New Jersey

TexasTowelie

(116,768 posts) Sat Dec 22, 2018, 05:51 AM Dec 2018

High school wrestler told to cut dreadlocks or forfeit bout

BUENA, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey high school wrestler had his dreadlocks cut off minutes before his match after a referee told him to lose the hairstyle or forfeit his bout.

An SNJ Today reporter tweeted video of Buena Regional High School wrestler Andrew Johnson getting his hair cut court-side. He went on to win Wednesday's match, but appeared visibly distraught.

Johnson, who is black, had a cover over his hair, but the referee Alan Maloney, who is white, said that wouldn't do.

The state's Interscholastic Athletic Association said in a statement they are recommending Maloney not be assigned to any event until the matter has been reviewed more thoroughly.

Read more: https://www.theday.com/statenortheast-news/20181222/high-school-wrestler-told-to-cut-dreadlocks-or-forfeit-bout

7 replies

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High school wrestler told to cut dreadlocks or forfeit bout (Original Post) TexasTowelie Dec 2018 OP

The most poignant part of this was seeing the wrestler, who actually won his bout, walking hlthe2b Dec 2018 #1

I know that... Mike Nelson Dec 2018 #2

I agree that hair length can be an issue in wrestling for both parties. TexasTowelie Dec 2018 #3

His hair... Mike Nelson Dec 2018 #5

He's wrestled before, and had a legal cover over his hair... UncleTomsEvilBrother Dec 2018 #4

Reading the article, IMO, it's racism. n/t RKP5637 Dec 2018 #6

: onecaliberal Dec 2018 #7

hlthe2b

(106,340 posts)

1. The most poignant part of this was seeing the wrestler, who actually won his bout, walking

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 05:57 AM

Dec 2018

dejectedly out of the gym as he said nothing. Wrenching

Mike Nelson

(10,285 posts)

2. I know that...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 06:33 AM

Dec 2018

… hair length can be a problem in wrestling... I congratulate the winner! He's a nice looking young man and his hair looks great either way.

TexasTowelie

(116,768 posts)

3. I agree that hair length can be an issue in wrestling for both parties.

Reply to Mike Nelson (Reply #2)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 06:44 AM

Dec 2018

The hair can be pulled and it can also be used as a whip against the other wrestler if it's long enough. However, if he is wearing a skull cap to cover the hair then it shouldn't be an issue. Even if the referee is legitimately concerned about the safety of the wrestler and his opponent, the optics of the situation are horrible. As long as the athlete is following the dress code of their school then the referee over-stepped his authority.

Mike Nelson

(10,285 posts)

5. His hair...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Reply #3)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 07:02 AM

Dec 2018

… does look like it would fit nicely under a cap. My computer would not load the story - only the picture and some blue lines. I see another comment mentions the ref may be a racist... so, I'm guessing the concern is more than just the wrestler's long hair.

UncleTomsEvilBrother

(954 posts)

4. He's wrestled before, and had a legal cover over his hair...

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 06:53 AM

Dec 2018

The ref has been a problem as he has called a colleague the "N Word" before: https://deadspin.com/high-school-wrestling-ref-who-called-colleague-the-n-wo-1831260042/amp?__twitter_impression=true

This is assault and should be treated as such. The adults around this child failed him. This Black child had to have his hair publicly shorn on the order of a racist. The humiliation is palpable.

RKP5637

(67,112 posts)

6. Reading the article, IMO, it's racism. n/t

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 07:40 AM

Dec 2018

onecaliberal

(35,804 posts)

7. :

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Sat Dec 22, 2018, 09:49 AM

Dec 2018

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