![](\"https:\/\/cdni.rt.com\/files\/2018.12\/thumbnail\/5c1e6480dda4c89d718b45fc.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A New Jersey referee is facing fierce backlash for forcing a black high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks off on the court sideline in order to compete. <\/p>\n
Andrew Johnson had his hair brutally chopped off on the sidelines of his match for Buena Regional High School in New Jersey on Thursday after the referee, identified<\/a> as Alan Maloney, gave him an ultimatum of cutting his locks or forfeiting the game.<\/p>\n Epitome of a team player ⬇️<\/p>\n A referee wouldn’t allow Andrew Johnson of Buena @brhschiefs<\/a> 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<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Mike Frankel (@MikeFrankelSNJ) December 20, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n National Federation of State High School Association rules dictate<\/a> that all equipment worn on the mat, including hair coverings, fit \u201csnug.<\/em>\u201d The ref claimed the cover Johnson was wearing over his dreadlock wasn\u2019t sufficient \u2013 despite him wrestling without incident before the match, the Courier-Post reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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. \u2014 Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n No-loc bans are designed to oppress and shame Black people not just for expressing Blackness, but *for* their Blackness. They have no place in our society and certainly not in our schools. Until we can abolish these discriminatory practices and norms, we are all complicit. https:\/\/t.co\/yaYWn2Ac0P<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ACLU of New Jersey (@ACLUNJ) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n The high schooler reluctantly chose to cut his hair and went on to win the match, but still appeared visibly upset following his win.<\/p>\n No, not the epitome of a team player. It\u2019s a kid dealing with a racist ref (dreds gave him no advantage) who was humilated and seemed devastated even after his win. His team shoot have sttod up for him. Utterly and totally f*cked up thing to do to a kid. https:\/\/t.co\/dD8nn4YSiq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Soledad O’Brien (@soledadobrien) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n More context for you. Racial breakdown of Buena NJ (where Buena Regional HS is): 77 percent white. 7 percent black. This data will mean nothing to lots of you. But some will get it. https:\/\/t.co\/dD8nn4YSiq<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Soledad O’Brien (@soledadobrien) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n READ MORE: US passes anti-lynching bill, over a century after it was needed <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The footage has sparked an angry backlash on Twitter. Some of it directed towards SNJ Today sports journalist Mike Frankel who posted the footage with a caption prasing Johnson as the \u201cepitome of a team player<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n All involved need be sued and arrested for assault.<\/p>\n \u2014 George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n Frankel later offered some context for the footage \u2013 that Johnson\u2019s coaches argued the ref\u2019s decision for several minutes until Maloney started the injury time clock. He also apologized for missing the \u201cbig picture<\/em>\u201d and the significance of the incident.<\/p>\n Adding another layer to the already disturbing footage, is Maloney\u2019s alleged history of racism. In March 2016, he reportedly<\/a> called a black coach the n-word. Maloney apologized for the incident and voluntarily attended sensitivity training.<\/p>\n This is disgusting. You all watched adults force a child to choose between part of his identity and the sport he loves & praised his acquiescence to that humiliating choice as \u201cgood sportsmanship.\u201d Appalling doesn\u2019t even begin to describe this whole situation or your sick praise.<\/p>\n \u2014 Sabrina Joy Stevens (@realsabijoy) December 21, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/center><\/div>\n READ MORE: \u2018Golliwogs for rich people\u2019: Prada pulls \u2018racist\u2019 dolls following outrage (PHOTOS)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association said the referee would not oversee any more events until the issue had been investigated. \u201cAt this point, the NJSIAA is working to determine the exact nature of the incident and whether an infraction occurred<\/em>,\u201d said its executive director Larry White in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
\n
Don\u2019t mold this into a feel good story of victory. It is a story of terrible discrimination. https:\/\/t.co\/mbFEkaXQTP<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n