There's
an outrage online after a young black wrestler was forced to cut his
dreadlocks before competing in a match in an incident that has raised
questions about whether race was involved in the controversial
decision. According to SNJ Today, Buena High School wrestler Andrew
Johnson, who is black, was told by a white referee that he would have to
cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit his Wednesday's match with his
opponent from Oakcrest High School. The publication reported that
Johnson and his coaches initially protested the decision before the
wrestler ultimately agreed to the quick haircut in a video posted by SNJ
which has gone viral. According to the report, Johnson had intended to
cover his dreadlocks with a hair cap, as is permitted by national and
state rules, but was not allowed to do so.The referee has been
identified as the same person who in 2016 offered to go through
sensitivity training and an alcohol awareness program after he
reportedly used the N-word toward another official, according to the
Cherry Hill (N.J.) Courier-Post. In a statement released by Larry White,
the executive director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic
Association, he said the association will recommend that the "referee
in question not be assigned to any event until this matter has been
reviewed more thoroughly in order to avoid potential distractions for
the competing wrestlers."Watch the video below.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, 2018Outrage as white referee forces black wrestler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit the match (Video)
There's
an outrage online after a young black wrestler was forced to cut his
dreadlocks before competing in a match in an incident that has raised
questions about whether race was involved in the controversial
decision. According to SNJ Today, Buena High School wrestler Andrew
Johnson, who is black, was told by a white referee that he would have to
cut off his dreadlocks or forfeit his Wednesday's match with his
opponent from Oakcrest High School. The publication reported that
Johnson and his coaches initially protested the decision before the
wrestler ultimately agreed to the quick haircut in a video posted by SNJ
which has gone viral. According to the report, Johnson had intended to
cover his dreadlocks with a hair cap, as is permitted by national and
state rules, but was not allowed to do so.The referee has been
identified as the same person who in 2016 offered to go through
sensitivity training and an alcohol awareness program after he
reportedly used the N-word toward another official, according to the
Cherry Hill (N.J.) Courier-Post. In a statement released by Larry White,
the executive director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic
Association, he said the association will recommend that the "referee
in question not be assigned to any event until this matter has been
reviewed more thoroughly in order to avoid potential distractions for
the competing wrestlers."Watch the video below.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
