Article By Patricia Ingram // EEW Magazine // Black Issues

An African-American Texas student was suspended by the school district and told he will not be able to walk at graduation this spring unless he cuts off his dreadlocks.

Stories like this, which are increasingly common, are why the Oscar-nominated animated short “Hair Love” is so celebrated and important within the black community. The film was created to promote more onscreen diversity and hair love among young men and women of color.

Some say that embracing a naturally kinky texture can be hard for African-American youth when they are constantly targeted and singled out. The latest controversy over Deandre Arnold’s hair that erupted at a public meeting, ironically, on Martin Luther King Day, is viewed by some as the perfect example of unfair targeting.

But Barbers Hill ISD school board in Mont Belvieu denies that this is an issue of race and says the young man’s hair length—not style or texture— goes against school policy. Despite the school district’s denial, a local activist told CBS Houston affiliate KHOU that racial discrimination is the main factor.

"This is a black and white issue," Gary Monroe of the United Urban Alumni Association said. "He should not have to go through this. His family should not have to go through this. But I expect it from a board that has zero diversity." 

Lack of diversity isn’t only a problem on local school boards. Former University of Akron and NFL wide receiver Matthew Cherry, the creator of “Hair Love,” says his 7 minute animation that centers on the relationship between an African-American father Stephen, his daughter Zuri and her hair, “was born out of seeing a lack of representation in mainstream animated projects.”

Experts in race relations say representation normalizes what would otherwise be classified as “other.” This is why many celebrate the fact that the main character Stephen in “Hair Love” has long locks, just like Arnold does in real life. The only problem is the young Texas student isn’t receiving any rewards or awards for his hair. Rather, he is being penalized.

"We're here for Deandre, but it's about more than that," his mother, Sandy Arnold, told reporters. "This is about all the other Deandres that could come through Barbers Hill."

Superintendent Greg Poole noted, "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."

Some activists believe it is time for things to change, particularly when African-American students are being suspended and vilified for a cultural expression of style.