Andrew Johnson, a high school wrestler in New Jersey, was forced to cut his locs on the mat before a match in 2018. The referee, Alan Maloney, was suspended for two wrestling seasons after forcing the boy to cut his hair, as Blavity previously reported.
“Racial discrimination in the enforcement of the rules of any sport is inconsistent with the spirit of fair play,” New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. “The Division on Civil Rights’ action today makes it less likely that any student-athlete will have to endure discrimination that not only undermines fair competition but also violates our state laws.”
According to The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, it is illegal to have “grooming or appearance policies that ban, limit or restrict hairstyles closely associated with being Black, including, but not limited to, twists, braids, cornrows, Afros, locs, Bantu knots and fades.”
Maloney threatened to sue the state for emotional distress and defamation after facing suspension, according to NBC News.
