For Darryl George, just outside Houston, Texas, hair has defined his junior year of high school.

How has this all felt for you?

It's very stressful. I'm trying to maintain being a student while also having to deal with this.

The 18-year-old has now been suspended twice over his hairstyle at Barbers Hill High School, most recently in early December. The first time was back in August, when school officials said Georgia's braided locks fell below his eyebrows and earlobes, which violated the school district's dress code for boys.

Why should I cut my hair for my education? My hair has nothing to do with my education.

George was put in a disciplinary off-campus education program, and when he returned to school with his style intact, he was suspended again. The family filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against Texas Governor Greg Abbett and the state's attorney general in September, alleging that Georgia's suspension violates the Crown Act, a Texas state law that took effect September first prohibiting race-based discrimination, banning employers and schools from penalizing people because of their hair texture or protective styles such as afros, twists, or dreadlocks. At least 24 states have their own version of the law, according to the think tank, the Economic Policy Institute. Much of that legislation following high profile incidents of alleged hair discrimination against African Americans.

We're alleging that the grooming code of Barbott Hill ISD is unconstitutional. The law says whether or not you intend to target a specific protected class if the end result is that only the protected class is affected is discriminatory.

Georgia's attorney says the district is engaging in a discriminatory pattern since back in 2020, two other students, both black teens were also suspended for their hairstyles. In response, the Barbers Hill School district tells BBC News in part, the claim is false, saying it has many African-American students who wear dreadlocks and other similar protected hairstyles and comply with the district's length policy. We have one who does not. The superintendent adding that there are some African-American students with religious exemptions for hair length, but quote, We do not have an exception for I don't want to follow the rules. The superintendent also calling the lawsuit baseless and filing a lawsuit to clarify that the Crown Act does not address length or any other student expression, but instead protects the right to wear braids. Texas governor's and attorney general's offices did not respond to our request for comment. As for Darryl George, his attorney says this legal battle has taken its toll. She requested a temporary injunction so George can return to school.

I feel like I ain't going nowhere with it as of right now, no.

His family representative telling us many have encouraged the teenager to cut his hair and let the case go.

Darryl has hair that's woven in his head from his grandfather and from other ancestors, and this is how he is connected to his people.

What does your hair and your hairstyle mean to you?

It just means a lot to me. It makes me feel more closer to my people. Being without my hair is like cutting me from my people, not letting me express myself how I feel I should be.

All right, Zinclay, joining us now. Zincay, we hear this whole conversation around length versus braids. What exactly is the Crown Act? And where do we stand right now in any broader legislation on the federal level?

Yeah, Sam, good to see you. The Crown Act is an acronym that stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. Of course, crown is also a term often used to refer to hair itself. And this legislation is particularly significant for the black community as there are a variety of natural hairstyles many African-Americans use interchangeably. Even on this show, I've showed up to work with short curly hair and long braids. Now, as I mentioned, and as you asked, 24 states have their own version of the Crown Act. But there was a federal version of the act introduced in Congress in 2021 that passed in the House, but was blocked by Senate Republicans. Right now there is no federal Crown Act to date. But, Sam, an interesting note to end on here. Darryl George's team tells me that the teenagers' initial suspension actually came just before the Crown Act passed in Texas. This is a story we're definitely going to keep following. Sam?

Yeah, for sure. We'll see what happens on the national level, too. Zinkway, thank you so much.

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