Texas Teens Suspended From School For Their Long Dreadlocks

Two teenagers in Texas have been suspended and aren't allowed back at school until they do something about the length of their dreadlocks. DeAndre Arnold and his cousin, , have been growing their dreadlocks out since they were younger and were still students at schools in the Barbers Hill Independent School District. Arnold's family is of Trinidadian descent and most of the men in his family grow their hair in the traditional dreadlock style. Many male members of the family have hair that reaches below their hips.

According to KPRC, at the beginning of the school year, DeAndre's hair was in compliance with the school dress code that said the hair must be "off the shoulders, above the ear lobes, and out of the eyes." DeAndre's mother would braid and tie his hair in a knot on the top of his head so his hair would be in compliance with the school's dress code. The student says his hair wasn't a problem for the school until before winter break when the school decided to change their dress code policy. The teenager and his mother were told he would have to cut his hair or be suspended for being in violation of the new school dress code, according to Fox 26 Houston.

According to a statement released by the school district:

"We do have a community-supported hair length policy & have had for decades. Barbers Hill is a state leader with high expectations in all areas!"

DeAndre's mother, Sandra Arnold, has said she has now unenrolled her son from Barbers Hill High School. Read more about this story at the Washington Post website.