White Referee Forces Black Wrestler To Cut His Dreadlocks Or Forfeit Match

This racist ref should never work another sporting event ever again

High school student wrestler Andrew Johnson is clearly visibly upset after being told by a white referee to cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit a wrestling match. In a now-viral video, you can see a white, female athletic director rapidly shearing his locs as he stands there, shoulders slumped.

It’s heartbreaking to watch.

Johnson, a student at Buena Regional High School in New Jersey, wore thick long locs until his match earlier this week against a rival high school. Right before he was set to compete, the white referee — who once referred to a colleague as the N-word at a public event — told Johnson he had to cut off his hair to “comply with athletic regulations” or forfeit the match altogether.

A reporter, Mike Frankel, captured the incident on video. Though Frankel seems to feel the incident shows Johnson as a “team player” rather than condemning the actions that lead up to the public cutting altogether, it’s clear in the video that Johnson is not okay with what’s unfolding.

Apparently, Johnson’s coaches argued the ref’s ruling.

Epitome of a team player

A referee wouldn't allow Andrew Johnson of Buena @brhschiefs to wrestle with a cover over his dreadlocks. It was either an impromptu haircut, or a forfeit. Johnson chose the haircut, then won by sudden victory in OT to help spark Buena to a win. pic.twitter.com/f6JidKNKoI

— Mike Frankel (@MikeFrankelSNJ) December 20, 2018

But he agrees to it anyway. Not because he’s a “team player,” but because people of color and those who are marginalized have to pick and choose how to handle their battles in the face of adversity.

This is white supremacy culture at work. Anything that exists outside of Standard Whiteness — like wearing locs — just doesn’t “comply.”

Many people who saw the video are outraged the referee would force such a drastic decision to unfold.

Disgusting and heartbreaking. A referee known for his racism, Alan Maloney (google him), made high school wrestler Andrew Johnson cut off his dreads or lose the match. They were covered and gave him no advantage. So he cut them off. He won the match. Never should’ve been allowed. pic.twitter.com/ChMXPBzHPk

— Shaun King (@shaunking) December 21, 2018

The ref should be ashamed. In the black community, hair is often tied to identity. Expressing disapproval of the hair is in many ways expressing disapproval of the person.Don’t mold this into a feel good story of victory. It is a story of terrible discrimination. https://t.co/mbFEkaXQTP

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) December 21, 2018

The framing of this story is problematic. This isn’t overcoming adversity, but a person of color having to succeed in the face of prejudice. https://t.co/nKDwnVfi5D

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 21, 2018

Maybe add: “In spite of his victory he appeared humiliated and traumatized. So we asked outlrselves why and reflected that maybe this was a violent, dehumaizing act against a young black man” https://t.co/SZcd9UZQjP

— Soledad O'Brien (@soledadobrien) December 21, 2018

Stop sharing this like it’s an inspirational story. This is a racist policy and the kid should not have been put in this position. https://t.co/ef4dF3gm9G

— Lizzie O'Leary (@lizzieohreally) December 21, 2018

This is disgusting, and I'm angry on this young man's behalf. You can SEE how humiliated he is. If anything, the team should've rallied around him and agreed not to participate so HE COULD KEEP HIS LOCS. Miss me with that "team player" crap. There's no justifying this. https://t.co/Lrv1Koq3H7

— Angie Thomas (@angiecthomas) December 21, 2018

What is this. As a coach I would’ve taken the forfeit. No one has the right to make one of my kids cut their hair, when there is a rule in place to allow them to wear a hair cover. Unacceptable by this official who shouldn’t be officiating. Just terrible.

— Seamus (@Seamus_oshea1) December 21, 2018

The ACLU chapter in New Jersey wasted no time in calling this incident what it really is: racism.

This is not about hair. This is about race. How many different ways will people try to exclude Black people from public life without having to declare their bigotry?

We're so sorry this happened to you, Andrew. This was discrimination, and it's not okay. https://t.co/DK6Efj8ct4

— ACLU of New Jersey (@ACLUNJ) December 21, 2018

As far as wrestling rules go, The National Federation of State High School Associations says when it comes to high school wrestling, a new rule instated this year is for officials to ensure all equipment worn on the mat — including hair coverings — should fit “snug” to a wrestler’s body.

It was reported that Andrew Johnson was wearing a hair covering at the time of the match in question. In fact, he’d been wearing one all season and wrestled without incident before this incident.

Hmmm. It’s so baffling that a guy who feels perfectly comfortable using the N-word in public AT WORK wouldn’t care for a black student’s dreadlocks! Weird!

Yesterday, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said it was conducting an investigation. In alliance with the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights, the association also recommends that the referee not be assigned to any further events until “the incident has been reviewed more thoroughly.”

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