. Black males. We like to dred our hair and let it grow.

[@kevinsanderson4165]

This is just as worse as my school telling me I couldn't carry my inhaler during my graduation

[@peterepoet2535]

A school building told him? That’s one powerful building.

[@ninaedwards345]

dumb

[@milissapoisson6369]

Bullspit!!! Leave that young man alone!!!! Our founding fathers had ponytails and powdered wigs! This is America!!!!!!

[@1goldbaby]

Melissa Too funny!! Lol...

[@korrythatsme1356]

Milissa Poisson great point 👍

[@miles3379]

The guy 'advising' the family needs to worry more about the fact he's one Popeyes away from a heart attack than this kid's hair.

[@sabrinap1]

My school in Texas was like this too almost all of the schools they say it can't pass shoulder length but my friends would just trim it right above the shoulders and went on.

[@josephleighton7658]

The guys graduating prepping for college'like he said he doesn't need any added stress in his life.

[@acharich]

It's real..

[@ShinjiKataoka]

Good! Sue the damn school district!

[@charlesmartin5043]

This superintendent should lose his job and the school district should be sued

[@trinathompson6573]

Props to the young boy for standing up to his rights.

[@FatimaLopez-uq7vg]

This young man is not a trouble maker, gets good grades, and has had this hair style since the 6th grade. N now you want him to cut his hair to graduate. Such BS. don't do it. That principal is down right ignorant and a bully.

[@say1716]

He is a trouble maker. He is called to the office EVERY WEEK for violations of the schools dress code. Rules are rules and you're breaking them and causing trouble even if you "don't feel like it."

[@hellodumzo]

Say Rules that are unjust should be broken. Other than the fact that he is breaking this one rule, he isn’t a trouble maker. You tell me exactly what is so wrong with his hair being the way that it is.

[@say1716]

Imagine being called to the office EVERY WEEK for violations to the dress code. "Duhh, Racism! Gibz pls!"

[@RecordingCrimes]

So girls have a hair length code? If not enough said.

[@Noah-vm4ib]

His classmates should have his back and not walk with him.

[@theydisintegrate]

Conformity assimilation submission - American dreams

[@espada9]

"Muh oppression" = generation of weak entitled losers.

[@Matt_Fields_29]

And if you dont like unqualified authority nut telling how to live your life, then you're somehow an "entitled loser."

[@theydisintegrate]

@@espada9 Rage Against the Machine = weak entitled losers?

[@TeamTwiistz]

​@@espada9 How do you not see an issue with someone forcing you to CUT OFF PARTS OF YOUR BODY. And then make fun of young people for using the proper avenues to achieve justice. Oh you must be old and grumpy, too cowardly to fight for anything in their life so you turn your nose up at every single thing.

[@newhope8657]

You are welcome to move to Iran.

[@TheOfficialZombieWhisperer]

Discrimination against long hair, how long until they tell girls they have to cut their hair.

[@WarofThoughts]

They would say that’s also distracting and that only lesbians like Ellen wear their hair like that.

[@curiouslytot1950]

Pssshh girls must have hair longer than their chin... I can totally picture Dolores Umbridge adding that to her wall.

[@elisejackson2854]

i love his locks. they're so nice and neat.

[@veliciawilliams1081]

This is the craziest thing I have ever seen. Why would you use a law to prevent a good student from walking for graduating. It’s very biased and it’s shameful.

[@saleemahfareed4790]

I love his locks please keep your beautiful locks 🙏💜👍

[@regulusmine2336]

...until you see a rat stick its head out. Yeah, I'm trolling.

[@Hustler1856]

As long as I get my diploma and I get into a great college scrw the high school administration. Give me my diploma and I'm out.

[@erikagutierrez7132]

They shouldn't worry about his hair being long... What matters is that he's doing good in school and he's going to graduate

[@empiremobelite7892]

You can hear the banjos of Deliverance in this whole story